Ep 1. 101 Ways to Decorate a Gas Station

Designing Women season 2 episode 1, titled "101 Ways to Decorate a Gas Station," follows the lives of four women who run an interior designing firm in Atlanta. The episode opens with Charlene, one of the designers, receiving a request from a man named Bill Stillfield who wants the firm to decorate his gas station. The women are hesitant at first, not sure how they could possibly make a gas station beautiful, but they eventually take on the challenge.

As they begin brainstorming ideas, they quickly realize that the gas station is located in a prime spot in the city and that they could use the opportunity to showcase their work to a wider audience. The women work tirelessly on designing and decorating the gas station, with each of them contributing their own unique vision to the project. They face a number of challenges along the way, including a tight budget and a difficult client, but they manage to come up with a stunning design that surpasses their expectations.

The episode provides insight into the lives of the four main characters as they navigate their professional and personal lives. Julia Sugarbaker, the firm's founder and leader, is shown to be a strong-willed and opinionated woman who is dedicated to her work. Mary Jo Shively, another designer, is struggling to balance her career with her responsibilities as a single mother. Suzanne Sugarbaker, Julia's sister, is portrayed as a vain and self-centered former beauty queen who often clashes with the other women. Charlene Frazier, the newest member of the team, is a sweet-natured and naive woman who is eager to learn and grow in her career.

The episode also touches on themes of gender politics and societal expectations of women. Julia and her colleagues are shown to be standing up against sexism and discrimination in the workplace, highlighting the challenges faced by women in male-dominated industries. The show addresses issues such as sexual harassment and unequal pay, and showcases the strength and resilience of its female characters.

Overall, Designing Women season 2 episode 1 is an entertaining and engaging episode that combines humor, drama, and social commentary. The show's eclectic cast of characters and insightful storytelling make for a compelling viewing experience, and the episode's central theme of using creativity to transform the mundane is both inspiring and uplifting.