Ep 19. He's the Boss

Larry and Balki, the lovable odd couple, have landed themselves in a bit of a predicament in season 5 episode 19 of Perfect Strangers, titled "He's the Boss." With Larry's job in jeopardy, he's forced to invite his boss over for dinner, but the situation quickly spirals out of control.

The episode begins with Larry feeling the heat at work. His job is on the line and he's desperate to find a way to impress his boss, Mr. Wainwright. In an effort to curry favor, Larry invites Mr. Wainwright over to his apartment for dinner. Balki is thrilled at the prospect of cooking for such an important guest, but Larry is understandably nervous. To make matters worse, Larry's overbearing mother, Mama Papadapolis, has decided to surprise the boys with a visit.

As the evening progresses, the chaos only intensifies. Balki's cooking is a disaster, Mama is driving everyone crazy with her constant meddling, and Larry is struggling to make a good impression on his boss. To make matters worse, Mr. Wainwright is more interested in talking about his own life than in anything Larry has to say. Larry becomes increasingly desperate to impress his boss and salvage his job, but everything he tries only seems to make things worse.

Meanwhile, Balki is having his own problems, as he can't seem to do anything right in the kitchen. His attempts to make a fancy dessert end in disaster, with a flaming pan nearly setting the apartment ablaze. Mama, always one to meddle, decides to take over in the kitchen, but her efforts only make things worse. As the tension builds, it seems that the dinner party is headed for disaster.

Eventually, things come to a head when Larry's attempts to impress his boss backfire spectacularly. Mr. Wainwright is unimpressed with Larry's attempts to impress him, and Larry's frustration boils over. He and Balki get into a heated argument, with each blaming the other for the disastrous evening. Mama, sensing the tension, tries to play peacemaker, but only makes things worse.

In the end, Larry and Balki both realize that they need to work together if they're going to salvage the evening. With Mama's help, they manage to put together a makeshift dinner that's both delicious and impresses Mr. Wainwright. As the evening winds down, Larry's boss seems impressed with Larry's efforts, and Larry is relieved that he's managed to save his job.

Throughout the episode, the themes of teamwork and friendship are front and center. Despite all of the chaos and frustration, Larry and Balki remain steadfast friends, always willing to help each other out. Mama may be a meddler, but she genuinely cares for both of her boys and wants only the best for them.

In the end, "He's the Boss" is an enjoyable and entertaining episode that showcases the strength of the Perfect Strangers ensemble cast. With a good mix of humor and heart, it's a great example of why the show was so beloved during its run. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, this episode is sure to delight.