The fourth season of the American dramatic television series Touched by an Angel aired CBS from September 21, 1997 through May 17, 1998, spanning 26 episodes. Created by John Masius and produced by Martha Williamson, the series chronicled the cases of two angels, Monica (Roma Downey and her supervisor Tess (Della Reese), who bring messages from God to various people to help them as they reach a crossroads in their lives. They are frequently joined by Andrew (John Dye), the angel of death. A season set containing all of the episodes of the season was released to Region 1 DVD on August 31, 2004.[1]
The episodes use the song "Walk With You", performed by Reese, as their opening theme.
Contents |
| Series # | Season # | Title | Director | Writer | Original Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 065 | 01 | "The Road Home (1) or Joe's Return (1)" | Tim Van Patten | E.F. Wallengren Mimi Schmir |
September 21, 1997 |
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In the first half of a two part crossover episode of "Touched by an Angel" and "Promised Land", Joe Greene, the long lost brother of Russell Greene, returns, speeding recklessly down the highway. When another car pulls out in front of Joe, he runs the car off the road and kills the father and son while saving the youngest son. Lying to the police about the accident, he quickly leaves. Andrew arrives as a hitchhiker and offers to give him gas in exchange for a ride to Chicory Creek. When Andrew leaves, the car breaks down. Joe breaks into the home of Erasmus Jones, not knowing that his family is in the house. Russell says hello by punching him. When Mrs. Mills meets Joe, and he lies to her, Russell listens skeptically as Joe refuses to visit the boy he saved. With the sudden return of his father, Nathaniel is very angry, but convinces his father to visit the boy in hospital when the car miraculously starts. At the hospital, Monica reveals herself and Joe flees, taking stolen pharmaceuticals. Coming perilously close to another accident, he is stopped by Tess who takes Nathaniel, and demands that Monica return to the hospital. Upon his return, Monica encourages him to face the truth and seek forgiveness and that God wants to save his life. Joe returns to Erasmus' house and tells Russell about the car accident. Russell becomes enraged and tells him to leave. Joe then leaves without telling his mother goodbye. Hattie then blames herself. Claire then enters with a note from Nathaniel explaining that he had gone to help his father who needs him more now. As the episode ends, Nathaniel is stowed away in the backseat of Joe's car while Joe is popping pills. Guest Star Richard Thomas Joe's Return (2) In Part 2, Joe crashes his car and find out Nathaniel is in the car. He then sees Tess in the backseat. Meanwhile the boy, Matthew, in hospital wakes up from his coma. Russell's mother, Pattie insists on being taken to the hospital to tell Mrs. Mills the truth about what happened to her husband and son. At the same time Nathaniel meets Karen, Joe's wife, and Joe wants somewhere to stay. Karen reluctantly agrees because of Nathaniel's sake. The next day, Joe's car has need of a new tyre, and Joe devises a scheme to steal it but Nathaniel, although he agrees, tells the salesman the truth. The salesman calls the police, and they police go to the police station, Joe in jail. Tess catches Nathaniel as he is leaving. Joe says he doesn't need help from Russell, but Russell says he'll get him a lawyer anyway. Erasmus bails Joe out of jail. When Joe has to go to court, he is found guilty and sentenced to jail, however the family is reconciled, reunited and Russell forgives Joe. Guest Star Richard Thomas |
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| 066 | 02 | "Great Expectations" | Tim Van Patten | Christine Pettit Rosanne Welch Mary Siversten Lynn Wing |
September 28, 1997 |
| Bill McNabb is a cappuccino machine salesman, who arrives with his pregnant wife Joann at Juliano's coffee Shop where Andrew is temporary Manager. While Bill tries to sell the machine to Andrew, Joann confirms plans to give a baby shower in the coffee shop. Monica introduces herself as a Lamaze teacher and invites Joann to attend. Bill and Joann go to a doctor's appointment and then learn their baby has Down's Syndrome. Bill immediately mentions "alternatives" to having the baby and not to mention the diagnosis to anyone until they decide what to do. At the baby shower, a busboy, Taylor drops dishes while avoiding a small child and this prompts Bill to tell Joann their baby is not a miracle but a mistake. Joann temporarily gives in, going to a community clinic but is unable to go to through with an abortion. She then continues her pregnancy alone while the angels try to convince Bill to come to reason. At Andrew's urging, Bill begins to reconcile with Joann but is unable to accept the child. Tess tells him that it's not the packaging but the parenting. As Andrew tries to continue reasoning with Bill who tells him what kind of child he wants, the shop is held up and he begins robbing the store. As he is exiting, Joann enters and Bill tries to take the gun from the all star thief. The gun explodes and Joann is hit. At the hospital, the doctor tells bill that Joann might not make it and asks for consent to operate to save the baby. Bill is torn when Taylor reveals himself as an angel, who tells him fear is worse than Down Syndrome. | |||||
| 067 | 03 | "Nothing But Net" | Victor Lobl | Daniel H. Forer R.J. Colleary |
October 5, 1997 |
| Eric "E.Z." Mony is a professional basketball player. Tess tells Monica, Andrew and Ruth that Eric is angry and rebellious and has a complete disregard for rules. Although Ruth is only to observe, she is soon moving down in the stands in order to speak to the referee. Due to her interference, a jersey thrown into the crowd by Eric goes to a very impressionable 14 year old named Darnell. Sam, the Special Affairs Angel arrives to explain that the case has taken a turn for the worse because a bond has been formed between Eric and Darnell. Later at the Boys Club, Sam coaches Darnell and his friends, and introduces Monica as his tutor. Meanwhile, as Eric is disavowing his status as a role model, we learn of the disappearance of a hockey player by the name of Winston El Camio. As Eric leaves the stadium, Andrew introduces himself as the ghost writer who will be writing Eric's tell-all book. Ruth, having recovered from her blunder approaches Darnell. She tells him that Eric is not someone to look up to and that he cannot read. Darnell then goes to Eric with the information and blackmails him, demanding a "night in the life of E.Z" in return for his silence. Eric takes Darnell top a casino and quickly loses $100,000. Two henchmen of the casino then threaten Eric if he doesn't shave points, invoking the name of Winston El Camio as evidence of their seriousness. The next day, Eric learns of the death of Winston El Camio, and has no choice but to throw the game. Convinced that Eric will pull off the scam, Darnell takes bets from his friends. When the game begins, Eric is unable to miss, and the Saints win. Darnell confronts Eric after the game and Eric rebukes him, "You're livin' poor and you're gonna die poor". Darnell slinks out and the two henchmen enter to kill Eric. As Eric prays, Andrew reveals himself and demands in the name of God that the men leave. As the men exit, Andrew tells Eric that God wants him to learn to read. In the pressbox, Monica consoles Ruth, showing her the marquee which is now showing flashing "God loves you". As Eric and Darnell meet on the court, both look up at the flashing marquee, Eric vows to learn to read. Darnell cries as he realizes that God truly loves him. | |||||
| 068 | 04 | "Children of the Night" | Victor Lobl | Suzonne Stirling | October 12, 1997 |
