Ep 12. 555-HELL

In Dream On season 1 episode 12, entitled "555-HELL," we find Martin Tupper, a successful book editor with a tumultuous personal life, struggling to keep his head above water. As the episode opens, Martin receives a late-night phone call from a woman who has dialed the wrong number. Despite the late hour, Martin indulges her in a conversation, and the two end up hitting it off.

The next day, Martin returns home to find his answering machine blinking with messages from distressed women--all looking for the same man. It soon becomes clear to Martin that the man in question is a colleague of his, Terry Parker, who has been using his office number as his own personal hotline to women. Outraged at Terry's behavior, Martin decides to take matters into his own hands.

Meanwhile, in his professional life, Martin is dealing with a contentious author named Cynthia. Despite her upcoming book being a surefire hit, Cynthia is unhappy with the revisions Martin has made to her manuscript. She demands that Martin restore her original text, leading to a creative showdown between the two.

As the episode progresses, Martin finds himself struggling to balance his personal and professional life. His relationship with the woman from the late-night phone call is starting to heat up, but his frustration with Cynthia's demands are taking a toll on his work life. Even worse, Terry Parker's philandering ways begin to have a ripple effect on Martin's own relationships--leading to a climactic confrontation between the two coworkers.

Throughout "555-HELL," Dream On showcases its signature blend of biting humor and emotional drama. Martin Tupper is a relatable and flawed protagonist, and the show's ensemble cast provides plenty of colorful characters for him to interact with. At its core, the episode is about the difficulties of maintaining balance in one's life--whether that means balancing work and personal relationships or simply trying to avoid getting caught up in other people's drama. The show's clever use of vintage TV footage adds an extra layer of entertainment, making Dream On a must-watch for fans of both comedy and drama.