Ep 2. Papa Was a Rolling Stone
- TVPG
- September 24, 1990
- 22 min
-
7.5 (68)
Designing Women was a popular American television sitcom that ran from 1986 to 1993. The show chronicled the lives and friendships of four women who worked at an interior design firm in Atlanta, Georgia. The second episode of the show's fifth season was called "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," and it first aired on CBS on September 28, 1991.
The episode follows the Designing Women as they deal with the fallout from the unexpected death of Suzanne Sugarbaker's (played by Delta Burke) father, Colonel Bill Stillfield. When the Colonel's will is read, Suzanne discovers that he left his estate to a woman named Maggie (played by Teri Austin), who he claims is his wife.
Suzanne is shocked by the revelation that her father had been married to another woman for the past ten years, and she struggles to come to terms with the knowledge that her father kept such a significant secret from her. The situation is made even more complicated by the fact that Maggie is a younger woman who was once a student of the Colonel's.
As the Designing Women try to help Suzanne process her complicated feelings about her father's secret life, they also must compete with Maggie for the Colonel's estate. Julia Sugarbaker (played by Dixie Carter) is particularly incensed by Maggie's presence and insists on finding a way to prove that she is not actually the Colonel's widow.
Meanwhile, Mary Jo Shively (played by Annie Potts) is dealing with her own feelings of grief and loss after the end of her relationship with her long-time boyfriend J.D. Shackleford (played by Richard Gilliland). J.D. has started dating another woman, and Mary Jo feels like she's lost her best friend as well as her romantic partner.
Throughout the episode, the Designing Women offer each other support and encouragement as they face the challenges of dealing with loss, betrayal, and heartbreak. They also continue to use their unique blend of wit and Southern charm to make their voices heard on issues ranging from sexism to politics.
Overall, "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is an emotionally compelling episode of Designing Women that showcases the show's ability to handle serious themes with both heart and humor. Fans of the series will appreciate the way that the episode navigates the complex emotions of grief and betrayal, while newcomers will be drawn in by the dynamic performances of the show's talented ensemble cast.