Ep 10. Keep the Home Fires Burning

In the Designing Women season 5 episode 10 titled "Keep the Home Fires Burning", the four talented designers of Sugarbaker's & Associates, Julia, Suzanne, Mary Jo, and Charlene, are dealing with their own personal and professional struggles whilst trying to keep their business afloat in the world of interior design.

The episode begins with Julia (played by Dixie Carter) struggling to land a major client, the mayor of Atlanta. In order to impress him, she asks the other women to come up with a foolproof design for his office. However, their creative differences cause more problems than solutions, and they end up presenting a disjointed design that falls short of the mayor's expectations.

Meanwhile, Suzanne (played by Delta Burke) is dealing with her own family troubles. Her sister, whom she hasn't spoken to in years, suddenly shows up at the office looking for help. Suzanne's sister is going through a rough divorce and needs a place to stay with her daughter. Suzanne reluctantly agrees to let them stay with her, but soon discovers that her sister is not as innocent as she appears.

Mary Jo (played by Annie Potts) is also dealing with family issues. Her son, Quentin, is struggling in school and she is at a loss as to how to help him. She turns to her ex-husband for advice, but their heated discussion only exacerbates the problem. In the end, Mary Jo realizes that she needs to make decisions about Quentin's education on her own terms.

Charlene (played by Jean Smart) is dealing with her own marital issues. Her husband is away on business for an extended period of time, and she is feeling lonely and neglected. After confiding in Julia, she decides to plan a surprise visit to her husband to spice things up in their relationship.

Throughout the episode, the women lean on each other for support and advice. They may have their differences, but they always come together as a team to solve their problems. In the end, they learn that keeping the home fires burning means finding balance in both their personal and professional lives.

Overall, this episode of Designing Women explores the challenges that come with balancing work and personal life, while also delving into family relationships, divorce, and marriage. It showcases the strong bond and support system that the women have created, and emphasizes the importance of communication and compromise in both business and personal relationships.