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Soaplore
Ever wondered what you missed out on before the golden age of streaming? Welcome to Soaplore, the podcast where we dive headfirst into the wonderfully over-the-top world of vintage soap operas from the 80s and 90s. I’m Jett, a TV-loving Millennial who’s finally escaping the monotony of modern shows and embracing the drama, the shoulder pads, and the catfights of yesteryear.
Join me as I experience the soapy sagas of "Dynasty," "Dallas," "Falcon Crest," and "Knots Landing" for the first time, episode by episode. With over 200 shows, we’ll laugh, we’ll cry, and we’ll probably question our life choices—just like the characters do, but with slightly less fabulous wardrobes.
Whether you’re a Xillenial who grew up with these iconic series, a Millennial like me who missed out the first time around, or a new fan discovering the glorious chaos of primetime soaps, "Soaplore" is your time machine to the melodramatic past. Tune in, relive the magic, and let’s marvel together at how people ever survived without binge-watching.
Pour yourself a glass of something strong, because, trust me, you’ll need it. This isn’t just nostalgia; this is Soaplore—where every episode is a rollercoaster of emotions, and nothing is ever as it seems.
Soaplore
S2 EP12 Knots Landing - Players: The "Benefits of Doubt" Episode
Are you ready for the tangled threads of 1980s soap opera drama that keep audiences glued to the screen, as we unpack "Knots Landing" Season 2, Episode 12, "Players."? How does the presence of children twist the plot and why does the episode's title leave us guessing? Join me, Jet as I navigate this nostalgia-laden landscape savoring each twist and turn of the storyline. We'll also take a detour into iconic soaps like "Dallas" and "Dynasty," reflecting on the bling-bling era of the early 2000s and uncovering a delightful fan gem that adds an unexpected sparkle to our discussion.
Ever watched a character's growth story unfold in real time? Join us as we explore the evolving dynamics of characters like Richard, whose respect for Laura's real estate triumphs marks a significant shift. We'll also ponder the rich tapestry of intrigue woven by the arrival of mysterious new characters and potential plot twists. Whether it's the slow-burn storytelling or the intricate relationships that keep us hooked, this episode promises a deep dive into the heart of character evolution and drama that keeps audiences coming back for more.
Feel the pulse of passion and betrayal as we navigate the complicated relationships of Linda, Sid, Karen, and Abby, all set against the backdrop of an automotive repair shop. From love triangles to moral dilemmas, these characters' journeys are fraught with suspicion and emotional conflict. As Linda makes a bold confession to Sid, we witness a cascade of romantic confusion, trust issues, and familial complexities. Pour yourself something bubbly and join us for a revealing exploration of the human experience through the lens of soap opera storytelling.
But she knows one thing's for certain, two things for sure Abby definitely knows her way around somebody else's man. And number two Abby's not really a liar, at least not yet. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome and welcome back to Soap Floor, the official gathering place of newbies, novices and OG diehard fans of the golden age of primetime. I'm your host, jet Ewing, and reviewing one of the soapiest, sudziest primetime storylines of 1979 or 80. Still haven time. I'm your host, jet, viewing and reviewing one of the soapiest, studziest prime time storylines of 1979 or 80. Still haven't checked on that. So, whether you're new to this or true to this, sit back and enjoy. Tell the kids it's time to play outside or out of sight. Tell babe no questions, suggestions or concerns for the next 25 to 35 minutes, everyone else in earshot. Be cool, be quiet or be kicked out because we have got to discuss our shorts. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this is Soap Lord, hello forges. Welcome and welcome back to another fun filled edition of soap lore the knots landing takeover.
Speaker 1:We're on the second and the third review this week for knots landing, season 2, episode 12, players. Now I don't know if players have the same connotation as it does now, but I didn't really understand why they named this episode such, but it doesn't matter. This one is so so, so good. This show. If nothing else, they like to go really, really deep. I love that there's always something bubbling. They don't do a lot, they're not moving around a lot, they're at this house or another, there's one conflict or another, but there's always something going on below the surface. The characters are complex. I'm a head over heels Y'all completely sold out. When I finished this episode. This was the first time in a long time that I felt the urge Like I have to go scour the internet. I have to get clarity on this. I'm trying to join groups tempted to buy books, but I am committed to keeping the integrity of the show by going into this completely blind. I hope you guys are having a wonderful morning, evening or afternoon, wherever you are. Y'all have been awesome this week. We got a lot to cover. We've got some fan mail.
Speaker 1:I feel like I need to clear up something about kids. A lot of y'all came at me, not a lot Like. A few people had a couple questions like hey, girl, what is your deal with kids? Kids are lovely. We'll get into that. We have some really fun questions about Dallas and Dynasty, and someone shared one of the most iconic gems I've ever witnessed in my life and I have to share it with you guys.
Speaker 1:All this and more on this fun-filled edition of Soap Lore. So pour yourself off something lovely, bubbly and bright wherever you are, enjoy it. And let's jump into season two, episode 12, knox Landing Players. Player player. My God, who else is glad 2003 is is gone. That was the bling, bling era of the playa, playa, fun times, fun times. What a time to be alive. Welcome back to another fun felt edition. I've already said all that. Let's jump into this.
