I got a chance to see the final episode 5 years ago. I was at the end of my seat wondering what was going to happen to Jessica Tate because she was about to be killed by a firing squad. It turned out that they kind of wrap up the storyline 2 years later in a 1983 episode of Benson. She was in a coma in South America but she said that she was going to live. It would be great to have a soap reunion. Too bad Richard Mulligan and Cathryn Damon are deceased. They were funny!

Jessica Lived. I think a lot of people were concerned for her especially.

I was never really concerned about Jessica because it was "the story of TWO sisters" so if SOAP came back Jessica had to live. As a matter of fact, I was disappointed in the writers of the show for doing the same cliffhanger twice in two seasons. At the end of season 3 Jessica died from a disease and the question was will she live, which was essentially the same as season 4. The other cliffhanger plots of season 4, Burt in the ambush, and especially Chester about to shoot Danny for sleeping with Annie I was much more anxious to have resolved.

Really? Those were good storylines, I guess I was just more partial to Jessica. She was funny and sweet and a victim to Chester's constant philandering. I loved the eps whe she'd put him in place.

When Jessica guest starred on Benson 2 years after Soap ended, she was a ghost! They also said that she had been missing. That would seem to imply that she died. In any case, it was awful that they didn't make a true final episode. Dallas and Dynasty also ended with cliffhangers, but they at least came back a few years later with reunion movies so we could find out what happened.

Yeah that was weird. Unfortunately, they can't do a reunion movie, It just wouldn't be the same with out Richard Mulligan, Cathryn Damon and Arthur Peterson (The Major) Maybe they could do a retrospective and pay tribute to those three. Although, if they did do a movie, I'd still watch it just to see what happened to the other characters.

Originally posted by jon123
When Jessica guest starred on Benson 2 years after Soap ended, she was a ghost! They also said that she had been missing. That would seem to imply that she died. In any case, it was awful that they didn't make a true final episode. Dallas and Dynasty also ended with cliffhangers, but they at least came back a few years later with reunion movies so we could find out what happened.

Altough she was a ghost, she wasn't dead yet which was a relief for me. She said "I am positively not dead! I am in a coma in south america" and said she'll figure some way of talking the maker out of it.

I remember reading an article somewhere (I don't remember where) that had "Soap" continued for a 5th season, the Jessica firing-squad storyline was have been resolved by her surviving because the bullets in the guns were replaced by blanks. Apparently, some members of her family made it down on a rescue mission and were able to make the switch. The article was an interview with either writers or producers of the show.

Originally posted by wayman
I remember reading an article somewhere (I don't remember where) that had "Soap" continued for a 5th season, the Jessica firing-squad storyline was have been resolved by her surviving because the bullets in the guns were replaced by blanks. Apparently, some members of her family made it down on a rescue mission and were able to make the switch. The article was an interview with either writers or producers of the show.

She survived either way! I'm happy about that. It would have been typical for the squad to fire blanks. LOL.

Originally posted by Ericguy
I was never really concerned about Jessica because it was "the story of TWO sisters" so if SOAP came back Jessica had to live. As a matter of fact, I was disappointed in the writers of the show for doing the same cliffhanger twice in two seasons. At the end of season 3 Jessica died from a disease and the question was will she live, which was essentially the same as season 4. The other cliffhanger plots of season 4, Burt in the ambush, and especially Chester about to shoot Danny for sleeping with Annie I was much more anxious to have resolved.

There were plans at the time Benson was on the air to reunite the cast for a Soap/Benson movie. But it never materialize and this seemed to answer one question. And because it never happened Jessica's fate was left sort of open ended.

Now that it's been reported that Jessica did survive I'm more than relieved.

Originally posted by wayman
I remember reading an article somewhere (I don't remember where) that had "Soap" continued for a 5th season, the Jessica firing-squad storyline was have been resolved by her surviving because the bullets in the guns were replaced by blanks. Apparently, some members of her family made it down on a rescue mission and were able to make the switch. The article was an interview with either writers or producers of the show.