| A group of homeless teenagers have given up their real names to avoid being returned to their families that they no longer trust. "Doc", "Lightning", "China", and the missing "Fish" have formed a family and soon take in a young girl who is new to the street who changes her name from "Alexandra" to "Ally". Losing their current shelter, and trusting no one, the kids go to a junkyard where Rafael (an angel) offers to let them build a shelter in exchange for watching over the place. When all the collective money of the family is gone, "China" takes up work as a prostitute to earn more money. As she gets into a car, the missing "Fish" is dying in care of Andrew. Monica and Andrew begin to lose heart while Tess and Rafael urge them to be patient and not "push so hard". China continues to dream of being a poet, writing in her treasured journal while Doc's cough worsens. Ally burns her remaining pictures from home and begins to panhandle as Lightning begins to develop a drug problem. After China loses her journal, Monica finds it and returns it to her, convincing her to meet her at the coffee shop. Monica waits for her but she never arrives. The following day, Doc collapses in Tess' coffee shop. China is then found by Andrew, dying from a beating by one of her customers. Monica blames herself for not being a better angel, holding China's journal. Rafael reveals himself to Doc, asking him to trust in God. No longer succeeding with her panhandling, Ally puts on makeup and attempts to follow in China's footsteps. Monica tells her China is dead, and shows her the first entry of China's journal in which she said she could never prostitute herself. Monica explains to her that it's never too late to apologize but just in time. As Ally prepares to leave on her bus ride home, Doc stops by for a brief goodbye as he and Rafael leave for the hospital. Lightning is dumbfounded that Ally is leaving but she prepares him for the revelation he is about to have in the prence of Tess, Monica, and Andrew., "Do you believe in God Lightning? You Will." | |||||
| 069 | 05 | "Jones vs. God" | Sandor Stern | Ken LaZebnik | October 19, 1997 |
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The town of Clarion, South Dakota is in the midst of a drought when Tess and Monica arrive to help them with their growing crisis of faith. Justinian Jones, a struggling farmer, enters Cotton's Barber Shop where a heated debate between he, Cotton, Judge Dawes, and Risa, the town mayor, as to whether the town should sell out to a huge agricultural company. Having arrived to serve as auctioneer of the towns assets, Andrew sits quietly in the barber chair as Risa advocates selling to a conglomerate before a drought kills the town. Opposed to her is Justinian who is determined to stay on his farm. Continuing his tirade, he decides to sue God. The Judge outlines how he should serve notice to God through the newspaper and a hearing is set. Outside, Justinian's daughter, Leela, tells her boyfriend Gordon of her plans to leave town in search of more opportunity while he tries to convince her of the virtues in the small town they have grown up in. Later, all the townspeople gather in the courtroom, expecting a rapid dismissal of the case. Tess arrives to act as council for God and a jury trial is granted. Jones begins by saying that droughts are considered "acts of God" and that as such, he should be held responsible for the "intentional infliction of emotional stress" upon the people of Clarion. One by one, Tess calls the townspeople as witnesses in an attempt to show them how God has blessed them. When Tess calls Monica, Justinian corners her on the stand and temporarily stuns God's defense team by asking an end to the drought. After a short recess and a prayer from Monica, she then returns with God's answer to Justinian's request. The Answer is "no". Justinian then realizes how blessed he is and Risa and the others rally together at a town picnic. As Justinian leads everyone in a prayer of thanks, their faith is rewarded with rain out of a clear blue sky. Guest Star John de Lancie |
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| 070 | 06 | "The Pact" | Bethany Rooney | Jennifer Wharton Melissa Milne |
October 26, 1997 |
| The angels arrive at a camp for HIV positive teenage girls to find two veterans, Nikki and Erin, picking on the "newbies", Melanie Kim, and Abby. Acting as counselors, the angels get to know the girls and try to help them deal with their fears. Rafael speaks to Melanie, learning that her mother died of AIDS when she was a child. Melanie tells Rafael of the song, "Duermete Nino Linto" which her mother used to sing. Meanwhile, Erin develops a crush on Andrew and is heartbroken when he seemingly rejects her. Tired of painting names of participants who are no longer alive on a rock, known as "the face", Erin talk the other girls into a suicide pact as some way of ending life their own way, without pain or pity. The girls steal drugs from the infirmary where Rafael is working and prepare a suicide cocktail. As the girls meet at "the face", to go through with the suicide, the angels arrive. Monica draws a line on the ground and encourages the girls to choose life. Rafael begins playing "Duermete Nino Linto" and Melanie loses her resolve to kill herself. As the other girls follow suit, only Nikki remains intent on suicide, as she reveals she has lymphoma as well. The angels then appeal to Erin to take the lead and Erin convinces Nikki to give up the suicide plan. As all the girls now realize that their best times may lie ahead, the angels lead them in singing "Duermete Nino Linto" (Hush My Pretty Baby). | |||||
| 071 | 07 | "Sandcastles" | Victor Lobl | Burt Pearl | November 2, 1997 |
| While Tess, Monica, Andrew, and Rafael vacation at a beach, Rafael and Monica find a message in a bottle from a boy named Scooter Fisher. Tess gives them the option of helping the boy and both Monica and Rafael set out to find Scooter in the neighboring town, Pacific Falls. While Andrew stays with Tess, to help repair her ailing Cadillac, Rafael and Monica begin their search at the local diner. As they meet and question Teresa, Larry and Leo, no one seems to have heard of Scooter Fisher. Dennis, a desperate man, pulls a gun when they approach him and Rafael catches the bullet. Benjamin Parker, a local news anchor, gains an interview with Rafael and suddenly Pacific Falls is being "invaded" by angels. Perker, skeptical, then sets out to uncover the scam. Monica then rescues a man at a muffler shop, as his hydraulic lift fails, and Rafael then pulls a man out of a tool and die shop after an explosion. When Parker questions Leo, the owner of the muffler shop, we see his watch inscribed with the name Scooter. Leo tells him the angels are looking for Scooter Fisher and Parker goes on the air to let the angels know his identity. Monica and Rafael then return to Tess who tells them the truth behind the note 40 years earlier; Scooter's mother had accidentally killed his father in an attempt to stop his abuse. Monica and Rafael then try to convince the skeptical Benjamin to see his mother in prison. Benjamin overcomes his anger and learns the truth when he visits his dying mother in prison. He forgives his mother and agrees to visit their "place" at the ocean where both cast their bottles upon the water. Benjamin writes "Thank You God" and throws the bottle out to sea as the angels exit in the repaired Cadillac. | |||||
| 072 | 08 | "My Dinner with Andrew" | Gabrielle Beaumont | Martha Williamson | November 9, 1997 |
