Ep 20. Portrait of the Con Artist as a Young Man

In the episode "Portrait of the Con Artist as a Young Man" from season 6 of the television series Wings, the Hackett brothers and their friends find themselves caught up in a series of unexpected events when an infamous con artist comes to visit the island.

The episode kicks off with Brian Hackett (Steven Weber) receiving a mysterious phone call from an old childhood friend, Mike Lutz (guest star Christopher McDonald). Mike, known for his knack for deceit and manipulation, has earned a notorious reputation over the years. Surprisingly, Mike claims to have turned over a new leaf and wants to see Brian after all these years.

Meanwhile, at Sandpiper Air, Joe Hackett (Tim Daly) is dealing with a peculiar situation himself. A passenger, Mrs. Feldman (guest star Ann Morgan Guilbert), insists on taking a horse with her on the flight. Despite Joe's objections, he reluctantly agrees, causing chaos and hilarity as he tries to accommodate the unusual request.

Back at the airport, Brian's curiosity gets the better of him, and he decides to meet Mike, leading to a tense and intriguing reunion. However, doubts linger in Brian's mind about whether Mike has genuinely changed or if it's just another elaborate con. Joe and Helen Chappel-Hackett (Crystal Bernard) also express their concerns, urging Brian to be cautious.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that Mike's intentions are not entirely innocent. He begins to charm his way back into Brian's life, reminiscing about their past adventures and working on a secret business proposition. Brian finds himself torn between his nostalgia for their friendship and his skepticism about Mike's ulterior motives.

Meanwhile, Joe finds himself struggling to control the unruly horse in-flight. Chaos ensues as the animal runs wild, causing damage to the cabin and leaving passengers terrified. With the help of his quick thinking and resourcefulness, Joe attempts to bring order back to the plane, all while trying to find a way to land safely.

Back on the island, Brian's apprehension about Mike's intentions intensifies as he discovers that not everything is as it seems. With the help of their friends, Lowell (Thomas Haden Church) and Antonio (Tony Shalhoub), as well as the quirky and lovable Fay (Rebecca Schull), they uncover a hidden agenda that threatens to jeopardize everything they hold dear.

Throughout the episode, "Portrait of the Con Artist as a Young Man" explores themes of trust, loyalty, and the complexities of human relationships. It delves into Brian's struggle to let go of the past while acknowledging the potential dangers of getting involved with someone with a questionable reputation.

As the story concludes, the Hackett brothers, along with their friends, find themselves embroiled in a wild scheme orchestrated by the cunning Mike. With their combined wit and determination, they must outsmart the con artist and take control of the situation before it's too late.

"Portrait of the Con Artist as a Young Man" is an engaging episode of Wings that showcases the comedic talents of the cast while also capturing the intricacies of friendship and the importance of discerning who to trust. With its witty dialogue, entertaining storylines, and memorable characters, this episode will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering how the Hackett brothers will navigate their way out of this con artist's web of deception.