I rather liked the "A" plot in this episode which is not typical sitcom fare. Teenaged Lisa Quinn (Helen Hunt) worries about the world ending because of a nuclear bomb. Her instinct is to survive, but how can she? I remember being in high school a few years after this and also worrying about the bomb. Of course, I didn't leave home for awhile to deal with my feelings like Lisa does.
The part where Lisa winds up at a pastry shop and talks to a homeless man (Richard Libertini) is interesting. Though the chances of her running into someone who'd also 'checked out' of society for similar reasons seems a bit unlikely. Back home we see the Quinn family band together to try and track Lisa down.
The "B" plot involves Walter (Richard McKenzie) falling out with his wife, the never seen Louise. This situation causes his temporary homelessness and subsequent lodging with Sam and Molly (Richard Crenna and Patty Duke). It is nice to have him included in the domestic scenes of the show, since he usually just functions as a work sidekick for Sam at the hospital. At one point Walter bonds with Mama (Billie Bird) over pastry. This suggests he's now an extended member of the household, even if he will go back to his own place to grovel for Louise's forgiveness.
Meanwhile, Lisa has returned to her senses and come back home. She has a heartfelt talk with her parents that references the gap between them as well as the fact that the younger generation has a chance to undo some of the mistakes that older generations have made.
Soon things are back to normal or as close to normal as they can be for Lisa. She learns from her brother Andy (Anthony Edwards) that there's a cute boy hanging out with his band. If Lisa tags along, she can spend time with the guy. In other words, Lisa Quinn may not be able to solve all the big problems of the world right now, but she can still enjoy being a teenager.
The part where Lisa winds up at a pastry shop and talks to a homeless man (Richard Libertini) is interesting. Though the chances of her running into someone who'd also 'checked out' of society for similar reasons seems a bit unlikely. Back home we see the Quinn family band together to try and track Lisa down.
The "B" plot involves Walter (Richard McKenzie) falling out with his wife, the never seen Louise. This situation causes his temporary homelessness and subsequent lodging with Sam and Molly (Richard Crenna and Patty Duke). It is nice to have him included in the domestic scenes of the show, since he usually just functions as a work sidekick for Sam at the hospital. At one point Walter bonds with Mama (Billie Bird) over pastry. This suggests he's now an extended member of the household, even if he will go back to his own place to grovel for Louise's forgiveness.
Meanwhile, Lisa has returned to her senses and come back home. She has a heartfelt talk with her parents that references the gap between them as well as the fact that the younger generation has a chance to undo some of the mistakes that older generations have made.
Soon things are back to normal or as close to normal as they can be for Lisa. She learns from her brother Andy (Anthony Edwards) that there's a cute boy hanging out with his band. If Lisa tags along, she can spend time with the guy. In other words, Lisa Quinn may not be able to solve all the big problems of the world right now, but she can still enjoy being a teenager.