Speaker 1:I want to clear up something, first and foremost, about the kiddie babies on the TV. I had a few people comment about that. It's not that I dislike kids, or even kids shows for that matter. I think in context it makes a lot of sense. But in dramas, and in this case soap operas, they never quite get it right. In my opinion, when you introduce a kid on a drama or a soap opera, it often leads to a shift in the story that can compromise the integrity of the show. Think about a show like Modern Family Tons of kids on that right, but it works because the kids are not props, they're actual characters, they're fully recognized people and you get to watch them grow up. You get to see them interact with other people, and it doesn't change the parents one way or another. It would be totally unrealistic for drama about families not to include children, and let me go ahead and say this too I think Knox Landing is doing an excellent job.
Speaker 1:Diana is a jumbo pain in the ass, but I understand she's already a teenager. Diana must grow up. You know what I'm saying. Like, the teenagers are obviously going to grow up. This is the next generation. If you will, you're always going to need more people coming in, and the deeper the ties, the better the story is. You can only fly in so many cousins from Wisconsin. You can only have so many runaways. You know what I mean. You can only do that so many times. So it's good to have some homegrown drama. In my view. That's who Diana is. Now these other kids seem a little bit young.
Speaker 1:I feel like there's one too many boys, which sounds weird, but men don't often come back on a show, if you've noticed. Think about some of the soap hoppers you watch like the dudes usually disappear, or they. You know they'll always bring in more women. I guess it's more eye candy, I don't know. But I think when you include a kid you need to make sure that it doesn't detract from the overall narrative. Too often kids are used merely as props or as a moral compass, and that can oversimplify a complex adult storyline. Or as a moral compass, and that can oversimplify a complex adult storyline. It's important that their roles are meaningful and contribute to the depth of the plot rather than diminishing it. It is unrealistic and a drama when a child is like, oh, mommy and daddy, please don't break up, and all of a sudden the family's back together, they oversimplify it. I think that's the best way to say it.
Speaker 1:I'll get off my soapbox now because, like I said, knox Landing is doing a fantastic job with the kids. These kids are deep, just like everyone else on the show. We're going to solve a family feud here. I got a really good one. I'm going to mess up your name. I apologize, but it's Kelly. Sexy baby like BB jeans baby. I never could say that brand right, there's a bunch of numbers. She says, hey, dallas is so good. I started watching the new Dallas when it was on TNT. I've finished all of season one and my mom was a huge fan back in the day, so we decided to go back and watch the original together. I can admit it has been as good as advertised and it makes the new one make sense. We're a few episodes ahead of you and we, we, I, we would. I would love your opinion about something she said and I disagree about.
Speaker 1:Do you think that Mitch and Lucy look like siblings? I swear they're from the same stock. My mother disagrees, but I think it's because this is her dearly beloved and she has a hot for Mitch. I also think the clip Barnes would have made a better Bobby, because he looks just like Ellie. Thank you so much, kelly. You know what, now that you mentioned it, I yeah, a little bit I thought that about Lucy.
Speaker 1:I think Lucy and Ellie look a whole lot alike Like there's several episodes I've watched them and I thought, god, they did a great job of casting her. She looks like she would have come from Ellie's gene pool and now that you mentioned it, so does Mitch Also. He actually kind of looks a little more like, a little more like Sue Ellen. I think they just have bigger eyes. I can see it. They do kind of look alike. But we're not going to disrespect your mama's boo. I'm glad she thinks Mitch is cute. He's cute enough. I guess he's just kind of weird. I kind of forget he's there most of the time. I had never noticed this. But you are also right about Cliff. Cliff does look a lot like Ellie. I hadn't thought about that before. There's kind of a dang. They're kind of short too. That would make sense. She's got these big, old, tall kids, but I guess Jock's got to be. I need to look up the actor's height. He looks like he's about 6'3", 6'4". They're all pretty tall. I could see it. I could totally see Cliff as Bobby. Only that just makes it really weird, cause then that would make Bobby Cliff and that would make Pam with her brother one way or another. And we just we need to get away from that. One ancestral relationship on Dallas is more than enough. Got another Dallas question it says I really I'm really enjoying your insights on Dallas.
Speaker 1:How do you feel about the introduction of Rebecca Wentworth in season four? Do you think her storyline will bring new twists to the Ewing family saga? Um, I don't think so and I'll tell you well, I don't think she'll bring twists, but I do think she will be a stronger character. And that's only because I happened upon an article probably sometime last year, maybe it was earlier this year where the actress who plays Pam was wishing her TV mom a happy 100th birthday. So okay, cool, that's her mom. I didn't fully expect her to find her mom, but soon. It was kind of one of those things I read and I thought, oh, that's cool.
Speaker 1:I was more focused on the a-year-old part versus anything else, but I can't imagine what drama she would bring to the Ewings, but I can imagine what drama they would and could bring to her. That's a perfect person to blackmail, if you think about it. She doesn't want her new husband to know that their marriage is null and void. It also brings the addition of Pam's new sister. Pam mentioned that she has a sister in New York. I don't know. Cliff is a little bit of a wild card. I could see him maybe blowing up her spot at some point. Or if they bring Cliff and Pam's aunt back, I can't remember their aunt's name. I can see her blowing up her spot, but I don't see how she could do anything to the Ewings. She's wealthy, it might, I don't know. I just I don't really see that being a thing. I really really don't, but I hope I'm wrong. The more drama, the merrier. I'm just kind of going to blanketly blanketly, that's definitely not a word, but it is today.
