Ep 9. Joust Between Friends

Blanche meets an old friend of hers, Jerry, whom she used to date. They were the happiest of couples back in those days, but alas, things didn't work out and they went their separate ways. However, they have managed to maintain a friendship over the years. When he comes to visit Blanche, Jerry asks her if he can use her home to carry out a business deal. She asks what the deal is about, to which Jerry replies it is none of her business and that he needs total privacy. Blanche agrees, on the condition that he doesn't offer her too many details. However, when Dorothy discovers that Jerry's deal is with a funeral home, she gets curious and starts to investigate.

Meanwhile, Rose is excited because she's been invited to take part in a jousting tournament. It's a medieval re-enactment that she's been preparing for months. She will team up with two fellow Knights against three others for a chance to win the coveted Golden Lance. Her husband, Charlie, used to participate in these jousting tournaments and Rose saw it as a great opportunity to honor his memory.

The day of the tournament arrives and Rose is extremely nervous, but Dorothy and Blanche vow to be there to cheer her on. The tournament is underwhelming until the final match when Rose's team, the Noble Knightresses, faces off against the Evil Ambushers. The competition is fierce and the knights charge at each other with all their might and under the watchful eye of the King, played by a visiting celebrity guest star. After a tense moment, one of the ambusher knights eliminated one of Rose's teammates. However, Rose was ready for a plan and, with the help of her other teammate, they take down the remaining ambushers and become victorious. The king knights them and admits that their expertise was unmatched and the trophy was rightfully theirs. The episode ends with Rose, Blanche, and Dorothy celebrating Rose's victory over some home-cooked snacks.

Joust Between Friends is a great episode that showcases the power of friendship and nostalgia. Blanche's friend Jerry serves as an example of how people can come and go in our lives, but some old bonds remain strong. The scene where Blanche and Jerry reminisce about their past relationship is particularly touching, and their conversation about what could have been is both endearing and heartfelt. The episode's ending was also a great touch, as Rose's victory brings everyone together in an uplifting way.

Overall, Joust Between Friends is a definite standout in The Golden Girls' second season, combining a heartwarming and nostalgic storyline with a fun medieval-themed competition. Fans of the show definitely won't want to miss this episode, which remains one of the show's most memorable.