Ep 5. Grace Under a Wig

Grace Under Fire is a comedy television show that aired in the United States from 1993 to 1998. It revolves around the life of Grace Kelly (played by Brett Butler), a divorced mother of three who is trying to balance work and family life in a small town in Missouri. In season three, episode five titled "Grace Under a Wig," Grace is facing yet another challenge.

The episode opens with Grace getting ready for a date with her new boyfriend, Rick (played by Alan Autry). She is excited about the date, but worried about her appearance because she has lost a lot of hair due to stress. Her friend Nadine (played by Julie White) offers to lend her a wig, which Grace reluctantly accepts.

Grace's nervousness about the date turns into full-blown anxiety when she sees Rick wearing a toupee. She is afraid that he won't like her with a wig and that he will judge her for being bald. Her fears are compounded when she accidentally bumps into the toupee, causing it to fall off and revealing Rick's baldness.

Throughout the episode, Grace struggles with her own insecurity about her appearance and her past experiences with men who have made fun of her. She also grapples with her own prejudices towards baldness and her fear of being rejected by Rick because of his own baldness.

As the date progresses, Grace and Rick both realize that they like each other for who they are, and they laugh off the hair mishap. Grace becomes more comfortable in her own skin and accepts herself for who she is, not just on the outside, but on the inside too.

In addition to Grace's storyline, the episode also focuses on her ex-husband Jimmy (played by Jon Paul Steuer), who is dealing with his own struggles as a single dad. He is trying to balance work and parenting and is feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility. This storyline adds a layer of realism to the show and highlights the challenges that real single parents face.

The supporting cast of the show, including Grace's friends and family, also contribute to the comedy and heart of the episode. Nadine's antics with the wig and Grace's mother's (played by Peggy Rea) snarky comments add levity to the storyline while also showing the love and support that Grace has in her life.

Overall, "Grace Under a Wig" is a heartwarming and funny episode of Grace Under Fire that tackles issues of self-acceptance, appearance, and relationships in a relatable and authentic way. The characters in the show are flawed but lovable, and the humor is both witty and heartfelt. It is a testament to the show's lasting popularity that it remains a fan favorite over 25 years after it first aired.