[1-7] Grand Illusions

Writers: Amy Cohen & Michelle Nader
Producer: Walter Barnett
Director: Lee Shalat Chemel

Episode Length: 22:03
Guest Stars:

Victoria Dillard: Janelle

Taylor Stanley: Karen

William Bogart: Priest

Jane Cecil: Marge

Claudia Rocafort: Beautiful woman

Rating:#9 22.2 million viewers 14.9 rating 23 share

First Broadcast: October 29,1996

Opening sound: Church Bells

Storyline #1: Wife for a Day
In opposition to the administration's views against same-sex marriages, Carter thinks up a publicity stunt to champion his cause: arranging a sham marriage with Nikki. Mike goes nuts over this. However, all is not happy in newlywed land. While originally not caring one way or the other, the whole charade begins to wear on Nikki, especially whether or not she is ever going to get married for real. And even though Mike comes around, Nikki still can't shake her second thoughts. So Carter, gentleman that he is, says no at the alter.

Storyline #2: Working Girl Blues
Ashley's new job is beginning to lose it's luster. Working in TV isn't all it's cracked up to be. She gets assigned to menial human interest stories (see below) and becomes jaded to the point of considering going back to her position at the newspaper. Then, Carter's marriage comes up and she becomes the official videographer for the couple.

Storyline #2: Eye of the Tiger
Of all the possible self-inflicted injuries, this one is new. Paul gets hit in the eye with toast. To correct this problem, he begins to wear an eyepatch. Suddenly, he is graced with magic powers over women and his co-workers. Eventually, though, Paul's ego outgrows his brain and he dumps the patch only to lose his superpowers.

Review: Grand Illusions

Overall, a quality episode. I was a little warry of how they might glorify the gay marriage issue but they attacked it from Nikki's point of view, which was different. I was also worried that they would make this episode into a holiday shindig. Brand new series should work on becoming stable, then have "special holiday episodes". However, all that came up was some decorations, a Chewbacca joke, and Paul's eyepatch. Ashley's storyline was only there to give her some lines in the episode which is fine. I'd like to see where this is going however. When is she going to report a scoop using her "inside influence"? Keep watching.

Rating [5 pt. scale]: 4.0

Did you notice ...

James calls Paul "Big Daddy"?

James has two sisters, one of which was talked about last week?

The Mayor is part Chippewa?

Nikki's full name is Nichole Catherine Faber?

Carter's full name is Carter Sebastion Haywood?

Ashley's assignments?

A Grown man who collects Barbie Dolls?
The Oldest hockey player in New York?
A Dog who can count to 5?

Top 10 Lines

10. Mike: "Throngs are very uncomfortable."

9. Carter: "D-Day has arrived."
Stuart: "Hey, Carter has a new nickname for himself."

8. Mike: (on the Mayor's Halloween plans) "It's the only time of the year he gets to wear his Chewbacca costume out of the house."

7. The Mayor: (on gay marriages) "Where's Carter on all this?"
Mike: "Probably out gathering kindling."

6. Nikki: (to her hairdresser about Carter) "He's a great guy. You'll love him."

5. Stuart: "I'm detecting abnormal levels of estrogen captain. Set phasers to de-wussify."

4. Mike: "You mind telling me what bar that is?"

3. Janelle: "You have 11 lunches today."

2. Mike: "We were going to let it slide but she kept telling the mailman she was a homosexual."

1. Mike: (to Nikki) "What do you want? Gravy boat? Blender? Date for the reception?"