Writer: Bill Lawrence
Producer: Walter Barnett
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel
Episode Length: 21:58
Guest Stars:
Rating:#7 22.9 million viewers 15.8 rating 25 share
First Broadcast: October 1, 1996
Opening sound: Rattling trash cans
Storyline #1: Garbage Strike, Part Deux
This storyline is a continuation of the thread from the pilot episode involving the
strike by the member's of the garbage union. When the episode opens, trash is piling up in
cans around the city. Later on, we get a glimpse of the ongoing negotiations, the main
sticking points be that the garbage men want badges and they want a pay increase of 8.3%
while the city is only willing to give 8.29%. These negotiations are keeping Mike and
Ashley apart before they can finish moving into their new apartment. Even Paul is left
speechless as he struggles to find ways to think up something different each day as the
strike rages on. After not being able to see each other for about a week, Mike and Ashley
become desparate. Never fear, however, as the two sides finally agree to a
compromise, 8.29999%. While the rest of the city celebrates, Mike and Ashley finally get
to spend a quiet night alone together.
Storyline #2: The Taming of the Stuart
Due to the ongoing garbage negotiations, Mike must concentrate on the barganing table.
So, he leaves Stuart to fill the shoes of Deputy Mayor during the duration. After botching
a motivational speech from The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Mike
comes in and diagrams a play to get everyone working. But Stuart's only contribution is to
schedule The Mayor to make a speech at a dump site currently filled with garbage due to
the strike. During the speech, The Mayor faints and vomits. At first, Mike wants to fire
Stuart but later has a change of heart and lets Stuart fill in for him at the
congratulatory press conference while Mike heads home to Ashley.
Review: The Apartment
Overall, a nifty episode. Lots of staff time, little home life, although it was a plot
device. Much of the show was developing Stuart, a suck-up buying his time, and Carter, the
witty homosexual. The show got a little slow at the end tring to wrap up loose ends. The
forgiving of Stuart was a little contrived and the end of the strike came out of nowhere.
However, the episode was a great example of the show's potential. If the show continues on
this trend, the show has a great future.
Rating [5 pt. scale]: 4.5
Did you notice ...
this episode was a continuation of the pilot?
Top 10 Lines
10. Paul: "Put me in Mike!" (to the diagramed play)
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