This show is dedicated to the memory of BRENT COLLINS.
Mac begged Amanda not to go.
Nicole found Cass in Tops surrounded by funereal flowers. He plucked the black ribbons off of the bunches and left to change.
Felicia worried excessively. Mitch tried to calm her. She said she didn't think she could do this. He soothed her. She warned him not to tell her how to feel.
Mac assured Amanda he didn't hate Sam. She begged him to try to like him. Mac said Sam should try to be more open-minded. When Mac started brooding about Mitch, Amanda ran out of his office. Enter Rachel.
Felicia told Mitch she felt abandoned and she couldn't accept that Wally's death had just happened. She ran off on a mysterious errand.
Rachel and Mac decided not to quarrel. Mac decided he did have to try with Sam for Amanda's sake. He made-up his mind to have him over for dinner. Rachel approved.
Amanda told Sam she hated being caught in the middle. She said she loved her parents as well as him. He said they didn't have to move away. She beamed and threw herself into his arms without getting any paint on her so nice pink sweater [miraculously; she didn't manage it by being careful or anything.] Then she spotted the painting he'd been working on and said it would be perfect for their wedding invitations. [Somehow I doubt it.] He was annoyed to hear she'd gone setting dates without him.
Felicia let herself into Wally's apartment and felt things and reminisced and talked to a photograph. She scolded him for dying without any warning. Cass came in and found her. They hugged each other and sobbed. They wished they'd had a chance to say goodbye. Cass assured Felicia she'd always shown Wally how much she cared. They reminisced about the time she and Wally had driven into Tallboys. They still keep expecting to see him around. Felicia said Wally was kind of like a guardian angel and she liked to think he had just moved on to people who needed him. She told Cass Wally had said he [Cass] and Nicole belonged together. [I don't much like the use of Wally to consecrate the union or whatever.] Cass left Felicia alone. She told Wally she would always love him and would never forgive him for leaving her.
Sam told Amanda he didn't want to have to invite his mother to the wedding. He wants something small. Amanda left the room, hurt. Sam made her tell him what was wrong. She has dreamed of a big wedding since infancy. Sam decided he wanted her to have a big wedding. She squealed and hugged him.
John thought about drinking with Wally and laughing about their respective non-handicaps. He was a comforting presence for Cheryl. He went over to Michael and Donna and they were all very civilized and receptive to reconciliation. There are photos of Wally all over the piano. Michael thought about Wally and told Felicia he was going to send a large cheque to Wally's favourite charity. Lisa and Adam arrived. Everyone loved Wally. Chad thought about Wally's diverting his betting money to a winning horse. Mitch consoled Felicia. She told him she loved him. Cass was affronted to see Tony the Tuna present. Tony said Wallingford was a friend. Cass relaxed. He didn't explain Tony to Nicole. One of Wally's ex-girlfriends arrived. I don't remember her name. The memorial got underway. Cass made a speech and turned the microphone over to Felicia. She talked about the scrapes she had got into with Wally. She'll always miss him. Cass called for a minute of silence with joined hands.
Steve Schnetzer and Linda Dano sat side by side and spoke to us directly.
Steve: "On Wednesday January 6, 1988, Brent Collins, our beloved Wallingford, died. It was very easy to love this gentleman. He was an absolute joy to work with. His humour, integrity, compassion, generosity, spirit, optimism, courage, were an inspiration to us all. The effect he had on everybody he touched is his legacy. The Cass, crew, and production staff of another world, you, his fans, and so many others will miss him dearly. We pray he is at rest."
Linda: "We know that he brought you tears and joy. You know, when you see a performer on television that is as charming and captivating as Wallingford, you often wonder what is he really like in real life? Well, we can assure you that Brent Collins was the most kind-hearted, most lovable, most generous man that we have ever known. In his personal life he was a caring, loving man. In fact Brent tells a very funny story. He walked down the streets of New York, and a man walked up to him and said, "hey, don't I know you? I see you every day." Brent smiled and said he was very flattered and he said "why, thank you. I'm so happy that you like the show." And he said "what show? I'm your neighbour,. I see you in your backyard." and then Brent responded "well, I guess you put me in my place." That was our Brent. You know, when you walk up to me and you ask me about your beloved Wallingford and you go on and on and I say oh, he's wonderful, I then often say you have great taste. And you know what? You do. We will miss Brent greatly. All of us, and all of you."