Either that, or they could've missed and Jessica was spooked by the sound of the gunfire. Considering some of the crazy things they did, they would've found a way to save Jessica. She was too crucial to the show.

A friend of mine once remarked that the final episode was too negative - anybody agree with that??

Originally posted by Dr. Thong
Either that, or they could've missed and Jessica was spooked by the sound of the gunfire. Considering some of the crazy things they did, they would've found a way to save Jessica. She was too crucial to the show.

A friend of mine once remarked that the final episode was too negative - anybody agree with that??

Yes, in a way. I think that it was very suspenseful.

I watched all the episodes of Soap and I do not remember a Cliffhanger episode of Soap can some please let me know
what happen happen in the Cliffhanger episode of Soap.

I remember reading an article somewhere (I don't remember where) that had "Soap" continued for a 5th season, the Jessica firing-squad storyline was have been resolved by her surviving because the bullets in the guns were replaced by blanks. Apparently, some members of her family made it down on a rescue mission and were able to make the switch. The article was an interview with either writers or producers of the show.


Besides Jessica living do you remember how any of the other problems were resolved?

This thread lives! After a two-year hiatus, no less!

The other problems were never resolved, how could Jessica's family have saved her when all their lives were in danger. Mary and Jessica were not speaking to each other. What I remember is.............

Danny was going to kill Chester because, he found out that Chester was his real father. Jody thought he was an old Jewish man, he lost custody of Wendy. Corinne left the show after Dutch chose Eunice. I forgot what happened to Billy, and Burt. I suppose Saunders and the Major could have rescued Jessica.

I do hope I get season 4 for Christmas.

Mary and Jessica made up a few episodes before Jessica's kidnapping. Mary and Burt were having problems. The rest of the family(except Corrine) were making plans to rescue Jess from the revolutionaries.

I haven't seen the last episode in a long time, but I don't think that Mary or Jodie were in it. Unless the original episode airing was a one hour special and the sydication cut it into two seperate episodes and they were in the first half-hour. Am I wrong here?

Mary and Jessica made up a few episodes before Jessica's kidnapping. Mary and Burt were having problems. The rest of the family(except Corrine) were making plans to rescue Jess from the revolutionaries.
I have just started watching the 4th season, Mary and Jessica are not mad at each other yet. Jessica just went to Maragway for a vacation, she is being held by El Puerco and Billy has left home to go look for her. Mary is supporting Burt, who is being blackmailed and has been exposed by the ruthless Tibbs. Eunice married Dutch and Chester fell for Eunice's maid of honor, they're living together in the pool house. Tonight I'll start watching disc 2.

I am so disappointed that in the season 4 DVD didn't have a resolution such as an interview with writer's or creator's that would resolve all the storylines. We need to get a hold of Susan Harris.

But in my ending, Jessica gets saved by her family but in the rescue gets shot and is in a coma (which would explain the Benson episode which the character was in), she meets a Voodoo priestess over there in Latin America, who gets her out of the coma and then cures the Tates and Campbells of the family curse they have on them. I don't think the last ep should be a cliffhanger but the sisters should live happily ever after, who deserves it more than Jess and Mary! :)

That would have been nice. One thing confuses me though, the part about Jessica being on Benson. I always thought that when she appeared on Benson it was before the 4th season opener.

That would have been nice. One thing confuses me though, the part about Jessica being on Benson. I always thought that when she appeared on Benson it was before the 4th season opener.

No she appeared on after Soap was over.

One poster said that the guns could have been loaded with blanks, which would make sense given that they weren't the smartest banditos in the world or that they couldn't bring themselves to kill her.

But what I think is that they fired the guns, intentionally missing Jessica. The sound and the shock of the gunshots made Jessica close her eyes and wince. Anyone would.

Or...she would have been shot and then pulled off one of those miraculous recoveries that TV characters are known for.

Had Soap returned, Jessica would have lived, I'm sure. She'd cheated death before. I wouldn't worry about it.;)

I just finished watching Season 4 and I would hope El Puerco arrived in time to save Jess. Burt's predicament would be harder to get out of, as well as Chester who was threatening to kill Danny and Annie.

