When Mary Jo's ex-husband Ted (Scott Bakula) plans to get remarried, she finds herself having issues with daughter Claudia over the fact that her father and stepmother to be can give her things that Mary Jo can't. Mary Jo at first blames fiancee Tammy (Eileen Seeley) but realizes that it's actually an issue between her and her daughter that she has to settle herself. Claudia is stubborn and rebellious at first, but Mary Jo stands her ground, learning a lesson in the process as do Claudia and Tammy. Ted of course is oblivious to everything that is going on, even as Mary Jo admits to Tammy that she fears another woman becoming her children's mother.
An amusing subplot has the struggling Anthony getting a credit card with a high limit, and going well overboard in his spending, resulting in an ironic twist that he had faced with a credit card before his unfortunate incarceration. This is a cleverly written episode that intelligently mixes two story lines and gives each of the women (and Anthony) an opportunity to shine. Suzanne faces memories of her past with Ted, showing her own jealousy towards Tammy, a nice little bit of continuity.
Unfortunately, continuity with the mention of Anthony's mother is not remembered in future episodes where Anthony recalls his mother walking out on him as an infant and not even recognizing him when she came to visit him at his school years later. With a huge ensemble of regulars, recurring players and guests, a lot goes on yet it is simply written and presented in spite of those flaws I mention.
An amusing subplot has the struggling Anthony getting a credit card with a high limit, and going well overboard in his spending, resulting in an ironic twist that he had faced with a credit card before his unfortunate incarceration. This is a cleverly written episode that intelligently mixes two story lines and gives each of the women (and Anthony) an opportunity to shine. Suzanne faces memories of her past with Ted, showing her own jealousy towards Tammy, a nice little bit of continuity.
Unfortunately, continuity with the mention of Anthony's mother is not remembered in future episodes where Anthony recalls his mother walking out on him as an infant and not even recognizing him when she came to visit him at his school years later. With a huge ensemble of regulars, recurring players and guests, a lot goes on yet it is simply written and presented in spite of those flaws I mention.
