This episode ties with Every Daughter's Father is a Virgin as my personal favorite episode of the whole series.
Maddie and David arrive at what was once the Flamingo Cove nightclub. While there, they learn that a murder was committed there in the 1940's. It seems that the nightclub singer, Mrs. Rita Adams, who was married to the nightclub's clarinet player, Jerry Adams, became romantically involved with the cornet player, Zack McCoy. Shortly thereafter, Jerry was murdered, and both Rita and Zack insisted that the other one did it.
On their way back to the office, Maddie and David argue about the case. Maddie is sure that Zack did it, and David is sure that Rita did it. Maddie calls David an animal; David calls Maddie a sexist. (“I am not a sexist.” “You just accused a man of murder, Maddie – of murder – based on what?! Based on the fact that he was a man!”)
Next we fade to black and white, and in a dream sequence we see Maddie's version of what happened. Maddie-as-Rita is a loving wife to Jerry, but she is attracted to David-as-Zack. Rita and Zack have an affair, after which Zack plots to kill Jerry. Rita is reluctant, but she covers for Zack as he struggles with Jerry and kills him. Later, Zack accuses her of the murder to the police, and she is arrested.
Next we see another dream sequence, this time David's version of what happened. This time Maddie-as-Rita is a victim of her husband's abuse, and she is anxious to see him dead. David-as-Zack is reluctant, but he finally agrees (killing Jerry in a single blow). Rita later accuses him, and he is sent to the electric chair.
Although the storylines for the two dream sequences are similar on the surface, it is the differences in detail between the two versions – the way they underscore some fundamental differences between men and women (such as how caring and loving Zack is in Maddie's version, and yet just a little unsure and vulnerable, contrasted with how confident, almost cocky, Zack is in David's version; David's Zack is even shown playing most of the instruments in the band – at the same time!) – which are what make this episode such a classic.
Guest Starring:
Co-Starring:
Uncredited:
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Date of last change: 26 September 2002
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