Ep 17. Maybe, Baby

In Designing Women season 5 episode 17 titled "Maybe, Baby," the ladies of Sugarbaker & Associates are faced with some serious baby fever. Julia (Dixie Carter) and Suzanne (Delta Burke) are both considering motherhood, with Julia pondering adoption and Suzanne exploring the possibility of a surrogate pregnancy. Meanwhile, Mary Jo (Annie Potts) is dealing with the aftermath of her teenage son's unexpected announcement that he's going to become a father.

As the episode opens, Mary Jo is visibly upset as she tells her coworkers that her son, Quentin, has just informed her that his girlfriend is pregnant. She's worried about how they'll support the baby financially, and she's struggling to reconcile her image of her son as a child with the reality that he's about to become a father. The other women offer her their support and encouragement, but they're also dealing with their own baby-related dramas.

Julia expresses her desire to adopt a child, something she's been considering for a while now. She's concerned about the difficulties she may face as a single, older woman trying to navigate the adoption process, but she's determined to pursue it. Suzanne, on the other hand, seems to have a more unconventional plan in mind. She's been approached by a couple who want her to carry their baby as a surrogate, and she's considering the offer.

The potential surrogate mother subplot provides some of the episode's most interesting moments. Suzanne's friends and colleagues are hesitant about her plan to essentially rent out her womb, and they worry about the potential emotional toll it could take on her. Suzanne insists that she'll be able to handle it, but even she seems to have some reservations about the process. Meanwhile, her wealthy boyfriend, Dash Goff (Julia Duffy), is completely opposed to the idea and tries to convince her not to do it.

As the women navigate their various baby-related issues, they also face some workplace drama. A demanding client named Mrs. Wilson (K Callan) is pushing them to finish a design project in an impossibly short amount of time. The team is feeling run-down and overwhelmed, and Mrs. Wilson's constant demands are not helping matters. They try to figure out a way to push through and get the job done, but tensions are running high.

Throughout the episode, the women offer each other advice and support as they deal with their personal and professional struggles. Mary Jo eventually comes to terms with the idea of becoming a grandmother, and she and her son begin exploring their options for raising the baby together. Julia decides to pursue the adoption process, despite the challenges she may face. And Suzanne ultimately decides not to become a surrogate mother, realizing that it's not the right choice for her at this time in her life.

In the end, the team manages to complete the design project for Mrs. Wilson, and they even manage to inject some humor into the situation. The episode closes with the women discussing their baby-related plans, with Julia and Suzanne acknowledging that they don't know what the future holds, but they're excited to see where life takes them.

Overall, "Maybe, Baby" is a thought-provoking episode that tackles some serious issues with sensitivity and humor. It's a testament to the strong writing and excellent performances that the show was able to address topics like adoption and surrogate motherhood in a way that feels both realistic and entertaining. Fans of Designing Women will definitely want to check out this episode as one of the show's true standout moments.