[1-14] Starting Over

Writer: Jeff Lowell
Producers: Jeff Lowell & Walter Barnett
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel

Episode Length: 21:33
Guest Stars:

Victoria Dillard: Janelle

Faith Prince: Claudia Sachs

Courtney Thorne-Smith: Danielle Brinkman

Iralda Polance: Cleaning Lady

Judy Sidal: Waitress

Rating:#18 18.1 million viewers 12.1 rating 18 share

Rating: TV-PG

First Broadcast: January 14, 1997

Opening sound: Giggling women

Storyline #1: Getting Back on the Horse
Now that the word is out, all of the women in City Hall now are setting their sights on Mike. This causes him nuch dismay since he is still holding on to memories of Ashley. However, he does strike up a friendship with the Assistant DA, a one Danielle Bowman, a single gal who attended Fordham with Mike. After reminiscing, Mike and Danielle make a dinner date to discuss a police matter. Later though, Mike gets scared off by the "date" part of the dinner date. Partly realizing his foolishness and partly getting tricked by Nikki, the two end up together alone at a bar. The evening goes great until the goodbye, where Mike shows that he still isn't over Ash and he can't bring himself to kiss Danielle goodnight.

Storyline #2: Blind Date
Carter and Stuart, best buds to begin with, get assigned to cooperate on the setting up of a midnight basketball league. Neither one is particurlaly ecstatic with working with the other. Later, while the staff is out on the town, Stuart & Carter do some heavy drinking. The next time we see them, Stuart is in Carter's bed holding his hand. Needless to say, both men are particurlaly displeased. Carter remembers what happened the previous night (nothing), but refuses to let on to Stuart immediately. This results in Stuart walking around dazed and ashamed about what might have happened. Eventually, Carter tells the truth to make a point about Stuart's homophobia.

Storyline #3: Party of One
Paul receives a letter inviting him to the inagural meeting of a fan club devoted to him. Paul gets so worked up, he invites the Mayor to the meeting. However, the "fan club" turns out to be one lady who swears Paul is huge on the Internet. (Not here anyway.) Paul is understandably embarressed, especially when the Mayor fulfills his promise. However, it all works out when Claudia Sachs, President of the Paul Lassiter Fan Club, steals a kiss from the press secretary.

Review: Starting Over

Overall, a cool episode. The show continues themes from last week: Mike continuing his letting go of Ash, The Mayor continuing to avoid his wife, and James trying to get a hold of Nikki. We also get some new potential elongated storylines in Paul's new love interest and Carter & Stuart's little forray. I must admit it was a little bold, but for those of you who think this topic is over, remember: Ever since The Great Pretender, Carter and Stuart have been practically joined at the hip. Stuart is the one who abuses Carter about his personal life and even asked if he would be considered attractive in Carter's circles. While I don't condone their actions, I'm almost positive more is to come.

Paul's fan? It gives something for him to do. As long as he still acts goofy, I guess it doesn't really matter. James continues to pine away but Nikki continues to be either ambivilant or ignorant of James's feelings. (And when is Karen going to show up again?) And the Mayor continues to avoid his wife, as he has done the past couple of weeks. That's probably being set up as an upcoming cliffhanger. I don't profess to have any inside information but just remember, I guessed it first.

Finally, we get to Mike's love life. It looks like the show has finally found a replacement for Ashley: the ubiquitous Babe of the Week. It will probably work in the short run but I'd hate to see it continue for the rest of the series. There are already too many shows that do it (Seinfeld, etc.) One things for sure. We will continue to see more of Mike struggling to find a suitable replacement for Ashley. Now if you Ashley fans will just give him a chance ...

Rating [5 pt. scale]: 4.5

Did you notice ...

Mike once again has many lunches on one day? (as in Grand Illusions?)

SportsCenter (a subsidiary of ABC) is mentioned again?

James lived with his parents for a considerable amount of time?

Paul wears Seduction Perfume?

Paul won a silver medal in a speech contest while at Saint Mary's elementary?

For the second week in a row, the Internet is mentioned?

Skippy the Janitor is seen in the background?

Top 10 Lines

10. Mike: (about a potential suitor) "Janelle, fax her a danish."

9. James: (about Mike's overcompensation) "We're worried about what we're going to do to you."

8. Mike: (to himself) "What the hell was that? That wasn't even funny."

7. Stuart: "And in your mind, he's doing all this naked?"

6. Carter: (to Stewart) "And you, to be perfectly honest, don't make much of a trophy."

5. The Mayor: "Let me just say how flattered I am that you have me alive in 2060."

4. Carter: "Do you sleep with every woman you get a chance to?"
Stuart: "YES!!!!"

3. Stuart: (about his drink) "If I knew, I'd call it the "Stuart-I know what's in it'."

2. Carter: (to Stuart) "You been out in the city lately? You are the minority."

1. Mike: "I cut Ethics."

(Yes, the line about the midnight basketball was funny, but this site is rated TV-PG.)

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