Cass is trying to resign himself to the fact that there's no way around Dee.
Donna's chatting about the party to Peter. He says they have to talk.
Carter barged in in time. Joyce tried to throw him out but Tom said it was all right. Joyce went out into the hall. Carter said she'd already heard everyone else's opinion but he wouldn't let her do this until she'd heard his. He told her he loved her. She said she'd already made up her mind. He said if he'd believed that he wouldn't've come. He said the baby was not Quinn's or Grant's or Lily's it was theirs and their business. He said he thought he did have rights because the baby was his too. Theirs. He said he loved them both and they could be so happy and a lot of people get married. He said he knew it wouldn't be easy but he'd do anything to have a life with her and (here he speculated aloud on the gender of the child and I threw up my hands in despair. She's lost) the baby. Joyce returned and said he really had to leave. Tom said she couldn't go through with it because she wants the baby. Joyce left to tell the doctor.
Sit down, Donna. Donna doesn't like it when Peter's grim like this. She protested that they needed levity. Marley came in and said "We're not talking about Carl again, are we?" wearily. "No, we're not. We're talking about the party and Peter's being difficult." Donna asked Marley to tell Peter that the invitations had already been sent out by messenger. ("The invitations have already been sent out") and that she thought it was a good idea. ("I think it's a good idea.") Donna left somewhat hysterical and in seven places at once. Marley told Peter that Donna NEEDED this party. Peter told her that they were stony broke. In debt. She laughed at first and then realised he was serious. He told her it was Carl. She sort of seemed to start crying. Marley said at least Carl hadn't hurt any of them and this would destroy Donna. Peter agreed and said they shouldn't tell Donna or anyone so's not to alarm their creditors. Marley's trust fund is still intact. She doesn't care. Peter's going out job-hunting. He thanked her for her support. She's just thankful Carl's gone.
Alpine wind interspersed with beeps. Carl trying to summon some bloody fool.
Lily's telling Dee that charm helped her out of some tight spots (which she refuses to go into right now). They're perusing the social register. Lily advocates Corys and SOME Loves. Dee just wants to give up. Lily told her she couldn't for Cass' sake. Dee: Cass, Cass. What d'you think of that guy? Lily: Well, I like him. We've always gotten along real swell. What do you think of him. Dee: He's an okay kind of guy. Kathleen's sure got the hots for him, yeah, I can tell you. What's the story on those two? Lily: I don't know. Seem to be good friends though. VERY good friends. Dee: Yeah, he's kind of cute. In a nasty kind of way. But nothing like my Frankie. Lily: No, probably not. Dee: Frankie -- this guy is really nasty. Lily: I'm real glad to hear it. Dee asked why everyone's so eager to help her be a deb. although they seem to get nothing out of it. Lily quickly changed the subject. Lily: Okay. The debutante ball is over. You've got to say goodnight to the hostess or whoever. Dee: NO. Lily: YES. Dee: I won't do it. Lily: Come on, let's say her name is -- her name is Mrs. Van Meter. Okay. Now smile. SMILE. Good. Now, what do you say? You say . . . WHAT DO YOU SAY, Dee? Dee: How's it going, big Van? Gained a couple pounds, ain'tcha, you fat broad. Lily: No, Dee, no. Dee: Listen, if I'm going to be saying good-bye, that means I've already gone to the ball, right? That means I'm already a debutante. That's all I'm supposed to be. (A string of inarticulate ravings) I've done what you -- Uncle Tony -- and all these other flakeheads wanted me to do, that means I can say what I want to say. RIGHT? Lily: CASS WINTHROP, where are you, honey?
Cass thinks Dee can manage this. They're agreed that Dee's not stupid, just ignorant. Cass says he's going to turn Dee into a full-blown bona fide debutante or die in the attempt. Literally.
Peter's at the Complex. Sally's waiting for Mac. They'll wait together. He thanked her for coming to Emily's Service. He told her he was no longer with Brian and Mark. She's sure Mac will hire him back and they'll be working together just like old times. Not exactly like old times he said (wryly?). Uncomfortable silence. He apologized. Mac arrived. Sally insisted Peter go first and rushed off. Mac's to give her a buzz when they're through. Mac has the occasional doubt about Peter but he's forgiven because wot he's done was for love. (Oh, PLEASE. Somebody should've left this man to die in the wilds of Alberta.) He's hired. Effective immediately. Peter wants Mac to understand about Emily. He said he wasn't just protecting Emily and the child; he was after Carl for EVERYONE's sake and he lost perspective. But he's not going to do that ever again because (do you know why?) FATE has a way of dealing with the Carl Hutchinses of this world.
We whisk you now to the Swiss Alps. Of course. A chopper has arrived to pick up Carl.
Dee is being taught to accept compliments gracefully. She says it's a lie and Kathleen may look good but she knows she doesn't. Cass says that's not the POINT. Cass said they'd do something else and it would be fun. Wallingford said it would be a like a play. A farce said Cass. Luckily Dee doesn't know what a farce is. They're going to simulate deb. night. Cass set the scene. The country club. Wallingford waiter. Kathleen otherdeb. Cass Dee's charming escort. Dee is going to be sick. Cass and Kathleen are going to demonstrate how it should be done. It went smoothly. Dee's turn. I'm not sure what she did but Cass sounds one-legged and I think I heard punch tumblers breaking. She's sorry (unsarcastically).
