Ep 20. Saving Grace

Grace is faced with challenging personal and professional dilemmas in Will & Grace season 1 episode 20 titled "Saving Grace."

Grace is determined to get a job at a high-end design firm, but her interview does not go as planned when she discovers that the company's president is an old high school rival. Meanwhile, Will tries to reconnect with an old friend whose lifestyle he does not approve of, and Jack becomes obsessed with getting a role in a community theater production.

Grace’s job interview is the centerpiece of the episode. She is ecstatic to be given the opportunity to present her portfolio to the head of a top design firm in Manhattan, but her excitement turns into distress when she realizes that the person who will be interviewing her is her former high school nemesis, Val, who had revealed Grace’s crush on a popular boy in school. Val, who is now the president of the firm, seems to have forgotten their past rivalry, but Grace cannot forget the feelings of inferiority and embarrassment that she felt during her high school years. She becomes nervous and loses her confidence, which negatively impacts the interview.

Meanwhile, Will’s old friend, Larry, who he has not seen in years, comes to visit him. Will is excited to see his old friend, but he quickly realizes that they have grown apart and that he disapproves of Larry's hedonistic lifestyle. Larry is constantly partying and sleeping around, and Will cannot reconcile his friend's behavior with his own more conservative values.

Jack, on the other hand, becomes fixated on getting a role in a local community theater production of “The Sound of Music” after he receives a flyer in the mail. Despite his total lack of singing, acting, and dancing skills, Jack is convinced that he has what it takes to star in the show. He enlists Will, Grace, and even Karen to help him perfect his audition, but he is still far from being stage-ready.

Throughout the episode, the three main characters face obstacles in their personal and professional lives but are ultimately able to overcome them. Grace decides to confront Val about their high school conflict, which results in a heart-to-heart conversation and a newfound respect for one another. Will, while still disapproving of Larry’s lifestyle, recognizes that they can still be friends and learns to appreciate Larry for who he is. And Jack, although initially unsuccessful in his theater audition, is able to use his charm and comedic talent to get a smaller role in the play.

"Saving Grace" explores the idea of overcoming past conflicts and learning to accept others for who they are, even when their lifestyles or beliefs differ from one's own. It also highlights the importance of perseverance and hard work, as each of the characters must work through their individual challenges in order to achieve their goals. Overall, the episode is a lighthearted and entertaining exploration of friendship, ambition, and self-acceptance.