Dorothy's son Michael is engaged to a black woman who is twice his age.
Tropes:
- Age-Gap Romance: Michael's fiancée is twenty-one years older than him.
- Black Gal on White Guy Drama: Dorothy's son Michael becomes engaged to a black woman named Lorraine. While Lorraine's mother, Greta, disapproves since he is white, Dorothy objects because he's about half his bride's age. Despite this, the two mothers-in-law get along famously with each other.
- Black Is Bigger in Bed: Dorothy and Co. meet up with her future in-laws and Sophia asks if it's true what they say about black men in bed. Before Dorothy can admonish her for it...Blanche: Oh yes, definitely. [Beat, everyone looks at her] ...oh yes, definitely, that is something I would like to know about too.
Dorothy: Come on, Blanche, that's a stereotype.
Trudy (an in-law): Call it whatever you want, I'm just grateful it's true. - Debating Names: At the end of the episode, Michael and Lorraine elope and reveal Lorraine is pregnant. Dorothy and Greta bury the hatchet... until they start arguing over what to name their grandson (neglecting the possibility that it could be a granddaughter).Greta: I can't believe it. A grandchild.
Dorothy: Little Roger.
Greta: Roger? What do you want him to be, a choreographer? It's Lamar.
Dorothy: Lamar Zbornak. Why don't we just pin a "kick me" sign on the kid? It's Roger.
Greta: Lamar.
Dorothy: Roger.
Greta: Lamar.
Dorothy: Roger.
Greta: Lamar.
Sophia: Fabulous. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving already. - Discriminate and Switch: Dorothy objects to her son marrying a black woman - but only because she's twice his age. The bride expects her own mother to be upset over the age difference - but she objects because the groom is white.
- Distaff Counterpart: Lorraine's mother Greta and aunts Trudy and Libby form one for Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose. Dorothy and Greta are both snarky and sarcastic; Trudy and Blanche both really get around; and Libby is the first to apologize for their earlier comments when the group comes back to talk about their issue, suggesting that like Rose, she's the politest of the bunch. Greta even mentions that she has a mother just like Sophia, furthering the parallel.
- Foreshadowing: The episode’s title doesn’t just refer to Michael and Lorraine’s relationship, after all…
- Incredibly Lame Fun: Discussed when Sophia leaves on a bus trip to EPCOT at the beginning of the episode, saying that she's more interested in playing cards with her friends than actually visiting the park. Rose points out that it seems like a waste to go to EPCOT and not see any exhibits; Sophia quips that, at eighty, she's really not interested in potential technology from the year 2000.
- Let's Get Dangerous!: Played for Laughs when Sophia (who was away on a bus trip when Michael first arrived and doesn't know anything about the situation with Lorraine) gets back home and remarks that Michael should have found someone closer to his own age.Greta: What is that supposed to mean?Sophia: No offense, but it means your daughter looks like she's been around the block more times than the Good Humor Man!Greta: (to her sisters as she lunges forward) Hold my purse—those are FIGHTIN' WORDS!
- Old, New, Borrowed and Blue: When Lorraine and Michael prepare for their elopement wedding, Rose points out that Lorraine needs these items. Greta gifts her with a periwinkle scarf for the Blue; Blanche offers a pair of antique earrings for the Old; Sophia tries to help with a pair of knee-high surgical stockings she Borrowed on a bus trip (Dorothy stops her and lends a bracelet instead); and Lorraine points out that, given that she's pregnant, Michael has already given the New.
- Only Sane Man: Rose, of all people, is almost this when she stops all the squabbling between the families and says that they should celebrate Lorraine and Michael's love instead of arguing about it. Unfortunately, she promptly subverts the trope by suggesting that everyone "join hands and sing a chorus of 'Abraham, Martin, and John.'" (Greta: "...is she for real?")
- Racist Grandma
- In this case, it's Greta, the black mother of Michael's fiancée, who is against their marriage because he's white; in many other situations, this would be played as downright despicable.
- Downplayed with Dorothy, who admits that she is uncomfortable with the race difference, but acknowledges that her discomfort is her problem and doesn't object to the marriage on that basis. She's much more focused on the twenty-one year age difference.
- Outright averted with Blanche, which is somewhat surprising considering her Southern upbringing; nevertheless, she adamantly objects when Greta accuses the girls of having a problem with Black people ("Of course not! And I resent the insinuation!") and is eager to learn more about the "fine, rich, young Black men" that Greta offers as an alternative to Michael.
- Stepford Smiler: Played for Laughs when Dorothy and Greta learn that Lorraine is pregnant—they're both against the marriage, but desperately want to visit their new grandchild. Dorothy says that there's only one possible solution:Greta: So what are we gonna do?Dorothy: What mothers have done since the beginning of time—pretend that we're happy, and then complain to anyone who'll listen.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome:
- When Lorraine and Dorothy finally have an honest conversation about the upcoming wedding, Lorraine explains that she's been in a failed marriage before and has learned that she cannot listen to anyone else when it comes to love. Dorothy sympathizes with her and relates that she was in a similar situation with her own ex-husband, but frankly admits that she simply doesn't approve of Lorraine and Michael getting married, even saying that she's aware her reluctance makes no sense while acknowledging that said awareness isn't enough to get past her issues.
- Building on the above, Lorraine and Michael ultimately choose to elope, rather than try to make peace, when they realize that their respective families are never going to approve of their being together.
- Take That!: Greta takes a jab at the Queen of Motown when lamenting Lorraine's choice to marry Michael: "Ever since Diana Ross started marrying white men, everyone's gotta have one!"
- Wham Line: When the mothers arrive to stop Michael and Lorraine from eloping, Lorraine lays down the law about what's going to happen.Lorraine: Look, Michael and I love you both, but we also love each other. Now you don't have to see us, but that also means you're not going to see your grandchild.
(long Beat)
Greta: Say what?
Lorraine: I'm pregnant.
