Ep 23. Shades of Vanessa

Designing Women season 6 episode 23, titled "Shades of Vanessa," centers around a complicated situation involving one of the show's main characters, Suzanne Sugarbaker (played by Delta Burke), and her sister-in-law, Vanessa Hargraves (played by Olivia Brown).

Vanessa is a successful African American businesswoman who has just suffered a major setback in her career. She turns to Suzanne, her husband's sister, for comfort and advice. However, Suzanne is not quite sure how to handle the situation, as she and Vanessa have always had a somewhat tense relationship.

Suzanne is initially hesitant to get involved in Vanessa's problems, but as she learns more about the situation, she begins to understand just how serious it is. Vanessa has lost her job and is facing financial ruin, and she is also dealing with some personal and family issues that are making everything even more difficult.

Throughout the episode, Suzanne and Vanessa have several tense conversations, but also some heart-to-heart moments where they open up to each other about their pasts and their current struggles. As they work together to come up with a plan to help Vanessa get back on her feet, they begin to see each other in a new light.

Meanwhile, the other characters on the show deal with their own subplots. Julia (played by Dixie Carter) has a meeting with a potential new client that doesn't go quite as planned, while Mary Jo (played by Annie Potts) juggles her work at the design firm with her busy schedule as a single mother.

As the episode reaches its climax, Vanessa discovers that she may have a way to save her career and her finances after all. However, to take advantage of the opportunity, she must make a difficult decision that will have consequences for her and her family.

In the end, "Shades of Vanessa" is a poignant and thought-provoking episode that explores themes of family, race, and the struggles that many women face in the workplace. The nuanced performances by Burke and Brown elevate the story beyond a simple sitcom plot, and the show's trademark wit and humor are balanced by moments of genuine emotion and drama.