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Butterflies - Oct 14, 1980 Episode 3-20,   Grade B+ Detailed Summary by John T Burt 2001 Main Butterflies Page

    Special Activities:
The boys build a fallout shelter in the back yard.

    Special Scenes:
The final scene with Ria and Adam in the kitchen is well acted.

    Summary:
Ria is looking through a magazine making a shopping list. Ben comes in after collecting butterflies. Ria doesn't want the dead butterflies on the table and covers the jar with the tea cozy which Adam later removes saying he should pour himself some dead bugs. Ben says the electric bill his high, 78 pounds. Ria comments on the mundane life of planning to buy oven cleaners. The boys come in and ask to build a fallout shelter. They finally convince Ben and Ria they're serious. Ria and Ben are invited to use it since they are paying for it.

Leonard and Ria discuss shelters too, and his drinking too much. Leonard invites Ria to his shelter if he builds one. After Leonard leaves, Ria meets an old American friend named Kathleen.

Ben is baffled by a man wanting to deliver 50 sandbags until Russell steps in.

Ria's friend has been married three times and cheats on her husbands - that's why she is worn out. Ria confides to her about Leonard. She is amazed that they haven't had sex or anything else and says Ria really is torn.

Ria is singing in the kitchen the next day and might even turn out a good lunch. The boys come in exhausted from working on the shelter. They discuss life after the bomb - the boys want to live, Ben isn't certain it is worth it. Kathleen calls and wants Ria to cover for her affair that day by telling her husband she is visiting Ria. The food burns.

The next day, Adam ate all the toast. Ria says he needs to put a light by the shelter because Ben fell in the hole last night. Kathleen's husband calls and wants to talk to her. Ria is unprepared and has to make up a lie. Shortly thereafter, Kathleen arrives worried and calls her husband. Turns out she has been lying about Ria to her husband and also does not believe Ria has not cheated with Leonard. Ria orders her to get out.

After ordering Kathleen out, Ria turns around to see Adam who heard it all. He doesn't disapprove and has to explain he has been there - the furtive looks, stolen moments, etc - with Guy's mother. It's all a game and he takes the fear out of it for Ria. As they are talking and laughing about Ben, Leonard calls. Adam answers and Leonard is going to hang up but Adam says no worries, Ria is here and hands her the phone. Leonard drops the bomb shell that he might have to go away soon and maybe permanently.