Speaker 1:Answer this question. It is how do you feel about the titles of season four dynasty episodes introducing characters one by one? You know, I'm still intrigued. I was really really intrigued when it first happened and I have to remember we're still pretty much the beginning. We're sliding into the middle where the you know dynasty is going to leave us with a cliffhanger. For sure, we know that.
Speaker 1:But the introduction of each character or the episode being named after them, it hasn't really proven to be noteworthy just yet. Like I fully expected tracy to blow up, but you know, everything doesn't have to be. It doesn't have to be deep, not landing, for instance. It isn't always a lot going on, but there's stuff under the surface. So I guess with Tracy we have that going on with a defibrillator.
Speaker 1:I feel like he's a coke fiend. That's a one and done. I can't imagine he's going to be on here very long. He is not magnetic in any way. His unusualness is the only thing really memorable about him? He's seducing Fallon. What else is is new? Y'all know how I feel about Fallon. What's what's tall, dark and handsome's name? Who just took down Alexis? What is his name? Dex, dexter. Dex is a very interesting character. I'm excited to see who he really is and what he's going to bring. He seems like he's poised to do dirt some way or another. I don't know if he dislikes it. Didn't seem like he dislikes anybody. Doesn't seem like he's head over heels for anybody. Seems like he wanted Alexis, like on some sexual tension type stuff. But I don't know. I like that they're doing it because in my mind it'll pay off later on.
Speaker 1:It's okay to have a slow burn, it's all right, which brings us to the topic at hand this week. A slow burn is a burn nonetheless. It appears that the first lady mechanic ever in life has finally decided that it is time to make a move on. Good old city said when I tell you this was a, you see, I'm speechless. I'm sort of speechless, so let's just jump into it. We're going to get into the bit players first.
Speaker 1:On the last episode, I mentioned that I do like to leave out a chunk. When I started the podcast, I would try to leave out a chunk of everything, but over time I'm a little excited, trying to get back to that so that you have a little something more to watch when you watch it for yourself. However, I don't think I could overshare with this show. There is always something else just below the surface. So last episode I left off the fact that Abby decided that she and Richard were done. He's not worth losing her kids. This has been fun. This has been an okay type thing, but we are done.
Speaker 1:Richard and Laura. Of course he blows up at her because he says that she is demeaning to him or she's talking down to him, calling him. I can't remember the exact situation. It was BS either way. So on this episode Laura is back at it. She is killing it in almost said in the NFL, in the real estate game.
Speaker 1:She's just really, really good. She is Michael Jordan with the basketball. She can't help herself. If I assess the situation from the outside, looking in, it seems like she took care of her father as a kid, if I remember that correctly. She didn't grow up with a mom. She's used to kind of having to deal with situations, so she doesn't get flustered very easily and I imagine you need that sort of Teflon skin in a real estate business because it could be a slow burn. It could take months to find the right house. It could take months to get your first sale. Not her, though. She's doing wonderful.
Speaker 1:Richard took the breakup Sounds so horrible. Took the breakup of he and his side chick. Well enough, and that's great, because he got an interview and then he got a job. Richard is once again a lawyer in SoCal. All is right with the world Now. I don't know if it is his recent breakup, I don't know if it's his new, you know getting back into the saddle. But he pulls Laura aside and he says you know I'm, I'm really sorry, I was just so like demeaning to you. I just looked down my nose at you and your job and I'm really sorry about that. But it feels so good to be back in the saddle. It feels so good to be the breadwinner again. I want to thank you for working Like you kept us afloat. Thank you so much.
Speaker 1:And I'm thinking look at growth. Okay, richard, I see you, I see the growth. And listen, we've all been depressed. We've all been down on ourselves. It's okay to have an episode or two where you're not really feeling it. But he's happy, he is back in business, all is right with the world. Until Laura gets a phone call Now I thought she was going to get fired. It's the secretary. Her boss's secretary is like hey, hey, hey, mr So-and-so wanted me to call you and let you know she's in Laura, before the lady can finish, laura's thinking that this client she's been working with, he's been a little bit picky, he's been dragging his feet.
Speaker 1:She's kind of thinking, okay, this is never going to happen. Well, he closed on house. It's an escrow. You would think she would know that first. I'm not a real estate agent, but I feel like she would be the person to know that Either way, it's an escrow, meaning it's a done deal. She sold the house.
Speaker 1:Oh, I forgot one little caveat. When Richard came home to celebrate and apologize about, you know, being a douchebag and all, he tells her that his new salary is, I think it's 35,000 and it's going to move up a little, which sounds a whole lot like what Chicago guy was going to give him. But you know what? Beggars can't be choosy. This seems like a good position because he has. He's pretty much higher up than he was on the other than the other firm and there's, there's an option to grow, a real like mapped out option to grow. He's going to be making what did I say? $35,000. Laura just sold a house in Southern California to a very, very wealthy man. That home sold for $1.2 million, no, 1.3, pardon me, $1.3 million, making her commission $36,000.
