SEASON ONE: Episodes 19-24
19. “First Sign
Of Spring” –
Airdate: March 11, 1992
Writer: Bernard Lechowick
Director: Lorraine Senna Ferrara
Synopsis: The Metcalfs gather around
Sarah’s hospital bedside as all of River Run reacts to the tragedy and fears
additional violence.
Memorable Line: “We’re
only on this earth a short while, indeed, but during that time, my garden had
better be left alone!” (Ruth)
Cheesiest Scene: Hank’s
battlefield nightmare in which a mortally wounded Charlie transforms into
Sarah.
Historic Moments: Sarah’s
death marks the first departure of a regular cast member – unfortunately, it
won’t be the last. Anne reveals she is
pregnant. The Davises get a raise.
Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes:
When Jeff arrives at the hospital, a grateful Hank tells him that the first
twelve hours – the most critical to Sarah’s recovery – are almost up, but
there’s NO WAY Jeff could have driven from Clearwater, Florida, to Northeastern
Ohio in less than twelve hours, even with today’s highways. Ruth turns off the radio just as it is
reporting breaking news on the search for Sarah’s killer – since the Sloans are
intimately involved, wouldn’t they want to listen?
Great Unanswered Question: Sarah
kept Jeff’s picture in a locket – does that mean she still had feelings for him
or just never got around to discarding it?
Did You Know?: Charlie
keeps a Luger pistol he got in Germany.
The episode’s radio broadcasts mention several relevant news items: the
desegregation of the military, the formation of Israel, the growing Communist
threat and Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, and turmoil in the new nation of
Vietnam. Sarah dies at 4:27am. Hank listens to the Fred Allen show on the
radio. Both of Anne’s parents and her
aunt died of cancer. During the early
days of her marriage, Anne lived with her in-laws who “fought every minute of
the day.” The adage “Neither a borrower
nor a lender be,” which Ruth incorrectly attributes to the Bible, is actually
from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The
Bible verses read by Gloria are Psalms 46: 1-7.
Critique in a (Very Large)
Nutshell (Perhaps it’s a Coconut): It’s
truly unfortunate that the writers so neglected Sarah’s character, but at this
point they’re only mercifully getting rid of dead weight. The episode effectively conveys a mood of
widespread fear that affects all of River Run’s citizens in a way that is
particularly resonant for post-9/11 America.
Even more poignant than Sarah’s death are the scenes of awkward
uncertainty as friends and family struggle over how to deal with Hank. The fact that Sarah’s killer turns out to be
a lone gunman taking drunken potshots at the Metcalf home is perhaps meant to
be tragically ironic, but comes off as merely pat, as it absolves both sides of
the union conflict of blame. Moreover,
the script seems to want to create some tension regarding Jeff and Sarah’s
former romance (How will Jeff react when faced with Sarah on her deathbed? Will Hank discover the locket?), but by now
that all seems like ancient history. B+
20. “At Your
Age” –
Airdate: March 18, 1992
Writer: Bernard Lechowick
Director: David Carson
Synopsis: The Metcalf siblings grapple
with the news of Anne’s pregnancy, while Anne and Al debate marriage. Grandma Davis attempts to play matchmaker
for Robert. All of River Run turns out to
see their hometown boy play in the Indians’ opening game.
Introduces: First reference to Perette
(though Robert doesn’t mention her by name) who won’t appear until the second
season.
Memorable Line: “Why is
everybody spitting?” (Gina)
Parallels and Echoes: Both Al
and Jeff (in Episode #7-“Toledo”) propose when they believe that Anne and
Ginger (respectively) are pregnant, and both women refuse them, arguing that
the men are proposing only out of obligation.
Father Dreher speculates that Al (a Jew) might convert to Catholicism,
but it’s later Charlie (a Catholic) who converts to Judaism.
Historic Moments: Al
proposes to Anne. The second of the
four “famous” storm window-changing scenes.
Anne and Al begin pre-Cana classes.
Jeff plays in his first Indians game.
Second reference to Mrs. Seniff.
Robert explains that he’s in love with a woman he met in France. Anne reveals to Hank that the father he
idolized was a shiftless philanderer.
Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes:
What’s up with the red-haired woman in the pre-Cana class whose swept-up bun
and high-collared blouse make her look like a Gibson girl from the 1910s?
