"Be My Valentine"




Startlingly, this actually aired on February 14th, but it does take Joanie's voyeurism to new heights, as she imagines romantic scenarios, most of them musical, for her family and friends.  (Well, Richie's friends and Chachi.  The censors probably wouldn't show what she'd cook up for Jenny P.)  I mean, an Apache Dance for Richie and Lori Beth?!  The best sequence here is of course the one for Howard & Marion, playing off their middle-aged memories for "I Remember It Well."  And of course Chachi is being creepy to showgirls during "Thank Heaven for Little Girls."  (It's a very Chevalier episode.)  In the end, Joanie's previously referred to but unseen boyfriend Binky Hodges shows up and is of course played by twenty-year-old Christopher Knight. Anyway, I'm going with a C+.

Notes:
  • Joanie probably goes further with Peter Brady than Richie went with Marcia, since they're heading up to Inspiration Point.
  • Howard literally becomes erect when Marion says she's going to slip into something frisky, straightening up from his bad back.  Let's hope they used a comfortable position.
  • Lori Beth got herself and Richie sweatshirts with their pet names.
  • Sally Hightower's last HD role is as Ralph's "funny Valentine" Melissa.
  • Lorrie Mahaffey is back as Jennifer and of course does a duet with Anson W.

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