Speaker 1:Now, lord, I don't know what kind of music you listen to. I listen to a little bit of everything. One of my favorite songs well, a good song, I like I wouldn't say it's one of my favorite. Well, a good song, I like I wouldn't say it's one of my favorite it's that Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes. Look at me now. Look at me now. I'm getting paper. You know that song.
Speaker 1:Chris Brown says a line that lives rent free in my head. Sometimes, when I don't know I pass by someone in a really nice car or hear about someone on a really fancy vacation in the Maldives or something, he has this line where he says something like that it looks like a toupee, I'll make what you make in two years, in two days, meaning you can go to work for two years and your salary for two years is paid to Mr Brown. For two days work. Laura quite literally just made that man's whole salary on one commission. Now, granted, she had been working for it. But baby, oh baby, because, remember, he's feeling okay, because he's the breadwinner again.
Speaker 1:So, laura, just being unfazed she's unfazed by his douchery, she's unfazed by anything. She goes out and she decides they're going to have a romantic evening. She sets the mood, she lights the candles, she cooks those good meals, she cooks a Martha Stewart type meal, buys him this beautiful leather briefcase. She has his initials embossed on it. He comes home and he's so. It's like oh, my God, this is beautiful. Lord, thank you so much. This is gorgeous.
Speaker 1:You sell a house. She's like yep, and I don't think she was going to tell him, I don't think she was going to tell him how much she sold it for. But he starts inquiring oh, yeah, yeah, okay, how much was the house? She's like 1.3. He knows she don't mean $1.3 thousand, she means 1.3 million. Listen, I don't care who you are.
Speaker 1:That is disheartening. They're not a word to be looking for a job. Oh, I got this, I made this, I'm going to take care of my family. She's like oh, guess what I made today? Your salary, I get it, I fully get it. He handled it well, she handled it better, but reality is slowly creeping in. Think about this this is Southern California, no-transcript going to move to chicago. She was going to work for six months or something to get whatever she needed. She's exceeded that. That's got to be man. That's a topic for another day, when they are the main characters. They're not the main characters this one. But just know that laura did her thing and look at me now. Look at me now, she getting vapor.
Speaker 1:And other confusing news ginger and kenny, they continue to have living room picnics. I suppose I guess she called him over because she tried to unplug his speakers and rearrange them or something. It didn't work out and she called him. She said well, hell, I still got a husband, let me go and take advantage of this. And she finally tells him that she is prego. He's like oh my god, it's so exciting. He's like yeah, yeah, so I'll need your office to, you know, be a nursery, blah, blah, blah.
Speaker 1:They then end up making love and post-coitus he's saying yeah, I think we really should. I can turn my office, I can make my office somewhere else. We'll change this room around, we'll paint it this way and that way, all this thing. And do you know what she says to this man? She's like who is we? What you mean we? And he's like well, duh, I mean we're having a baby, we're in bed naked. He didn't say that, I said that they're in bed naked. And she's like no, like we're not together, we're not working on this.
Speaker 1:Ginger, my dear ginger, and I am team ginger all the way in this scenario, because kenny was a ho, ho, ho and he deserves singing, singing Sylvie in her Care Barrel realness. But she is throwing these make signals. I know he fine, everybody knows Kenny is fine and everybody's had a piece of fine. Kenny, if you want to change, you can't keep inviting the man over for these living room picnics and sex Gender. You have got to make up your mind Enough about them. Let's get to the real drama of this episode.
Speaker 1:Who the hell is Sid? I guess what's a little easier to know is who Sid is not. He is not a fondler of children, he is not a pervert, he's not the weird guy in the neighborhood, he's not the gossip, he's pretty chill. The only person who had any sort of beef with him is Richard. And I mean, yeah, he let the. You know, just let the chips come as they may.
Speaker 1:Sid has been keeping a low profile and I went back and watched this episode twice, not because I felt I missed something. Actually, yeah, that's exactly why it went back, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. So do you remember that engine that bought Gary his kneecaps, basically preserved his kneecaps from the mafioso types? Granted, he did alright beating them down in the showroom, but you can only fight off so many mafioso types before. Granted, he did all right, beating them down in the showroom, but you can only fight off so many mafioso types before you end up in a ditch somewhere. Do you recall that JR came and he said hey, baby brother, here's this shmoney. I want you to keep an eye on your pal Sid. I want you to tell me everything I need to know about that there engine they're building, because if that engine is going to get 100 miles a gallon, I want to be the first one to know about you. Feel me, I don't know why I said that like that. See 2003, the play it plays. That's all I can say now. Let me shake it off so that engine is at front and center on this episode.
Speaker 1:Lady mechanic's name is linda. Linda and sid get along real well because they have oil running through their veins. They love cars like fat kids love cake. They love cars like old ladies love coupons. They love cars like a cheapskate loves a good deal, and they love working on this engine. This is a good thing. It's a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it.
Speaker 1:Because of her brain and her mechanical aptitude in the classroom, in Sid's years of experience and mechanical aptitude in real life, they have made some supreme advances with this engine in record time. They are six months ahead of schedule and they're fawning over the thing as Karen walks in. But right before she gets there it says like oh, you know, you're so great girl, I couldn't have done this without you. Linda's like no, I couldn't have done it without you, this is so awesome. Reaches over, gives her an innocent little hug. I didn't catch that. The without you, this is so awesome. Reaches over, gives her an innocent little hug. I didn't catch that the first time. I'll admit, the first time I watched I was listening more than I was watching. But it, you know, gives her a little squeeze, you can see her kind of come alive the way one would when your crush is near you.
