Ep 2. The President's Double

Benson season 1 episode 2, titled "The President's Double" follows Benson (Robert Guillaume), who is the new personal butler for Governor Gatling. In this episode, Benson finds himself being tasked with the job of finding a suitable lookalike for the Governor, as he has to attend a political rally but cannot make it himself.

The Governor's staff suggests finding someone who looks like him, to attend the rally in his place, but Benson finds it hard to find someone willing to do the job. He turns to a political consultant who suggests that Benson should ask his own lookalike (Geoffrey Thorne) to fill in for the Governor.

With the Governor's approval, Benson's doppelganger reluctantly agrees to fill in for the Governor and attend the political rally in his place. Benson and his lookalike try to fool the crowd, but things go wrong. The crowd becomes suspicious of the Governor's double, and Benson finds himself in a bind when his doppelganger has to make a speech.

Viewers also get to see Benson at work at the Governor's house and see how he manages to keep the household in order despite the chaos around him. The New York Times referred to Benson as "winsome" and "Mr. Guillaume's performance is a joy," as he plays a butler who is working for a new employer who has to get used to his new duties and environment.

In this episode, we also get a glimpse into Benson's personal life as he has a tendency to take care of everyone around him and be there for them. He helps his neighbors with their problems, and he teaches Cathy (Caroline McWilliams), his co-worker, how to make a perfect cup of coffee.

We also see Benson's interactions with Governor Gatling and his family. He often clashes with the Governor, but Benson's tenacity and wit charm his employer. Benson even helps the Governor's son to deal with his speech impediment.

Throughout "The President's Double," Benson is constantly on the move, dealing with the pressures of his job and trying to find a suitable double for the governor. Viewers see him running around, making calls, and trying to keep everything under control.

Overall, Benson season 1 episode 2 is a light-hearted sitcom that masterfully blends political humor with a strong dose of family-friendly fun. The characters are well-developed, and the acting is superb. Even though the show premiered over 40 years ago, it still remains a favorite with fans, who enjoy the warm-hearted, and at times, zany comedy.