Ep 17. You Gotta Have Hope

Blanche is having a hard time dealing with her aging, specifically her fading beauty. When she receives an invitation to her sorority's annual dance, she is excited at the prospect of reliving her glory days. However, when she tries on her old dress, she realizes that it no longer fits her perfectly. Rose offers to let her borrow her dress, but when Blanche tries it on, it is too big for her.

Meanwhile, Dorothy and Sophia are trying to help Hope, a social worker, who is trying to place a young orphaned boy with a foster family. The boy has been in the system for a while and is starting to give up hope. Hope is hopeful that the boy may find a family with Dorothy and her ex-husband, Stan. Although reluctant at first, Dorothy decides to help the boy by fostering him until he finds a permanent home.

The episode revolves around themes of aging and hope. Blanche's struggle with aging and losing her looks is relatable to many individuals who fear losing the things that make them feel youthful. Meanwhile, the episode's focus on the adoption system and the young boy's struggle to find a family highlights the importance of hope in difficult situations.

Throughout the episode, each character is grappling with their own version of hopelessness, whether it be Blanche feeling as though her beauty has faded or the young boy feeling as though he will never find a permanent family. However, despite these feelings, the characters persevere and find hope through their relationships with one another.

Through their interactions, the characters offer each other hope and support, creating a sense of community that encourages all of them to persevere despite their individual struggles. The episode's message is that it is important to have hope in trying times and to lean on loved ones for support.

The Golden Girls season 4 episode 17 is a poignant episode that offers a message of hope to its viewers. Through its exploration of aging and the adoption system, the episode touches on important themes that continue to resonate with audiences today. Although it may be over thirty years old, the episode's message is timeless: regardless of what we may be going through, we must have hope.