Ep 5. Bang the Drum, Stanley

When it comes to throwing parties, Blanche Devereaux certainly knows how to do it up big. And her latest gathering is no exception. She's throwing a surprise birthday party for her boyfriend, who just so happens to be Stanley Zbornak, ex-husband of Dorothy. And despite everyone's reservations about celebrating Stanley's birthday, Blanche insists that they all put their feelings aside for the night and have a good time.

Meanwhile, Sophia is busy preparing for her role in a local play. She's playing the part of a Native American medicine woman and she's taking the role very seriously. Rose is helping her with her lines, but the two of them can't seem to get through a scene without bursting out in laughter. While Sophia is more annoyed by this than anything else, Rose is having the time of her life.

As the night of the party approaches, things are tense between Dorothy and Stan. They may have been divorced for years, but there's still plenty of animosity between them. However, when they both arrive at the party, they agree to put their differences aside for the sake of Blanche's celebration.

But as the party gets underway, it becomes clear that Stanley is not exactly thrilled to be there. In fact, he's downright angry. And when Blanche presents him with a drum as a birthday gift, Stanley loses it and storms out of the party.

This unexpected outburst from Stanley throws everyone for a loop, and Blanche is left feeling hurt and embarrassed. However, she's not one to let a party go to waste, so she tries her best to salvage the evening. But as the night wears on, it becomes clear that this party is a far cry from the fun-filled event she had hoped for.

Back at the house, Sophia is busy practicing her lines when Rose brings up a fateful question. She asks Sophia if it's okay to dress up as a Native American for Halloween. Sophia is shocked and appalled at the idea, and proceeds to launch into a scathing diatribe about cultural insensitivity and appropriation.

The conversation quickly turns into a heated debate, with Rose defending her right to dress any way she wants and Sophia railing against the ignorance of modern society. In the end, it's clear that Sophia has won the argument, but Rose still doesn't completely understand what all the fuss is about.

As the episode draws to a close, everyone is feeling a little down. Blanche is nursing her wounded pride, Sophia is feeling frustrated with the world, and Rose is still trying to figure out why she can't dress up as Pocahontas for Halloween. But in spite of all this, they come together in a moment of unexpected solidarity. As they sit together on the lanai, watching the stars, they're reminded of the bond they share as friends and roommates. And they know that no matter what life throws their way, they'll always have each other.