The Cats of Life

I love animals. When my then-boyfriend (now husband) and I moved to the mountains last year, we were very excited to introduce a dog into our family soon. But I had the bar exam, and then the wedding, so we said we'll get the dog when things settle down. We're still dogless, because we have imposed upon ourselves the condition that we must be home for thirty days straight before we can bring in the responsibility of a dog. We haven't managed that yet. Wish us luck.

But you know who else never had a dog? The Facts girls. But they did briefly have a cat in the two-part final episode of season five. Jo was none too pleased.

Recap episode 5-4: "What Price Glory" or Student athlete blog crossover

My husband has gotten used to the phrase, "There's a Facts of Life episode about that." Readers of this blog likely know that in its nine seasons in prime time, Facts covered a wealth of serious and poignant issues, including a number of Very Special Episodes generally of excellent quality.

Earlier this month, the New York Times ran a story on the front page of the Sunday sports section about a particular athlete and program whose academic abuses cost the basketball program their shot at the postseason and may have cost the student his education. 

There's a Facts of Life episode about that.

Jeff was the longest-recurring Facts boyfriend, making appearances in seasons five, six, eight and nine. By the end of the series, Tootie and Jeff were engaged, and other than some rando named "Rudy" who shows up for one episode, Tootie doesn't date anyone else after she meets Jeff.

But do you remember that when they first met, Jeff was illiterate?

Recap episode 5-20 "Dream Marriage" or marriage critique

Last week I wrote about the two weddings that took place on Facts, Mrs. Garrett's almost-wedding, plus a bonus sneak peek into mine. I was remiss in not including Jo's almost-wedding, that to Enrique in episode 8-8. Enrique was an undocumented immigrant whom Jo was going to marry to keep in the country.

So, Jo was almost married once (twice if you count the "Teenage Marriage" episodes) and married on the show. Mrs. Garrett was almost-married once and married on the show. Tootie was engaged at the end of the series to pretty much the only guy she ever dated during the run of the series. Natalie ain't the marrying kind, but she was the first to lose her virginity (to be linked when I write that recap). That leaves Blair.

Blair dated a lot; she's often reduced to the title of "the slutty one," even though I'm pretty sure Natalie dated more (but those are topics for other columns). The point is, Blair "Harvest Queen three years in a row" was the only one to not be engaged, married, or deflowered during the course of the series. And I bet this episode is why.

We open with Blair looking very Cinderella-y.

Recap episode 5-6 "The Halloween Show" (part 2)

Muahahahahaha! Happy continuing Halloween week, readers! I left you with a cliffhanger last post. The girls and Mrs. Garrett have only just moved into Edna's Edibles, and they've discovered that there was a terrible triple murder in the house near the turn of the century. At the same time, Mrs. Garrett seems to be coming a little unglued. So far, all the girls know is that Mrs. Garrett has been prowling around the house at night with a butcher knife. But, with the spirit of Grisly Gertie inside her, who knows what horrors are to come in this seemingly tranquil gourmet shop and bakery in Peekskill?

And now, the conclusion of "The Halloween Show."

Recap - "The Halloween Show" (part 1)

Happy Halloween week everybody! I apologize for another "life happens" delay, but I'll make it up to you with SEVEN new posts between today and Halloween, including two-part recaps of the two Halloween episodes and another three-part series that I think you'll enjoy. 

Let's begin with the first official Halloween episode, cleverly titled " The Halloween Show," in which we're treated to a possessed Mrs. Garrett.

Dun dun dun!

Recap episode 5-23 "Seems Like Old Times" or: The tragic conclusion of the Ballad of Jo and Eddie

Sorry about the delay, dear readers, but I assure you that I've been working on something awesome if it comes to fruition. It's not related to the delay; the delay is only because I've been partying at Riot Fest in both Denver and Chicago. But I swear you'll totally forgive me for the delay if my thing happens.

Regardless, we have a tragic ballad to finish. We've been with our star-crossed lovers during their aborted attempt to elope and during their heartbreaking realization that it would be best for both of them to see other people. Although Jo's attraction to Bob, her simulated husband, was a contributing factor to the pseudo-breakup, she doesn't continue to see him and we never hear of him again. I understand that. No matter how much she liked him, it would have been incredibly painful to pursue anything with him after his being so entangled in the Eddie situation. But she went out with a dude whose name I forget in season four's "A Woman's Place," and she dated rich boy Bill in season five's brilliant "Just My Bill." Eventually, she would be the only one of the core four to get married on the show, wedding Rick Bonner in season nine. I desperately want to call Rick a poor, poor substitute for the glorious Eddie Brennan, but alas, it was Eddie himself who destroyed his reputation with his own poor judgment. Poor Eddie. Poor beautiful, dumb Eddie.

We know how it ends. Let us watch as it unfolds.