Ep 4. The Price of Oil

Set in San Francisco, Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City is a drama television series that follows the lives of a fascinating group of individuals living in an apartment complex called 28 Barbary Lane. Episode four of the first season, titled "The Price of Oil," focuses on the characters' relationships amidst the backdrop of a political scandal.

The episode begins with Mary Ann Singleton (Laura Linney) preparing for her new job at a local television station. Mary Ann is portrayed as an ambitious young woman who is eager to impress her colleagues and rise to the top of the industry. Her roommate, Michael Tolliver (Paul Gross), is a carefree gay man who enjoys spending his time socializing and engaging in sexual encounters with various partners.

Meanwhile, DeDe Halcyon (Barbara Garrick) is struggling to deal with the extramarital affair that she had with a man named Beauchamp Day (Thomas Gibson). Beauchamp is a wealthy businessman who is involved in a scandalous political scandal involving a secret oil rig operation off the coast of California. As DeDe's husband, Beauchamp's brother-in-law, and her best friend Mary Ann try to deal with the fallout from the affair, they realize that it has far-reaching consequences and could put them all in danger.

Throughout the episode, the characters struggle to reconcile their personal lives with the larger political scandal that is unfolding around them. As they begin to uncover more information about Beauchamp's shady business deals, they realize that they may be in over their heads. Mary Ann, in particular, becomes increasingly disillusioned with the industry she works in, as she begins to realize that the powerful people who control it may not be motivated by the same values and ideals as she is.

Despite the seriousness of the political scandal, the episode contains several moments of levity and humor. Michael continues to engage in his usual antics, including trying to entice his straight neighbor into a sexual encounter and trying out a new hairstyle. Meanwhile, Brian Hawkins (Paul Hopkins) becomes increasingly obsessed with a girl named Connie Bradshaw (Parker Posey) and enlists the help of his friend Mona Ramsey (Chloe Webb) to try and win her over.

The episode also introduces a new character, Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis), the landlady of 28 Barbary Lane. Anna is a mysterious and enigmatic figure who is respected and admired by all of the building's residents. She becomes a confidant to Mary Ann, who is inspired by Anna's courage in standing up against powerful political and corporate interests.

Overall, "The Price of Oil" is a compelling and engrossing episode of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City. It effectively weaves together the personal relationships of its characters with the larger political and social issues of the time, creating a richly layered and engaging story. The episode also showcases the strong performances of its talented cast, who bring depth and nuance to their respective characters.