Great Unanswered Question: Lela
Rochon – WHA?!?!
Did You Know?: Anne has
a sister named Irene. Ginger again
references the story of her heel breaking at graduation – this incident must
have really scarred her! Robert plays
jazz saxophone. Anne drinks champagne
while she’s pregnant! Jeff’s team
number is 4. Robert returned to River
Run early because his commanding officer sped up his discharge in order to end
his romance with the French woman. Anne
inherited the Metcalf home from her parents.
Insider Trivia: Father
Dreher’s comment “I’m glad so many of you remembered the change from Tuesday to
Wednesday nights” was an in-joke to viewers, as Homefront’s time slot
had been changed from Tuesdays to Wednesdays.
According to Bernard Lechowick, “The only intentional [historical] error
we’ve made is using a shot of that big rotating neon Chief Wahoo sign in
Cleveland – which didn’t go up until 1962” (Michael Jaffe “An Indian for a Day”
Sports Illustrated). This
exterior shot of the Indians stadium is used over and over again in subsequent
episodes – the cloud formations behind the stadium are always the same.
Critique in a Nutshell:
Hank’s descent into alcoholic bitterness is uncomfortable to watch. However, Charlie trying to explain baseball
to “his two foreign girls” is one of the funniest scenes in the series. A-
21. “Obstinacy
Or Constancy?” –
Airdate: March 25, 1992
Writer: Bernard Lechowick
Director: Joseph L. Scanlan
Synopsis: Al misleads the union into
believing that they have financial support from the National Labor Alliance at
the same time that he learns he will have to agree to raise his child Catholic
in order to marry Anne. Judy Owen shows
up in River Run, much to the chagrin of Jeff, who tries to hide her presence
from Ginger. Charlie takes a stand for
the union.
Introduces: Judy as a regular cast
member
Missing Characters: Abe and
Gloria Davis
♫Songs:
“Begin the Beguine” – Artie Shaw; “Don’t Be That Way” – Benny Goodman
Memorable Line: “Is it
good enough for your kids?” (Charlie)
It Isn’t Anne’s Line, But Sure Sounds Like It:
“You should level with your fiancée whether your coach says to or not.”
(Ginger)
Parallels and Echoes: Al
refuses to sign the agreement to raise his child Catholic, just as he will
later refuse to sign the loyalty oath (#40-“By Word or Act”).
Historic Moments: Judy
arrives in River Run to stay. Caroline lies
about being pregnant (again) to avoid a strike. Anne calls off the engagement without telling Al. The union stages an impromptu strike. This episode marks the exact mid-point of
the entire series.
Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes:
Why is Ginger disappointed that Jeff doesn’t want her to attend the game when
she had to work at WREQ anyway? Why do
Jeff’s teammates teasingly call him “Buckeye” when they are all playing on an
Ohio team? How did Charlie answer Al’s
phone call almost immediately when the phone at Saddler’s Rooming House is in
the hallway?
Great Unanswered Questions:
Where is the general union meeting being held?
Judy explains that Coach Zelnick hired her because his eyes are failing,
but then he fires her and his eyes are never mentioned again – is this a plot
hole or was Coach lying about his eyes, perhaps because he merely wanted to
enjoy Judy’s company on a regular basis?
Did You Know?: Ginger
once lost a white leather purse with $2.00 in it that her aunt gave her for Communion. Linda once stole her father’s gin, and she
and Ginger got sick off of it. Anne
goes to Champaign, Illinois, to stay with her friend Elaine Masick. Judy’s parents died when she was a child,
and her bar in Florida burned down.
Judy now lives only a few blocks from Purl Roadhouse.
Insider Trivia: Kelly Rutherford’s role was only supposed to be a
three-episode story arc, but, according to Lynn Marie Latham, “When we saw her
on screen and saw how well she fit into the ensemble, and what the character
brought to the show, we said, ‘Wait! We can’t lose this woman’” (Mark Lorando “3-Night Stand Becomes
Homefront Romance” Newhouse News Service 1992).
