"Just Friends"--(S1, Episode #14) Discussion Thread - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BensonFan · 10-18-2007, 07:26 AM

Benson’s old girlfriend Carol comes to town, but not to visit Benson (well, not initially anyway). Instead, she is the wife of the very wealthy Howard Walker of Walker Components. They are in town because Walker Components may be moving to Capitol City. The Governor wants to lure the company to Capitol City because of the jobs and revenue it would bring.

After Benson and Carol have lunch for old time’s sake, the problems start. Howard suspects something is going on between the two and it is affecting his decision to move his business to Capitol City.

Benson goes over to the hotel where Carol is staying and consoles her. Apparently Howard doesn’t have time for her anymore. When Howard shows up, Benson must hide. He has nowhere else to go but outside on the window ledge, 30 floors up. Of course, eventually Howard comes to his senses and realizes (with Benson's help) that nothing happened, and all’s well that ends well.

Note: Roscoe Lee Browne plays Howard Walker in this episode. He played in a lot of different shows, and I believe he just passed away earlier this year. Carol was played by Denise Nicholas.

Favorite quotes:
Carol (offering a tray of pastries): “Danish, Governor?”
Governor Gatling: “Uh, no, actually I’m a mix. Scottish, a little Irish.”

Taylor: “Just as we were trying to nail down a deal with Mr Walker, you were nailing Mr Walker’s wife.”
Benson: “Taylor, you keep flapping your tongue, I’m gonna nail your mouth shut.”

Marcy (to Benson): “Unfortunately that’s the price a wife pays sometimes when her husband becomes rich and powerful. You know, this never would have happened to her if she had married you.”

Governor Gatling (to Benson on ledge): “Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?”
Benson: “Frankly, sir, catching a cold is at the bottom of the list.”

Benson: “Some things get better with age.”
Governor Gatling: “Like cheese.”

Governor Gatling: “Oh, I wouldn’t talk to him (Howard) now; he’s very upset.”
Benson: “He’s upset? I’m getting blamed for something I haven’t done in 20 years.”

I consider this a so-so episode. The best part is Benson on the ledge, which is pretty amusing. Did anyone else notice that the building was supposed to be a brownish color when they first showed it but when Benson was on the ledge it was suddenly gray?

My other favorite part is when Taylor keeps mimicking Benson and Benson finally says, in a sarcastic voice, “Yes, why?”

And the Indian village Marcy and Kraus created looked really nice. Sorry but if I was Katie, that’s the one I’d have brought to school!

catlover79 · 10-18-2007, 12:08 PM

I loved the Indian village!! Marcy and Kraus did a great job. You're right, Roscoe Lee Browne passed in April, and was in just about every show you can imagine. Don't forget, his character of Saunders became the Tate butler after Benson moved into the Governor's mansion.

BensonFan · 10-18-2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

You're right, Roscoe Lee Browne passed in April, and was in just about every show you can imagine. Don't forget, his character of Saunders became the Tate butler after Benson moved into the Governor's mansion.

Very true! I forgot to mention that.

svt65 · 10-19-2007, 12:42 AM

14 – Just Friends

This was a whole lot of ho-hum for me (to quote a future episode). My notes reflect it; they are so sparse!

Is this the first time we hear Benson’s official title mentioned? Not just a butler, though it seems to me most people think of him as being a one on “Benson.” Say it, Gene! “Director of Household Affairs,” which is a better description of his wider duties to the Mansion and Governor. Certainly for this household, he got especially close to Gene and Katie, going above and beyond.

I also got "English" in my notes; double-check me please!
Carol: Danish, Governor?
Gene: No, actually I’m a mix. Scotch, English, a little Irish.

I wouldn’t have had Marcy and Kraus helping me on my project -- my project, my work, my grade. I was weird like that. Actually I still am! :-D

Well, what can I say about this one? It was OK, but nothing very special. Although I do have my doubts about Carol. She ditched Benson before for a richer man, so I can’t see her staying too long with him now. Especially in this government town; if she’d have gotten a nice parcel out of the divorce settlement, it would have made her qualities even better to some politician, no?

