Saturday, April 6, 2013

Cheers 2.11: “Just Three Friends”


Airdate: 12/15/83

Diane’s friend from childhood, Heather, is in town, and the two act just like giddy schoolgirls once again… until she meets Sam, and his spider sense tells him that she’s hitting on him. When Diane confronts her, she denies it, and claims she just has a naturally outgoing personality. Placated for now, Diane starts wondering herself, and at a dinner date for the three of them, her paranoia turns into outrage when she sees the two have lovey-dovey talk over pasta: “Spaghetti, sauce, bread… have you no shame?” Heather is shocked and starts to leave, but Diane begs her to stay, exclaiming how important their friendship is.

This is a great episode for one main reason: at no point does Heather state she wants to be with Sam – but the possessive qualities, and rampant insecurities, of both Sam and Diane make for some great psychological (and paranoid) warfare. Markie Post, who always has THE 80s hairdo, is credibly tempting as best friend Heather, and an offscreen guard dog that gets drunk and amorous with Norm, provides just enough broad humor for a subplot.

Cold open: Sam finds out Coach had purchased the aforementioned dog, by walking into his office.

Norm’s opener: Norm’s already at the bar.

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