Critique in a Nutshell: Though
not as funny as we’d like, this episode is sweet and smart, particularly regarding
Charlie’s independent realization of working conditions at Sloan
Industries. A good showcase for
Ginger’s understanding and generosity, which don’t always come across so well. A-
22. “If You
Want It Done Right…” – Airdate: April 1, 1992
Writer: Bernard Lechowick
Director: Lorraine Senna Ferrara
Synopsis: The labor crisis comes to a
head as the Unionists hole up inside the Sloan factory, and those outside
struggle to help bring about a peaceful resolution. Al and Anne reconcile.
Introduces: Mike’s workshop
Missing Character: Jeff
♫Songs:
“One-Zy Two-Zy” – Phil Harris (requested but not played); “You Made Me Love
You” – Harry James; “Moonglow” – Artie Shaw
Memorable Lines—This episode is so chock-full of one-liners that
we had to list ’em all:
“Now what
the hell do we do?” (Charlie)
“Give me a
chance – I don’t interrupt as well as you do.” (Anne)
“You
realize we’re not getting married because we love each other. Does that make sense to you?” (Al)
“Not that
it matters. I built that factory, I’ll
build another one.” (Mike)
“I AM NOT
BEING HYSTERICAL!” (Al)
“Kindly
shut UP!” (Ruth)
“Gina,
you’re embarrassing everyone.” (Charlie)
“I am
talking now, and eventually you are listening.” (Gina)
“You son
of a bitch, I’ll never forget this.” (Mike)
Cheesiest Line: “It’s a
dame! It’s a loony dame!” (Unionist
Fritz)
Priceless Homefront Moment: Ruth
snatching a picket sign, smashing a protester over the head with it, and then
calmly adjusting her hat as she’s led back to her car by a police officer.
Historic Moments: Anne and
Al’s engagement is back on. First
contract between Sloan Industries and Local 311.
Great Unanswered Question: Why must every
sheriff in a TV show or movie sound like he’s from the Deep South? Sheriff Rajimski sounds like a good ol’ boy
in Northern Ohio.
Did You Know?: The
Sloans own two cars. Sheriff Rajimski’s nephew is Unionist Ted.
Insider Trivia: “1946 was
a historic year for labor. A million
and one-half workers went on strike that winter…. Labor militancy – and victories – caught the attention of
thousands of unorganized workers who voted for union representation in one
election after another” (“Prime Time Labor Wars On Homefront” U.A.W.
Solidarity 1992). It is no mistake
that this episode depicts Mike tinkering in his workshop: according to the
official NBC website for the television series “Scrubs,” Ken Jenkins (Mike) is
an avid woodworker.
Critique in a Nutshell:
This is a very intelligent episode from Charlie’s responsible leadership of the
strike to the surprise resolution brought about by the women of Homefront. Plus, Al’s faking his death on the porch
with Anne early in the episode is worth watching over and over again until you
give yourself the hiccups giggling (or maybe that’s just Meg). A
23. “Spanish
Moss” –
Airdate: April 8, 1992
Writer: Lynn Marie Latham &
James Stanley
Director: Joseph L. Scanlan
Synopsis: For very different reasons,
both Anne and Jeff attempt move up their respective wedding dates. The Davises stumble upon a last-minute
opportunity to raise the money needed to start up their restaurant. When Caroline reveals that her pregnancy was
a false alarm, Charlie begins to recognize a pattern of deception.
Missing Character: Robert
♫Songs:
“I Can’t Get Started With You” – Artie Shaw; “Born To Lose” – Ted Daffan
Memorable Line: “Hey,
Jerry! Ja? Bang!” (Charlie)
Parallels and Echoes: Jeff
proposes that he and Ginger elope, which they essentially do in the final
episode (#42-“All Good Things”).
Historic Moments: Only
episode with ’30s-style “wipes” at the end of scenes. Jeff and Ginger have their wedding date moved up to October. Salesman Ben Mahoney returns. Charlie begins to strongly suspect Caroline
of ongoing deceit. Hank announces he’s
moving out. Gina’s affections for
Charlie are made evident.
Did You Notice?: As Al
stands outside of the church door waiting for Anne to come out, you can hear a
distant off-camera female voice shout, “All’s I’m saying is, I’ll be
late!” Only moments later, immediately
after Anne tells Al, “He said that I was a respected member of the parish and
to delay the wedding until I was further along would give scandal to the
faithful,” the same off-camera voice can be heard declaring, “Oh, I’ve got a
run!”
