Ep 15. And Justice for Paul

The popular sitcom Designing Women, created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, follows the lives of four women who work at an interior designing firm, Sugarbaker and Associates, in Atlanta. The show aired from September 1986 to May 1993, totaling 163 episodes and seven seasons.

Season 1 episode 15, titled And Justice for Paul, revolves around the character of Mary Jo Shively, played by Annie Potts. Mary Jo is a recently divorced mother of two and one of the lead designers at Sugarbaker's. The episode explores a sensitive subject, as Mary Jo's ex-husband is accused of physically assaulting their son Quinton, who is still struggling with his parents' separation.

The episode begins with Mary Jo struggling to juggle her work and personal life. She is in the middle of a design meeting with her colleagues when she receives a distressing phone call from her son's school. Quinton has a black eye, and his teacher informs Mary Jo that he was in a scuffle with another student. Upon further investigation, Mary Jo discovers that the other boy's father, Paul, had been hitting his son regularly and that Quinton was trying to protect him. Appalled by the news, Mary Jo decides to confront Paul, who admits to hitting his son occasionally.

Later at home, when Mary Jo and Quinton are discussing the situation, they hear a loud knock on the door, and Paul is standing outside with a black eye. He claims that he was attacked by a man in the parking lot and that Mary Jo's current boyfriend, who is a cop, was there. When Mary Jo confronts her boyfriend, he denies any involvement, and Mary Jo realizes that Paul is lying.

The next day, Mary Jo receives a call from the police station, and she is informed that Paul had filed assault charges against her boyfriend. Her boyfriend is suspended without pay, and Mary Jo is devastated.

Feeling helpless and desperate to prove her boyfriend's innocence, Mary Jo decides to dig deeper into the situation. She decides to contact her ex-husband, who is a lawyer, and asks him to help. He agrees and tells Mary Jo that he will handle Paul's case and make sure that justice is served.

As the trial approaches, Mary Jo is anxious and worried about the outcome. The tension escalates when Paul hires a high-profile lawyer and begins to play dirty by bringing up Mary Jo's divorce and questioning her abilities as a mother.

The courtroom scenes are intense, and the episode does a fantastic job of showcasing the emotions that are involved in such situations. Mary Jo's ex-husband presents a strong case, and the truth is revealed. Paul admits that he lied and that he was solely responsible for his injuries.

The episode concludes with a rather heartwarming scene where Mary Jo's boyfriend is reinstated at the police station, and the family is united. Quinton learns an important lesson about standing up for what is right, and Mary Jo finds closure.

Designing Women season 1 episode 15, And Justice for Paul, is a well-crafted episode that deals with a complex issue with nuance and sensitivity. The show's excellent writing, direction, and acting make it an emotional watch that delivers a satisfying conclusion.