SEASON ONE: Episodes 7-12

7. “Toledo” – Airdate: November 12, 1991

Writer: Lynn Marie Latham

Director: Nicholas Sgarro

Synopsis: Fearing a possible pregnancy, Jeff and Ginger make a clandestine trip to Toledo to visit a doctor. After a fight, Caroline walks out on Charlie and meets a traveling salesman who takes her to Toledo as well.

Introduces: Jeff’s expression “I’ll say”; Ginger’s Hollywood aspirations; traveling salesman Ben Mahoney, who returns in episode #33-“Spanish Moss”

Missing Characters: Gloria and Abe Davis, Robert Davis, Mike Sloan, Al Kahn

♫Songs: “Opus No. 1” – Tommy Dorsey; “Sentimental Journey” – Les Brown; “Little White Lies” – Dick Haymes; “Begin the Beguine” – Artie Shaw

Memorable Line: “A whore is a whore, and I don’t do it for a steak and a city view.” (Caroline)

Parallels and Echoes: Ginger plans to move away during her supposed pregnancy, which Anne later does during her own unplanned pregnancy (#22-“If You Want It Done Right”).

’40s Slang: She pulled a long face; skeedaddled; vamoosed; green in the eye; carrying a torch; old flame; she can go to blue blazes; got sour on me; dame; brings home the bacon; high on the hog; that’s her beef

Historic Moments: Jeff and Ginger’s first “I love you.” Jeff’s first proposal to Ginger. Caroline’s first confirmed infidelity.

Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes: Why does the filling to the Shepherd’s Pie that Caroline throws on the floor look like plain old ground beef? How exactly did Gina meet Mike Jr. before she was sent to Auschwitz? It seems unlikely that, as an American soldier, Mike Jr. could have met an Italian before Italy was liberated; once Italy was liberated, it seems even less likely that Gina could have fallen into the hands of the Germans.

Great Unanswered Question: From whom is the note on Charlie’s dresser and what does it say?

Did You Know?: The doctor’s office in Toledo is #16. Ginger uses the pseudonym “Susie Miller” at the doctor’s office. Ginger’s aunt is named Winona. Beer at Purl Roadhouse is 15¢. Jeff calls Charlie “Chuck” right before they get in their fight. The trip from Mentor (the real-life stand-in for River Run) to Toledo, Ohio, takes 2½ hours, even with today’s modern roads and faster speed limits.

Insider Trivia: Jeff and Ginger’s romance was originally intended to be a short-lived one that would end after this episode.

Critique in a Nutshell: A solid episode, though not nearly as well rounded or complex as some of the best ones, and over a third of the cast is missing! Both Ginger’s pregnancy scare and Caroline’s brief fling are false crises that serve only to provide development of Jeff and Ginger’s romance and Charlie and Caroline’s gradual estrangement. B

8. “Kids” – Airdate: November 19, 1991

Writer: Dianne Messina

Director: Bruce Seth Green

Synopsis: Tensions escalate between the Haileys as Charlie continues to insist upon having a child. Now that Hank is the Sloan factory safety foreman and Linda has joined the union, the two siblings butt heads repeatedly, even when their individual efforts lead to the same result. Gina is incensed when she discovers Mike is the secret benefactor providing her with employment.

Introduces: first time that the Metcalf children complete one of Anne’s sentences in unison; first time Gina says “100% guaranteed”; first use of actual ’40s-era newsreel footage; direct evidence of Caroline stealing money from Charlie; first time Caroline utters her distinctive “ever so”; Charlie’s blonder hair

Missing Characters: Al Kahn, Ruth Sloan

♫Songs: “I’ll Never Smile Again” – Tommy Dorsey; “(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover” – Glenn Miller; “Don’t Be That Way” – Benny Goodman

Memorable Line: “This family likes to fight.” (Charlie)

Cheesiest Scene: Charlie helps a little boy fix his bike and then gives him a shove off, provoking the boy to yell, “Thanks, Mister!” Yeah, yeah, we get it – Charlie would make a great father.

Parallels and Echoes: Charlie talks with Ginger about his problems with Caroline at Brandstaetter’s while “I’ll Never Smile Again” plays. Much later, Charlie again talks with Ginger – this time about his problems with Gina – at Brandstaetter’s while “I’ll Never Smile Again” plays in episode #42-“All Good Things.”

’40s Slang: Jeff calls his family “The Bickersons,” which was a popular ’40s radio sitcom.

Historic Moments: Hank begins work as safety foreman. Gina moves into an adjoining room at Sadler’s Rooming House. Charlie and Caroline both consider divorce for the first time. First episode not written by creators Latham or Lechowick.

Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes: Gina’s scarf is nearly falling off when she begins to leave the Davises’ apartment. Why is the guy in Brandstaetter’s behind Charlie and Ginger staring at them so intently? Why is Ginger given full run of Brandstaetter’s after hours to the point of being allowed to hold her dates there? Is this the first time that Caroline has written home in three months?

Great Unanswered Question: Why is the choir member who rushes into the Davis apartment nearly insane with excitement over the robes? He looks like a greedy pirate grabbing gold doubloons and yelling “Riches! Riches!”

Did You Know?: Once sprinkled with water, clothes to be ironed are put in the icebox to prevent mildewing. The Davises attend Bethany Baptist Church. Caroline has a younger sister named Patricia. Charlie and Caroline must have been married in May 1945.

Insider Trivia: In 1987 Sammi Davis-Voss (Caroline) appeared in the movie Hope and Glory as a self-absorbed and sexually mature teenager during the 1940 London Blitz – a character not unlike what we might imagine Caroline would have been like in her teens.

Critique in a Nutshell: Caroline’s plight seems genuinely sympathetic for a change because we realize how very trapped she is in her situation, and it’s refreshing that Jeff’s jealous misunderstanding when he sees Ginger talking with ex-fiancé Charlie (which would have led to silly protracted problems in any other series) finds a speedy resolution. B+

9. “Man, This Joint Is Jumping” – Airdate: November 26, 1991

Writer: Lynn Marie Latham

Director: Felix Enriquez Alcalá

Synopsis: River Run gathers for a big dance contest at Purl Roadhouse. In a shocking subplot, Sarah upsets Anne’s delicate sensibilities by buying canned pumpkin for Thanksgiving dinner!

Introduces: Alan Carmichael, DJ for Cleveland’s WDOL; favorite Jeffism “Oh my Lord”

Missing Characters: Robert Davis, Abe and Gloria Davis, Gina Sloan

♫Songs: “Marie” – Tommy Dorsey; “Moonglow” – Benny Goodman; “Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)” – Benny Goodman; “Perdido” – Harry James; “Dancing in the Dark; ”Besame Mucho” – Benny Carter; “In the Mood” – Glenn Miller

Memorable Line: “You’re not as old as I thought you were.” (Hank)

’40s Slang: gabardines; took a powder; cut a rug; jersey bounce; flea hop; balboa; tripping the light fantastic; a dollar to a donut hole; cracker jack

Historic Moments: The Sloans visit Purl Roadhouse and have such a good time that Ruth later decides to hold Mike’s birthday party there (#33-“Life Is Short”). First and only time we see Sam’s wife.

Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes: How does Mike memorize the entire personnel file? Anne helps Jeff on with his jacket, and the next scene shows his contest number is already on his back even though he wouldn’t have had time to tie it on. Right before the scene where Al ties a number on Anne, Anne and Al can be seen (walking behind Jeff and Ginger) already wearing their numbers. After the scene where Charlie stumbles during “In the Mood,” the camera cuts to Jeff and Ginger, but in the background we can see Caroline and Charlie stumbling over each other again.

Great Unanswered Question Answered by Brent and Meg: Ginger asks, “Where is Ginger Rogers from? Or Judy Garland? Or Irene Dunne?” Answer: Independence, MO; Grand Rapids, MN; Louisville, KY.

Great Unanswered Question that’s Best Left Unanswered: What exactly does Caroline do with Alan Carmichael to get him to reveal the contest songs, and why is it only good enough to win her third place?

Worth Pausing For: Mike’s face immediately after Ruth says, “To tell you the truth, I’m just getting started.”

Did You Know?: Powder puff on Caroline’s dresser is practically just like Meg’s (Benefit’s Kitten Powder)! Posture and Appearance, Tempo and Rhythm, Step and Variety = “Patrick attacks the rutabaga salad voraciously.” Ginger started working at age twelve to help support her family and was a C- student. Charlie and Ginger both “used to” dance, which probably means that they danced together. Mary Elizabeth Nystrom laughed at Ginger when her heel broke at graduation. The dance contest takes place on Saturday, November 23, 1945. The contest dances are the jitterbug, foxtrot, and the rhumba (Meg and Brent can foxtrot, too!).

Contestant Numbers and Prizes:

Sam and his wife are #6

Hank and Sarah are #23

Anne and Al are #19 – Winning Honorable Mention prize of an 18-pound turkey

Charlie and Caroline are #22 – Winning Third prize of a Glenn Miller record set

Mike and Ruth are # 14 – Winning Second prize of $100 (which they use to buy everyone a round of drinks)

Jeff and Ginger are #17 – Winning First prize of a trip to Hollywood with 19 other couples for a screen test in Robert Taylor’s next picture

Insider Trivia: When the writers broke the news to Kyle Chandler (Jeff) that this episode would require dancing, his muttered “Oh my Lord” became part of the script (Matt Roush “Homefront steps lively on post-war nostalgia trip” U.S.A Today Nov. 26, 1991). According to Homefront camera intern Dena Thompson, “Tammy told me that Kyle, like Jeff, had problems with the dancing. Apparently, when lifting her up in the air for one move, they cracked heads. Tammy said he nearly knocked her out, and teased him mercilessly for it” (Homefront egroup May 1, 2000). Mimi Kennedy (Ruth) thought the cast really became close during the dance contest episode. Between takes, everyone had to learn the choreography and had a great time practicing all the dance steps and lifts (Yuki Yasui “Museum of Television & Radio Induction” Mar. 13, 1993). This is the first episode Brent ever saw, while visiting his parents from college during Thanksgiving Break 1991.

Critique in a Nutshell: There’s a reason this episode is nearly everyone’s favorite: it’s thoroughly fun and satisfying with the cast at its most playful. If you want to turn somebody on to Homefront, this is the episode to have him/her watch first. A+

10. “Splitting Hairs” – Airdate: December 3, 1991

Writer: Bruce Lechowick

Director: Bruce Seth Green

Synopsis: In an attempt to diffuse the union movement by turning it into a racial problem, the Sloans hire more black workers. Anne struggles with her growing attraction to Al. Ginger and Jeff prepare for their Hollywood trip.

Introduces: “mental reservations”; union violence; first fantasy sequence; first time Ruth plays the piano

Memorable Line: “Being ignorant is not your fault; staying ignorant is.” (Al)

Runner-Up Memorable Line: “When a woman travels cross-country with a man, she expects to get married.” (Anne)

Honorable Mention Memorable Line: “My God, they think we’re progressives.” (Ruth)

Cheesiest Scene: Harmonica-playing hobo on the bus to California

’40s Slang: On the Q.T.

Historic Moments: Anne and Al’s first kiss. More black workers hired at plant. Charlie’s racial ignorance becomes painfully clear with his misconceptions about blacks carrying razors and having tails.

Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes: Charlie’s locker has changed from #191 to #257. Sad to say, but if a Black man were to throw the first punch against a white man in 1945 (even in northern Ohio), the white workers probably wouldn’t stand on the sidelines cheering, but rather would string him up within moments.

Did You Know?: Taft is senator in Ohio. Robert served in the 761^st Armored Division, and Charlie served in the 4^th Infantry. Ginger’s mother wouldn’t let her see King Kong. Anne folds towels differently from Gloria (Brent and Meg subscribe to the Davis Method).

Insider Trivia: The black and white “News of the World on Sale Here” banner hanging in Brandstaetter’s is identical to the one hanging in the coffee shop set on the sitcom Becker, which stars Hattie Winston (Gloria). Perhaps it’s the same one?

Priceless Homefront Scene: The hilarious exchange among Charlie, Gina, and Caroline as they discuss ethnic and racial stereotypes, which devolves into all three mumbling angrily about the Germans.

Critique in a Nutshell: Tying in every character, this episode is well-rounded and quintessentially Homefront in its perfect balance between the comic and the serious. A very intelligent and perceptive depiction of the complexities and subtleties of race in America at this time. A+

11. “Szabo’s Travels” – Airdate: December 10, 1991

Writer: Lynn Marie Latham

Director: Felix Enriquez Alcalá

Synopsis: Jeff and Ginger embark on their Hollywood(land) adventure for the screen test. Anne and Al go on their first date. Gloria and Abe’s plans to open a business are disrupted by an unexpected illness.

Introduces: the conflict between Jeff’s Major League aspirations and Ginger’s Hollywood ambitions – which is never truly resolved – emerges; first appearance of the Davises’ friends Estreanda and Thomas; first footage of the cast in black and white; first time Grandmother Davis is more than just an extra.

Missing Characters: Charlie, Caroline, and Mike Sloan

♫Songs: “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)” – Tex Williams; “It’s a Good Day” – Peggy Lee; “Begin the Beguine” – Artie Shaw

Memorable Line: “There’s no dancing in this. It’s only words.” (Ginger)

’40s Slang: Aces

Historic Moments: First time a character consults the priesthood for advice. The Davises put a down payment on owning their own business. Anne and Al’s first date. Jeff and Ginger’s first big argument. Al reveals that he is a divorcé. Anne reveals that her husband was unfaithful. The Davises ask the Sloans for money for the first time.

Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes: Ginger’s hair is down as she walks to the Hollywood set but only minutes later is up in a French twist when she auditions. The song “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)” refers to “these fifty states,” although there would be only 48 states for another fourteen years.

Great Unanswered Question: Why does Jeff have to learn to dance AND act, while Ginger only has to learn some baseball terms in order for their relationship to run smoothly?

Did You Know?: Anne’s husband’s name was Steven, and he and Anne were married for seventeen years before he died. The CZ Tobacco Company is the sponsor of the Hollywood contest. Ginger had never been outside of Ohio before. Al’s phone number at his hotel is BLackburn-8727. The director of the screen test is W. Fanner, Sr., the scene is ST-47, and it takes place on December 14, 1945. Every time Anne and Al kiss, Meg giggles happily. “Did you know the Croatians invented the necktie in the 1700s?”

Why? Why? WHY?: Does Hank own a closet-full of orange and green plaid shirts? We know this is the ’40s, but COME ON!!!

Insiders Will Notice: Sarah remarks, “I wonder it’s like to be kissed by a man when you haven’t been kissed in years” right in front of Hank despite the fact that, considering Hank had been fighting overseas, SHE shouldn’t have been kissed in years prior to his return.

Critique in a Nutshell: This episode introduces so much that will be pivotal later without ever over- or underdoing it. During his audition, Jeff looks like the offspring of Clark Gable, James Dean, and Cary Grant; in other words, we really see the “old Hollywood” in Homefront characters. A

12. “Sinners Reconciled” – Airdate: December 17, 1991

Writer: Bernard Lechowick

Director: Lorraine Senna Ferrara

Synopsis: Gina gives birth on Christmas Eve, but a serious medical condition puts her baby’s life in danger. Al fights to win Anne’s understanding. The Davises celebrate their first Christmas with Grandmother Davis. Jeff worries over Ginger’s Hollywood misadventures.

Introduces: Baby Emma Sloan; Sister Theophane, Charlie’s first grade teacher; Gina’s expression “Okay fine”; first appearance of the infamous Anne and Al cookies

♫Songs: “Silent Night”; “White Christmas” – Bing Crosby”; “Joy to the World”; “The First Noel” – Harry O’Reilly

Memorable Lines – This is one of our favorite eps, and almost every line is memorable. Here, we’ve listed our top choices:

“No bubble lights?” (Hank)

“You have to make money to have money to spend money to make money.” (Jeff)

“I put my knee where my father showed me to put it, and that is not a kick.” (Ginger)

“But I figure…you with us for life.” (Grandmother Davis)

“At my age, I have a right to eat what I want. Especially for breakfast.” (Grandmother Davis)

“I just remembered the birthday boy was Jewish.” (Al)

Parallels and Echoes: Al leaves the door open when keeping company with Anne, which Charlie later does when with Gina.

Historic Moments: Baby Sloan arrives. Ruth discovers that Gina is Jewish. We finally get to see Mr. Brandstaetter (very briefly).

Poignant or Cheesy?: Ruth’s flashback memories of Mike Jr. as a child

Ewwww Factor: Charlie’s hands are tinged with red when he twirls Caroline immediately after Emma is born.

Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes: Why is Baby Jesus just thrown in a cardboard box in the hospital storage room? Why does Mike unwrap his own gift for Emma instead of letting Gina do it?

Great Unanswered Question: Why does Grandmother Davis’s line “I wanna see what a young fruitcake tastes like” sound so dirty?

Did You Know?: Al’s mother died in the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. Al’s first wife was named Marsha Swerdlow, and she had “red hair and a party card to match.” Charlie’s unit called him “Bloody Hailey” because his blood was the universal donor type “O.” Caroline is Church of England Anglican, and the Sloans are Episcopalian. Gina’s midwife is Mrs. Kaufman. The hospital in which Emma is born is St. Anne’s, and the doctor who performs the transfusion is Dr. David Champion. Charlie earned “more demerits that any other boy in class” from grades one through three. “Nonno” means “grandpa” in Italian.

Insider Trivia: Writers Lechowick and Latham originally planned for Gina to give birth at the end of the season, “but Christmas was too good an opportunity to pass up” (Tom Feran “ABC’s ‘Homefront’ Makes the Most of its Opportunities” The Plain Dealer Apr. 15, 1992). This episode aired with a special Christmas “tag” featuring the entire cast lined up in Brandstaetter’s shouting in unison “Happy Holidays from the Homefront!”

Critique in a Nutshell: This episode is filled with sweet moments, from Charlie’s convincing Gina to eat for the baby to Caroline’s tenderness for Charlie and his war experiences to Charlie running ten blocks to the hospital with newborn Emma; consequently, Meg cries almost the entire way through the episode. It does honestly what so many other shows try to do disingenuously with their Christmas episodes. A+

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