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When the angels find themselves at a posh "Books and Bachelors" luncheon to benefit medical research, Andrew is quickly chosen to be auctioned as an eligible bachelor. When the prominent research scientist, Beth Popik, begins to bid on Andrew, her chief rival, Kate Calder, outbids her and then refuses the date with Andrew, explaining that she wasn't bidding for Andrew, she was bidding against Beth. Adam arrives, thanks Andrew for covering for him, and asks about the date with the doctor. When Andrew tells him she refused to go to dinner, Adam explains he MUST go on the date. Andrew then convinces Kate to have dinner with him, while Monica and Tess begin preparing an elegant restaurant for the meeting. Andrew and Kate then meet in the "controlled environment" of "Chez Tess". Monica plays waitress and Tess cooks and although this is supposed to be a private engagement, another patron, Norman enters and insists on being served. During dinner, Kate tells Andrew she is going to die of Leukemia within several years and she believes in science not God. She continues, stating that her research is all that matters to her and that her goal is to find a gene sequence before she dies and in that way gain immortality. Adam then interrupts the dinner and privately tells Andrew that Kate is going to die tonight. Andrew then reveals himself to her while Norman begins to choke on his food. Kate rescues Norman, but not before he recognizes Andrew as the angel of death. Kate follows Norman out of the restaurant to question him about Andrew. Now a believer, she finds that the restaurant and Andrew have disappeared. She then runs to the safe where her research is being held and finds Andrew waiting for her. He tells her to share her research so that others may live. They then go to Beth's house to find her on the verge of death due to carbon monoxide poising. After saving Beth's life, Kate visits her at the hospital, tells her about her recent discovery and suggests that they work together to find a cure. Andrew then leaves Kate's life, telling her he doesn't know when she will die, but that when it's time, he'll see her for dinner. Guest stars Stephanie Zimbalist and Morgan Fairchild |
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| 073 | 09 | "Charades" | Victor Lobl | Glenn Berenbeim | November 16, 1997 |
| With the approach of a special tribute to the victims of the Hollywood Blacklist to be given by the Hollywood Screen Guild, Tess and Monica arrive to help Libby Glaser, a powerful Hollywood agent, learn the truth about her Blacklisted father's last days. Monica arrives as Libby's new assistant and quickly impresses Libby with her "connections" by managing to connect her with the head of the Hollywood Screen Guild. Libby learns that the Guild has chosen to restore her father's name to a film he made during the Blacklist Era when he was forced to write under a pseudonym, and that they want Libby's mother, Vera King to present the award with her co star in the show, Clive Hathaway. Vera flatly refuses to present the award with Clive which surprises Libby, as he was her father's best friend. Simultaneously, home movies from Libby's childhood mysteriously appear from an unknown source and Libby's memory is jarred as she views them. When Libby confronts her mother, Vera tells her Clive is the one who ruined her father's career by naming him as a communist and that he didn't die in an accident, he killed himself. Libby then sends Monica on a search for her father's FBI file and it is soon delivered by Tess. Tess then explains to Monica that she was Budd's angel and that she was unable to convince him not to kill himself, suffering under the burden ever since. She continues to say that Budd wrote a note to Libby just before driving his car over the cliff but the note was lost during the fire. Libby, now armed with her father's FBI file, plans to ruin Clive Hathaway as he ruined her father. As the Blacklist ceremony is in progress, Vera begs Libby not to expose Clive, finally telling her the complete truth, that she had "one sad weekend" with Clive and that he was her real father. Now wrecked, Libby enters the stage , intent on ruining Clive. Monica then freezes time and asks Libby to forgive. As time resumes, Libby realizes she is no longer holding the FBI file, but the note from her father, asking her to forgive those involved and telling her that she will always be his little girl. Libby then gives an emotional speech, denouncing the tactics of the Blacklist. Guest Star Janet Leigh | |||||
| 074 | 10 | "The Comeback" | Sandor Stern | Kenny Solms | November 23, 1997 |
| 30 years after suffering stage fright during her Broadway opening, Lillian Bennett returns to Broadway to discourage her daughter from following in her footsteps. Arriving just in time to attend her daughter's audition, Lillian sees her old understudy, Amanda Revere, who has now become the famed diva she once dreamed of becoming herself. Monica arrives to audition for a supporting role and miraculously wins the role while Allison becomes her understudy. After Monica falls ill with a cold, Allison takes her place and Amanda takes an interest in her. When Lillian and Amanda finally meet in the presence of Allison, she demands an explanation. Lillian explains how she received yellow roses every night after rehearsal until the opening night when her "lucky" roses didn't come. Convinced she was doomed to fail, she stared into the prompter's box and froze, as Amanda had told her she would. Allison thinks her mother is jealous and doesn't realize why she can't just be happy for her. With the orchestra warming up, Lillian carries a lucky yellow rose as she meets Freddy, the stage manager who knew both she and Amanda from years before. Freddy tells Lillian Amanda was the one who sent her flowers after every rehearsal. Realizing that her superstition was used against her by Amanda, Lillian confronts her and warns her against hurting Allison. As Amanda screams at her to get out, she loses her voice. Monica then reveals herself to Amanda, telling her that God wants her to help Lillian to finally shine. Meanwhile, Tess finds Lillian at the train station and tells her to stop believing in luck and help her daughter. Returning to the theatre, Lillian is met by an apologetic Amanda. Amanda then pushes Lillian onto the stage to face the fears that defeated her years before. Initially stumbling, Lillian finds her courage and belts out a rousing rendition of "I'm still here". As Allison looks on with a newfound appreciation of her mother, the angels smile at another job well done. Guest Stars Carol Burnett , Tim Conway, and Carol Channing | |||||
| 075 | 11 | "Venice" | Gabrielle Beaumont | R.J. Colleary | December 7, 1997 |
| Tess and Monica arrive in Montana to help the elderly Annie Doyle before she loses her eyesight. Offering to help Annie with her daily errands, Monica escorts her to the weekly bingo game at church where Annie admits the only reason she plays bingo is to tick off her nosy neighbours Emily, Russell and Markus. After winning at bingo, Emily explains she has always wanted to visit Venice. Monica thinks this is her mission and offers to take Annie to Venice but not before Annie's sight is gone. Dr. Waldron arrives to say she has been losing her sight for a long time but, like the other townspeople seems unsympathetic. Crushed by the loss of her eyesight, Annie tells Monica to get out of her house. Tess encourages Monica, explaining that God wants her to see the truth about her life. Monica returns to Annie and asks to be her friend. Annie then explains that her husband Tommy died the day after they were married 35 years ago and the town has blamed her for his death ever since. After Annie explains the details of the accident, the faked death, and the fact that Tommy left her, the angels confront the townspeople, enlisting them to ensure that Annie's dream of seeing Venice become a reality. With the angels help, the townspeople recreate the sounds and smells of Venice in the local YMCA pool and Monica shows Annie to her gondola where she is transported, if only in her mind, to the Venice of her dreams. | |||||