Donna's planning the party like mad. Marley wishes she wouldn't take it so seriously. It's only a party. Donna refuses to admit that such a thing exists. She's full of plots for Marley's coming out etc. Marley said she thinks debuts and things are silly. Donna says it's a lovely tradition and she's going to come out. She's ordering oceans of wine from New York. Marley tried again to say her friends are her friends for her and not her money. Donna paid no attention.
Sally's glad to hear Peter's back with Cory. She asked Mac to give her away as he's been like a father to her. He said it would be an honour and asked her to always be as happy as she is now. She said she would be because she's marrying the most wonderful man in the world. (I had a hard time sorting this bit out until she said Catlin. Even then I thought the name sounded wrong.)
Tom told Quinn. She says she knows what she wants now and Quinn won't confuse her ever again (she's talking to Carter). She's so happy and she loves him and they're going to have a baby. She feels so lucky. They're leaving the hospital.
Lily stopped by the Hardings' to pick up some stuff. Quinn's upset that Tom's going through with having the baby. She's sure Carter swayed her and she would never've come to a decision like this on her own. She's denying her ambitions. Lily asked if they weren't Quinn's ambitions. She said raising a baby wasn't a waste of time and they had to stand by her if this was what Tom wanted.
More debbing. Cass is being kind but not condescending. Not his usual sarcastic self. Dee managed the run-through beautifully. Cass is optimistic. He credits Kathleen with part of the success. He asked Kathleen out. She's overwhelmingly thrilled.
Donna and Sandy met at the hospital. Donna asked Sandy his opinion on the board meeting. He said the board meeting was pathetically organized and dashed out. She went to speak to the chairman.
Cass says Dee's progressing EXCELLENTLY. Kissing. Dee returned with something that had come for Cass. Invitation for our Winthrop and guest to Donna's party. He wants to take Dee for a trial run. Kathleen's not sure it will work. Dee says she's not ready and she won't go. He says it's not multiple choice and the answer is YES I'D BE DELIGHTED MR. WINTHROP. And is this works all will be well from now on.
Peter told Donna he'd got a job. She was absently pleased. He told her he needed a job. WE NEED THE JOB he said. She murmured things about the party arrangements. Centrepieces. He said DONNA desperately. He told her to sit down. She said she was too busy with the party. He told her to forget about the party. The LOVES ARE BROKE.
Sandy's at the Complex. He's not ready to decide about coming back. He has to learn without pressure.
Carl's reached a hideaway. He's glad of the storm. Folk will think he's dead. Perfect.
Kathleen as Pickering. O boy. If Dee at Donna's is anything like Eliza at Ascot (It's my belief they done the old girl in) it should be interesting. Why should Donna invite Cass? She doesn't like him. Is he socially acceptable? Funny if he is. I wonder who else is invited. McKinnons and Corys presumably. Sally? Alice? Mark? Tom? Quinn? Carter? It's all so complicated.
I think it's Mac's duty to give females away. Just as it's Brian's to escort them. And Wallingford's to compliment them. And Peter just gets engaged to them. I don't think Sally perceives Peter as a threat. Just someone with whom she's still friends and was in the distant past engaged to. Meself I think he's somewhat more sinister. He seems the sort to come to the deranged conclusion that he was a fool to throw Sally over and he should try to insinuate himself into her good graces again disregarding her current fiancé. Keep an eye on that man. HE IS OF NO EARTHLY USE TO ANYONE IN THIS STATE. (Poor and bereft of the woman he loved.) Ought to be shot the horrible thing. Hateful hateful.
I don't think it can be the simple act of speaking to Alice . . . it must involve taking her into your confidence. After all Tom confided in her but Sally keeps things from her.
Donna's party won't go over very well without funds.
Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.
My strength is as the strength of ten, because my heart is pure.
All men are equal --- all men, that is to say, who possess umbrellas.
The Spartans on the sea-wet rock sat down and combed their hair.
In every pot he finds a wife (Thomas and Sally, Isaac Bickerstaffe.)
Which refuseth to hear the voice of the charmer: charm he never so wisely.
Dominique should take up with Tony. When Tony is no longer a threat. They can be run into at social functions. Tallboys. Wherever.
Kiss me, Hardy.
Alice looks very much at home in a white coat.
Be wery careful o' vidders all your life. [Mr. Weller] (The very idea! Widows pose no danger.)
I wants to make your flesh creep.
Timeo Danaos et dona ferentis.
Varium et mutabile semper femina.
By my god I have leaped over a wall.
Kiss till the cow comes home.
Nothing grown in our garden, only washing. And babies.
I am to be married within these three days; married past redemption.
And finally words from my mother: "I found out I was a perfectionist at Aunt Myra's. I stabbed Brian with a pitchfork."