Speaker 1:Well, karen comes in because her car has gone kerplunk. She's been on set about fixing the sound. Dude, I hear the car. It's making a weird noise. Can you fix it? No, her car wouldn't have died that morning. So she's there to chat with him and he's like, hey, babe, look, magnesium, this, that and the third. And she don't know what he's talking about. She's been married to this man for years. She don't know anything about engines, but good old linda does. And he's like I couldn't have done it without this kid. Here he puts his arm on her again. Pat, pat, pat, no big deal. Abby is bearing witness to this because, if you recall last episode, she is a part-time bookkeeper and she is a full-time side chick. Abby is watching this from the wings. They're going to fix the car. Sid will get to it or whatever.
Speaker 1:But Karen goes over and she's, you know, making conversation with Linda. Like, oh my God, linda, how are you enjoying working here? You know you're the only girl. She's like man, this is amazing. I'm really glad I get to get my hands dirty. I'm learning so much from sid. It is such an honor. Mrs fairgate. Oh, call me karen. Abby in the background looking just smiling, looking cute and louder, uh-huh. Yeah, linda loves working here. So it hits karen like a bolt of lightning. Hey, our nephew's coming to town tonight. You want to come over for dinner? Yeah, you should come over for dinner. You guys are about the same age. She's trying to make a little love connection now. Abby is quiet now because she really don't want to go. But, um, karen's like yeah, abby will be here. It's her nephew too. Quick aside.
Speaker 1:Side note, the introduction of a new family member is always what is always drama. This kid doesn't seem like drama and they're not very clear as to whose child he is. Even over dinner, sid and Abby discuss their mom or like one of their mom's recipes, but they never actually say whose kid he is, or maybe I missed that anyway. It's all like popcorn Linda. Linda's going to come over to eat.
Speaker 1:Abby pulled Karen aside. She said no, why would you go and do a fool thing like that? Karen's like what do you mean? I wouldn't let that girl in my house. This is Abby to her. I would not let that girl in my house. You know she's in love with your husband, right? Karen's like girl. No, she's not. If she acted like you, abby, then I'd be worried. But since she doesn't, I'm not worried about it. Karen, I mean Abby's like sister-in-law when I tell you I don't like this. I don't like this, this is coming from me. You need to pay attention. She's like girl, you tripping Be over around the house by six.
Speaker 1:So everybody shows up to dinner and it's really non-eventful. But Linda shows up and she looks beautiful. She's not in her coveralls, her hair is down, she's got on a skirt and I don't know why they're making a big deal about this, because obviously she's in work clothes and she's at work. She's a mechanic. She's not going to come in heels in work clothes when she's at work. She's a mechanic. She's not going to come in heels. It's just impractical. But she looks beautiful. And she said thank you so much for having me over, mrs fairgate. Karen's like call me karen, nephew boy comes over. Nephew's name escapes me, but he's like hubba, hubba, yowza, yowza. She looks so good.
Speaker 1:Abby and karen are in the kitchen and abby's like dang, that shouldn't she clean up? Well, I'm telling you, I don't know why you brought her over here. That was a big mistake. It's gonna mess, gonna be real messy for you, karen. She's like shut up girl. No, it's not. So they're having dinner and of course Linda is seated next to nephew, who's a perfectly lovely young gentleman. But she is referring to the nephew as Mr Farragate, so think about that. She calls Sid, sid, I suppose. She calls Abby Abby. She calls Karen Mrs Farragate. She calls nephew baby Mr Farragate.
Speaker 1:She don't want to do this, she don't want to go. So there the nephew says hey, do you want to go to the Hollywood Bowl or something? I can't remember what he says. Do you want to go elsewhere? So we can continue this conversation, solo dolo, in so many words. And she's sort of sweating and she's looking down, she's not really making eye contact, the whole thing. So she's a nervous wreck and she's uncomfortable. Karen and Sid try to encourage her to go and she's like oh no, I have to be at work in the morning. And Sid's like I'm the boss, don't even worry about it, go ahead, go at work in the morning. And says like I'm the boss, don't even worry about it, go ahead, go have a good time. Oh, I don't think I will. I need to go home. I want to go home. I brought my own cars, I'm gonna go home, so she leaves.
Speaker 1:Everyone has a right to choose. Nephew's looking a little confused, everybody's looking confused. Actually, karen is looking more confused and abby's looking like what I tell you, did I? Did I not tell you what I told you? What'd I tell you, did I? Or did I not tell you what I told you? So around the whole dinner Abby's saying stuff like yeah, she's always by Sid's side, she's right at fun room, everything he says, she hangs on every word. And Karen. So it's like Karen and Abby are having this silent conversation the whole time. Karen didn't want to show this, but she is storing this information, not really doing anything with it, just storing the information.
Speaker 1:So the next day at work, of course it goes right up to Linda, who's the first one in, last one out. Apparently, he's always, as Abby says, hanging around the shop. She apologizes for running out, but she's like I just I just felt so awkward and and uncomfortable. I just feel so weird around guys. I just don't feel comfortable, I don't feel like I can beat myself. Sid laughs it off and he's like don't worry, you'll find the right guy, it'll happen.
