SEASON TWO: Episodes 31-36

31. “The Traveling Lemo All-Stars” – November 12, 1992

Writer: Lynn Marie Latham

Director: Lorraine Senna Ferrara

Synopsis: When Jeff, Caroline, Ginger, and Arthur share a train heading west for a Lemo-sponsored barn-storming tour, high-jinks and misunderstandings ensue, as Jeff attempts to sneak both alcohol and Caroline into his berth and Ginger and Miss Westcott end up trading both sleeping compartments and clothing. The Davises fear they will be fired (again) when the Sloans discover their restaurant business. Anne and Al struggle over an appropriate name for their new baby boy.

Introduces: Michael as the name of Anne and Al’s baby.

Missing Characters: Gina, Charlie, Linda, Judy

Memorable Lines-It’s a Tie!: “Fooled you! No demerits!” (Jeff); “Mr. Shillhab gets one demerit for profanity. Four more and you get kicked off the team, you bastard!” (Jeff)

Parallels and Echoes: Caroline applies makeup to a reluctant and mousy woman (Miss Westcott) while on a train, just she did in the first episode (1-“S.N.A.F.U.”). The Sloans plan to fire the Davises again. The Sloans go through a series interviews with undesirable servants, just as the Davises once went through a series of interviews with undesirable employers (#5-“Patriots”). The Look Magazine from episode #25 (“By Popular Demand”) reappears.

Historic Moments: The Sloans discover the Davises’ restaurant business. Anne and Al’s baby is named. Caroline discovers that Jeff is wealthy. Arthur reveals his wolfish side, which Ginger successfully evades. Jeff makes his first attempt to sleep with Caroline. Third reference to Mrs. Seniff and the second to Lisa Lavere. The Davises earn their third raise as the Sloans end up having to pay them $10 more per week to match the offers from their society friends. Mr. Melon offers to hire Jeff to appear opposite Ginger on “The Lemo Tomato Juice Hour.” Jeff seriously injures his knee. Caroline continues to Reno for her divorce.

Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes: Ruth tells Mike to look at page 30 of Look Magazine, and he turns to a photo of Grandmother Davis on the right side of the magazine – but even-numbered pages NEVER appear on the right side of a book or magazine. The sack that Grandmother Davis hands to Gloria is clearly way too light to be full of apples.

Great Unanswered Question: Why do Al and Anne seem to have never bothered discussing names BEFORE Michael was born?

Did You Know?: The Lemo Tomato Juice Company earns $6 million annually. Jeff stayed in Upper Berth 3, Miss Westcott and Ginger in Compartment D, and Arthur in Compartment E. The Lemo All-Stars barn-storming tour made stops in Nebraska and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Major League ball players made as much as six or seven thousand dollars in 1946. Jeff earned his first demerit for profanity, his second for sneaking beer, his third for attempting to buy scotch, his fourth for having Caroline in his berth, and his fifth for punching Arthur and profanity. Anne and Al suggest naming their new baby Al, Jr.; James; Murray; and Christopher. Anne’s father’s name was James. Anne and Steven had almost given Jeff the name Christopher instead. Rupert’s address is 715. Miss Westcott’s first name is Edna. The Metcalfs have a party line. The name of the local newspaper is the River Run Courier.

Critique in a Nutshell: A fun, even silly episode. Caroline is actually a little playful, even if she is after Jeff’s money. This episode is merrily reminiscent of the screwball comedies of the period. A-

32. “First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage” – Airdate: December 3, 1992

Writer: Bernard Lechowick

Director: Sharron Miller

Synopsis: Facing an end to his baseball career due to injury, a humiliated Jeff reconsiders appearing opposite Ginger on “The Lemo Tomato Juice Hour.” Caroline returns from Reno newly divorced and eager to pick back up with Jeff, but Jeff is distracted by Catholic guilt. Believing Charlie is after Gina’s inheritance, the Sloans attempt to prevent the lovers’ engagement. An exhausted Anne and Al find a musical solution to baby Michael’s incessant crying.

