"One Strike, You're Out"--(S1, Episode #13) Discussion Thread - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BensonFan · 10-11-2007, 11:05 AM

The household staff threatens to strike just as an important banquet is about to take place. Benson acts as the mediator between the staff and the Governor. The Governor, who would like to grant the staff a raise, unfortunately has his hands tied as he is forced to deal with the imminent threat of a police strike as well. In addressing the demands of the police, who are also seeking raises, the Governor is getting virtually no sleep and looking pretty run down and exhausted.

Because Benson is not able to get the staff their raise by noon the following day, they strike. Benson decides that he will do the work of the whole staff (with a little help from Katie and Kraus) so they all will not be fired. His plan almost backfires though, and now he must figure out what to do to fix this situation.

He comes through at the end with what I call a brilliant display of ineptitude. The Governor is to hold a dinner meeting with the finance committee (the ones with the power to grant or deny raises) and Benson uses this as a chance to show them what can happen when sufficient manpower is lacking. Quite simply, people get bad service! That’s what will happen with a shortage of police and that’s what will happen with a shortage of mansion staff. Benson gets his point across very well because the staff gets their raise, the police actually get theirs, and Benson gets his tail out of the ringer. (Well, he does get lectured by the Governor at the end, but that’s another issue!)

Favorite quotes:
Gus: “Should we tell him?”
Kraus: “No, Gus. He is management. We should keep him in the dark.”
Benson: “And we should keep you in the attic.”

Gus: “Benson, you gave us your word.”
Kraus: “You could fertilize the garden with his word.”

Benson: “Are the rugs finished?”
Marcy: “No, but the vacuum cleaner is.”

Barnett: “Excuse me, but I believe there’s a piece of cork in my wine.”
Benson: “Two pieces.”

Mrs. Keller: “Aren’t you the cutest thing? I’d like to wrap you up and take you home with me.”
Katie: “That’s kidnapping.”

Benson: “I got a speeding ticket. 38 in a 35.
Governor Gatling: “You got a ticket for doing 38 in a 35?”
Benson: “I almost had him talked out of it.”
Governor Gatling: “You should have told him you work for me.”
Benson: “I did. That’s why he gave me the ticket.”

This one of my favorite episodes from Season 1.

I just enjoy it from start to finish, and the dining room scene is really comical. By the way, I loved the dining room. I thought it looked great and I wish we could have seen it more often. Such a big mansion yet for some reason we saw pretty much the same couple of rooms.

One last thing: the woman who played Mrs. Barnett resembles the girl who played Claire on “Soap”—she played Chester Tate’s secretary/mistress—is this the same actress?

catlover79 · 10-11-2007, 12:05 PM

It was a funny episode - and the dinner scene was priceless.

Scoobiedoo30 · 10-11-2007, 03:19 PM

thast was a funny episode and thanks for the info

svt65 · 10-12-2007, 01:21 AM

13 -- One Strike, You’re Out

Poor Gene, last week it was Taylor, now again he is pooped and grumpy. The writers must have wanted to torture him for a reason. Maybe b/c he's too nice??? Hmm...

Benson’s second resignation and it’s only first season!

Gene: Everybody works for somebody, even me. [Good line]

Gene: Oh, Benson, you and I have to have a talk as soon as I can think straight.
Benson: That could take forever.

A sort of rare episode where we get no Gatling story, but we do have mention of an off-screen one: the ever exciting first pair of galoshes.

Gene: Benson, I hope you know that there serious risks in what you did tonight.
Benson: Yes, sir.
Gene: Did you ever stop to consider that the consequences would have been disastrous if your plan had backfired?
Benson: Yes, sir.
Gene: I mean, what you did out there tonight, was outlandish, even irresponsible, not to mention rude and downright foolish.
Benson: Yes, sir. That’s why I told them it was your plan.

[After the Governor falls asleep in his office while dictating a letter.]
Gene: Did I finish dictating that letter?
Marcy: No, sir.
Gene: How far did I get?
Marcy: Dear Sir,
Benson: That’s enough for one day.

Gene -- Is he getting to be a believer in RHIP? “You should have told him you worked for me”, re: speeding ticket. This would also explain the incident with the dessert incident in “The Layoff”. Yes, corruption is slowly entering our favorite administration!

And of course, that great dinner room! I, too, wish we could have seen more of it. A lovely room.

Fave quote:
Gene (when no-one smiles at his retelling): Did I tell it wrong?
Benson: You had to be there.
Gene: I *was* there.

BensonFan · 10-12-2007, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt65

Benson’s second resignation and it’s only first season!

Gene -- Is he getting to be a believer in RHIP? “You should have told him you worked for me”, re: speeding ticket. This would also explain the incident with the dessert incident in “The Layoff”. Yes, corruption is slowly entering our favorite administration!

That's true about Benson threatening to resign. Did he have a lot of money stashed away or something where he could just walk away from his job without another one lined up? I doubt the Tates paid him that well!

And about the speeding ticket, I guess anyone will try to get out of those. Not sure if that's corruption.

BensonFan · 10-12-2007, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt65

Poor Gene, last week it was Taylor, now again he is pooped and grumpy. The writers must have wanted to torture him for a reason. Maybe b/c he's too nice??? Hmm...