I just finished watching Season 4 and I would hope El Puerco arrived in time to save Jess. Burt's predicament would be harder to get out of, as well as Chester who was threatening to kill Danny and Annie.

I remember talking to my high school librarian about the end of Soap a couple of years after the finale and she felt the show ended very negatively. Can't say I disagree with her.

I found these "episode notes" about the finale on TV.com. I don't know where the info was sourced from, but I thought it warranted being posted. I know some of this stuff has already been covered, but...

Episode Notes
It was revealed on a talk show that had Soap not been cancelled, Jessica would have survived because her family arrived to save her and put blanks in all the guns. Still, ending the show with no real resolution except for the hokey appearance later on "Benson" was the ultimate insult to the shows fans. Why couldn't they at least do a TV movie to wrap up the story lines (as Dallas and Dynasty did when they were cancelled but left us with unresolved cliffhangers)? (Edit)


For its fourth and final season, "Soap" earned four major Emmy nominations: Best Comedy Series, Best Actress (Cathryn Damon and Katherine Helmond), and Best Actor (Richard Mulligan). (Edit)


"Soap's" sudden cancellation left fans wanting resolution to this episode's cliffhangers. All they got was a single murky, disappointing episode of "Benson" (Episode 93, "God, I Need This Job") featuring Katherine Helmond as an other-worldly Jessica, who explains to Benson that she may or may not be dead somewhere in South America. (Edit)


Susan Harris reportedly was furious that ABC pulled the plug on "Soap" despite still-respectable ratings. Rumors flew that ABC couldn't bear the heat from skittish advertisers. However, "Soap" had ceased being controversial by Season Two. Reports have circulated for years that Harris had already plotted Season Five and had planned to get the show back on track after stepping away from it in Year Four. But it wasn't meant to be, and "Soap" went out with a bang (literally) and left audiences with questions that would NOT be answered in the next episode of "Soap."

Meanwhile, Harris managed to overcome her bitterness towards ABC. She went on to create "It Takes Two" for ABC in 1982, "Hail to the Chief" in 1985, "Good & Evil" in 1991, and "The Secret Lives of Men" in 1998. All four shows flopped. Perhaps she got her revenge by doing her best work ("Golden Girls," "Empty Nest") at rival network NBC? (Edit)

That was very interesting, too bad she didn't plan a coup and take Soap to NBC. What got me was the announcer Rod Roddy said all these questions will be answered on the next episode of Soap. Next thing you know it's not coming back.

I just assumed from the Benson episode that she died, since she told Benson she had been to Heaven and had to do a good deed on Earth to get her wings. This doesn't sound like someone who is just in a coma.

:)

So, is there a way that we can start a petition to have them produce a reunion (can you imagin, almost 30 years after the debut?), or perhaps get in touch with Harris and maybe she can just tell everyone what this supposed outline is. I've been wondering this ever since I saw the show on Comedy Central.

I know that I'm in the minority - but I liked El Puerco. Of course, I'm very biased because he was played by Gregory Sierra (:eyes:). I would've resolved the plot by having Jessica and El marry - it would've been the perfect revenge against Chester for all his years of fooling around and fathering a baby with her own sister!! I also think it would've been a kick if Jessica and El had a baby - Mary had a late in life pregnancy, so why couldn't Jess? That REALLY would've made Chester's blood boil!! :rofl:

I remember the episode of Benson that featured Jessica Tate . On Benson, Benson worked for Governor Gatling, a man who had some influence . To my memory, on that episode of Benson, Governor Gatling had been trying to get Jessica's body returned to the United States, Benson and Governor Gatling were talking about Jessica Tate, and Governor Gatling said "They still won't release the body !" . A few minutes later, Jessica appeared and explained to Benson, "I need to do a good deed before I can get into Heaven !" . I think their should have been a special movie that tied up all the loose ends .


Voodoo priestess who finds out there's a curse on Jessica and Mary's family and gets rid of it sounds like a good idea . Short of a statement from the former writers of Soap, the best we can hope for is to work things out in our own minds that the events of Soap's last episode worked out, and the Tates and Campbells lived happily ever after .