Missing Character: Abe

♫Song: “The Lemo Tomato Juice Jingle” – the song is never played, sung, and recited so much as it is in this episode

Memorable Line: “Goes down swell, Tastes so well.” (Jeff incorrectly reciting the lyrics to “The Lemo Tomato Juice Jingle”)

Parallels and Echoes: During their visit to “inspiration point,” Arthur tells Ginger, “I don’t want you to think I’m pressuring you in any way…No pressure from me…Not a bit…of pressure,” which is the same line Jeff used on Ginger in episode #24-“Sungs Unsung Are The Sweetest.”

Historic Moments: Charlie and Gina get engaged. Jeff learns that his injury will prevent him from ever playing baseball again. Arthur stars (briefly) alongside Ginger on “The Lemo Tomato Juice Hour.” Jeff is forced to sell his Chrysler. Arthur attempts to propose to Ginger. Jeff joins “The Lemo Tomato Juice Hour.”

Scene that Causes Meg to Pitch a Giggle Fit: The overeager Indians player who goofily dances and lip-synchs along with Ginger to the Lemo jingle.

Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes: The graph charting the plummeting sales of Lemo Tomato Juice features no numbers, dates, or dollar amounts. Why is Ginger still with Arthur when she discovered he’s a wolf in the previous episode? A ’40s-era radio would have needed time to warm up, but the Metcalfs’ radio starts right up when Anne turns it on. Since Caroline’s Reno divorce took six weeks, this episode must take place in mid-December, but the trees surrounding the Metcalf home are green.

Great Unanswered Questions: Presumably Caroline purposely shifts Jeff’s car out of park because she’s just learned he’s no longer rich, so why does she hook up with him again later?

Did You Know?: Charlie “can’t stand” the Lemo jingle. Jeff purchased his Chrysler Town and Country for $2743. Walter Lemo wants to start selling frozen orange juice instead of tomato juice. Jeff must be sleeping on the Metcalf’s living room couch (where Anne wakes him from his dream) because he can’t climb stairs. Al’s euphemistic whistle when referring to sex has been adopted by Brent and Meg.

Insider Trivia: Regarding WREQ’s decision to pair Jeff with Ginger on “The Lemo Tomato Juice Hour,” Ginger states, “The audience out there for some unknown reason wants us together.” This was an obvious reference to Homefront’s real-life audience, which had urged the producers to continue the Jeff-Ginger storyline during the first season.

Critique in a Nutshell: Lots of great moments of intercutting dialogue between scenes, which aptly reflects the ever-increasing interconnection among the characters. A snappy, fun episode. A+

33. “Life Is Short” – Airdate: December 17, 1992

Writer: Bernard Lechowick

Director: Mike Vejar

Synopsis: The Metcalf household is stunned when Anne contracts polio. Ruth arranges a surprise birthday party for Mike at the Roadhouse, where he and Judy have an awkward reunion. Meanwhile, Abe worries that he’s losing his memory.

♫Songs: “Moonlight Serenade” – Glenn Miller; “Always” – artist unknown

Memorable Line: “Don’t touch this cake. Mom’ll love it ’cause I made it!” (Jeff)

Parallels and Echoes: Mike and Judy dance to “Always,” as he previously told her he longed to do (#29-“A Nickel Plate Romance”).

Number of Times Ruth’s Impossibly Well-Done Photo Appears: 1

Historic Moments: Anne contracts polio. Mike renews his romantic interest in Judy. The third of the four “famous” storm window-changing scenes. Another reference to the as-yet unseen Mrs. Seniff. First appearance of the Sloans’ friends, the Laveres.

Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes: The Davises complain about the Sloans regularly and loudly in their employers’ own kitchen – aren’t they ever worried that Mike and Ruth might overhear them? While talking on the phone, Mike tells Judy he’ll pick up his gloves at the Roadhouse, explaining, “That way, you won’t be inconvenient.” – what??? When Anne returns home from the hospital, Linda hands her baby Michael and places a baby bottle on the dining room table; but in the very next shot Anne is feeding Michael from the bottle without having actually picked it up.

Great Unanswered Question: Why does Ruth take a bottle home from Purl Roadhouse?

Meg Explains Why Toilet Paper Over the Top is Right: Because then you don’t have to hunt for the end of the paper – it’s always in clear sight.

Meg Explains Why Folding Socks Is Wrong: They’re socks! If the elastic wears out or they wrinkle, who cares?

