While we're waiting for the release of season 2 and to keep the board active, I thought we could have some fun and make up some hypothetical Benson episodes. If you're like me you can always think of some story lines that the writers sould have used but they didn't. Fill free to write a plot for any season you'd like. Let's face it anything we come up with has to be better than "Last Man on Earth". I'll get it started.
"Something's Wrong With Clayton" (Season 6)
Clayton suddenly becomes a caring and compassionate person and among other things volunteers to teach a adult literacy program. At the end of the episode Benson wakes up from his sleep only to discover that it was all just a dream.
"Honey She's You're Sister" (Season 7)
While visiting her cousin Laura, Katie's aunt is attacked by a bull-moose in rut and gravely injured. In a death bed confession she tells the two girls a deep dark Gatling family secret involving an extramarital affair she had 16 years before with the owner of a auto paint and body shop which produced a great paint job for her car, an illegitimate child and a divorce.
The zinger about the confession is that afterwards she allowed Gene and Olivia to adopt the girl because they couldn't have children of their own. Katie becomes irate after learning of her shady beginnings and her fathers inability to tell her that she was adopted.
Katie than threatens to runaway from home so she can get a tattoo, join the circus and become a trapeze artist. Um...where'd I get that from. Benson intervenes just in time and patches things up between Katie and her father.

That first one could be pretty funny, although I tend to shy away from dream sequences (look at "Last Man on Earth"--yikes!). But maybe a lighter subject + Clayton can make a world of difference. :lol:

I wouldn't like that second one. A little too much like the show's predecessor, Soap. I'd be crushed to find out Katie wasn't the Governor's daughter. :(

Anyway here's my idea:

Season 6: "Arnold Returns".
Disappearing after dumping Kraus in the 4th (?) season, Arnold comes back in Season 6 and rekindles his relationship with Kraus. Kraus falls for Arnold again, and now the subject of marriage comes up again, only this time Arnold wants Kraus to move away with him (to another state). Initially Kraus agrees because she's afraid he may be her last chance but when she starts thinking about her new career as Benson's administrative assistant she has second thoughts. A night out with Arnold to discuss their future ends in a huge argument, Kraus decides to stay where she really feels wanted and useful (working with Benson :) ) and this time SHE dumps HIM! :D

I love happy endings. :p

I like "Arnold Returns" it sounds like a good episode. Yes "Honey She's You're Sister" is way out there and all, but I was just getting folks imaginations going and showing how far-out they can make their plots if they desire.
(Just keep them clean)
Here's some more ideas:
Write story lines for season eight. (The season that never was)
Make-up new characters and add guest stars. (As long as their not Gary Coleman)
Change up things in real Benson episodes. :wave:

Well, these aren't really plotlines, but definitely issues that could come up in Season 8.

The new characters to take note of then would be the Senator (sorry, Benson's fiancée, I can never remember your name!) and Lt. Gov. Tyler. Both of them are -- unsurprising in their chosen profession -- forceful and ambitious. This could cause difficulties with each other and the established staff. Also, since all the staff has had run-ins with Tyler, are there any lingering resentments -- on one or both sides?

I think Gene would be a great liaison between the Mansion and the Capitol. He has much better people skills than Benson, whose self-righteousness gets on my nerves sometimes -- and I’m rather that way myself! He could calm ruffled waters and open doors. Or would he ever go sneaking round to do what he thought was right a la Benson in "Stocks & Options"? Perhaps on an old bill that he had worked especially hard on while governor?

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This part is reposted from another thread:

However, I think if the show had continued, Benson would have won. Wonder what plot lines they would have had though? First Gene would either have to get a high position on staff or else go home to his business. I imagine Clayton and the Senator would have clashed; they’ve both rather pushy personalities. As an aside, would she have had to resign her position, or could she be both First Lady of State X and Senator? Benson’s quick temper and high level of righteousness would probably cause problems, I think; sometimes he really loses it. And of course, the new Lt. Gov. -- would he change his personality working with the Mansion people or would he be a permanent rough edge?

I just can't see Benson as governor. I think his personality wouldn't make him a beliveably politician at that level, unless he became two-faced and that would be so totally out of character for him.
In my opinion a better bet for season 8 would have been for Gatling to remain in the position and defiantly concentrate on some of the other members of the cast and have some episodes catering to them. Kind of the way they used to do on Cheers.
Maybe they could have had the governor are Kraus get married and bring in a spouse. :eek: :idea:

Re: Benson as governor -- I got the feeling that that was the way the producers' thoughts were heading. And the fiancee (still can't remember her name) would add a new face to the crowd, even if Tyler wouldn't (if Benson lost).

My own vote would have gone for Gatling! Three terms!

yall have great Idea's

Re: Benson as governor -- I got the feeling that that was the way the producers' thoughts were heading. And the fiancee (still can't remember her name) would add a new face to the crowd, even if Tyler wouldn't (if Benson lost).

My own vote would have gone for Gatling! Three terms!

Same here...Gene all the way! :dance:

But I agree; I think if they HAD to make a decision and couldn't take the cliffhanger route, they would have had Benson win that election. After all, he was the man; the show was called "Benson" for a reason. :cool:

Here's my opinion on all this "Benson must become governor stuff". :soapbox:
They probably never should have made him lieutenant governor in the first place. What I mean is that the lieutenant governors only real purpose is to be handy so if the governor for some reason becomes incapacitated, the position can be filled quickly. In the real world as lieutenant governor, Benson would have had little if any say-so in the operations of the state. Actually Benson would have had a lot more influence had he remained the state budget director.
Let's face it, he started out as the director of household affairs but he was also serving as an unofficial aid to the governor. So it would have been more logical for official governors aid to have been his first promotion and than he could have moved up to the state budget director position. In season 7 maybe he could have run for lieutenant governor. :whistle: