Ep 1. The Puppetmaster

In season 2 of the NBC sitcom Wings, the opening episode titled "The Puppetmaster" has the Hackett brothers Joe and Brian in a peculiar situation. The episode is directed by Andy Ackerman and written by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee.

The episode begins with Roy Biggins, the owner of Aeromass, announcing his retirement and selling the business to a group of investors. The news of a new corporate management causes unease among the staff and regular customers at Tom Nevers Field airport. Meanwhile, Joe and Brian Hackett are busy dealing with their own problems.

Joe, the elder Hackett brother, is struggling to keep his airline business running. He is excited about a new contract for flying fish to Boston, but the shipment turns out to be a heap of dead fish. A series of unfortunate events plague him as he tries to fill the orders. To add to his troubles, his love life is in shambles. He is having trouble keeping up with Helen's demand for romance and quality time.

Brian, on the other hand, is reluctant to celebrate his birthday as it marks another year away from fame and self-accomplishment. The failed writer/composer is frustrated with his dead-end life in Sandpiper Air and feels like a loser compared to his high school mate Suzy Brooks who is now a successful film producer in L.A. Confiding his misery to his supportive friend Casey Chappel, he jokingly claims that he can control people around him like a puppetmaster.

Brian's innocent joke turns into trouble when Casey reveals his secret to Lowell Mather, the nerdy mechanic with a long-standing crush on her. Lowell, looking for a chance to impress her, plots a setup for Brian to prove he has control over people. He tricks one of the Aeromass gate agents to mistakenly label Brian as a VIP, allowing him to board the wrong plane to meet the wrong person. Meanwhile, Casey is distraught over the results of her actions and decides to take control of the situation in her hands.

The episode delivers a dose of comedic relief as things spiral out of control for the Hackett family. The fast-paced narrative, combined with witty one-liners, keeps the audience entertained throughout the episode. The brother's sibling-rivalry is well-executed, and the chemistry between the primary characters is heartwarming.

The episode's subplot involving Lowell's crush on Casey adds an amusing layer of cringe humor. Lowell's eccentricities and Casey's good intentions make for some of the show's funniest moments. The show does a great job of balancing between humor and heartwarming moments, which was a significant contributor to the show's success.

Overall, "The Puppetmaster" is an enjoyable episode that perfectly captures the essence of Wings. The episode, like the series, has a charming cast of characters, witty writing, and a well-executed comedic delivery that never feels forced. While it does follow a typical sitcom structure and storyline, the episode's execution and pacing make it feel fresh. For fans of the series, "The Puppetmaster" is a great way to start season two.