| 076 | 12 | "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" | Michael Schultz | Ken LaZebnik | December 21, 1997 |
| When Joey breaks the Christmas tree angel while he and Wayne are decorating the Christmas tree, Wayne leaves him alone to monitor the turkey while he goes out into the snow to buy a new angel. As the storm causes the lights to go out, Monica arrives to tell Joey of the story of the Christmas she spent with Mark Twain in 1909. Later, Edna the church organist arrives to use the phone but the lines are dead. Meanwhile, Wayne's truck swerves off the road, and Monica Resumes the story. Then Tess arrives with the sheriff who tells Joey that he found Wayne's truck, but not Wayne and Joey becomes more worried. Then Andrew appears and Monica continues the story. As Joey listens to the story, he is convinced that Wayne is dead and topples the Christmas tree. Monica calms Joey down long enough to finish the story and Joey echoes Twain's sentiment singing "peace on earth". As Joey sings, Wayne arrives and all sing around the restored Christmas tree. Guest Star Randy Travis | |||||
| 077 | 13 | "Deconstructing Harry" | Burt Brinckerhoff | Burt Pearl | January 4, 1998 |
| Tess and Monica arrive at the DMV where Tess has been instructed to obtain a driver's license. After meeting her instructor and assignment, Doris, Midway through the test she tells Tess to follow a hearse which leads them both to the funeral of Harry Applegate. Doris enters the funeral and steals Harry's ashes as Andrew arrives as a state policeman. Doris commands Tess to flee while Harry's widow Stella convinces Andrew to pursue Doris in his patrol car. Monica prays at the DMV where she is still waiting for Tess to return and soon is guided to her next stop in the journey that Doris and Stella are now taking. Doris tells Tess they are going to Pizmo Beach where he is going to spread Harry's ashes. Instructed by Doris to find food, Tess stops at the "Heaven on a Bun" where Monica is now working and quickly exit. Andrew then arrives with Stella and Monica tells her they are going to Pizmo Beach. Tess and Doris stop at a gas station to use the restroom and exit quickly. Andrew and Stella arrive soon after as Doris realizes she left her wallet and photo of Harry in the gas station bathroom. When She and Tess arrive at the gas station, Stella is in the restroom and gives out a cry as she realizes her husband's mistress is outside the door. Doris wastes no time fleeing the scene. Monica tells Andrew that the two women must not meet yet, and he stalls Stella's pursuit, citing engine failure. Tess and Ray then stop at Del Ray's Honkytonk where Tess tries to convince Doris that there is a better life for her than the lie she lived with Harry. Harkening back to a happier time, Doris sings "We live on borrowed time" and the two have dinner on the house. No longer wanting to hear what Tess says, Doris attempts to leave as Tess' car is being stolen. Andrew and Stella arrive and the confrontation begins. Stella pulls a gun on Doris and then both Andrew and Tess appeal to reason. Doris gives Harry's ashes to Stella as Andrew takes the gun. Stella then begins to insult Doris, and they are both soon wrestling on the ground. As both women rail on each other, the waitress from the Honky Tonk explains that Harry spent every Saturday night talking to her about the dilemma of his situation. She goes on to say that he was in turmoil over the life he was leading and explains that Harry's dying wish was to reconcile his life with his loved ones. Andrew tells Stella while it is too late to repair her marriage, God can repair her heart if she will let Him. Doris apologizes to Stella for the pain she has caused and Stella accepts. | |||||
| 078 | 14 | "The Trigger" | Peter Hunt | Rosanne Welch Christine Pettit |
January 11, 1998 |
| As Monica gives Tess an ice skating lesson, we meet the seemingly happy Craig family at the rink where the son, Alex, is finishing hockey practice. The family is Monica's next assignment as she gets a lesson things aren't always what they seem. Linda and Ray Craig bring their children home to welcome Linda's sister Holly, who is in town for Linda's graduation from Law School. Holly is overwhelmed to be back in the house of her childhood, a house that the Craig's recently bought back. Andrew, Alex's hockey coach, arrives at the house to return Alex's hockey gloves, which he left at the rink. This upsets Ray and it becomes clear there is tension in this family when Ray grounds Alex for the weekend. Holly questions this, but Linda covers for Ray, explaining that he's had a bad day. Holly also finds a gun in the hall closet and questions the safety of having a loaded weapon in the home. Later that night, Holly wakes up to hear Linda and Ray having a heated argument. She goes downstairs to see Linda bleeding from the head. Monica arrives as a policewoman to investigate an anonymous domestic disturbance call, but Linda and Ray both agree that Linda fell down the stairs and bumped her head. Later at the hospital, Linda explains that Ray has been upset recently, after losing his position as head of the emergency room, a consequence of endangering a patent's life. Tess arrives as a family counselor and encourages Linda and Ray to seek counseling, but Linda will not admit that Ray has been violent with her. The situation seems to improve when Ray is really sweet to the kids, but when Alex gets into a fight during a hockey game, it is clear he is taking after his father. When Holly suggests that the family needs counseling, Ray becomes furious and starts to beat Linda and Holly with a Hockey stick. Believing that Ray will kill her sister, Holly gets the gun and shoots Ray, ultimately killing him. Because Linda won't admit the abuse, Holly is arrested and charged with murder. Linda is also angry at Holly for killing her husband, who she claims was just trying to "scare her". Back at the house, Monica offers to pray with Linda, in hopes this will clear Linda's mind about the events. Monica reveals herself, and this triggers Linda's memory about her childhood, when her father beat her in the same house, and about how Holly saved her by hitting him with a stone. Linda digs the stone up from under the floorboards and brings it to her sister, thanking her for her protection. The murder charges, having been dropped, the two sisters are reunited and resolve to ask God to ask to help them pick up the pieces of their lives. | |||||
| 079 | 15 | "Doodlebugs" | Terrance O'Hara | Ken LaZebnik | January 18, 1998 |
| After the death of his wife, small town minister Erskine gave up his ministry and his lack of faith has spread to the rest of the townspeople. Erskine's son Andy now fears he will die of cancer like his mother while his daughter Bits spends her time trying to draw out the elusive doodlebugs out of their hands. As Bits tries without success to draw a doodlebug out of it's nest, a young man by the name of Pearhead answers a payphone. When he is told by a mysterious voice where to find a $20 winning lottery ticket, it appears God is finally on his side. After Pearhead enters Sis and Vinegar's Cafe, and announces his miracle, Sis, her brother Vinegar and Ada, an aspiring singer all begin to sit vigil by the phone, waiting for heavenly advice. The Voice first tells Sis to apologize to Vinegar for some hurtful things she has said and when she does, their relationship instantly improves. Ada then answers the phone and is told to forego her plans to sing in Atlanta because there is someone in town she loves and she should tell him. Erskine then answers the phone and the Voice knows the pain he has felt after losing his wife and tells him to find love where he can because his son needs a mother. Erskine is now convinced and when Sis answers the phone and is told to convert an old building into a bar and grill, the entire town pitches in to help; Sis and Vinegar mortgage the cafe, Pearhead sells his icecream truck, and Ada donates her savings. When the Gem Bar and Grill burns to to the ground on opening night, it appears that all is lost. Tess, meanwhile has traced the Voice on the other end of the phone to Andy. She tries to convince him to own up to his lie, but he is unable to muster the courage and runs away, opting to send an apology note to Ada instead. Tess then reveals herself to the townspeople, asking them why they had lost their faith. She tells Erskine to begin the search where all successful searches begin, with God. As Erskine prays, the townspeople begin to regain their faith and they begin their search for Andy. Tess then finds Andy in his father's abandoned church and tells him how much God loves him. As Sis, Vinegar and Pearhead arrive, Tess tells them they have hidden from God when they should have reached for Him. She convinces Andy he is not going to die like his mother. Erskine and Andy then go to Ada and Erskine asks her to stay. At that moment, the phone rings and Bits answers it. Apparently this time the caller is God and He tells Bits how to catch a doodlebug. | |||||
| 080 | 16 | "Redeeming Love" | Burt Brinckerhoff | Marilyn Osborn Kathleen McGhee-Anderson |
February 1, 1998 |
| As Monica and Tess walk through the city streets, they stumble across Monica's next assignment, a crack addict whose name is Lydia who sleeping under a pile of garbage. As Monica follows Lydia into an apartment, her clothes turn from beautiful into Ragged and Dirty like Lydia's. Lydia's landlord who hasn't received the rent resolves to evict her, but Monica pays the rent and becomes Lydia's new roommate. Meanwhile, Lydia grabs Monica's coat and tries to sell it on the street. Monica tails Lydia to her parent's home, where she breaks in to steal money. But Lydia's parents show up, as do the police, and Lydia flees to a crack house. Monica finds Lydia smoking crack and causing a disturbance among the other addicts. Lydia then runs onto the street and gets hit by a car. When Lydia's parents arrive at the hospital, the doctor informs them that no only is Lydia a crack addict but she is also pregnant. Their disbelief is short lived when Lydia delivers a crack addicted baby girl. Tess, acting as drug counselor, talks to Lydia's parents about her upbringing, reminding them that they are partially to blame for Lydia's condition. Lydia sneaks out of the hospital and tries to get an old job back. Instead she steals money from her boss and returns to her parents' home. She asks her parents for money and they refuse, choosing to take Tess's advice and allow Lydia to become so desperate that she must help herself. Lydia returns to the hospital, steals the crack baby, and takes her to the crack house. Andrew tells Monica that if they don't find the baby, it will die. Monica and Tess search for the child and when Monica finds Lydia, she is too high to realize she has lost the baby. Monica reveals herself to Lydia and tells Lydia that God has a better plan for her life, but she must choose His help. Lydia does, and Monica and a choir of angels gather around her as she goes through withdrawal. Meanwhile Tess finds and rescues the baby. Emerging triumphant but shaken after a 7 day struggle, Lydia, accompanied by Monica enters a drug rehabilitation program. | |||||
| 081 | 17 | "Flights of Angels" | Peter Hunt | Sally Storch Bunkall Sally Howell |
March 1, 1998 |
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Richard is an artist dying of Lou Gehrig's disease, which has a debilitating effect on one's motor functions. Richard is in denial about the prognosis but his wife Sally is not, and she prays for guidance for her family. Monica arrives to help her take care of her 3 boys; John Henry, George, and Ray, while Andrew assists Richard with his paintings. Sally explains that Richard is working against a deadline: He must finish more paintings if he wishes to showcase them at a gallery. John Henry is aware there is something wrong with his father, but attempts to get him to play games with him. Richard is too weak for this, and also preoccupied with finishing his work so that he can leave his family with the revenue from his paintings. At the same time, Richard is working on "dream books" for his sons, scrapbooks that contain sketches and mementos of all ther things their father holds dear. When Richard's legs give out, he and Sally break down and cry as the despair of the disease overtakes them. The next day, Sally, the boys, Moinica, and Andrew surprise Richard with an electric wheelchair. He explains to the boys that he has a disease, but when John Henry asks if he's going to die, Richard tells them, "not for a very long time". This upsets sally, since he wasn't truthful with them. Tess, posing as an artist's manager, agrees to represent Richard even though he only has two paintings finished. With Andrew at his side, and using a respirator to help him breathe, Richard begins work in earnest, but his goal of 12 paintings is cut short when a fire breaks out in the studio. Andrew is able to save Richard from the fire but all but one of the paintings is destroyed. Richard, feeling that his life is now worth nothing, gives up hope. But Andrew sets up a studio in the living room for Richard to finish his last painting. Richard gets to work right away, realizing that this painting is going to have to go a long way. Over the next few days Richard is hard at work with the painting. Sally explains to the boys what's happening to their father. As much as they don't want their father to die, they're happy he won't be in pain anymore. That night Andrew reveals himself to Richard and tells him that he has only a few hours left to live and asks him to make a choice: finish his last painting or finish his scrapbooks for his sons. Richard decides to finish the scrapbooks. Richard works all night and finishes each book, and Andrew helps Richard say goodbye to the boys and Sally before he passes away. The next day Monica and Tess reveal themselves to Sally and assure her that if she puts her trust in God, He will provide. This is evident when Sally finds Richard's uncompleted painting miraculously completed. And it is clear it won't be the last painting, as John Henry takes up a brush and begins to paint on one of his father's blank canvases. Guest Star Haley Joel Osment |
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| 082 | 18 | "Breaking Bread" | Peter Hunt | Burt Pearl | March 8, 1998 |
| A timid baker named Matt Coletti is closing up his bakery one evening when two white men attack his black assistant in the street. Another black Man named Stephen comes to his rescue, but the white men turn on him. Matt witnesses the crime but is too frightened to come forward. Tess tells Monica that it is their job to help him make a stand against the criminals, members of a white supremacist group. Andrew poses as a representative of the state attorney's office, asking questions about the incident, trying to determine if it was a simple robbery attempt or a hate crime. Monica is hired as Matt's new assistant and dons an apron. Matt goes to the local church where Tess, the visiting preacher, unveils a beautiful new stained glass window which Matt has financed. The next day, the two criminals show up at the bakery to make sure Matt remains quiet about the incident, but a young mechanic named Derek threatens them and they leave the store. When a swastika covered rock is thrown through the church stained glass window, it is a sign that the community must take action. A town meeting is held and the people decide to form a community group to respond to the crimes, but Derek, reminding the group of the risks this could entail, convinces them to give up the idea. Matt, under pressure from Tess to finally admit his role as a witness to the crime, tells the people his story. Matt in fact had seen 3 people the night of the beating, the 2 white men and another figure riding in the backseat, which Matt realizes was the devil himself. Of course no one believes Matt, not even his wife and the two separate. To make matters worse, a bomb explodes in the bakery, and Matt, though not hurt, laments the loss of his reputation, family and business. Monica, Tess, and Andrew reveal themselves to Matt, and explain that God wants to use him as a prophet who will lead the people against the satanic forces in the town. Matt rises to the challenge and rallies the people to confront the physical manifestation of the devil, Derek, and the two criminals. Matthew breaks a loaf of bread and passes it among the group, and vows never to be frightened by the devil again nor to give in to his own prejudices. The two men are arrested and the devil, defeated by Matt's moral stand, disappears. Guest Stars Michael Chiklis | |||||