I know that I'm in the minority - but I liked El Puerco. Of course, I'm very biased because he was played by Gregory Sierra (:eyes:). I would've resolved the plot by having Jessica and El marry - it would've been the perfect revenge against Chester for all his years of fooling around and fathering a baby with her own sister!! I also think it would've been a kick if Jessica and El had a baby - Mary had a late in life pregnancy, so why couldn't Jess? That REALLY would've made Chester's blood boil!! :rofl:

I'm not a huge fan of El Puerco, but I am a big fan of Jessica getting back at Chester, and I have to agree that El Puerco was a lot better for Jessica than Chester ever was. Those two getting married would have been good, I would have enjoyed it, especially if Chester was there at the wedding and we could see him get mad. The baby thing, I don't know. Maybe. It just seems like all the babies born on that show had to have something bizarre with them, or they didn't even get mentioned. Corrine's baby was possessed, and then it was barely mentioned after that. Mary's baby might have been an alien. Then Jodie's baby had a story line when she was kidnapped. I'm not quite sure what they would have done with Jessica's baby if they would've had one.

I liked Soap but Jessica could be a little dippy at times, borderline annoying. Remember when she was on trial for killing Peter? I mean I understand that the character has to be a little dippy but how hard is it to take the fact that your on trial for killing somebody??

As for the cliffhanger, I thought it was ok. I thought Soap was missing something by the time the show ended. I dont know what but I dont think it was as funny as it was in the beginning. I would like to know what happen with the cliffhangers though. I dont think Billy, Dutch or Eunice were in the final episode. Even if Soap came back for another season, how do you do a show w/o one of your major players, like Jessica, if shes dead?

I liked Soap but Jessica could be a little dippy at times, borderline annoying. Remember when she was on trial for killing Peter? I mean I understand that the character has to be a little dippy but how hard is it to take the fact that your on trial for killing somebody??

I always thought that part of her character wanted to believe that everything was always right in the world in the beginning of the show. Remember when she didn't believe that Chester had been cheating on her? And remember how bad she felt about cheating with Peter? She was also in denial of the fact that Corrine was sleeping around and Eunice was having an affair. It was more or less like she just wanted to block all of that out, and naturally, when you do that for everything else, she wanted to ignore everything that was going on with her murder trial. I even remember one episode where Mary told her that she can't just always ignore the bad and notice the good, that she had to deal with both.

I just finished watching season 4 last week and every time I see the final episode it makes me so mad to know that we'll never know what happened. I like to imagine that Jessica was saved by El, Juan Juan, Billy, Dutch, Saunders, and even Benson. As for the rest of the characters left in danger who knows.

I have a couple of possible theories on what might have happened in a season five resolution:

Jessica survives the shooting as family members were able to get to South America and place blanks in the shotguns.

As he is about to shoot Danny and Annie after finding them in bed, Chester suddenly blanks out again (as he did in season two) and disappears again.

Burt is saved from the ambush by the aliens (returning from season three) who were disguised as one of the criminals. They soon judge Burt an unfit parent to Scotty (who is revealed to be fathered by the alien) and ask that he be given up to them.

Rehashes from past seasons? Perhaps, but just theories nonetheless :D

Nice theories Steevo. I'd like to expand on that and add that Burt has to prove he is a good father to scotty and realizes that he loves his family and he ends up not running for office. Any ideas on how to resolve Jody's predicament?

Any ideas on how to resolve Jody's predicament?

Here are two possible resolutions:

1) Carol's Mom visits Jodie to check on Wendy, when she learns that he's stuck believing that he's Julius Kassendorf. She suggests that it would be better if she took care of Wendy until he's back to normal. As they get ready to leave, Wendy begins crying. Jodie holds her one last time and then she says her first word: Da-da. This simple act brings Jodie back.

2) Once Burt has squared things away with the aliens, they zap Jodie back to normal as a favor to Burt.

That sounds really good too.