"Power Play"--(S1, Episode #21) Discussion Thread - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BensonFan · 12-06-2007, 08:51 AM

The state wants to build a power plant and there is concern by the Governor over what it might do to the river. But it seems he may have no choice other than to support legislation in favor of it since there seems to be no alternative.

An overzealous environmentalist (“El Gato”) decides to show his disdain over the building of this power plant by leaving “slimy calling cards,” as Benson calls them. On one occasion, he leaves a pile of dead fish in the living room; on another, he leaves the Governor’s office full of industrial detergent. (“We’re having the rugs shampooed,” Benson joked.) His goal is to embarrass politicians into cleaning up the environment.

Finding and catching El Gato is the challenge facing Captain Bates, the Head of Security at the mansion. Eventually, El Gato is caught—by Benson. Initially he calls Bates into the kitchen, but after El Gato explains his reasons for doing what he is doing, Benson decides to try to help El Gato, who has taken matters into his own hands because he thinks nobody cares about the environment. Benson tells him the Governor cares and arranges a meeting between the two. El Gato has a plan to meet the state’s energy needs without the risk to the river and the environment, and gets the Governor to agree to give his plan serious consideration.

Favorite quotes:
Captain Bates: Did you guys know that “El Gato” means “the cat”?
Benson: Yeah. You know what “bozo” means?

Taylor: Get rid of these fish, Benson. I don’t care what you do with them but get them out of here.
Benson: Alright, alright. I’ll have them put in the backseat of your car.

Katie: How do you save energy, Miss Kraus?
Benson: By letting me do all the work.

Taylor: The public wants an answer now. I’m only thinking of the people.
Benson: (laughing) That’s a first.

Taylor: You’re in charge of this house. How did El Gato get in here?
Benson: I haven’t the foggiest… I’m still wondering how you got in here.

Kraus: That El Gato. After what he did to the living room, I’d like five minutes alone with that man.
Benson: That’d sure teach him.

Kraus: It’s got to the point now where I go home and I expect to find a man waiting in my apartment.
Benson: Well don’t give up hope.

I like this episode. Pretty funny and entertaining. I wonder how they got all those soap suds in the Governor’s office? And creative that El Gato was really Katie’s science teacher getting the floor plans from her as a science project involving energy conservation.

But what’s with Marcy? Will she fall for anything that’s male? And a man in a mask and cape on top of it? I didn’t think he was cute at all!

And sorry but this is not a milk episode. Coffee yes, but not milk.

catlover79 · 12-06-2007, 04:08 PM

This was a hilarious episode - and I'm glad I didn't have to clean up those rotten fish!!

El Gato is one of the funniest "villains" I've ever seen in an episode. Wouldn't it have been funny if El Gato married Marcy instead of Ted Danson in her last episode??

Yes, she was pretty desperate.

BensonFan · 12-06-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

This was a hilarious episode - and I'm glad I didn't have to clean up thos rotten fish!!

El Gato is one of the funniest "villains" I've ever seen in an episode. Wouldn't it have been funny if El Gato married Marcy instead of Ted Danson in her last episode??

Yes, she was pretty desperate.

Well, that's one thing we CAN say for Marcy--at least the one she ended up with was a step (or ten, actually

) up from El Gato. She really had nowhere to go but up from that point!

blink · 12-06-2007, 09:29 PM

This episode was very funny, my favorite part was when Taylor had the suds on his head. I also think that Marcy and El Gato would have made a cute couple but Im a guy so what do I know.

catlover79 · 12-07-2007, 12:17 AM

El Gato became famous in the 1990s under his real name, Al Gore.

svt65 · 12-07-2007, 02:22 AM

21 -- Power Play

Sneaky Taylor steals a cup of coffee right from the Governor’s hand.

Benson writing on the blackboard. What the heck does “BY D.U.” mean? Did I misread?

Yuck, with all that soap, does that mean mold’ll be a problem now?

El Gato is one of my favorite/memorable guest stars. Hard to believe he is also the very formal and creepy Yale!

Benson’s use of the “Krausie” nickname and the fact that she didn’t mind shows their relationship is slowly getting better. Slowly.

Quotes:

Taylor: [looking at a pile of dead fish] What is this?
Gene: It looks like a pile of dead fish.

