Top-rated
Mon, May 16, 1994
Mother's Day is approaching and, as usual, Maxwell is trying to preoccupy the children so that they won't think about their mother, Sara. But Fran thinks talking to the kids about their mother. This year, Maxwell and the family have joined a new country club. Scoping it out, Maxwell, Fran, and Grace learn that it's having Mother's-Day festivities, including a mother-daughter pageant. Grace wants to enter it with Fran, which Maxwell doesn't think is a good idea, believing that she'll ultimately grieve Sara's loss again, but he gives in to her wish. Then, on Mother's Day, one of the competing mother-daughter teams (ultra-competitive Bobbi Jo and Betty Jo), deems Fran and Grace ineligible for the pageant since Fran isn't Grace's mother, and Grace storms out stating she has no mother. Later, Grace admits her anger is not grief and missing her deceased mother, but anger at herself for not remembering anything about her mother. Maxwell realizes he has been approaching Sara's death all wrong, especially with Grace. Back at the country club, Fran and Grace complete the pageant with a duet as their talent, placing them first runner-up, not behind Bobbi Jo and Betty Jo, but behind Patti LaBelle and her daughter.
Mon, Nov 28, 1994
Maxwell and Fran face a difference in opinion on how to raise the children when Maxwell reverses a decision Fran made regarding not allowing Brighton to go to the mall. Fran makes Maxwell realize that Brighton was using the old ploy of dividing and conquering. Another difference they face is during the party following the opening on Maxwell and C.C.'s new play, a musical version of Norma Rae (1979). The busboys at the hotel where the reception is being held are on strike. Fran refuses to cross the picket line, which makes Maxwell try to forcibly make her cross. The media has a field day with the issue, especially considering the irony with regard to the subject matter of Norma Rae. Maxwell and C.C. decide to diffuse the issue by presenting their side of the story on Sally Jessy Raphael's talk show. But Sally's show offers Fran a counterpoint argument. Realistically, this forum allows both Fran and Maxwell to discuss deeper feelings around the issue.