| 083 | 19 | "God and Country" | Bethany Rooney | R.J. Colleary Glenn Berenbeim |
March 15, 1998 |
| Rafael enters the Army in an attempt to befriend a bitter soldier named Tomas. Tomas hates the Army, in particular his commanding officer Colonel Victor Walls. Both men are Hispanic but Tomas feels that Colonel Walls has rejected his heritage by failing to use his original surname, Paredes. Tomas requests a transfer from this base, but Colonel Walls denies the request. Rafael meets with Colonel Walls, who suggests he change his name to Ralph as a means to get along better in the Army. When Tomas hears of this, a fight breaks out in the barracks between Rafael, Tomas, and another soldier. Rafael gets a scolding from Tess for being the first angel to hit an assignment and all three soldiers end up in the military jail. It is in jail that Rafael learns that Colonel Walls is actually Tomas' father and he has another son, Paul, who is missing in action in Bosnia. This is a further source of frustration for Tomas because the Army cannot give the family any straight answers regarding Paul's situation. Monica arrives at the jail as the Army lawyer who will represent Tomas, and she reprimands him for his attitude towards his father. Later, when Tomas is out of jail, he brings Rafael with him to the family dinner at the Walls (Paredes) home. A fight between father and son is stifled when Andrew appears at the door as a casualty officer, bearing the news that Paul was killed in battle. Colonel Walls guards his emotions, and this further drives a wedge between Tomas and his father, who doesn't believe his father loves him. Colonel Walls brightens at the news that Paul was killed saving other soldiers' lives, making him a hero. When an ambiguous postcard arrives posthumously from Paul to Tomas, a confused and despairing Tomas confronts his father with a gun, hoping to learn the truth about his brother's death. But when he sees his father is unafraid, Tomas turns the gun on himself, pleading for his father to tell him the truth. When he doesn't, Tomas leaves. Monica reveals herself to Colonel Walls, explaining that although he has served his country, he needs to serve God and tell his family the truth. Colonel Walls returns to tell his family the truth, that he pulled some strings to get Paul a dangerous assignment. Tomas is upset by the news and leaves. Rafael appears and reveals himself to Tomas, urging him to forgive his father for his wrongdoing. The next day at the memorial service for Paul, his parents and the angels are unsure if Tomas will attend. As Colonel Walls begins the eulogy, Tomas enters the service. Colonel Walls speaks of the mistakes he has made both as an officer and a father and professes his love for Tomas. The father and son salute each other respectfully, then break down into a tearful embrace. | |||||
| 084 | 20 | "How Do You Spell Faith?" | Bethany Rooney | Michael Glassberg | March 29, 1998 |
| Monica and Tess arrive in the life of a single mother, Mary, to help her reconcile her relationship with her son Aaron. Herself a former athlete, Mary relates to her eldest son, Micheal, who is the star wrestler of Olympus High School. Aaron on the contrary is more cerebral and spends the majority of his time spelling out words to hide the pain he feels for not having a father and not being closer to his mother. While the entire school supports Micheal's wrestling efforts, Aaron is virtually ignored by everyone except his brother, who has become something of a father to him. When Tess encourages Aaron to take the test to qualify for the Midwest Regional Spelling Bee, Aaron reluctantly agrees and Micheal is quick to support him. When Micheal is killed en route to a wrestling competition, Mary is less able to relate to Aaron and her distance causes him to leave home in search of his father. Following the address on letters from his father that were given to him by Micheal, Aaron goes to Minnesota. Once there, Aaron meets Andrew who is posing as a cab driver. When Andrew and Aaron arrive at his father's address, they find only an empty parking lot. Looking closely at the postmarks on the letters Micheal had given him, Aaron realizes his brother Micheal had been sending him the letters and that his father doesn't really care about him. Andrew convinces Aaron to return to his mother but they are still separated by their different personalities. Tess tells Mary that although she and Aaron have differing abilities, what he needs is her love. Mary tries to tell Aaron how proud she is of him but Aaron is still unwilling to open up to his mother. Andrew reveals himself to Aaron and tries to make him understand how much his mother loves him. Andrew encourages him to turn to God who will never desert him like his father did. Finally, understanding how much he is loved, Aaron reconciles with his mother and showcases his talent by winning the Midwest Regional Spelling Bee. | |||||
| 085 | 21 | "Seek and Ye Shall Find" | Victor Lobl | Glenn Berenbeim | April 5, 1998 |
| Monica and Tess discuss the next mission in the one stop town of Savage, Mississippi. Monica slips on the icy pavement of a bus station, hits her head and suffers from amnesia. Inside the station, Dr. Chester Clayton somewhat impatiently examines a frightened Monica. The Doctor is on the way to a prison to watch the execution of the man who murdered his wife, Paul Ratcliff. The station is filled with other colourful characters including a bible salesman, the crusty station keeper named the Colonel, a sweet old black lady who wants to see the holy land before she dies, named Effie, and a young pregnant Elvis Presley fan named Sue Ellen who wants her baby to be born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis' Birthplace. As Monica struggles to regain her memory, the Doctor reveals his hatred and bitterness he feels over the murder of his wife. Andrew on the way to "work", the execution stops by the station and encourages Monica who doesn't recognize him, to first seek out who God is, and then she will know herself. The Bible salesman steals Effie's money, but Monica is accused of the crime and the Colonel calls the cops. Monica, thoroughly lost, begins to cry, but Sue Ellen's boyfriend, Skeeter, teaches her to pray. Monica prays that God would restore her memory, but instead the police arrive and handcuff her. Effie however, decides to forgive Monica and give her the money. This extreme act of forgiveness reminds her of who God is and who she is. She reveals herself to Effie, who is delighted to finally see an angel. Later, at the prison, the murderer Paul Ratcliff asks the Doctor to forgive him for killing his wife. The Doctor scoffs at this request and the execution commences. Monica appears to the Doctor and begs him to forgive the murderer Paul Ratcliff as a means of achieving peace in his own life. The Doctor suspends the execution so he can tell the murderer Paul Ratcliff that he has, indeed, forgiven him. | |||||
