the colbys Episode 14 - “the trial”

Ah, I always love episodes that involve going to court, and not because it gives me an opportunity to point out all of the flaws. Okay, I totally love pointing out the flaws - that is what I went to law school for. And trust me, there are tons of flaws in this episode (but still great TV). Miles did not waste anytime to use Phillip’s letter to go to court. Jason and Jeff are greeted with subpoenas to testify. Wait, subpoenas already? No complaint - because that is usually how a court case starts. Further, the subpoena requires them testify in a couple of days. Wow, that is pretty impressive. No court ever works that quickly. I am already enjoying pointing out the flaws.

As expected, Jason is pissed about the lawsuit and blames Sable (rightly). When he goes to confront her, Sable retorts about a reception Lady Langdon (Frankie) is having for the new post in Los Angeles. Sable blames Jason for this. Jason totally forgets that he was talking to Sable to call her out for breaking their deal. Probably, Jason was just secretly excited that his girlfriend has come back to town.

Meanwhile, Jeff believes that Jason is behind the lawsuit. It probably is a fair accusation, even if it is not correct. Of course, Connie has to get involved and she gets Garrett to defend Jeff. Jason is totally correct that it is a gross conflict of interest - but who cares about legal ethics. Further, Connie figures she can have a lunch with Miles and convince him to drop the lawsuit. Miles tells her with all sincerity, that he cannot do it. God help the Colbys as the case goes forward.

Miles still does not have the evidence he needs to show that Jeff is not Phillip’s son. What? Here is a helpful legal tip - actually get the evidence first before you rush off to Court. It will work out much better. Miles and Arthur are able to track down a friend of Phillip’s from Vietnam who agrees to testify that Phillip was convinced Frankie’s child is not his. Further, Miles flies off to Washington D.C. to track down this Timothy Holmes who has the evidence to prove that Phillip is not the father. Again, why not get this information first? Oh, I know why. It would make the court scenes less dramatic. What was I thinking.

Before we get back to The Trial, let’s run through the other storylines. So, Wayne has only been blind for about 10 years and it can be fixed. The only problem is that he needs $50,000, which is why he hopes his single becomes a hit - to pay for the surgery. That is what people needed to do in the days before Go Fund Me - record a hit single. Monica should just give him the money - but Wayne has his pride. But, not so much pride as to not tell Monica that Neil is scheming to leave Titania Records and take talent with him, including Wayne. Monica decides to confront Neil with the news at dinner and then fires him. That is how I want to be fired one day.

Bliss feels she is worthless and has nothing to offer anybody. As far as the show goes, she really isn’t wrong. Sable comforts her that she has much to offer the family and the world. I am not convinced. The truth is that Bliss still loves Sean and wants to be with him. She runs off to his boat and tells him such and the two kiss. I guess it gives Bliss a good reason not to attend the trial.

Sable and Jason attend the reception for Lord Roger and Lady Langdon, and it is not awkward at all. Frankie blames Jason for the trial and wants to get him to prevent her from testifying. Jason clearly does not have that power. Roger lets Jason know that Frankie is his wife and she is happy in that position. That is all nice and good, but the best part is when Sable confronts Frankie for coming back to Los Angeles. Frankie tries to play the innocent but Sable will have none of it and tells her sister she knows about the tryst at the Five Oakes. And, to end it all, Sable storms off before calling her sister a slut. And these diplomatic receptions are supposed to be boring.

Later that evening, Roger is reading a story in the newspaper about Miles’s lawsuit (damn news travels fast) and wants Frankie not to get involved in that. Oh, too late - Frankie has already been subpoenaed by Miles Again, lawyers work fast. How long had she been in Los Angeles. Oh for some reason, did anyone think that Frankie would not be required to testify? I mean she is the star witness. Did she sleep with another man while married to Phillip?

That brings us to the trial. Phillip’s friend testifies - boring. Connie testifies and kind of admits that Phillip would not make this up unless he had some reasonable basis for belief. Now, let’s bring on Frankie. Arthur beats around the bush for a little bit until he finally asks Frankie is she had an affair. Frankie tries to play it off by dodging the question and then asking for Arthur to restate it. Just as Frankie is forced to answer whether she had an affair, Miles busts in with the report and the man he is looking for. Arthur reads the reports and decides to let Frankie go. What? You can never have a witness leave the stand mid question. Hell, you can’t even take a bathroom break.

Frankie dodges the bullet as Timothy Holmes, Phillip’s physician while he was in Vietnam, takes the stand. Holmes has proof that Phillip was not Jeff’s father. Phillip was sterile and had always been. What? What kind of physical was Phillip taking in the military? They test for sterility? I guess they do because the episode ends with the definitive statement that Jeff is not a Colby. Let’s show everyone looking shocked, except Sable, who looks satisfied. Of course.

Memorable Dialogue

Frankie (to Jeff): The Colbys have made us suffer long enough, it’s time we fought back.

Monica (to Neil): I don’t sleep with married men. I don’t date married men. I don’t even have dinner with married men. . . [dramatic pause] . . .unless it’s to fire them.

Roger: Thank you, Sable. I’ve heard a lot about you from my wife.
Sable: I hope it was riveting.

Frankie: You know I care for you, why do you hate me so much.
Sable: Don’t you act Bo Peep with me. You know why - you and Jason.

Sable: You did nothing at the Five Oakes. Nothing to do with this posting. You’re a regular hive of inactivity - aren’t you?
Frankie: What’s the expression, I’ll see you in court.

Frankie: Please, think what you’re doing to Jeff, to the whole family.
Sable: I don’t give a damn about your little bastard, or you - you slut!

Jason (to Zach): Well, I don’t pay a lot of attention to rumors. If I did, I couldn’t afford being seen talking to you.

Previous Episode - Fallon’s Choice
Next Episode - Burden of Proof