{As ever Marcy loses points with me for her snooping.}
Benson: Is that you?
Kraus: Yeah, it’s me. What’s it to you?
Marcy: We were hoping it was someone else.
Kraus: Who?
Benson: *Anyone* else.

+++

Well, this wouldn’t be the first episode I’d put on the player, but it is enjoyable nonetheless. And the guest star practically steals the show! Not many were able to do that with me.

BensonFan · 12-07-2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt65

El Gato is one of my favorite/memorable guest stars. Hard to believe he is also the very formal and creepy Yale!

Funny you mention that because I actually just made the connection not that long ago (maybe a couple of months ago)...I was watching "Hello, We Must Be Going" and as I was looking at that snob Yale Whitney, I kept thinking to myself that he looked familiar. Suddenly it hit me that he reminded me of El Gato. I checked the name in the credits, and sure enough it was Steven Peterman.

svt65 · 12-07-2007, 09:43 PM

I connected the two characters a while ago (don't exactly recall when). I wasn't looking at the TV, b/c I was busy with something else; so I'm hearing the show. And Yale's voice just kept reminding me of someone...

Eventually I think of El Gato, but no, I couldn't actually believe it was him, until I saw his name on both credits. Wow, what a change!

Sort of like Senator Wade and the other character (who I loathed so much I don't recall her name) -- but played by the same actress. I could not believe the same person did those roles!

+++
Anyway.... usually for me, guest stars go in one ear and out the other, but a few stick. I must also admit that Yale is a memorial character for me, like El Gato; I don't like him, but he is certainly memorable! If I hear the name "Imogene Coca", I think of him!

BensonFan · 12-07-2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

This episode was very funny, my favorite part was when Taylor had the suds on his head. I also think that Marcy and El Gato would have made a cute couple but Im a guy so what do I know.

Here's a question: do you think Marcy figured out the guy in the Governor's office giving the presentation at the end was actually El Gato?

catlover79 · 12-08-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

Here's a question: do you think Marcy figured out the guy in the Governor's office giving the presentation at the end was actually El Gato?

I personally don't think she had a clue.

BensonFan · 12-08-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I personally don't think she had a clue.

I'm not sure she did either, which is why I was asking blink about it, since he said he thought they'd make a cute couple. I personally think she was just enamored with the mask and cape (she thought he was a superhero for the environment or something!) and that she wouldn't have been so interested otherwise.

But then again, this is Marcy we're talking about, so you never know.

blink · 12-10-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

I'm not sure she did either, which is why I was asking blink about it, since he said he thought they'd make a cute couple. I personally think she was just enamored with the mask and cape (she thought he was a superhero for the environment or something!) and that she wouldn't have been so interested otherwise.

But then again, this is Marcy we're talking about, so you never know.

My calling Marcy and El gato a cute couple was kind of a humoristic indiret suggestion on my part. What I was really saying was it's always amusing when you see a nerdy little guy in the company of a beautiful lady.

BensonFan · 12-10-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

My calling Marcy and El gato a cute couple was kind of a humoristic indiret suggestion on my part. What I was really saying was it's always amusing when you see a nerdy little guy in the company of a beautiful lady.

True, but a guy can only be so nerdy and get away with it. Once this guy 86'd the mask and cape, it was all over.

catlover79 · 12-16-2007, 08:43 PM

Here is Marcy with her masked man:

BensonFan · 12-16-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Here is Marcy with her masked man:

I think I would have put up the one with the soap suds in the Governor's office.

