Ep 13. The First Day of the Last Decade of the Entire Twentieth Century

The First Day of the Last Decade of the Entire Twentieth Century is the thirteenth and final episode of the fourth season of the popular American television show Designing Women. It originally aired on 16th December 1989 on CBS.

In this episode, the ladies of Sugarbaker's design firm gather to celebrate the first day of the last decade of the twentieth century. However, their celebration is interrupted by the arrival of a corporate headhunter, who has come to lure Julia away to another firm. Julia is hesitant to leave Sugarbaker's and her friends, but she is intrigued by the new opportunity. Meanwhile, the other ladies are struggling with their own personal and professional issues.

Suzanne is dealing with a writer's block as she tries to pen her autobiography, and Charlene is torn between her love for her job at Sugarbaker's and her desire to spend more time with her husband and children. Mary Jo is grappling with the aftermath of her recent divorce, and her son Quinton is feeling neglected as she navigates her new life as a single mom.

Throughout the episode, the women confront their fears, insecurities, and hopes for the future. They offer each other support and encouragement as they try to navigate the challenges they face. And despite the prospect of Julia leaving, they ultimately come together to celebrate and appreciate the bonds of friendship and sisterhood that they have formed over the years.

The First Day of the Last Decade of the Entire Twentieth Century is a poignant and heartfelt episode that captures the spirit of the show's central themes - the power of female friendship and the challenges of balancing personal and professional goals. Even twenty years after it first aired, it remains a powerful testament to the enduring appeal of Designing Women and its legacy as a groundbreaking television show that tackled issues of gender, class, and race with wit, humor, and insight.