Sonny's hits it off with a statuesque woman named Louise (played by Fern Fitzgerald, "Merilee Stone" on DALLAS) unaware she is a transsexual. Nancy is served with a sex discrimination lawsuit for not hiring a male waiter.
This is my favorite episode of Season 3. It's a great script with hilarious moments in both the A and B stories, which didn't always happen. While not directly related, both plots deal with sex/gender. The snowflake SJW's of 2023 would have a field day tearing this one apart, but honestly, the Louise character is shown as very sympathetic and the reactions of the regular characters are quite accepting considering the era. Sonny's moral dilemma is very humanizing for the character, although he has a line that would drive activists insane today. The scene where Louise begs Nancy not to tell and ruin her chance at happiness is very well-played by Fern.
The script gives Marian Mercer some great material in both plots, and she actually ends up being the star player in this one. She is brilliant in the scene where she puts two-and-two together about Louise. Later, when the girls are giggling in the lounge, it's nice to see Nancy actually laugh at herself for a few moments.
Mercer shows off her dramatic chops when she defends herself against the girls after firing Amy. Their angry reaction emphasizes the sisterhood angle nicely. When they remark on Amy having no family in L. A., Jan says "We are IT!".
The B-story has an amusing standoff between the obnoxious grifting fat waiter and Cassie as he threatens to undress in front of her, ("Go ahead, I could use a good laugh", she deadpans) and the ending with Amy returning to work instead of taking a job mud wrestling is sweet and satisfying.
This is my favorite episode of Season 3. It's a great script with hilarious moments in both the A and B stories, which didn't always happen. While not directly related, both plots deal with sex/gender. The snowflake SJW's of 2023 would have a field day tearing this one apart, but honestly, the Louise character is shown as very sympathetic and the reactions of the regular characters are quite accepting considering the era. Sonny's moral dilemma is very humanizing for the character, although he has a line that would drive activists insane today. The scene where Louise begs Nancy not to tell and ruin her chance at happiness is very well-played by Fern.
The script gives Marian Mercer some great material in both plots, and she actually ends up being the star player in this one. She is brilliant in the scene where she puts two-and-two together about Louise. Later, when the girls are giggling in the lounge, it's nice to see Nancy actually laugh at herself for a few moments.
Mercer shows off her dramatic chops when she defends herself against the girls after firing Amy. Their angry reaction emphasizes the sisterhood angle nicely. When they remark on Amy having no family in L. A., Jan says "We are IT!".
The B-story has an amusing standoff between the obnoxious grifting fat waiter and Cassie as he threatens to undress in front of her, ("Go ahead, I could use a good laugh", she deadpans) and the ending with Amy returning to work instead of taking a job mud wrestling is sweet and satisfying.