Even my fave quotes are sort of lame:
Gene: Howard, I really can’t understand how it is that you can resist the tax incentives we’re offering.
Taylor: Sir, we haven’t offered them yet.
Gene: Oh, that’s it.

That's it, alight.

catlover79 · 10-19-2007, 09:57 PM

^ I agree with both of you guys - this was just a ho-hum episode. The ones that follow are a lot better!!

BensonFan · 10-20-2007, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt65

I also got "English" in my notes; double-check me please!
Carol: Danish, Governor?
Gene: No, actually I’m a mix. Scotch, English, a little Irish.

Well, what can I say about this one? It was OK, but nothing very special. Although I do have my doubts about Carol. She ditched Benson before for a richer man, so I can’t see her staying too long with him now. Especially in this government town; if she’d have gotten a nice parcel out of the divorce settlement, it would have made her qualities even better to some politician, no?

Your quote was right--I went back and listened to it just now. My mistake!

True about Carol. The beauty of it, though, would have been when a few years down the road she discovered that Benson was now Governor!

svt65 · 10-20-2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

Your quote was right--I went back and listened to it just now. My mistake!

True about Carol. The beauty of it, though, would have been when a few years down the road she discovered that Benson was now Governor!

*After* Gov. Gatling, though, b/c I really love the idea of a three-term (2 as independent) governor. It's rather rare nowaways and difficult to do. *Then* Gov. Dubois.

Yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking to it! :-D

BensonFan · 10-22-2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt65

*After* Gov. Gatling, though, b/c I really love the idea of a three-term (2 as independent) governor. It's rather rare nowaways and difficult to do. *Then* Gov. Dubois.

Yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking to it! :-D

Oh you're not the only one who was cheering for Gene in the election.

I wanted it to be the same way you described.

catlover79 · 10-22-2007, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

Oh you're not the only one who was cheering for Gene in the election.

I wanted it to be the same way you described.

Me too!! By the way, I think Frankie (Jerry Seinfeld) pulled off an upset. Just kidding!!

BensonFan · 10-23-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Me too!! By the way, I think Frankie (Jerry Seinfeld) pulled off an upset. Just kidding!!

Ok maybe I'm tired but you might have to explain that one to me.

catlover79 · 10-23-2007, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

Ok maybe I'm tired but you might have to explain that one to me.

In Season 2, Jerry Seinfeld played an intern (or something) that wrote jokes for Gov. Gatling to use. From what I've read, it was supposed to be a long-term recurring role, but Seinfeld was fired after about 3 episodes and the role was never recast. Seinfeld later said that turned out to be the best thing in his career.

BensonFan · 10-23-2007, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

In Season 2, Jerry Seinfeld played an intern (or something) that wrote jokes for Gov. Gatling to use. From what I've read, it was supposed to be a long-term recurring role, but Seinfeld was fired after about 3 episodes and the role was never recast. Seinfeld later said that turned out to be the best thing in his career.

Oh yeah, ok....I know about that, I thought maybe you were hinting that Jerry won that election or something.

And looky here: my 1,000th post! Finally!

catlover79 · 10-23-2007, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

Oh yeah, ok....I know about that, I thought maybe you were hinting that Jerry won that election or something.

And looky here: my 1,000th post! Finally!

I noticed the 1000th post...I even made a new post about it.

I was teasing about Frankie winning the election - like a revenge thing, he would've won over Benson and Gov. Gatling.

BensonFan · 10-23-2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I noticed the 1000th post...I even made a new post about it.

I was teasing about Frankie winning the election - like a revenge thing, he would've won over Benson and Gov. Gatling.

So who would his Lt Governor be? Kramer?

catlover79 · 10-23-2007, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

So who would his Lt Governor be? Kramer?

Heaven help those poor citizens!!

Can you imagine George Costanza as the aide?? Taylor and Clayton would be Mary Poppins and the Fairy Godmother compared to him.

