TVSquad

(S01E09) Okay, we're really into swinging tonight. Everybody seems to get into the action, including the kids. Frankly, the summer of '76 is making everyone in Swingtown hot and horny and just a touch too adventurous. It makes for interesting viewing, but I'm not sure how realistic all this is supposed to be. What is the difference between swinging and cheating?

Brad and Sylvia are back. It's yet another dinner party at the Deckers! The writers really have to find other ways to get these people together. Anyway, after Bruce's admission of his overt flirtation with Melinda -- a couple of kisses and a trip to her apartment -- the Millers accept an invitation to the Pendulum Club. That's an erotic cabaret according to Trina, and yes, the Deckers decide to go along at Susan's behest.




Tom and Trina are keeping to their vow to stay exclusive. That's easier said than done. Tom describes it as being a kid in candy store wearing handcuffs. Still, somehow, the crowd at the club winds up back at their house. Have these guys ever had a night home alone? They should just once have a TV night, just the two of them, a bowl of popcorn and the CBS primetime lineup -- like Saturday night with The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, and The Carol Burnett Show.

Janet and Roger are roped in, sort of on a dare, which leads to some funny reactions by both to the orgy room and the unicorn. The latter is a single girl making a play on Roger. I know we're supposed to buy in to Janet's need to prove herself by trying new things, but I don't. She's not the type of woman to ever go to the Pendulum Club, especially with her life in such flux because of Roger's losing his job.

It was hilarious to see Doug and Laurie get caught at the house when Bruce and Susan brought Brad and Sylvia home for a session. While they hid in the den, Susan was shocked to find out that Brad's an "emotional voyeur," more interested in watching the action than participating.

So, Bruce flipped out about Laurie, turning all paternal and venting about the moral decay of his family ever since they moved into the new house. He threatened big change but didn't seem to know what that change entailed. Something tells me it won't be prayer meetings and a return to the way they were. See, they've gone through the looking glass and the Millers are still feeling the affects. Kind of like that LSD Sylvia was telling him about.

Finally, on a completely superficial level, bravo to the costume designer. The dresses, jumpsuits, halter tops and polyester suits are great looking. And have I mentioned the jewelry. All those hoop earrings remind me of Valerie Harper as Rhoda.

Other points of interest

-- Roger is still looking for a job. To avoid talking to Janet about it, he says, "Almost time for Barney Miller." What? Roger wasn't watching CBS?

-- Great line, when Susan told Trina about Janet's hurt feelings: "I think she felt more excluded than betrayed."

-- Janet's first impression to the club. "Well, this ought to be one for the scrapbook."

-- Kids playing video games -- I mean, video game. Pong. That's it. The subsequent spin the bottle culminated with Sam socking Ricky in this face. Way to go, Sam! He was asking for it, the little jerk.

-- Laurie and Doug watching the Republican National Convention and making all these comments about how Reagan should have been the nominee instead of Gerald Ford. Well, hindsight is 20/20. Believe me, in 1976, it wasn't such a clear choice.