12-06-2007, 08:51 AM	#1
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	"Power Play"--(S1, Episode #21) Discussion Thread The state wants to build a power plant and there is concern by the Governor over what it might do to the river. But it seems he may have no choice other than to support legislation in favor of it since there seems to be no alternative. An overzealous environmentalist (“El Gato”) decides to show his disdain over the building of this power plant by leaving “slimy calling cards,” as Benson calls them. On one occasion, he leaves a pile of dead fish in the living room; on another, he leaves the Governor’s office full of industrial detergent. (“We’re having the rugs shampooed,” Benson joked.) His goal is to embarrass politicians into cleaning up the environment. Finding and catching El Gato is the challenge facing Captain Bates, the Head of Security at the mansion. Eventually, El Gato is caught—by Benson. Initially he calls Bates into the kitchen, but after El Gato explains his reasons for doing what he is doing, Benson decides to try to help El Gato, who has taken matters into his own hands because he thinks nobody cares about the environment. Benson tells him the Governor cares and arranges a meeting between the two. El Gato has a plan to meet the state’s energy needs without the risk to the river and the environment, and gets the Governor to agree to give his plan serious consideration. Favorite quotes: Captain Bates: Did you guys know that “El Gato” means “the cat”? Benson: Yeah. You know what “bozo” means? Taylor: Get rid of these fish, Benson. I don’t care what you do with them but get them out of here. Benson: Alright, alright. I’ll have them put in the backseat of your car. Katie: How do you save energy, Miss Kraus? Benson: By letting me do all the work. Taylor: The public wants an answer now. I’m only thinking of the people. Benson: (laughing) That’s a first. Taylor: You’re in charge of this house. How did El Gato get in here? Benson: I haven’t the foggiest… I’m still wondering how you got in here. Kraus: That El Gato. After what he did to the living room, I’d like five minutes alone with that man. Benson: That’d sure teach him. Kraus: It’s got to the point now where I go home and I expect to find a man waiting in my apartment. Benson: Well don’t give up hope. I like this episode. Pretty funny and entertaining. I wonder how they got all those soap suds in the Governor’s office? And creative that El Gato was really Katie’s science teacher getting the floor plans from her as a science project involving energy conservation. But what’s with Marcy? Will she fall for anything that’s male? And a man in a mask and cape on top of it? I didn’t think he was cute at all! And sorry but this is not a milk episode. Coffee yes, but not milk.
	__________________ HEY, SONY: Thank you for Benson, Season 2! Now can we get started on Season 3 plans? Last edited by BensonFan; 12-07-2007 at 10:15 PM.

12-16-2007, 08:43 PM	#14
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Here is Marcy with her masked man: Attached Images

12-06-2007, 04:08 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	This was a hilarious episode - and I'm glad I didn't have to clean up those rotten fish!! El Gato is one of the funniest "villains" I've ever seen in an episode. Wouldn't it have been funny if El Gato married Marcy instead of Ted Danson in her last episode?? Yes, she was pretty desperate.
	__________________ "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 Last edited by catlover79; 12-07-2007 at 12:15 AM.

12-06-2007, 09:29 PM	#4
blink Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 17, 2004 Location: Texarkana AR. Posts: 950	This episode was very funny, my favorite part was when Taylor had the suds on his head. I also think that Marcy and El Gato would have made a cute couple but Im a guy so what do I know.

12-07-2007, 12:17 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	El Gato became famous in the 1990s under his real name, Al Gore.

12-07-2007, 02:22 AM	#6
svt65 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 07, 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Posts: 147	21 -- Power Play Sneaky Taylor steals a cup of coffee right from the Governor’s hand. Benson writing on the blackboard. What the heck does “BY D.U.” mean? Did I misread? Yuck, with all that soap, does that mean mold’ll be a problem now? El Gato is one of my favorite/memorable guest stars. Hard to believe he is also the very formal and creepy Yale! Benson’s use of the “Krausie” nickname and the fact that she didn’t mind shows their relationship is slowly getting better. Slowly. Quotes: Taylor: [looking at a pile of dead fish] What is this? Gene: It looks like a pile of dead fish. {As ever Marcy loses points with me for her snooping.} Benson: Is that you? Kraus: Yeah, it’s me. What’s it to you? Marcy: We were hoping it was someone else. Kraus: Who? Benson: Anyone else. +++ Well, this wouldn’t be the first episode I’d put on the player, but it is enjoyable nonetheless. And the guest star practically steals the show! Not many were able to do that with me.

12-07-2007, 09:43 PM	#8
svt65 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 07, 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Posts: 147	I connected the two characters a while ago (don't exactly recall when). I wasn't looking at the TV, b/c I was busy with something else; so I'm hearing the show. And Yale's voice just kept reminding me of someone... Eventually I think of El Gato, but no, I couldn't actually believe it was him, until I saw his name on both credits. Wow, what a change! Sort of like Senator Wade and the other character (who I loathed so much I don't recall her name) -- but played by the same actress. I could not believe the same person did those roles! +++ Anyway.... usually for me, guest stars go in one ear and out the other, but a few stick. I must also admit that Yale is a memorial character for me, like El Gato; I don't like him, but he is certainly memorable! If I hear the name "Imogene Coca", I think of him!