Review of Episode #1.2

In the previous first ep of "Soap", we find out Chester Tate (Robert Mandan) has been fooling around but wife Jessica seems none the wiser though she herself has been sleeping with Peter "the tennis player" (Robert Urich). Their daughter Corrine (Diana Canova) has been staying out real late with that same guy which we find out after her mother leaves moments before. Jessica's sister Mary Campbell (Cathryn Damon) has her own problems: second husband Burt (Richard Mulligan) isn't getting along with either of her sons-Jodie Dallas (Billy Crystal) who's gay and Danny (Ted Wass) who's involved with the mob. Also, he and Mary haven't been able to make love for some time and he won't reveal why: he murdered her first husband. With that plot point out of the way, here's what happened in the second ep: Mary and Jessica have lunch where Mary notices her sister glowing which has Jess worried about Chester finding out. Chester himself has his own problems-secretary Claire (Kathryn Reynolds) who he has had a long affair with knows about his recent one and threatens him with blackmail unless he provides for her financially. Back at the Campbells, Jodie tries on his mother's clothes and is wearing a blond wig because he is thinking about having a sex-change operation to his mother's astonishment and stepfather's shock. And Danny meets The Godfather (Richard Libertini) who will let him out of the mob on one condition: he kills his father's murderer. He doesn't reveal it's Burt just yet. Burt himself has received news that one of his long-estranged sons is about to see him again. It all ends with the Campbells and Tates at the latter's mansion with awkward conversation that threatens to get argumentative until the arrival of Burt's son who he hasn't seen in fifteen years-Peter. Well, this should be interesting...These first two eps of "Soap" provided enough laughs and characterization for one to want to spend time with these people no matter how over-the-top some of their antics are. Most of them are well-defined, well, except for Eunice (Jennifer Salt) or Billy Tate (Jimmy Baio) yet. Oh, and Jessica and Mary's father, The Major (Arthur Peterson) is such a hoot as is once again Benson and his priceless reactions. And announcer Rod Roddy is positively deadpan with some of his comments. Looking forward to the third episode of "Soap" when I get around to it...