KNOTS LANDING: THE GIFT OF LIFE (TV)
Summary
One in this night-time drama serial, spun off from the series "Dallas," about the residents of the small southern California community of Knots Landing. In this episode, Greg refuses to accept the news of Laura's terminal brain tumor and drags her to a number of specialists for further testing. At Lotus Point, Michael begs his mother to allow his band to play at the resort, and she grudgingly agrees to attend a rehearsal. Gary, unaware of her illness, cheerfully assists Laura as she packs her things and prepares to leave her job at Lotus Point. Laura discusses Meg's upcoming baptism, at which Karen and Mack will become her godparents, and Karen invites her to a staff party, admitting that it is really a "surprise" farewell party for her. After yet another doctor visit, Laura declares that she is done with specialists and wants to enjoy the time she has left, which upsets Greg. He refuses to attend the baptism or the farewell party, poring over medical texts in search of an answer.
Karen joins Laura as she shops for clothes for Meg, and when she begins selecting items for the distant future, Karen becomes suspicious and Laura finally confesses that she is dying. They head to the farewell party, with Karen trying to hide her emotions from the others, and at home, Greg finds that Laura has divvied up her belongings and left them to Meg and her friends. Laura receives a number of "going-away" presents from friends who believe that she is planning to travel, and then spends a moment along with Val, telling her that they are "kindred spirits." Abby approaches Laura, and they have a final contentious exchange, and Laura wards off the advances of a party guest. Michael's band finally takes the stage and Mack takes Laura for a spin on the dance floor as Greg wanders aimlessly, unable to accept his wife's impending death. Later that night, Mack comforts Karen as she grieves for her friend, and Laura spends time with Meg, telling her about her grandmother and giving her advice for life.
At the baptism, Karen and Mack perform the rituals and become Meg's godparents, and Greg arrives late, finally giving in to Laura's wishes. The two of them splurge on some expensive paintings, but she then tells him that she is leaving for a clinic and wishes to die alone rather than have him by her side, and he grows angry at her choice. Nevertheless, they spend a final romantic night together, and Laura calls Karen on the phone to tell her goodbye, unable to do so face-to-face. Laura puts her final affairs in order and puts a homemade video tape on the shelf, intending for her friends to view it later. She drives off alone for the clinic, struggling to control her emotions as she bids farewell to her husband and baby. Commercials deleted.
This episode reran in the summer of 1989 as part of the "Best of Knots Landing" series, and features a brief introduction from Michele Lee and Kevin Dobson as they debate over which episode to select as their favorite.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: October 29, 1987 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:27437
- GENRE: Drama, night-time serial
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, night-time serial
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1979-1993
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Michael Filerman … Executive Producer
- David Jacobs … Executive Producer, Created by
- Lawrence Kasha … Producer
- Mary-Catherine Harold … Producer
- Joel Okmin … Associate Producer
- Kate Swofford Tilley … Director
- Bernard Lechowick … Writer
- Joel Rosenbaum … Music by
- Jerrold Immel … Theme Music by
- William Devane … Cast, Gregory Sumner
- Kevin Dobson … Cast, M. 'Mack' Patrick MacKenzie
- Julie Harris … Cast, Lilimae Clements
- Michele Lee … Cast, Karen MacKenzie
- Constance McCashin … Cast, Laura Avery Sumner
- Donna Mills … Cast, Abby Ewing
- Ted Shackelford … Cast, Gary Ewing
- Joan Van Ark … Cast, Valene Gibson
- Pat Petersen … Cast, Michael Fairgate
- Robert Harper … Cast, Priest
- Pat Li … Cast, Gallery Owner
- Richard Marion … Cast, Lothario
- Stacey Young … Cast, Altar Girl
- Marilyn Bradfield … Cast, Nurse