Ep 9. The IT Men

The Designing Women season 1 episode 9, also known as The IT Men, centers around the misadventures of the Sugarbaker Design Firm's four women and two IT specialists. Designing Women is an American sitcom created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, which premiered on CBS on September 29, 1986. The show revolves around a group of talented and opinionated women who operate an interior design firm in Atlanta, Georgia. And in this episode; the women are in for a wild ride.

The IT Men episode of Designing Women follows the busy business lives of Julia Sugarbaker (Dixie Carter), Mary Jo Shively (Annie Potts), Charlene Frazier Stillfield (Jean Smart), and Suzanne Sugarbaker (Delta Burke). The four women are trying to get ahead in the ultra-competitive world of interior design. They're a tight-knit group, and they rely on each other for support, laughter, and insights. However, they soon find that they need additional assistance in the form of two IT men: Anthony Bouvier (Meshach Taylor) and Bernhard Fox (Richard Gilliland).

The IT Men episode of Designing Women opens with the women complaining about their outdated computer system. The primitive technology is causing them to fall behind in their work, and they're eager to upgrade to a state-of-the-art system. Suddenly, the doorbell rings, and in comes Anthony, who showcases his technological expertise by solving their computer problems. In addition to fixing the system, Anthony is charming, witty, and charismatic, which proves to be irresistible to the ladies.

Bernhard arrives next, and his nerdy demeanor is quite different from Anthony's. Bernhard is snooty and hostile toward the women and their design firm. They show him that they are not intimidated by his attitude when he starts insulting their work. The women's first impression of Bernhard is that he's a pretentious know-it-all who doesn't appreciate their talents. Anthony is sympathetic towards the women and tries his best to smooth things over.

The Designing Women season 1 episode 9 continues with Anthony and Bernhard fixing the computer system and modernizing the firm's technology. Along the way, they entertain the women with their hilarious and quirky personalities. They become an essential part of the women's lives and are adored by everyone in the office. But, their presence also presents some awkward moments when they start flirting with the employees.

The IT Men also run into some trouble at the office when a software program has trouble running, and they need to spend the night at the firm to fix it. This provides the perfect opportunity for some naughty antics. And it’s then that the women and men have the opportunity to bond. They have an all-nighter and spend time together in the office, talking about their lives, future, goals, and dreams. The episode ends on a hilarious note with the women revealing their dark side to the men, much to their common surprise.

Overall, Designing Women season 1 episode 9, The IT Men, is a fun and feel-good episode that showcases a different perspective on women's work lives in the largely male-dominated field of IT. The episode is intelligent, witty, and charming, with just the right amount of romance, humor, and drama. It's a testament to the fact that the women of Sugarbaker are more than just pretty faces. They're smart, resourceful, and capable of handling any challenge that comes their way.