Ep 19. Single White Sister
- January 6, 1993
The show Melrose Place takes place in a luxurious apartment complex in Los Angeles and follows the intertwined lives of its residents. Season 1 episode 19, titled Single White Sister, focuses on the character of Jane Mancini.
The episode opens with Jane returning home from Seattle, where she attended her sister Sydney's funeral. Sydney had been a resident of Melrose Place and had a tumultuous relationship with Jane, whom she envied and often tried to sabotage. Jane is filled with grief and guilt, as she feels responsible for not being there for her sister when she needed her.
Meanwhile, Michael Mancini, Jane's husband, is dealing with his own set of problems. He has been having an affair with Kimberly Shaw, his coworker and Jane's friend. However, Kimberly has become increasingly unstable and has been exhibiting alarming behavior. Michael realizes that he needs to break off the affair before things spiral out of control.
At the same time, Billy Campbell, a resident of Melrose Place, is trying to impress Alison Parker, his coworker and love interest. He inadvertently invites her to a party at his apartment, not realizing that the party was actually cancelled. Billy and Alison spend the evening alone together, but tension arises when Alison expresses her doubts about their compatibility and Billy's lack of ambition.
As the episode progresses, Jane receives a phone call from Seattle informing her that Sydney's autopsy revealed a high level of drugs in her system, indicating that she may have been murdered. Jane is devastated and determined to find out the truth about her sister's death.
Meanwhile, Michael ends things with Kimberly, who responds by attempting suicide. She is rushed to the hospital, leaving Michael feeling guilty and confused about his role in her breakdown.
Jane seeks solace in her friend and neighbor, Jake Hanson, who helps her come to terms with Sydney's death and encourages her to move on with her life. Jake also confronts Billy about his relationship with Alison and suggests that he needs to stop trying to impress her and instead focus on being himself.
The episode ends with Jane discovering a letter from Sydney that reveals a shocking secret about their past. The revelation leaves Jane reeling and sets up the plot for future episodes.
Overall, Single White Sister is a dramatic and emotionally charged episode that delves deeper into the complex and intertwined relationships of Melrose Place's residents. It deals with themes of love, betrayal, ambition, and grief, and sets the stage for further developments in the show's narrative.