But did you notice how totally wide awake he was at the dinner party? He didn't look the least bit tired. (I don't know about you, but I can really see the makeup on his face, courtesy of the makeup artist.)

catlover79 · 10-12-2007, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

But did you notice how totally wide awake he was at the dinner party? He didn't look the least bit tired. (I don't know about you, but I can really see the makeup on his face, courtesy of the makeup artist.)

I didn't notice the makeup, but maybe Kraus kept making him coffee!!

BensonFan · 10-13-2007, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I didn't notice the makeup, but maybe Kraus kept making him coffee!!

I guess so.

Yet, in the final scene he is back to looking dead-tired again. Go figure!

catlover79 · 11-12-2007, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

I guess so.

Yet, in the final scene he is back to looking dead-tired again. Go figure!

Then maybe she was just giving him decaf.

catlover79 · 07-31-2009, 09:40 PM

My favorite quote?

Benson: "SAME TO YOU, KRAUS!!"

(when Marcy said the staff was "waving" to them from the backyard.)

10-11-2007, 12:05 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	It was a funny episode - and the dinner scene was priceless.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

10-11-2007, 03:19 PM	#3
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	thast was a funny episode and thanks for the info
	__________________ Who Dat

10-11-2007, 11:05 AM	#1
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	"One Strike, You're Out"--(S1, Episode #13) Discussion Thread The household staff threatens to strike just as an important banquet is about to take place. Benson acts as the mediator between the staff and the Governor. The Governor, who would like to grant the staff a raise, unfortunately has his hands tied as he is forced to deal with the imminent threat of a police strike as well. In addressing the demands of the police, who are also seeking raises, the Governor is getting virtually no sleep and looking pretty run down and exhausted. Because Benson is not able to get the staff their raise by noon the following day, they strike. Benson decides that he will do the work of the whole staff (with a little help from Katie and Kraus) so they all will not be fired. His plan almost backfires though, and now he must figure out what to do to fix this situation. He comes through at the end with what I call a brilliant display of ineptitude. The Governor is to hold a dinner meeting with the finance committee (the ones with the power to grant or deny raises) and Benson uses this as a chance to show them what can happen when sufficient manpower is lacking. Quite simply, people get bad service! That’s what will happen with a shortage of police and that’s what will happen with a shortage of mansion staff. Benson gets his point across very well because the staff gets their raise, the police actually get theirs, and Benson gets his tail out of the ringer. (Well, he does get lectured by the Governor at the end, but that’s another issue!) Favorite quotes: Gus: “Should we tell him?” Kraus: “No, Gus. He is management. We should keep him in the dark.” Benson: “And we should keep you in the attic.” Gus: “Benson, you gave us your word.” Kraus: “You could fertilize the garden with his word.” Benson: “Are the rugs finished?” Marcy: “No, but the vacuum cleaner is.” Barnett: “Excuse me, but I believe there’s a piece of cork in my wine.” Benson: “Two pieces.” Mrs. Keller: “Aren’t you the cutest thing? I’d like to wrap you up and take you home with me.” Katie: “That’s kidnapping.” Benson: “I got a speeding ticket. 38 in a 35. Governor Gatling: “You got a ticket for doing 38 in a 35?” Benson: “I almost had him talked out of it.” Governor Gatling: “You should have told him you work for me.” Benson: “I did. That’s why he gave me the ticket.” This one of my favorite episodes from Season 1. I just enjoy it from start to finish, and the dining room scene is really comical. By the way, I loved the dining room. I thought it looked great and I wish we could have seen it more often. Such a big mansion yet for some reason we saw pretty much the same couple of rooms. One last thing: the woman who played Mrs. Barnett resembles the girl who played Claire on “Soap”—she played Chester Tate’s secretary/mistress—is this the same actress?

10-12-2007, 01:21 AM	#4
svt65 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 07, 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Posts: 147	13 -- One Strike, You’re Out Poor Gene, last week it was Taylor, now again he is pooped and grumpy. The writers must have wanted to torture him for a reason. Maybe b/c he's too nice??? Hmm... Benson’s second resignation and it’s only first season! Gene: Everybody works for somebody, even me. [Good line] Gene: Oh, Benson, you and I have to have a talk as soon as I can think straight. Benson: That could take forever. A sort of rare episode where we get no Gatling story, but we do have mention of an off-screen one: the ever exciting first pair of galoshes. Gene: Benson, I hope you know that there serious risks in what you did tonight. Benson: Yes, sir. Gene: Did you ever stop to consider that the consequences would have been disastrous if your plan had backfired? Benson: Yes, sir. Gene: I mean, what you did out there tonight, was outlandish, even irresponsible, not to mention rude and downright foolish. Benson: Yes, sir. That’s why I told them it was your plan. [After the Governor falls asleep in his office while dictating a letter.] Gene: Did I finish dictating that letter? Marcy: No, sir. Gene: How far did I get? Marcy: Dear Sir, Benson: That’s enough for one day. Gene -- Is he getting to be a believer in RHIP? “You should have told him you worked for me”, re: speeding ticket. This would also explain the incident with the dessert incident in “The Layoff”. Yes, corruption is slowly entering our favorite administration! And of course, that great dinner room! I, too, wish we could have seen more of it. A lovely room. Fave quote: Gene (when no-one smiles at his retelling): Did I tell it wrong? Benson: You had to be there. Gene: I was there.

07-31-2009, 09:40 PM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	My favorite quote? Benson: "SAME TO YOU, KRAUS!!" (when Marcy said the staff was "waving" to them from the backyard.)