Ep 18. Oh, Suzannah

Designing Women season 1 episode 18, entitled "Oh, Suzannah," is a hilarious and heartwarming installment in the beloved sitcom series. The episode focuses on the character of Suzanne Sugarbaker, played by Delta Burke, as she struggles to come to terms with her past and her current situation.

The episode opens with Suzanne reminiscing about her days as a beauty queen, and she becomes convinced that she needs to compete in the upcoming Miss Georgia World pageant. In order to prepare for the competition, she enlists the help of her fellow designers at the Sugarbaker interior design firm.

Meanwhile, the other characters in the show are dealing with their own issues. Mary Jo (Annie Potts) is struggling to balance her work and personal life, as she tries to manage a household full of children and a full-time job. Julia (Dixie Carter) is dealing with some family drama, as her sister comes for a visit and causes some tension between the two of them. And Charlene (Jean Smart) is trying to navigate her relationship with her new boyfriend, who happens to be deaf.

As the episode progresses, Suzanne becomes increasingly obsessed with the pageant, much to the chagrin of her friends and coworkers. She spends hours practicing her talent (which involves her singing a hilariously terrible rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner"), and she becomes convinced that she is going to win the competition.

However, things take a turn for the worse when Suzanne's ex-boyfriend comes to town. His name is Buzz (played by the inimitable Scott Bakula), and he is a charming and handsome former football player who has a history with Suzanne. As soon as Buzz arrives, Suzanne can't help but be swept up in his charisma and charm, and she starts neglecting her pageant preparations in favor of spending time with him.

As the day of the pageant approaches, Suzanne becomes increasingly frantic. She realizes that she has let herself get distracted by Buzz, and she fears that she won't be ready for the competition. However, her friends rally around her and offer her support, reminding her of how talented and capable she is.

In the end, Suzanne manages to pull herself together and deliver a stunning performance at the pageant. She doesn't win the crown, but she realizes that she doesn't need it in order to feel good about herself. Instead, she takes pride in the fact that she worked hard and put herself out there, and she feels grateful for the friends who supported her along the way.

Overall, "Oh, Suzannah" is a delightful episode that showcases the strengths of the Designing Women series. The characters are lovable and relatable, and the humor is sharp and clever. But at the heart of the show is a message about the importance of self-confidence, perseverance, and the power of friendship. Anyone who has ever struggled with self-doubt or felt like they weren't good enough will find something to relate to in this episode, and they will come away feeling uplifted and inspired.