The Ten Best KATE & ALLIE Episodes of Season Two

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Kate & Allie’s sophomore year is not as proportionally adept as its brief six-episode predecessor at invoking the show’s “modified family” premise in weekly plot — the idea that these are two divorced moms raising their kids together — but it’s better at doing so than any collection hereafter, and considering that it’s the first full season of the series, it’s a fairer point of comparison. On these terms, it rates as the best, for as we discussed last week, it’s vital for the premise to be utilized within story because, although this is otherwise a low-concept family sitcom with a mere high-concept “wrinkle,” the leads are not defined, à la MTM’s, with the kind of strong objectives, traits, and flaws that can help propel comic plot, and while they do have shape and are actually quite believable and consistent, à la the leads on Dick Van Dyke (for which Bill Persky had previously written), Kate & Allie avoids the big comic centerpieces that created a link between the regulars and story, giving them something to motivate. Accordingly, the only thing this series has as part of its established “situation” that can be explored for guaranteed success is the notion of the “modified family” and its surrounding circumstances. So, we want it addressed, and that’s what Season Two provides at its best — and why it rates the best. Additionally, Two is also the best with regard to the series’ brand of authenticity, which prides itself on having more relatable stories and realistic characters than most sitcoms from this era. This year is especially good at reinforcing the series’ literal realism via the subtle evolution of its leads, putting them in gently serialized arcs that make sense based on what’s been established. Well, at least for Allie, who goes back to college — a narrative that explores the idea that this former Connecticut housewife is now having to change her life following a divorce. It’s less true with Kate, whose romance with Ted (Gregory Salata), a plumber, provides a recurring continuity that benefits the series and allows Susan Saint James to showcase her humanity, but ends up being more indicative of the show’s lack of comic conflict than anything, for the Kate character isn’t ever written to have a persona that could be juxtaposed against Ted’s for big laughs or story. That is, she doesn’t have many traits that can be reliably (and comedically) opposed.