Ep 6. Man Plans, God Laughs

Becker season 1 episode 6, titled "Man Plans, God Laughs" is an interesting episode where the lead character, Dr. John Becker, is forced to re-evaluate his life choices. John plans to spend the weekend relaxing at home when disaster strikes, causing him to become stranded in his office with Linda, his office assistant. The power goes out, the phone is dead and there is no way out.

With no way to escape, John tries his best to remain calm, but Linda is understandably anxious. With nothing to do but wait, John and Linda have plenty of time to discuss life and the choices they've made. Linda reveals that she is unhappy in her job, but she's too scared to make a change. John, on the other hand, is proud of his career and accomplishments but admits that he is lonely and doesn't have much of a personal life.

As the hours tick by, John and Linda's conversation becomes more personal and introspective. Their vulnerability leads to some awkward and humorous moments, but also some touching ones. They share stories from their past, discussing their hopes and dreams. At one point, John mentions how his father always used to say "man plans, god laughs," which perfectly sums up their situation.

As they wait for help to arrive, they both come to realizations about their lives. Linda decides to take the chance and quit her job to pursue her dream of starting a catering business. John, too, decides to start taking more chances and living a fuller life outside of work. The experience changes them both, and they come out of it with a newfound appreciation for each other.

The episode also features some subplots involving other characters. Reggie, John's blind friend, is dealing with relationship problems, and Jake, a local locksmith, has some trouble with his family business. While these subplots do not directly relate to John and Linda's predicament, they do add some levity to the episode and serve as a reminder that everyone has problems to deal with.

Overall, "Man Plans, God Laughs" is a thought-provoking and entertaining episode of Becker. It showcases the talents of both Ted Danson and Hattie Winston as they navigate their characters through a difficult situation. The episode offers a meaningful message about taking risks and not being afraid to make changes in life.