Ep 20. Someone Single, Someone Blue

In Cheers season 1 episode 20, titled "Someone Single, Someone Blue," the gang at Cheers is all wrapped up in wedding plans for Diane's friend and Sam's old baseball teammate, Dave. As the episode opens, Sam is briefing Diane on who's who so she can be prepared for the upcoming rehearsal dinner. We learn that Dave is the groom, his fiancée is named Gail, and the best man is a man named Joe Palomino.

As the rehearsal begins, it becomes clear that Dave has some serious nerves, as he cracks under the pressure of all the attention. Diane takes charge and tries to help him relax, but he doesn't seem to be able to shake his nerves. When it's time for the actual wedding ceremony, Dave is a no-show, leaving everyone confused and panicked.

After some investigation, the gang learns that Dave has run off to Mexico with Gail's maid of honor, and they're holed up in a hotel room. The news hits Diane particularly hard, as she had been helping Dave plan the wedding and had grown attached to him. Sam tries to comfort her, but she insists she doesn't need his help and leaves the bar.

Meanwhile, Gail shows up at Cheers, looking for Dave. Sam is the one who breaks the news to her, and she's understandably devastated. She confides in Sam that she had been having second thoughts about getting married but had gone through with it anyway. Now, with Dave gone, she's left feeling more alone than ever.

To make matters worse, Joe Palomino -- the best man -- starts making unwanted advances on Gail, insisting that they could still have a good time together. Gail rebuffs him, and he leaves the bar in a huff. Later on, he shows up at the hotel room where Dave and the maid of honor are hiding out, and things take a dangerous turn.

Back at Cheers, the gang is reeling from all the drama, but they pull together to try to help Gail. Diane shows up again, clearly still upset but trying to put on a brave face. She insists on talking to Gail and tells her that Dave isn't worth all the tears and heartache. Gail is skeptical at first, but she eventually breaks down and admits that she's scared and alone.

Meanwhile, Joe Palomino bursts into the bar, brandishing a gun. The gang all hit the deck, but Sam decides to try to talk him down. With some quick thinking and a little bit of luck, Sam is able to disarm Joe and take him into custody. The rest of the episode is spent trying to help Gail pick up the pieces and come to terms with all that's happened.

Ultimately, "Someone Single, Someone Blue" is a tense and emotional episode of Cheers that showcases the show's exceptional writing and acting. The situation is dire, but the gang at Cheers manages to come together and support one another in the face of adversity. Fans of the show will appreciate the complexity of the characters and the nuance of the storytelling, making this episode a must-watch.