Ep 23. Son-in-Law Dearest

Son-in-Law Dearest is the twenty-third episode of the second season of the hit sitcom The Golden Girls. The episode focuses on Dorothy’s relationship with her son-in-law Stan, who she dislikes and distrusts.

The episode begins with Dorothy (Bea Arthur) arriving home to find her ex-husband Stan (Herb Edelman) waiting for her. Stan, who is now married to Dorothy’s daughter Kate, has arrived unannounced and wants to take Kate and their son Michael to Hawaii to renew their wedding vows. Dorothy is suspicious of his motives and doesn't trust him, but Kate is excited about going to Hawaii and wants to go. After some persuading from Stan and Kate, Dorothy reluctantly agrees to let Michael go, but she decides to tag along to keep a watchful eye over them.

On the plane ride to Hawaii, Dorothy and Stan sit next to each other and engage in a heated argument. Stan accuses Dorothy of still being in love with him, which she denies vehemently. They continue to bicker throughout the flight, and when they arrive in Hawaii, Dorothy decides to stay in a different hotel from the rest of her family. While at the hotel, she meets a charming man named Lucas (John Schuck) who takes an interest in her.

Meanwhile, Stan and Kate are getting ready for their vow renewal ceremony, but things don’t go as planned. Kate discovers that Stan had booked a cheaper hotel instead of the luxury resort he had promised, and she begins to doubt Stan’s intentions. Dorothy starts to suspect that Stan is up to something fishy, and her suspicions grow stronger when she discovers that Lucas is actually a private investigator hired by Stan.

In the end, it is revealed that Stan had planned a surprise party for Kate at the cheaper hotel, but the plans fell through due to a mix-up. Dorothy feels guilty for doubting Stan and apologizes to him, and the family reconciles. Dorothy also decides to give Lucas a chance and agrees to go out with him. The episode concludes with the whole family attending an authentic Hawaiian Luau.

Son-in-Law Dearest is a classic episode of The Golden Girls that explores family relationships and trust. The episode’s humor is classic Golden Girls, with plenty of snappy one-liners and witty banter between the characters. The episode also touches on more serious themes, such as betrayal and forgiveness, making it a well-balanced and compelling episode. The standout performance in this episode is by Bea Arthur, who showcases her comedic timing and dramatic acting skills as she navigates Dorothy’s conflicting emotions towards Stan. Overall, Son-in-Law Dearest is a must-see episode of The Golden Girls that showcases the best of the beloved sitcom.