10-18-2007, 12:08 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I loved the Indian village!! Marcy and Kraus did a great job. You're right, Roscoe Lee Browne passed in April, and was in just about every show you can imagine. Don't forget, his character of Saunders became the Tate butler after Benson moved into the Governor's mansion.
	__________________ "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

10-18-2007, 07:26 AM	#1
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	"Just Friends"--(S1, Episode #14) Discussion Thread Benson’s old girlfriend Carol comes to town, but not to visit Benson (well, not initially anyway). Instead, she is the wife of the very wealthy Howard Walker of Walker Components. They are in town because Walker Components may be moving to Capitol City. The Governor wants to lure the company to Capitol City because of the jobs and revenue it would bring. After Benson and Carol have lunch for old time’s sake, the problems start. Howard suspects something is going on between the two and it is affecting his decision to move his business to Capitol City. Benson goes over to the hotel where Carol is staying and consoles her. Apparently Howard doesn’t have time for her anymore. When Howard shows up, Benson must hide. He has nowhere else to go but outside on the window ledge, 30 floors up. Of course, eventually Howard comes to his senses and realizes (with Benson's help) that nothing happened, and all’s well that ends well. Note: Roscoe Lee Browne plays Howard Walker in this episode. He played in a lot of different shows, and I believe he just passed away earlier this year. Carol was played by Denise Nicholas. Favorite quotes: Carol (offering a tray of pastries): “Danish, Governor?” Governor Gatling: “Uh, no, actually I’m a mix. Scottish, a little Irish.” Taylor: “Just as we were trying to nail down a deal with Mr Walker, you were nailing Mr Walker’s wife.” Benson: “Taylor, you keep flapping your tongue, I’m gonna nail your mouth shut.” Marcy (to Benson): “Unfortunately that’s the price a wife pays sometimes when her husband becomes rich and powerful. You know, this never would have happened to her if she had married you.” Governor Gatling (to Benson on ledge): “Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?” Benson: “Frankly, sir, catching a cold is at the bottom of the list.” Benson: “Some things get better with age.” Governor Gatling: “Like cheese.” Governor Gatling: “Oh, I wouldn’t talk to him (Howard) now; he’s very upset.” Benson: “He’s upset? I’m getting blamed for something I haven’t done in 20 years.” I consider this a so-so episode. The best part is Benson on the ledge, which is pretty amusing. Did anyone else notice that the building was supposed to be a brownish color when they first showed it but when Benson was on the ledge it was suddenly gray? My other favorite part is when Taylor keeps mimicking Benson and Benson finally says, in a sarcastic voice, “Yes, why?” And the Indian village Marcy and Kraus created looked really nice. Sorry but if I was Katie, that’s the one I’d have brought to school!

10-19-2007, 12:42 AM	#4
svt65 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 07, 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Posts: 147	14 – Just Friends This was a whole lot of ho-hum for me (to quote a future episode). My notes reflect it; they are so sparse! Is this the first time we hear Benson’s official title mentioned? Not just a butler, though it seems to me most people think of him as being a one on “Benson.” Say it, Gene! “Director of Household Affairs,” which is a better description of his wider duties to the Mansion and Governor. Certainly for this household, he got especially close to Gene and Katie, going above and beyond. I also got "English" in my notes; double-check me please! Carol: Danish, Governor? Gene: No, actually I’m a mix. Scotch, English, a little Irish. I wouldn’t have had Marcy and Kraus helping me on my project -- my project, my work, my grade. I was weird like that. Actually I still am! :-D Well, what can I say about this one? It was OK, but nothing very special. Although I do have my doubts about Carol. She ditched Benson before for a richer man, so I can’t see her staying too long with him now. Especially in this government town; if she’d have gotten a nice parcel out of the divorce settlement, it would have made her qualities even better to some politician, no? Even my fave quotes are sort of lame: Gene: Howard, I really can’t understand how it is that you can resist the tax incentives we’re offering. Taylor: Sir, we haven’t offered them yet. Gene: Oh, that’s it. That's it, alight.

10-19-2007, 09:57 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	^ I agree with both of you guys - this was just a ho-hum episode. The ones that follow are a lot better!!