Ep 19. 72 Hours

The Golden Girls season 5 episode 19 titled "72 Hours" begins with the girls preparing to go on a weekend getaway to a spa in the nearby town. However, their plans take a surprising turn when Blanche receives a call from her uncle Lucas, who has just turned 80 and requests her presence for his birthday celebration.

With a heavy heart, Blanche decides to cancel the spa trip and heads to Atlanta to attend the party. Her friends offer to accompany her, but Blanche insists on going alone, claiming that her uncle has always been protective of her. However, once she arrives at the party, she realizes that her uncle's overprotectiveness has turned into a troublesome feature.

Lucas insists on keeping Blanche by his side for the entirety of her stay, even going as far as to sleep in the same bed as her. The girls try to intervene, but Lucas dismisses their concerns, claiming that he is only trying to protect Blanche. They notice that Lucas has gone senile and is not acting like his usual self.

Blanche becomes increasingly frustrated by her uncle's behavior, but she remains loyal to him. However, as the days pass, Lucas's behavior becomes more erratic, and Blanche begins to question her decision to stay. Despite Blanche's reluctance to leave her uncle alone, her friends convince her to go back home, promising to look after Lucas.

Upon returning to Miami, the girls come up with a plan to take care of Lucas. They call a family friend who works in the healthcare field and arrange for him to come to Atlanta to assess Lucas's condition. After a thorough examination, he concludes that Lucas needs professional care and recommends that he be placed in a nursing home.

Although Blanche is initially reluctant to place her uncle in a nursing home, she eventually comes to terms with the fact that he needs more care than she can provide. In the end, she agrees to the healthcare worker's recommendation.

Overall, "72 Hours" is a heartwarming yet emotional episode that explores the complexities of family dynamics. The episode deals with the sensitive topic of aging, dementia, and the necessity of professional care. It also highlights the importance of strong friendships and the support that true friends provide in difficult times.