Ep 13. Daddy's Girl
- TV-PG
- January 3, 1996
- 22 min
-
6.9 (58)
Grace Under Fire is a critically acclaimed sitcom that ran from 1993 to 1998. The show follows the life of Grace Kelly, a single mother of three children, as she struggles to balance motherhood, work, and her personal life. The show handles serious issues such as addiction and abuse but also injects plenty of humor to balance it out.
In season 3 episode 13, titled Daddy's Girl, Grace receives a surprise visit from her estranged father. She hasn't seen him in years and is immediately wary of his intentions. She's especially suspicious when he starts lavishing attention on Libby, her youngest daughter. Meanwhile, Russell is feeling neglected by Dot and is looking for ways to spice up their love life.
As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that Grace's father is a changed man. He's sober and has turned his life around. He's genuinely interested in reconnecting with his daughter and granddaughter and rebuilding their relationship. Grace is hesitant but eventually lets her guard down and allows him to be a part of their lives.
However, his newfound sobriety is short-lived. When Grace catches him drinking again, she's devastated and furious. She feels like he's let her down yet again and this time it hurts more because she allowed herself to hope that things could be different.
Meanwhile, Russell's attempts to spice up his love life with Dot backfire spectacularly. He accidentally sets fire to his apartment and has to be rescued by the fire department. Dot is understandably angry and tells Russell she needs some space.
The rest of the episode deals with Grace coming to terms with her father's relapse and figuring out how to move forward. She eventually comes to a place of forgiveness but decides that she needs to keep him at arm's length for the time being.
Overall, Daddy's Girl is a poignant episode that deals with the complex issues of addiction, family, and forgiveness. It showcases the strength and resilience of the show's titular character, as well as the rest of the cast. With its blend of humor and drama, Grace Under Fire continues to hit all the right notes and remains a classic sitcom that is well worth rewatching.