Great Unanswered Question: This
could apply to almost any episode, but why in the world is Anne’s frequent
exclamation “Jesus, Mary and Joseph!” any less of a
taking-the-Lord’s-name-in-vain profanity than merely uttering “Jesus!”?
Did You Know?: Ginger
already had sheets and blankets in blue (Charlie’s favorite color). Abe once broke his arm but was back to work
two days later. The Davises have worked
for the Sloans for twenty-five years.
Charlie likes Caroline better as a blonde. Coach Zelnick once played for the Indianapolis Hoosiers in the
old Federal League.
Critique in a Nutshell:
As the series’ first season nears its conclusion, Homefront sows the
seeds for what will be some of the major storylines in its second year. This episode is filled with amusing scenes
and dialogue, namely Anne’s insistence that Al is making fun, Jeff and Ginger’s
fights over china patterns, and the Davises’ race to get back that ugly
vase. Charlie’s disillusionment with
Caroline is touching, though Hank’s role has been reduced to an unpleasant
distraction. A-
24. “Songs
Unsung Are The Sweetest” – Airdate: April 15, 1992
Writer: Bernard Lechowick
Director: Nicholas Sgarro
Synopsis: An episode of transitions as
Anne and Al marry, Charlie leaves Caroline, and Robert heads for France to find
his wartime sweetheart. Meanwhile, Jeff
and Ginger struggle with premarital carnal temptations and Hank struggles to
face the future.
Introduces: The sexual side of Gloria. And that’s a force to be reckoned
with!
♫Songs:
“Moonlight Serenade” – Glenn Miller; “Rum and Coca-Cola” – Ken Jenkins; “It’s
Been a Long, Long Time” – Harry James
Memorable Lines (Hey, it’s the Season Finale):
“Salt, sugar, flour, shortening are the heart of every modern pantry.” (Ginger);
“Now, lock that door.” (Gloria); “She lies so much.” (Charlie); “You can get
all the chicken-fried steak you want, I guess.” (Jeff); “Put it in your sock.”
(Abe); “There’s something wrong with me.
I think deep down inside, I’m a man.” (Ginger)
Parallels and Echoes: Jeff and
a uniformed Hank go to Kirtland Hill just as they did in the first
episode. The Davises reopen Rupert’s,
which Jeff informed Hank had closed in the first episode.
’40s Slang: Hunky-dory
Historic Moments: The
credits play over the opening scene rather than as part of the traditional
theme song sequence. Anne and Al
marry. Charlie leaves Caroline. Charlie and Gina nearly kiss. Robert leaves for France. Hank contemplates suicide. The Davises reopen Rupert’s. Hank’s final episode (thank goodness).
Alternate Homefront Universe Moment:
Charlie and Judy kiss! (Meg and Brent had to mix up another batch of margaritas
to get through THAT!)
Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes:
In a shot of Caroline’s bank book, her last name is clearly spelled “Haily” –
Is this a prop error, or have years of Homefront fans simply gotten the name wrong? Wouldn’t it take Jeff hours to load up the
somewhat flimsy-looking chairs at the church if he carried them all out one by
one?
Great Unanswered Question: THAT
is Anne’s honeymoon nightgown?!?!
Did You Know?:
Caroline’s bank account is #827, and she has saved $292.47. Robert is 25 years old. Hank and Charlie had a regular poker
game. Al’s license plate is LM 9604 (a
nod to Lynn Marie?). The Sloans stayed
overnight at Cedar Point before they were married! The episode’s title is a paraphrase of a
famous line from John Keats’s “Ode on a Grecian Urn”: “Heard melodies are
sweet, but those unheard / Are sweeter.”
Insider Trivia: According
to Homefront camera intern Dena Thompson, “A lot of the crew felt that
Harry (Charlie) wasn’t the most gifted actor on the show. He came off much like Charlie in
person. When we shot that scene in the
bathroom, the whole crew was respectfully silent. His performance was so terrific that he got an ovation from all
of us afterward. It was his finest
moment” (Homefront egroup July 31, 2000).
Critique in a Nutshell: One of
Harry O’Reilly’s finest hours – see “Insider Trivia” above. However, it is bittersweet that Hank finally
finds peace, only to be written off the show the next season. The finale’s plots really reward fans who
return, andHomefront’s first season ends with the grace, polish,
and humor that they cherish. A