Did You Know?: Mike is turning 49; Abe is 50 years old. Teresa and Katie are two other (unseen) employees at Purl Roadhouse. Abe’s father used to rub his lip constantly “after his mind went.” Grandma Davis was married to Abe’s father for 47 years. Abe’s father started to lose his memory around age 50. Anne prefers the toilet paper to come from over the top of the roll. The Kahns’ family physician is Dr. Magee. Cleveland had reported 280 cases of polio in 1946. The name of the cook at Purl Roadhouse (whom Abe had trained) is Johnny. Jeff batted .297 during the 1946 season. Abe has an Aunt Josie. The Sloans’ physician is Dr. Dean Sadler. Charlie ruined the finish of the Kahns’ dining room table by placing a hot cup of coffee on it.

Insider Trivia: Dick Anthony Williams (Abe) contracted polio at age 10. Judy’s comment, “My favorite program is on Thursday nights. I never miss it” was a reference to Homefront’s new Thursday timeslot. After this episode aired, Homefront was put on hiatus until March 1993.

Critique in a Nutshell: Previously, we could excuse Mike’s interest in Judy since their friendship had developed so innocently, but now he’s obviously – and knowingly – playing with fire. Al is touchingly close to tears when informing Jeff, Linda, and Charlie of Anne’s condition. Jeff, Linda, and Charlie (in an apron) racing about to finish preparations for Anne’s return from the hospital is priceless comedy. A

34. “Signed, Crazy In Love” – Airdate: March 9, 1993

Writer: James Stanley

Director: Christopher Chulack

Synopsis: When Ruth leaves town for a relative’s funeral, Mike takes the opportunity to invite Judy out for dinner. Believing polio has rendered her useless and a burden on her family, Anne’s angrily resists their attempts to help her around the house. The Davises try out the cuisine of their competition and stumble upon a surprising discovery. To make more money for his upcoming marriage to Gina, Charlie begins moonlighting as a door-to-door Fuller Brush salesman.

Introduces: First reference to Donald Nadolski. First scene inside Judy’s River Run apartment.

♫Song: “As Time Goes By” – Dooley Wilson

Memorable Line…if only because she says it forty-seven times: “I don’t want to be a burden.” (Anne)

Cheesiest Line: “I dare say you’ll much prefer the porterhouse!” (Mike’s response to Judy’s comment that she could eat a horse)

Parallels and Echoes: Ruth tells Mike that her Aunt Lorene was only sorry that she hadn’t discovered Uncle Oscar’s adultery while he was alive so that she could empty his bank account and divorce him – this is exactly what Ruth later attempts to do to Mike (#38-“Who What When Where And Why”).

Number of Times Mike Jr.’s Impossibly Well-Done Military Photo Appears: 1

Number of Times Ruth’s Impossibly Well-Done Photo Appears: 1

Number of Times Tom’s Impossibly Well-Done Military Photo Appears: 1

Historic Moments: Charlie becomes a Fuller Brush salesman. Jeff, Linda, and Charlie create a makeshift bedroom for Anne in the kitchen since she can’t climb stairs. Another reference to Mrs. Seniff. Mike and Judy kiss. The Davises see Mike out with another woman. Caroline figures out Mike’s infidelity and blackmails him for a raise.

Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes: Caroline is just the sort of person to snoop about and discover Mike’s involvement with Judy, but it’s not terribly clear how she catches on to the scent in the first place: the fact that Mike claims he telephoned his tailor when he was really calling the Roadhouse is not sufficient evidence to point directly to an affair, and Caroline inexplicably suspects Mike is up to something even before she discovers his lie. Al tells Jeff to “pass the damn tomatoes,” and yet he already has a heap of them on his plate.

Great Unanswered Questions: Why had Mike and Judy initially planned on getting together for a steak dinner at 3:00pm? Why does Mike return to the office so late in the evening after his date with Judy?

