Ep 6. Charlene Buys a House

Designing Women is a classic American sitcom that aired from September 29, 1986, until May 24, 1993. The show revolves around four Southern women - Julia Sugarbaker, Mary Jo Shively, Charlene Frazier, and Suzanne Sugarbaker - who run an interior design firm in Atlanta. Together they navigate business, love, and family drama with humor, wit, and charm.

In season 5 episode 6, titled "Charlene Buys a House," Charlene decides to take the plunge and buy a house with her husband, Bill. The episode begins with the four women at the Sugarbaker's office, where they're discussing the upcoming auction of a house in a prime location. Charlene expresses her interest in the property and says she wants to bid on it. However, Mary Jo warns her that buying a house can be a lot of work and may not be worth the investment.

Despite Mary Jo's reservations, Charlene and Bill attend the auction and end up winning the bid for the house. Back at the office, Charlene excitedly shows off pictures of their new home and talks about all the renovations they plan to do. However, the other women start to worry that Charlene might be in over her head. She has never owned a house before and has no experience with home repairs or renovations. Suzanne even jokes that the house might be haunted.

Over the next few days, Charlene and Bill begin the arduous process of moving into their new home. They quickly realize that the house needs more work than they anticipated, and they don't have the skills or tools to handle most of the repairs. Charlene starts to become overwhelmed with the pressure of homeownership and begins to doubt whether they made the right decision.

Meanwhile, Julia and Mary Jo decide to help out by offering their expertise in renovation and design. They take a trip to the house and give Charlene and Bill some advice on what projects they should tackle first. Suzanne also arrives, armed with her own set of unique skills - she claims to be able to sense supernatural entities and wants to check out the house for any ghosts.

As renovations begin, the four women come together to help Charlene and Bill turn their new house into a cozy home. They work long hours, paint walls, fix plumbing, and come up with creative solutions to unexpected problems. Charlene starts to regain her confidence and realize that with the help of her friends, she can handle anything that comes her way.

In the end, Charlene and Bill's new house is transformed into a beautiful and welcoming space. The women come together for a housewarming party, and Charlene expresses her gratitude for their support and friendship. The episode ends with the four women embracing and celebrating their success.

"Charlene Buys a House" is a heartwarming and funny episode that showcases the power of friendship and community. It deals with the challenges and joys of homeownership, and the importance of having a support system to lean on during tough times. The episode is a prime example of what made Designing Women such a beloved show - its smart writing, strong female characters, and relatable storylines.