Ep 20. High Anxiety

In The Golden Girls season 4 episode 20, titled "High Anxiety," the four leading ladies are beset with, well, high anxiety. The setup for the episode is simple enough: Sophia is going to the hospital for a simple procedure, and Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose are all wracked with fear over the possibility of something going wrong.

The anxiety starts before Sophia even leaves for the hospital. Dorothy is being excessively motherly, complete with making Sophia take a list of things with her to the hospital and packing her a bag like an over-eager Scout leader. Sophia is annoyed, but more than that, she's worried about her own upcoming surgery. She admits to Rose that she's afraid of dying and not getting the chance to say goodbye to anyone, which sets off a whole new round of anxiety and worry.

This is where the episode really shines: Every single one of the girls has their own anxiety trigger, and they're all dealing with it in different ways. Blanche is using sex to distract herself from her own worries (and to make up for lost time from her relationship with her boyfriend, even though it's only been a few days). Rose is overcommitting herself to volunteer work, taking on more and more projects to occupy her mind and hands. And Dorothy is being extra stern and controlling with everyone, using an iron hand to try and control the things she can in the face of all the things she can't.

The highlight of the episode is a scene where all four women get together in Sophia's hospital room and have a frank conversation about their fears and anxieties. They all admit to their own worries, which helps put things in perspective for everyone. They talk about how important it is to say the things you need to say to the people you love, and they acknowledge how powerless they feel in the face of things they can't control.

The episode is especially poignant given that, as viewers, we know that these four women will face more health scares and personal struggles over the next few seasons. We're invested in these characters, and we care about them deeply. Watching them confront their own mortality is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, because we know that life is finite and they won't be around forever.

Overall, "High Anxiety" is a standout episode of The Golden Girls. It's funny, touching, and true to life. The anxiety the women feel is palpable, and it's easy to identify with their individual fears and worries. It's a reminder that we're all human, and that even in the face of the unknown, we can find comfort in the people we love.