Did You Know?: Ruth has an Aunt Lorene, whose husband Uncle Oscar has died. Aunt Lorene learns that Uncle Oscar had been cheating on her. The River Run Courier ’s advice column is entitled “Dear Pauline.” There are four thousand Fuller Brush men serving over ten million homes. Sam’s wife took the train to Muncie to see her sister. Purl Roadhouse opens at 11:30am. A second phone line costs 50¢ per month. The Davises visit the Calico Kitchen, the Chuckwagon, the Hoover House, the Dewdrop Inn, the pancake house on Euclid, and Pedigo’s Steakhouse. Mike planned to take Judy to Pedigo’s Steakhouse. Judy’s dead husband was named Tom. Tom was the son of a Missouri farmer, loved baseball, met Judy at a baseball game, and was 26 when he was killed in action. Linda’s copyeditor coworker is named George. Anne likes her yolk runny. The Sloans’ car is a Packard.

Insider Trivia: This was the first new episode to air after ABC placed Homefront on a nearly three-month hiatus; the network brought back the series supposedly in order to give it “one last chance” to improve its ratings, but it now seems likely that the decision for cancellation had already been made and that the network was merely “burning off” the last remaining unaired episodes. The “Dear Pauline,” the advice columnist to whom Judy writes, was a nod to Homefront fan “Dear Abby” (real name Pauline), who promoted the show regularly in her column (Matt Roush “Welcome Back, Homefront” U.S.A. Today Mar. 9, 1993). Mike tells Judy that next year “The Indians have a shot at the Pennant”; the Indians won the World Series in 1948.

Critique in a Nutshell: Anne’s anger and embarrassment over wetting her bed due to her polio is one of the most poignant scenes in the series. Gina pretending to be a customer so that Charlie can practice his Fuller Brush spiel is cute. It’s good that Mike and Judy decide to back away, as their involvement was getting increasingly unseemly. B+

35. “On The Rebound” (never aired in the United States during the series’ original run)

Writer: Bernard Lechowick

Director: Mike Vejar

Synopsis: A reconciliation seems imminent when Ginger helps Jeff overcome a bad case of stage fright, but Caroline and Arthur have different plans for the two ex-lovers. The Sloans plot to break up Charlie and Gina’s engagement by offering Charlie a lucrative position in California. As Anne faces a lengthy recovery from polio, Al has difficulty paying the bills.

♫Songs: “The Lemo Tomato Juice Jingle” – Tammy Lauren; “Moonlight Serenade” – Glenn Miller

Memorable Line: “I’ll say!” (Jeff and Ginger)

Parallels and Echoes: Ruth is entertaining Emma with the bunny that Charlie gave her in episode #23-“Spanish Moss.” Charlie tells Mike he once vowed never to leave River Run again if he survived combat (#1-“S.N.A.F.U.”) “On the rebound” is a phrase used repeatedly in the dialogue ever since Jeff and Ginger broke up.

Historic Moments: Anne begins physical therapy and is able to move her right foot slightly. Ginger is fired from WREQ and then rehired, thanks to Jeff. First mention of Hank in a great while. Jeff and Caroline have sex! Al asks his father for money to pay for Anne’s polio treatments. Charlie gets a raise. Jeff plans to ask Ginger to take him back. Arthur proposes to Ginger, and she accepts.

Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes: After freezing up on live radio, Jeff asks Ginger to help him rehearse, but she declines because she and Arthur are going out. However, two scenes later, Ginger is indeed helping Jeff practice his lines. This can’t be a different day, because immediately after this scene Jeff calls Caroline, who supportively tells him she enjoyed his performance “tonight.” Wouldn’t Jeff and Caroline have noticed the shirt the moment it caught fire?

Great Unanswered Questions: Why exactly are Jeff and Caroline still dating, since we can assume she shifted his car out of park (in episode #32-“First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage”) in order to escape once she realized he was no longer rich?

Did You Know?: Jeff pretends he’s talking to his mother when performing on the radio. Ruth plans to take Gina to Cuba for eight weeks, while Mike tries to get Charlie to take a job in Los Angeles with Hartford Refrigeration, Inc. Mike is not from River Run. Al is from Brooklyn. Al’s father’s phone number is MAin-4706, and he shares a party line with Mrs. Rosen. Al is the business representative for three Locals. Jeff and Caroline finally “do the deed” at the Paradise Motor Court. Ginger has been a bridesmaid eleven times since graduation. Ginger is 25 years old.