| 086 | 22 | "Cry, and You Cry Alone" | R.J. Colleary | Gene Reynolds | April 12, 1998 |
| Four aging comics sit around a diner table reminiscing about their careers and celebrating the fact that one of them is soon to leave on a cruise ship gig. One of the men offers to tell the story of Salt and Pepper, a famous comedy team who suddenly broke up before they hit it really big. The story begins many years after the breakup, when Maury Salt arrives at the diner for his daily breakfast. Monica, a waitress at the diner is the object of his disdain when she doesn't know his usual order. During breakfast he reads the trade magazines and discovers that he and Pepper are to be inducted into the Comedy Hall of Fame. When Monica enquires, it becomes apparent that Salt and his former partner dislike each other, mostly because Pepper walked out on the act. The two men reunite and continue their feud at a press conference in spite of the fact that they've agreed to put on a show for the Hall of Fame induction. At the rehearsal, Salt and Pepper return to their old routines but cannot agree on who will play which part, so they break up. Salt recruits Monica to be his new partner, but tries her out at an open mike contest, and she bombs out horribly, refusing to insult anyone for a laugh. Meanwhile, Pepper recruits Andrew as his partner, a sign that the old comic hasn't got long to live. When they realize their new partners are terrible, they reunite. But it's not long before Pepper collapses with a weak heart. The men see the error of their ways on the ride to the hospital, and Tess, who is driving the ambulance, honors their request to go to the diner in the old neighborhood where they met. The men perform one more comedy routine for Monica. Pepper then passes on, but not before the old friends express their love and gratitude for each other. Guest Stars Jerry Stiller and Tom Poston | |||||
| 087 | 23 | "Perfect Little Angel" | Terrence O'Hara | Susan Cridland Wick Ann Elder Jeannine Tree |
April 26, 1998 |
| Monica and Tess meet their next assignment, Tracy Beringer, as she receives some very bad news via a letter in her mailbox. Tracy needs money very badly, telling her boss at the auto repair shop where she works that she needs the money for college tuition. When she sees an ad in the paper for the Miss Colorado pageant, she tries to sign up, but one of the many stipulations is that she must have a sponsor. Tracy, who desperately needs the pageant prize money is upset until Monica, Tess, Rafael, and Andrew agree to be her sponsors, crowning her Miss Unincorporated Area #579. As they begin to prep Tracy for the pageant, the angels discover a few strange things about her: she never lets anyone inside her apartment, she tells people that her parents died in a boating accident (then later says it was a train accident), and she plays the piano very well but she lacks the passion required of a truly great pianist. On the night of the pageant, all is going well for Tracy, until her landlord shows up and takes Monica to Tracy's apartment revealing a little boy named Nick babysitting himself. Monica takes Nick to the pageant and Tracy, upset that the angels know she's a single mom, tells them she wants to win the pageant so that she'll have the money to put Nick through surgery to repair a hole in his heart. It's also revealed that Tracy's parents are not dead, she actually ran away from home when she found out she was pregnant. Realizing that Tracy doesn't think God, Monica and Tess reveal themselves, reminding her of God's love and encouraging her to trust God with her son's life. When it comes time to be interviewed for the pageant Tracy, realizing that nothing good can come from a lie, tells the audience that she is a single mom and embraces Nick on the stage, thereby solidifying her journey into truth. The audience including Andrew and Rafael, applauds. Later, Tracy receives a load of mail from people who have heard her story offering help with Nick's surgery. One of the letters is from Tracy's parents who want her to come home. Tracy calls her parents and the angels, their task complete, depart. | |||||
| 088 | 24 | "Elijah" | Peter H. Hunt | Glenn Berenbeim | May 3, 1998 |
| Jacob Weiss, a bitter slum landlord is sentenced to spend 2 weeks in one of his own tenements and the angels arrive to help him understand the error of his ways. As the code enforcement officer, Monica quickly educates Jacob on the changes that will need to be made but he is intent on trying to go around the law, offering her a bribe. He then continues to try any legal means of avoiding his punishment until his mother and son urge him to come to passover dinner which coincidentally falls on the evening when his incarceration is due to begin. He then approaches the judge and makes a religious plea. Unfortunately for Jacob, the judge attends the very synagogue where he claims to be devout and having never seen Jacob there, flatly refuses. Jacob then attempts to hide from the police at his mother's apartment but is picked up in the midst of the Passover meal. Tess, the police officer meets Jacob as he arrives for his internment and places an ankle monitor on his leg to ensure that he does not leave. Jacob then settles into the abysmal conditions of his own tenement and meets a savvy neighbourhood kid, Tyler who arranges to bring him the things he needs in exchange for money. Jacob then begins to hear a haunting song and starts to remember where all of his troubles began...with the death of his father. In a rare moment of sentiment, Jake then calls his son Micheal but is quickly interrupted by a fire in his apartment. With Monica's help, Jacob extinguishes the fire but is forced to move to the only other vacant apartment, that which he lived in when his father was alive. Once there, Andrew appears telling Jacob he is there to help him remember. Jacob then dreams back to the day his father died and to his explanation of the passover and its message of freedom for all people. When Jacob is awakened by Tyler, he is even more desperate to escape the pain of his own memories and offers Tyler more money to find someone who can remove his ankle monitor. Jacob calls his wife from whom he is separated to to ask for the money, but she steadfastly refuses. His son, Micheal, overhears his mother and brings Jacob his Bar Mitzvah money. While Jacob is being robbed of the money by the supposed monitor remover, Micheal is shot. Unable to get help from the neighbours he has abused, Jacob listens to Monica and follows his pious father's example. He smears the blood of his son on his door and sings the song of "Elijah" while Tess sings "Go down Moses" as Andrew, the Angel of Death passes over the apartment. | |||||
| 089 | 25 | "Last Dance" | Terrence O'Hara | Jennifer Wharton R.J. Colleary |
May 10, 1998 |
