Episode Report Card Niki: B+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Losing You
By Niki | Season 3 | Episode 18 | Aired on 04.07.2002
Bea breezes in, saying, "Judy, I didn't know you were here." Lily asks whether she'd like some breakfast. Bea surveys the counter, and the Mr. Freeze in Judy's hand, and asks, "Coffee cake or popsicles?" She chuckles, and they join in. Judy asks what time the party's at. "What party?" Barbara asks. Judy nearly inhales her Mr. Freeze while simultaneously popping her eyes halfway out of their sockets. Lily, trying to be calm, reminds Bea about Zoe's birthday party. Bea clues in and says she thinks she forgot to buy Zoe a birthday present. No! Bea grabs Judy's hand and pulls her up off the stool, saying she has to help her get a present. Startled, Judy trails her, sucking her Mr. Freeze and muttering, "At your service." Lily just sits there, chin on hand, looking numb.
Dissolve to Booklovers, where everyone is arriving for the party. Everyone's chatty and bubbly as they navigate around the balloons. Then the camera lands on Zoe, who's standing in the doorway with her arms folded and her jaw set.
We dissolve again to Judy, navigating her way along the bar to Zoe, who's sitting at the end by herself, looking miserable. When Judy arrives, Zoe sarcastically blows her noise maker.
We dissolve yet again to the family seated around a table. Zoe blows out her candles, actually smiling for the first time as everyone cheers. Bea stands and asks for their attention, saying that it was always Phil's job to make the toasts, but now it's her turn. She starts with Judy, saying, "Your dad would be so proud of all you've accomplished here." Judy looks startled, then touched when she realizes there's no negative "but" coming. Bea turns to Lily: "With your radio show and your wonderful, enormous family, I really don't know how you do it." Lily smiles warmly at first, but then fades a little, realizing that her mother literally doesn't have any idea how she does it, since she barely knows her. Bea turns to the birthday girl, saying, "But most of all, this is my granddaughter's day." Everyone murmurs warmly, as Zoe folds her arms and braces for the slings and arrows. Bea goes on, "Zoe, I know you didn't want to have this party, and maybe I shouldn't have insisted on it, but I just knew that everybody in this family wanted a chance to celebrate what an extraordinary girl you are." There's a chorus of "hear, hear"s. Bea continues, "You've got a real spark. You're smart, you're funny, you're not afraid of anybody -- not even your bossy old grandma! You remind me just a little bit of me. And so, I'm going to give you something that was once mine." Bea heads over to the gift table and returns with Martha, who's sporting a new dress. The family oohs and ahhs over the doll as Zoe jumps out of her seat, overwhelmed by the sight of it. She cradles it with awe as Bea says, "And I hope that she'll be as good a friend to you as she was to me." Lily tears up at the exchange, and I don't think it's because her mother just re-gifted the doll she'd already given to her years ago. She cocks her head slightly, and the camera pans back to show Judy, next to her, do the same. They turn to look over their shoulders, and Phil, seated at the bar behind them, raises his cocktail glass. Judy and Lily smile at one another.