Insider Trivia: This episode never aired during the series’ original run, presumably due to the show’s muddled hiatus during its final days. It did, however, air in the Philippines. It was not seen by American audiences until April 2000, when diehard Homefront fans were shocked to discover that Jeff and Caroline had sex! Mr. Melon’s capricious firing of Ginger and the excuses he offers (“The budget couldn’t accommodate such a large cast”; “The elimination of her character was in the best interest of the show”) sound like a barely veiled commentary by Homefront’s writers/producers regarding the pressures they must have felt to eliminate Sarah, Hank, and Robert…and possibly others?

Critique in a Nutshell: This episode features Homefront’s most hot-and-heavy “almost” sex scene, as Jeff and Caroline frantically tear off each other’s clothes. But their chemistry is flat, and Jeff seems particularly stiff in his scenes with Caroline (“I enjoy learning different ways of doing things.”) Gina’s split-second smile when she and Charlie catch Jeff and Caroline in their unmentionables is worth rewinding. B

36. “The Lacemakers” – Airdate: April 13, 1993

Writer: Bernard Lechowick

Director: Sharron Miller

Synopsis: Gina experiences disturbing flashbacks of her time in Auschwitz. Abe and Gloria invite Grandmother Davis to move in with them, but Gloria soon regrets the decision when her mother-in-law brings with her a lifetime’s worth of seemingly useless junk.

Introduces: We see Gina’s mother in flashback.

Missing Characters: Anne, Al, Jeff, Linda, Mike Ruth, Judy, and Caroline – sheesh!

♫Songs: Gina sings a song in Yiddish to Emma.

Memorable Line: “At my age, I don’t have to do anything!” (Grandmother Davis)

Parallels and Echoes: The dialogue makes reference to Ginger’s first wedding dress (#1-“S.N.A.F.U.”), Mike Jr.’s funeral (#2-“Take My Hand”), and Gina’s explanation to Charlie of her vow to take revenge against the Nazis by staying alive and happy (#16-“Bad Connection”).

’40s Slang: Criminy!

Historic Moments: Grandmother Davis moves in with Abe and Gloria (again). Emma says her first word!

Inconsistencies, Bloopers, and Plot Holes: When Gloria hands her the veil, Gina immediately begins sewing, though she would have had to remove the mistakes made by Grandmother Davis first. Gloria expresses amazement at Gina’s lacemaking skills (“Look at that! My word!”) only two seconds after Gina begins! Gina managed to grow hair past her shoulders between January 1945 (when Auschwitz was liberated) and September 1945 (when the TV series begins). Ginger looks almost annoyed that Gina sewed the “chi” into her veiled, and Gina doesn’t seem sufficiently excited when Emma speaks her first word. We have some really bad wigs and bald caps in this episode.

Great Unanswered Question: Was Charlie the Fuller Brush man who gave Grandmother Davis her free letter openers?

Did You Know?: Grandmother Davis’s first name is Rebecca. Grandmother Davis was taught how to make lace by her mother, who learned it from her mother. Grandmother Davis’s grandmother Bertha was a house slave who “fetched a good price.” Charlie fought at Normandy on D-Day. Gina didn’t want to become a lacemaker like her mother because she wanted to be better than her. Gina’s mother sacrificed her own life in the concentration camp to spare her daughter. Gina stitched a hidden “ת” or “chi,” a Jewish symbol of life, into Ginger’s veil – a trick she learned from her mother.

Insider Trivia: While this is the 36^th episode, it was held until episodes 37-40 had aired, possibly because the network felt its serious subject matter would hurt Homefront’s chances for renewal. Episodes 37-40 were supposedly slightly edited so that #36 would make sense in its new slot.

Critique in a Nutshell: An unusual episode made up of flashbacks and only four of the series’ main cast members. The acting is superb – Gloria and Abe are in especially good form – and Gina’s story of her mother’s sacrifice at Auschwitz is touching. However, it would have made much more sense for this storyline to have taken place near the beginning of the series; here, the emotional power of Gina’s traumatic Holocaust experience is trivialized by the fact that it never seemed to bother her much before or after this episode. Gloria’s shame upon discovering that the old yarn she wanted to throw out was made by Abe’s great grandmother during her slave days is ultimately a more genuinely powerful storyline. B-

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