The Triangle (19 Oct. 1985)

When Dorothy's doctor boyfriend makes a pass at Blanche, their friendship becomes threatened.

Director:

Jim Drake

Writers:

Susan Harris (creator), Winifred Hervey

Stars:

Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Bea Arthur	...	Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak
Betty White	...	Rose Nylund
Rue McClanahan	...	Blanche Devereaux
Estelle Getty	...	Sophia Petrillo
Peter Hansen	...	Dr. Elliot Clayton

Storyline

When Dorothy's doctor boyfriend makes a pass at Blanche, their friendship becomes threatened.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Language:

English French

Release Date:

19 October 1985 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions, Touchstone Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Rose Nylund: [Brings in soup that she made for her late husband] Here, Sophia, I made you some chicken soup. I used to make this for Charlie whenever he didn't feel good.
Sophia Petrillo: Did you make it for him the last time he didn't feel good?

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Connections

Featured in 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2010)

User Reviews

Calling Dr. Love

It's Dorothy who's making house calls when Sophia gets a routine checkup from an eligible doctor. Blanche, of course, makes a play for the same man but backs off for Dorothy's sake only to find that the doctor may reciprocate her feelings...

"The Triangle" would be the first of many episodes where two or more of the girls would fight over one man. Of course, as was the case with many a lackluster storyline in this series, the talented writing team and cast manage to keep it interesting.

Since the A-and-B-plot formula that would emerge in later episodes is absent here, it's up to Rose and Sophia to lighten the mood due to the fact that Dorothy and Blanche are embroiled in a bitter catfight. While Sophia has a hilarious exchange about trying to weasel out of her doctor's appointment, Rose finally gets some material worthy of her. We're treated to an amusing anecdote about her pastoral upbringing in Minnesota (though she doesn't refer to it as St. Olaf just yet), and her true shining moment is her cluelessly naive, misguided attempt at seducing Dorothy's boyfriend.

As for the disagreement between Dorothy and Blanche, I could believe Blanche's fear of telling her but I had a hard time believing that Dorothy would take her boyfriend's word over hers. Of course, this was before the recurring theme of desperate, dateless Dorothy took hold so I guess it's forgivable.

"The Triangle" is a great episode but not exactly a classic either. However, it is a treat to finally see the Rose Nylund we would all come to know and love begin to emerge here.