| The pressure to abstain from sex before marriage is almost as great for teenagers Greg and Jill, as the pressure from their mothers to be perfect students. Greg's mother, Liz owns a flower shop, and doesn't like Greg seeing Jill, claiming it affects his grades and will jeopardize his ability to get into college. Jill's mother, Candace, still dealing from issues from her own past, demands complete chastity from her daughter. It is Monica and Tess' assignment to make sure these relationships don't self destruct. Meanwhile Andrew, as a DJ, encourages the high schoolers to respect themselves and their bodies. Rafael as a student teacher, fends off infatuated girls. Monica as a substitute teacher, holds a meeting to plan the upcoming prom and chaperones Liz and Candace meet. Although they deny knowing each other, it is clear they have a history together. The truth is Liz and Candace were friends in high school, until Candace, who slept around quite a bit, stole Liz's boyfriend. The enmity over this event hasn't yet subsided, and Candace asks Liz not to tell Jill about her past. Liz agrees but only if she will forbid Jill from dating Greg. Tess, as an assistant at the flower shop, obviously disapproves of this idea. Greg and Jill, though very upset and confused, respect their mothers' wishes, until Jill learns her mother's secret-that while preaching chastity she lived an unchaste life as a teenager. Jill determines to do all the things her mother has told her not to do and sneaks out to meet Greg at the prom. Greg and Jill plan to go to a hotel and have sex after the prom, but Monica tries to stop them. However they don't listen to Monica and go to the hotel. The next morning Greg drops Jill off at her house and leaves. As Jill climbs to her bedroom window, she falls and is unconscious. Later in the hospital, a distraught Greg tells the mothers that he and Jill spend the night together and Liz becomes upset. Greg can't believe that his mother is more concerned about his sex life than about his girlfriend whose life hangs in the balance. Tess and Monica appear at the hospital, reveal themselves as angels, and ask the mothers, for the sake of their children, to resolve their differences and make peace. The mothers decide to give one another a second chance and give their blessing to Greg and Jill's relationship. Andrew reveals that Jill will recover and the families rejoice in the news. | |||||
| 090 | 26 | "The Spirit of Liberty Moon[n 1]" | Tim Van Patten | Martha Williamson | May 17, 1998 |
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Part 1: The Spirit of Liberty Moon While testing a kite, Tess briefs Monica and Andrew on their next assignment: it can change many lives because the "courage of one single person" can change history. That chance may come for Edward Tanner, CEO of Tanner Toys, and he may not recognize it. It will come for one of Edward's employees, Jean Chang, a second time--she will recognize it and "that's why she may say "no." Tess demonstrates her new "portable kite" that can fly without wind to Alex Stella, Edward's longtime friend and legal counsel for Tanner Toys. He is intrigued by the technology, but quickly brushes her off as Edward enters to discuss moving their manufacturing to China. Alex introduces Monica as a consultant who will acquaint them with the import-export business. Monica explains the new opportunities that China's open door policy has given to Western businesses and recommends that Edward hire a translator from within the company. When the Job is offered to Jean, she is offended, claiming she is Korean and they just assumed she was Chinese because she looked "oriental." Her cover is quickly blown, however, when she arrives at a Chinese restaurant where Edward, Alex and Monica are eating lunch and proceeds to order in Chinese. When she comes to their table to apologize, Alex is unexpectedly pulled away from the conversation by an exuberant Tess, the "kite inventor." With Alex distracted, Jean explains to Monica and Edward why she lied. Admitting to be Chinese, Jean tells them of how she was orphaned during the Cultural Revolution and how she fell in love with a picture of the Statue of Liberty in a banned book. Edward finds himself becoming genuinely interested in her -- an interest that will eventually turn to love -- as she explains how she and many like her were affected by Western culture. While an idealistic student in China, her husband adopted the nickname "Gus" after Auguste Rodin's "Thinker" and their best friend adopted his name "George", after Washington. Jean explains how she and her husband took part in the Tiananmen Square protests while George stayed home with her daughter, Piao Yue (Liberty Moon). When the crack-down came, she was separated from her husband and although she heard that he was killed, she was unable to verify his death and was forced to flee to America before she could find George and her daughter. As Monica and Edward investigate China further, they are shocked to find one of the companies courting a joint venture with Tanner Toys is none other than Liberty Moon International Management. Edward shows Jean the letter and agrees to take her with them to Beijing. In China, Monica distracts the customs agents, allowing Jean to sneak safely back into the country. They soon meet George who is frightened to see Jean. George tells them he will no longer guarantee that his company, Liberty Moon, can do business with them. However, after Tess plants some seeds of courage in George, he helps Alex, Edward and Jean to infiltrate a "re education through labor" camp under the guise that they will use the factory being constructed to manufacture Tanner Toys. Jean recognizes a sickly worker at the labor camp as her husband, Gus. After a bittersweet reunion, Jean and the others quickly leave the camp when a guard becomes suspicious of their presence. Part 2: The Spirit of Liberty Moon Alex is angered to learn of the risks Edward has taken with the business and attempts to fire Monica -- but is overruled by Edward. They later read in a newspaper of Gus' death in prison and his "renouncement" of his actions in Tiananmen Square. As Jean resolves to speak out against the lies, soldiers move into their hotel, spot Jean and give chase. Later Edward and Monica meet Jean in a busy street and offer to help her. As they walk away together, a soldier hands them a leaflet depicting a wanted criminal--its a photo of Jean from her Tiananmen Square days. They go to meet George and ask about Jean's daughter, Piao Yue. Ashamed, he tells them that he took Piao Yue to a family in the south who would look after her until his return. He further explains that there was a terrible flood and that he no longer knows what happened to Piao Yue. He explains that he named his company "Liberty Moon" with the hope that they would one day be united. Believing that she has nothing left to lose, Jean goes back to Tiananmen Square to openly tell the people who she is and the truth about what happened to her husband. As the police arrest her, she looks up at the sky and notices a kite with the Liberty Moon symbol on it. She follows the string down to a group of young girls, but cannot make contact with her daughter before she is taken away. Edward, desperate to help Jean, goes to George who explains the judicial system to him: Jean will be convicted and sentenced quickly, and some "accidental" death in prison will soon follow. Seeing that there is nothing left for them in China, Alex leaves for home and apologizes to Edward for his behavior. Monica reveals herself as an angel to Jean and physically shields Jean when she is attacked by fellow prisoners--taking the painful blows herself and injuring herself in the process. The prisoners are frightened by the miracle, Jean is unharmed after the beating; but the guards are furious and they take Jean to the top of a staircase and throw her down where she dies in Monica's arms. Monica promises Jean that she will tell Piao Yue the truth about her mother. Monica reveals herself to Edward and tells him of Jean's death. He goes to George and together they use Tess' "portable kite" with a Liberty Moon symbol painted on it to find Piao Yue. George then nuses his influence to adopt Piao Yue and Edward promises that she can live with him in Maine every summer. As Edward's plane flies over New York, he looks out the window to see the Statue of Liberty, He breaks down and cries. |
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2. www.touched.com/episodeguide/seasonfour/409.html
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