Speaker 1:But as he's saying this, the phone rings. He goes over and then Karen's like hey, you want to. You want to have a little lunch? Oh, I can't, babe, we're super, super swamped today. But how about I make it up to you. Let's go to andre's for dinner. Go ahead, make the reservation. She went, oh, andre's. So I guess andre's is this really fancy place. She goes, okay, cool. And, uh, sid, tell karen, excuse me, tell linda that I really enjoyed having her over last night. He goes over and he tells her just hey, karen says she enjoyed having you over last night.
Speaker 1:Linda goes and then just starts talking about the engine why did you remove this piece? Or that he explains the reason. Well, why did you do that? This is the reason. Hmm, seems like it's burning up too much this, that. Or the third why don't we go to undisclosed location and get new parts and see if that'll clean up the problem? He's like oh, my god, you're a genius, let's so they leave. Something is tickling the back of Karen's mind. Call it woman's intuition, call it her whole sister-in-law, abby telling her girl if I'm saying something, it's something I'm telling you. I know what I'm talking about. Karen shows up. He's not there. Sid is not there because Sid is not out getting parts. Maybe they got them, maybe they didn't, but they are definitely at some random arcade eating cold hot dogs and having a hot conversation.
Speaker 1:Cars this, cars that, hey, why don't we go race cars? This is quite literally the lamest game I've ever seen in my life. It's these big bulky cars basically going uphill. You're racing them uphill Now nine times out of 10, if you go to a carnival, there's a water gun thing like you shoot the water gun into the clown's mouth or whatever, and it pushes them along, or you shoot the little target and it moves your horse. It's like one of those games, but they're playing it with a joystick and the cars are going uphill. So they're betting each other dollar after dollar.
Speaker 1:But the point is they are having a good time and during this time Sid's behavior, although innocent, becomes a little more affectionate. He's already squeezed her shoulder twice, but this sort of attention that he's giving her during the little lunch arcade-esque page is different. He's loose, he's fun, he's having a good time. More importantly, he is spending his lunch break with his assistant, versus his wife. Now Karen allegedly stops by just to say hey, see if she can have a little coffee with them, since they can't go to lunch.
Speaker 1:She sees Abby and Gary Ooh, one other side note Last episode she told Sid, like Sid was in denial about Abby sleeping with Richard, which he knows she is. She said and I know something's going on with her and Gary. I don't know what, but I know something's going on. Sure enough, her and Gary are chilling on the car just talking and she's asking for Sid and they're like, oh, he's not here. He's been. Yeah, he should be back. Gary has Gary's clueless. He should be back. He's been gone since 11. And Abby's making out like she's Abby's on the side of Gary so he can't see the expressions she's making. But she's giving Karen those eyes and here's like what do you mean? They've been gone since 11.
Speaker 1:Where they go, mexico, abby goes oh yeah, they had to go get plastic or something. They had to go get some parts. So yeah, that's it. That's where they are. Karen plays it off. She goes home, but she's big mad.
Speaker 1:She's super pissed by the time he gets home at the end of the day, because they were supposed to go to Andre's to eat but she had to cook a meal. So she's chopping vegetables aggressively, drinking her wine aggressively, stirring spaghettios with carrots. And here comes Sig coming in all hey, what's going on? She's like dinner, oh I'm so sorry, honey, it's early, why don't we go now? She's like, no, not after the day you've had. And he's like, yeah, I guess I was busy, not after the day you've had. And he's like, yeah, I guess I was busy.
Speaker 1:But he omits the truth. And she's, you know, she just keeps feeding him like oh, yeah, but we're so overworked. And he's like, yeah, we're super swamped, blah, blah, blah. And he goes you're making a big deal of this. Why? Because you're lying to me. I know that you were out of your assistant. And he's like, oh, my gosh, don't make a big deal. We went to get some parts and then we grabbed a bite to eat, totally downplaying it, right, actually? Or is he? We'll talk about that soon.
Speaker 1:She blows up and says you know that girl is in love with you and you're taking advantage of it. You're leading her on. This is very dangerous, because you don't realize how bad this is. And he goes you're gonna make a big deal of it, I'm gonna leave. So he leaves and he goes back down to the dealership where, of course, linda is working on the car. Great minds think alike. That's probably where he goes to clear his head anyway. But do you think he knew that she was there?
Speaker 1:Maybe they end up getting in the automobile, taking it on one of the back roads. They can can, as they say open it up. They're driving, everything is great, they're super pumped, they're doing the math. This baby is already getting 80 miles to the gallon, super pumped, and then all of a sudden the car goes kerplunk. They have to pull over on the side of the road and now they are alone in the desert in a car, together at night, on a back road. This is where you have to start asking the questions.
Speaker 1:When does a benefit of the doubt become a doubt for your benefit? Picture this You're owner of some business, you got a secretary and you have an accountant. The accountant comes with this pristine reputation he's good at work, he shows up on time, everybody in the community loves him. One person, one person. Your secretary says he's kind of a weirdo. You need to keep your eyes out for him. The secretary, on the other hand, has cursed out people left and right. She's got kind of a bad reputation, very out there, very kind of a loud mouth when something goes awry. Let's say they get into this conflict and she tells you hey, I caught him swindling a couple of things. This guy I don't trust him, you can't be trusted. But the accountant tells you I don't know, she just has it out for me. I don't really know what she's talking about, she's just in one of her moods.
