Season 1: Episode 15 – Mary’s Double Date
7 Oct
Synopsis
Episode opens with Mary primping before the hallway mirror. She joins the rest of the family at breakfast. She has a dilemma. The junior prom is two days away and the boy she really want to go with, Ernie, has a girlfriend but their relationship is on the rocks. His friend, Phil, really wants to go with Mary, but she doesn’t want to say yes to him if there is a chance for her to go with Ernie. As she is explaining this to her family the doorbell rings. It is Charlie, a third boy who is head-over-heels for Mary, who has come to walk Mary to school. Mary tells Charlie she can’t walk with him and then gives him a list of errands to run. He happily agrees. They both leave.
Alex is shocked at how Mary is treating these boys and he discusses this with Donna.
At school Charlie continues to dote on Mary. She talks to Ernie about his rocky relationship and flirts with both he and Phil. Both boys seem on the cusp of asking Mary to the dance.
Mary returns home and tells Donna she is expecting calls from both Ernie and Phil. She hopes Ernie calls first because she does not want to prematurely accept Phil if she has a chance with Ernie. Donna can’t keep the two boys straight. Charlie approaches and Mary escapes to next door. Donna greats Charlie and they have a heart-to-heart. Charlie confesses that he is in love with Mary. Donna tells him that to get a girl he can’t be such a pushover. He has to learn to say no if he wants Mary to respect him. They role-play saying no.
Charlie leaves and the phone rings. It is Phil calling to ask Mary to the prom. Donna, still confused as to the whole Phil/Ernie thing, says that Mary will go with him. Mary comes back elated because she ran into Ernie and he asked her to prom. Donna confesses her error and now Mary has two dates. Mary vows to cancel plans with Phil.
The evening of the prom Alex and Donna are horrified to discover that Mary still has not cancelled plans with Phil. It is clear Mary is enjoying the attention from both boys. The phone rings and it’s Phil. He cancels plans with Mary. Then Ernie gets on the phone, he is at Phil’s house, and also cancels his date with Mary. Mary is crestfallen. Donna tells Mary she has been playing a dangerous game and must now face the consequences. Mary decides to call Charlie and go with him.
Mary comes down dressed for prom but still distraught. She can’t reach Charlie. She runs upstairs to try another number and there is a knock on the door. It is Charlie. Donna and Alex pull him aside and convince him to play it cool. Then he listens as Mary confesses her bad behavior and appreciation of Charlie to her parents. Charlie comes in and is no longer the pushover. He and Mary go the dance.
At the dance Mary is enamored with Charlie. She now appreciates him.
