With Suzanne having left for Japan to live with her mother, she has sold her interest in the Sugarbaker Design firm to Allison Sugarbaker, a cousin in New York City. If that isn't enough, Charlene has brought her sister Carlene from Arkansas to be Olivia's new nanny. Meanwhile, Charlene and Bill are invited to meet the Queen of England, while Mary Jo hires a stripper as a surprise for Julia's birthday.
Although believing Allison to be a silent investor in the business, the women are surprised to learn she is in Atlanta and moving into Suzanne's house --- where Anthony also happens to be living. Preceded by the delivery of an enormous desk, Allison soon arrives to take charge of Sugarbaker's. However, the women and Anthony quickly begin to resent their new partner's suspicious and overly businesslike attitude.
After telling Anthony that she has moved his things to a nearby motel, Allison lays down a new set of work rules for Sugarbaker's. Reminding Mary Jo to leave her squirt gun at home and telling Charlene that she can no longer bring Olivia to work, Allison soon begins to feel the heat of Julia's anger. As Julia searches for a loophole to break her cousin's contract regarding the design firm, Allison continues her reign of terror at Sugarbaker's. Meanwhile, when he must retrieve his clothes from the yard where Allison has put them, Anthony vows to win his war with Allison for Suzanne's house.
When her lawyer in unable to break the contract, Julia snaps at Allison, prompting her to protest the lack of civility at Sugarbaker's. Unable to take anymore of her obnoxious behavior, Julia tells Allison that she must either quit or die. Shocked by Julia's ultimatum, Allison is prompted to confess how miserable her life has been, exposing herself as a liar as well. Although everyone else demands that she quit, Charlene's compassion convinces them to give Allison another chance after she agrees to mend her offensive ways.
Additional Comments:
The Big Desk originally aired as one hour-long episode.
This episode debuts a new, live rendition of the opening theme song, "Georgia On My Mind", by Ray Charles -- with the cast seated and draped around the piano.
As sympathetic as Charlene feels towards Allison, she actually agrees that she must go. The ladies then elect Anthony to give her the bad news, so it is he that actually breaks down and gives Allison a second chance -- which is odd considering their war over Suzanne's house.
Charlene's baby Olivia, who should now be over a year and a half old, doesn't look any older than she did a year ago.
As mentioned on the Goofs & Glitches Page when Charlene's sister Carlene is introduced in this episode, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason chose to create her from scratch rather than using the name of one of the sisters previously mentioned over the course of the series. This is particularly odd to fans because Charlene has a specific number of siblings -- all of whom made an appearance during the first season in Nashville Bound.
Charlene's sister, Carlene, is explained to be going through a divorce and staying with Charlene and Bill to help care for baby Olivia while also helping with some office work at Sugarbaker's. In this episode, Charlene finds out that she and Bill have been invited to meet the Queen of England, and in later shows it is mentioned that they are involved in a house-swapping program with a couple from England, but nothing specific is ever said to explain Charlene's sudden disappearance after this episode or why she and Bill stayed in England. Carlene, therefore, continues to be a presence -- apparently filling in for Charlene (who is presumably still a partner in Sugarbaker's) during her extended absence.
Rusty the electrician, who made brief appearances in two different episodes, graduates to a speaking role in this episode, which marks the first of several regular appearances this season.
This episode is the last for Jean Smart, who makes a final guest appearance as Charlene to more easily transition the audience into the new characters. Pictured to the left, Jean shares a tearful goodbye with Executive Producers Pam Norris, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason.
Classic Scenes:
Here is some fun banter regarding Suzanne that is often cut out of the syndicated version...
CARLENE: Why'd she (Suzanne) move to Japan anyway?
JULIA: Well, Suzanne was very attracted to the Japanese economy. They have a very large elderly population there, and she had dated most of the men in this country.
CARLENE: Well that was something about her dating that Emperor Hirahito wudn't it?
CHARLENE: Oh no, Carlene. That was the nephew of Emperor Hirahito. I mean, Emperor Hirahito is dead.
MARY JO: .......never stopped Suzanne in the past.
MARY JO: For someone who's not gonna even be working here,
Tinkerbell sure has a big desk.
ALLISON: Just to make sure that we get off on the right foot, let's talk about how we can be more professional and well presented. On the personal side, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but someone's wearing a very offensive cologne. Incidentally, I do think it's inappropriate to bring visiting relatives to work. (To Carlene) Is there any particular reason you're lying on the sofa?
CHARLENE: Yes, she has premenstrual cramps.
ALLISON: You suffer from P.M.S.?
CARLENE: Um........actually back home we call it F.T.S..............Fixin' To Start. And then when it finally arrives, you say your cousin's visiting. And that's why it was so funny this morning when Anthony said Julia's cousin was visiting, I thought that Julia was......Fixin' To Start.... then you showed up!
ALLISON: (to Mary Jo) Incidentally, I assume you meant for your lips to be that color this morning.
MARY JO: Yes.....I did.
ALLISON: Ok. I'm just a person who believes if someone has a bird on their head you should tell them.
CHARLENE: Mary Jo, guess what I found in the mall last night. Carlene and I went shopping, and I had this picture of my whole family put on this button....see? Here's my mamma and my daddy, all my brothers and all my sisters. You know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna wear it when I meet the Queen....see that way she gets to see my whole family.
MARY JO: Uh-huh. That will certainly set you apart from the crowd.
ALLISON: Let me get this straight. You're gonna wear that when you meet the Queen?
CHARLENE: Yeah, why?
ALLISON: Well, as I was just saying to Mary Jo, I believe that if someone has a bird on their head you have to tell them, and I am here to tell you that you do not impress the Queen of England by showing up with a big ole soup plate on your breast with 49 hicks emblazoned on it!
ALLISON: I was a seeing-eye person for a rich blind lady in New York. Do you have any idea what it's like to be let go from a position that was formerly held by a dog?
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