Speaker 1:Who do you tend to believe? You tend to believe the person who does not ruffle enough feathers. You give them the benefit of the doubt, even if in the back of your mind there was something a little bit off about them, something just a little bit off about him, something just a little bit weird. Well, in this show, this particular episode, as the episode progresses, you can tell that Karen at first is just she's going to, nothing's wrong. She's not admitting that she's uncomfortable with him. She's been uncomfortable from the start, which is why she's making more than a few appearances at the dealership. She blew off Abby, but she knows one thing for certain, two things for sure Abby definitely knows her way around somebody else's man. And number two Abby's not really a liar, at least not yet. I think.
Speaker 1:She planted the seed and Karen saw it. She saw how uncomfortable the girl was. She saw the way the girl acted around Sid. She saw him squeeze her arm. She saw the affection. She hears, the way he talks about her. And now he's off having lunch with this girl.
Speaker 1:She shows up out of the blue. He's not there. It's all starting to compound. So she goes over to Val's house. Val has just kissed Gary. He's on his way to AA or to sleep with somebody else, who knows. He's still on my list, I ain't forgot nothing. And Val has every atlas and encyclopedia in the Southern hemisphere open. She's studying, eating a box of chocolates like Forrest Gump.
Speaker 1:When over comes Karen. Karen's like girl. She's kind of spilling her guts a little bit, filling Val in on all the drama, but then it's almost like she's just venting. She starts to calm down. She was like well, he's not the cheating type. Like who does it? Like? Sid doesn't cheat, neither does Gary. Well, val's like well, actually he did. This was so hard to watch. Y'all she goes. He did cheat and I practically died. It was just one of the most devastating things that ever happened to me. Karen is just flabbergasted. She cannot believe Gary cheating with who? With Judy? Same situation. He was her hero, the whole thing. So this isn't exactly sitting well with Karen. They decide to get in the car and they go down to the dealership and, sure enough, his car's there and so was Linda's. She peeks in, but they're not there. So she's like okay, girl, come back to my house with me, let's just. I just need you to come home with me.
Speaker 1:Val has had a hell of a day. She is still mending her own broken heart, trying to salvage her marriage. You know what I'm saying. Trying to study, trying to do all these things. She ends up falling asleep while Karen goes on this full rant where she finally admits that she does have doubts, but she can't doubt Sid, because Sid is a saint, he's the nicest guy ever, he's never done anything out of pocket. So she can't doubt him, but she does, but she can't. You see what I'm saying. It's a weird little conundrum to be in.
Speaker 1:Going back to Sid and Linda, they're in the car. Linda finally just says it Sid, I am in love with you. Your wife thinks I'm in love with you. I am in love with you. There was some sort of exchange where he expressed that. When you look at Linda's behavior throughout this whole episode, it's almost like she's disassociating Karen from him. Sid is Sid. Karen is Mrs Farragate, karen's nephew is Mr Farragate, but Sid is Sid. Sid tells her Karen really enjoyed having you over Anytime. She has to acknowledge Karen. She doesn't want to do it. She blows her off, she disassociates herself from him and she's in the car. Linda, that is looking straight ahead and she's just telling him how she feels about him. We're out here, let's just go for it. They actually start making out.
Speaker 1:Now this is where things get a little bit dodgy. The next scene they get out of the car. Of course it's dark. He's sitting on the side and she apologizes for I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have done that. He's like no, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that, it was a big mistake.
Speaker 1:Linda gets upset. She starts running off. He makes chase and he tells her well, I mean, you can't go anywhere. We got to figure out how to stay warm. I mean, even if you could go somewhere, you have nowhere to get like. You have no vehicle to get there. So he starts to hug her. But he's doing that kind of goofy thing that he does. You know, everything's nothing's a big deal, just the kind of cool. Where are you going to go? My wife thinks you're in love with me. So, as they're hugging and keeping warm, they eventually sit down, I suppose. And Linda has had enough. Now I want you, when you're right, linda.
Speaker 1:Linda says Sydney, what exactly are you doing? Why did you come to that shop tonight? Your wife told you that I was in love with you and you got pissed and showed up at the shop. Why? It's my shop. I didn't know you'd be there. She goes, but you thought I might be there. You definitely did.
Speaker 1:I think your wife's right. I think you're enjoying this. I think this makes you feel good. But where does that leave me? I just told you I'm in love with you and you came out here. He's like well, I didn't think we could stop. You see what I'm saying. This is the same thing he did with Abby. You know what she's saying. I hate when people weaponize ignorance, ignorant, and he's not ignorant. So it's just, it's a farce. Finally, she says you know what? I love you. Please, let's do this. So there's this big old truck coming, heading their way. You can see the lights are real bright. They're sitting off to the side of the road and she goes just let the truck go by. I promise you won't regret this. Please, I'll go to school next week. You'll never see me again. I just really want to do this. Please just let the truck go by. So he just stares and we, the audience, are just kind of flooded by the lights of the truck.
