Ep 6. The Rowdy Girls

Designing Women season 4 episode 6, titled "The Rowdy Girls," offers an entertaining and thought-provoking look at female empowerment that is still relevant today. The episode begins with the ladies of Sugarbaker's Design Firm receiving news that their office building has been purchased by a group of rowdy girls who plan to use it as a headquarters for their motorcycle club. Julia (Dixie Carter), Mary Jo (Annie Potts), Charlene (Jean Smart), and Suzanne (Delta Burke) are less than thrilled at the prospect of sharing their space with a gang of rough-and-tumble bikers, and tensions are high from the start.

Despite their fears, the women decide to confront the rowdy girls and find out what their intentions are. It quickly becomes apparent that the bikers are a force to be reckoned with, and they are not willing to back down simply because the Sugarbaker ladies are uncomfortable. Julia, Mary Jo, Charlene, and Suzanne are forced to band together to protect their home and their business, and the result is a hilarious and inspiring battle of wills.

Throughout the episode, the clash between the "ladies who lunch" and the "ladies who ride" serves as a metaphor for the broader struggle for equality that women face in a patriarchal society. The rowdy girls are strong, independent, and unapologetically female, and they refuse to be intimidated or silenced by anyone. The Sugarbaker ladies, meanwhile, are equally fierce in their own way, using their wit, charm, and tenacity to stand up for what they believe in.

One of the most memorable moments in "The Rowdy Girls" comes when the Sugarbaker ladies try to convince the bikers to leave their building by offering them a bribe. The rowdy girls are unimpressed by the traditional "carrot and stick" approach, however, and they respond by staging a wild party in the Sugarbaker's office that includes everything from a stripper to a live alligator. The ensuing chaos is both uproarious and unsettling, highlighting the tension and misunderstanding that can arise when women from different backgrounds and social classes clash.

Despite their initial animosity towards each other, the Sugarbaker ladies and the rowdy girls eventually find some common ground. The two groups come to realize that they are not so different after all, and that they share a mutual respect for each other's strength and independence. Through their battle over the office building, the women find a sense of solidarity and sisterhood that transcends their differences.

Overall, Designing Women season 4 episode 6 is a funny, poignant, and highly entertaining exploration of the complexities of female empowerment. The episode offers a nuanced and multifaceted look at the struggle for gender equality, and it reminds us that women have been fighting for their rights and their voices to be heard for generations. With its witty writing, stellar ensemble cast, and timely themes, "The Rowdy Girls" is a standout episode of this beloved and groundbreaking series.