the colbys episode 20 - “Double Jeopardy”

This is one of the episodes that pretty much sets us up for the season finale, which is in only four more episodes. Morretti is still gunning for the Colbys - all of them. Well, at least the men. For some apparent reason, Jeff and Fallon decide to cut their honeymoon short by a week to be there for Miles. Why? Just like Bliss, what do these people think they can do? Besides, I am sure the last person Miles wants helping him is Jeff. However, that does not stop Jeff from trying. He is even willing to go over everything with Miles. Miles clearly has better things to do - and lawyers and investigators helping him.

Since Jeff arrived home early, Moretti asks him to come down to his office for a few questions. Why would Jeff go? He was not a witness to the fight between Mahoney and Miles. He was in Europe at the time. Of course, Moretti knows that - and even brings up the coincidence of Lavatis’s death occurring at the time Jeff happened to be in Greece. Moretti finds it interesting that the two people who could shed light on the oil spill in San Miguel Harbor both ended up dead - one seen with Miles and the other seen with Jeff. Still, the death of Lavatis is something for the Greek authorities. Jeff probably should have seen where Moretti was going.

Sable feels the prosecution of Miles will give her the opportunity she needs to finally reconcile with Jason. She even tells Miles that although Miles is not completely convinced. I mean, it was with your sister, Sable. Sable believes that Frankie will soon be joining Roger in Singapore and that Jason was just trying to capture lost youth.

Oh, is Sable in for a surprise. Frankie is off for a 48 hour trip to Acapulco in order to get a quickie divorce from Roger. Maybe she will run into Alexis down there. That’s right, Alexis went to St. Thomas for her quickie divorce. Unlike Dex, Roger did join Frankie. Of course, there is no need to pay the actor who plays Roger - let’s just say he was there. When Jason learns that Frankie is getting divorced, he is excited of the prospect that the two can finally marry. Frankie notes that Jason is still married and tells Jason she will not come back until he is free of Sable. Geez, I hope nothing happens that would cause Frankie to short circuit her plans to remain in Acapulco for a while.

While in Mexico, Frankie meets the woman who plays the hooker on Night Court who had a crush on Judge Stone. I should call her Brenda, instead of that hooker. Anyway, Frankie tells Brenda her story that she married Roger just to cover that she really loves and wants to be with Jason. who also happens to married. Now that Frankie is free, Brenda tells her to go after the married man, since it may be her last chance. I wonder if Brenda would have given the same advice had Frankie mentioned that the man is married to her sister.

Time for a little rant. Does any of this make sense? It has been 28 years. Let’s just throw away that marriage to be with your wife’s sister with whom you had a one night fling while she was married to your brother. How do Jason and Frankie come off as anything other than scummy for this? Maybe if Frankie would have left Phillip 28 years ago to be with Jason (before he knew Sable) - it would be no harm, no foul. But now it is 28 years later and a lot of life has been lived.

Not as bad as Jason and Frankie is Connie, who seems to encourage this. While Sable is playing nice with Connie, Connie is helping hide the fact that Frankie is actually going to Mexico to get a divorce. It is a good thing that Sable is as good at eaves dropping as Frankie as she listens in the phone conversation between Connie and Frankie where Frankie tells Connie that she divorced Roger. Ahhh, Sable realizes that she has been treating Frankie all wrong - but that will change. I can’t wait.

As part of her reconciliation with Jason, Sable must untangle herself from Zach. Good thing she did not invite Zach to the opening of the new wing of the Colby Collection. Oh wait, she did. The night before the opening, Zach stops by Sable’s office and notices that the Matisse is no longer hanging. Sable tells him that she is sending it back to him and that the two should not see each other anymore since she is going to reconcile with Jason. Zach convinces Sable to keep the Matisse as a reminder that he owes her. Sable feels hanging the painting will pay that debt, but Zach tells her that she will pay him back one day - and gladly. The best part is when Zach talks so, one wonders what he really means, probably multiple things at the same time. Sable does ask Zach not to come to the opening the following day. Do you think he will listen to that?

Before we get to the gallery wing opening - let’s cover a few other things. Oh, Bliss. Sean pops up at the mansion and asks Bliss if she is ever going to return to the boat house. Also, did Bliss ever tell Jason that she was getting married? Of course not. Sean realizes that he was being used by Bliss and Bliss does not defend herself to the charge. He storms off. Not only does he storm out of Bliss’s life, he is storming out of Zach’s life as he is taking a job in Florida. What was the point of any of this? Bliss gets back together with Sean just to use him to piss off her father (for some reason) but has had a change of heart. I just can’t care.

Meanwhile, Monica is making her own mistakes. After swearing that her arrangement with Neil is purely business, the two are already back in bed together. Did it even last a week? Who knows? Monica is uncomfortable sleeping with a married man, not that it is stopping her. Neil swears that the marriage is over and he did not get a divorce because there was no need to (hmmmm. . .). He does promise to talk to his wife Gail, as soon as she returns from her tour. Talk? Monica, you are an attorney, you should know better than this.

I am slightly confused who was charged with Mahoney’s murder because it seems like Jason is the one taking charge of the defense. After Moretti swore he had the murder weapon, Jason asks Garrett if they can get that information. Garrett says they should hold off until the preliminary hearing so as not to give Moretti time to strengthen his case. Jason wants to know the information now and tells Garrett to file a motion. Does anyone want to ask the client? As a lawyer, I think Jason has the better strategy on this. Still, this is Miles’s decision. Later, Monica tells Jason that she feels Miles is hiding something. Great contribution Monica.

Now, we can get to the opening of the new wing at the Colby Collection. Jason notices that the Matisse is there. Sable tells him that even though she was outbid, the buyer donated it to her. A person who is to remain anonymous. Jason is curious and tries to press Sable for an answer, but she is able to deflect that, just as she is able to deflect any discussion of a possible divorce. Zach of course shows up which gives Connie the opportunity to intimate that she is aware of what has happened between him and Sable. Funny, I thought Connie found this too seedy for her - but she seems to be relishing in it and waiting for the right opportunity to pounce on Sable.

It would not be a Colby event unless something dramatic happens. Moretti decides to invite himself with an entourage of officers. Again, this is something that does not have to be done in public. This time, Moretti is escorting federal officers who are there to arrest Jeff for the murder of Lavatis. I guess the Greek authorities are seeking extradition. Now we see why the episode is called “Double Jeopardy” - both Miles and Jeff are in jeopardy. As Jeff is taken off, Moretti tells Jason that he is gunning for him next - for conspiracy. Who doesn’t love an aggressive and unethical prosecutor.

Memorable Dialogue

Sean: You were just using me to get back at your father.
Bliss: You’re a fine one to talk about using people.
Sean: What’s wrong Miss Colby - you get tired of playing the rebel role. Got to get back to your tiara and glass slippers.

Sable: It’s over between us.
Zach: Not until I say so. [Zach passionately kisses Sable.]
Sable: Oh you can spot an easy target a mile off - can’t you? Does it really do so much for your ego turning on a woman this hungry for love.
Zach: No more hungry than I.

Zach (to Sable): You owe me this and more. Much more. One day I’ll collect everything and you will pay. Gladly.

Previous Episode - The Honeymoon
Next Episode - A Family Affair