Speaker 1:Next scene is Karen, at 3 in the am. She's sitting up and then she hears a car so she pretends to be asleep. He comes upstairs and said it's all. Yeah, are you awake? Now? She's pretending to be asleep and she rolls over and she's all. What time? You awake now? She's pretending to be asleep, she rolls over and she's all. What time is it? I don't know. Now, I know it was. The top button of his shirt was in time. I'm not gonna bring too much into that, but what time is it? I don't know. It was it's quarter to four. You know what time it is. What? Where have you been? Oh, we took the car out and busted a rod. Three hours later, a truck came by to pick us up.
Speaker 1:She's like us. Yeah, me and linda. Yeah, like it's obvious. Yeah, me and linda. She's like okay, for real. Like what's going on? Why are you trying to jump in the shower now? Been in the desert for three hours.
Speaker 1:What happened? What are you talking about? Like he's not. He just won't answer the question. This pisses me off, because you know what she's asking. It's in the middle of the night. You are her husband.
Speaker 1:At the end of the day she has the right to ask questions, but he's gaslighting her, pretending everything she says is silly. Or is he just being regular old goofy sin? Is he really that dense? He's definitely not. Is he crazy? Crazy, like a fox, fox.
Speaker 1:So she gets pissed, she jumps up and he's like I shouldn't have to answer all these questions. She goes. Put yourself in my shoes. I haven't heard from you in half a night. What am I supposed to think? What would you do? He goes. I'd ask you what happened. Okay again, sir, what happened? Nothing. Would you tell me? If it did? No, she goes, why not? He goes. I don't think I should have to answer that. But but he's doing with that goofy. I don't think I should have to answer that. She goes. Well, if something did happen, would you tell me? He's like, no, he's got that goofy look on his face, because then I'd have to brag. Then he gets in the shower and she kind of smiles and then she kind of frowns. You just really don't know. End scene Excellent, excellent.
Speaker 1:I thought about this before. I watch a lot of documentaries, as I mentioned, and I remember the one for the was it BTK killer. There's a really unassuming goofball who, well, he's not a goofball, he's a psychopath who was murdering these women for years. Turns out he was like a deacon at this church and I remember watching his confession and he was just so kind of dead behind the eyes, blank, really removed. But when you heard people talk about him, only a few people have gotten the heebie-jeebies from him but they never acted on it. Like, is he just weird because he's weird or is he just kind of the goofball from church? Hear me out.
Speaker 1:Characters like Sid always make the best killers in a movie because they are so unassuming. They're never really giving you a yes or a no, but you just you don't even question it because they're just good old goofy. Go with the flow, Sid. I was so like locked into this. I thought what the hell? What is he saying? Did they? Did they or did they not? I don't know, and I pray to God that they revisit that. I hope this isn't a throwaway thing. I hope they come back to this. Did they or did they not in the damn truck? I don't know. Part of me thinks they did. Part of me really, really thinks they did. Just because hear me out he had.
Speaker 1:Everybody has a few moral slips up, right Slip ups. Karen was going on and on, while Eileen was on the couch asleep, about being married to someone who makes moral decisions every day of his life. Yeah, moral decisions as in. I'm not going to force myself on someone, I'm not going to steal, I'm not going to lie, I'm not going to cheat in money. But he actively pursued this girl throughout this episode. He made it a point to connect with her. Now he tried to do it under the guise of them both loving the engine. But you know there was more. She's right. Linda and Karen are right.
Speaker 1:Why would you leave your house to go in the middle of the night? You could have said no after you left your house. You could have said no when you got to the shop. You could have said no before you leaned across the seat and kissed her. You could have said no before you wrapped her in a warm embrace to keep each other warm. Is that a smart or good one? I really don't know, but color me impressed. Baby. Baby, this is good and a lot of you guys are saying, listen, they haven't even gotten started yet. This is so awesome.
Speaker 1:I looked up the writer because I just knew that whoever wrote this was writing whodunits and I expected to see a lot of like dramas in their credit. Baby, tell me why. Let me read some of the credits GI Joe, 1991. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. For the record, there will never be any Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles slander on this here podcast, ever. That is my stuff. They wrote on that from 1990 to 1991. They wrote on the gem that cartoon Fraggle Rock, saber Rider and the Star Sheriff, small Wonder, rocky Road, the 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo, snorks, he-man and the Masters of the Universe, fantasy Island, romance Theater and the Incredible Hulk. The list goes on and on. The writer credited for this episode it says Misty Stewart Taggart, but when she was on the show when she wrote this one, it was. It says Susie Misty Stewart, suzanne Misty Stewart. Excellent writing, I'm all in.
Speaker 1:But yeah, sometimes you give people the benefit of the doubt so that you can keep that facade going. Sometimes, if you have to see someone or something for what it really is, then you have to change everything else about yourself too. Is this what Karen's doing? Is she giving him a pass? I was really hoping Sid would be the one good guy on the street, but I mean, maybe he's just the better of the worst. I'm not going to say the worst. I understand everybody who's going. They all make mistakes, but damn Sydney, sydney, if you know, you know. Thank you for listening to me today. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. Join me next time as we jump into season two, episode 13 of Knott's Landing. The loudest word In the meantime. In between time, keep your eye out for your husband. Show up on coffee, lunch and bathroom breaks to make sure Linda keeps her mechanic paws to herself. Keep your friends closer and enemies much closer. Mind your business, stay hydrated and keep all of your drama on TV. I'll see you next time. Bye.