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Butterflies - Sep 14, 1983 Episode 4-23,   Grade A- Detailed Summary by John T Burt 2001 Main Butterflies Page

    Food Disasters:
Running late after meeting Leonard, Ria hurries to make lunch plopping veggies on 4 plates. She tries to add some kind of "pie" that won't come out of the pan in slices so she spoons the mess onto the plates. Later after no one came for lunch, she starts to clear the table but covers it with a table cloth instead and puts a flower in the middle. At dinner, the guys sit around the entombed table after eating - don't mention it Ben says. Ria serves a jelly saying the custard has an identity crisis and thinks it is still milk. Eventually the boys clear the table by carrying the whole thing off.

    Special Scenes:
When the guys jokes set off Ria - she apologizes but says her job as a mother doesn't give her an identity of her own. She doesn't want the mother identity and doesn't know what she does want.

    Funny Scenes:
The reoccurring food disaster is funny several times.

    Summary:
In the park, Leonard jogs by Ria until she calls him. It's been 6 months. Leonard asks if Ben is still alive, what with her cooking and all. Ria says she missed him and they finally hug.

At home Ria can't read without her glasses and wishes she didn't have to get old. She can't do as she wants to anymore (Ben's suggestion) because her body would fall down. Adam wonders if he is losing weight. Ben pretends he can't see him. Adam is suffering from youth, Ria from age and Ben suffered years ago pushing their car. Adam takes a call and after a racy chat with a woman gives it to Ben. It's his college girlfriend Amanda.

Ria tells Leonard not to eat lunch so fast in the park. He says New York was like a loony bin. Leonard nags her about doing something different and exciting - like having an affair. Leonard won't let her change the subject this time and Ria says he has changed. He is a bit mean as she leaves late to make lunch for Ben but he says he loves her.

At home, Ria hurries to make lunch plopping veggies on 4 plates. She tries to add some kind of "pie" that won't come out of the pan in slices so she spoons the mess onto the plates. Adam stops in and can't stay for lunch. Ben calls saying he has been trying to reach her all morning. He is having lunch with Amanda. Ria is upset and repeats what Leonard said to her that she lives in a boring capsule.

Amanda is pretty. Over lunch she describes leaving Spain after her husband died and Ben says he is happy in an ordinary life with extraordinary people - except him. Amanda asks him the same questions about doing something exciting that Leonard asked Ria.

Ria calls to get a plane price to Paris - too expensive. She starts to clear the table but covers it with a table cloth instead and puts a flower in the middle.

Ria called Leonard and they talk in the Mini in the park. She doesn't know what she wants. Leonard wants to spend a night with her and then another and another. She says what if she can't lie and deceive.

Ben drops Amanda off at home. She hopes there will be another lunch and has to force him to allow her to kiss him.

Adam and Russell are bored in the park - a job would be nice. They discuss old girl friends and then pick up two new girls in the park despite being out of cash.

The guys sit around the entombed table after dinner - don't mention it Ben says. Ria serves a jelly saying the custard has an identity crisis and thinks it is still milk. Ben's comment that maybe she can shock it with custard powder tomorrow doesn't please her. After the boys talk about picking up the girls, Ben says he picked up one today too. Their jokes set off Ria - who apologizes but says her job as a mother doesn't give her an identity of her own. She doesn't want the mother identity and doesn't know what she does want. The boys tell her she has an identity to them and that is why they still live at home. The boys clear the table by carrying the whole thing off. Ben tells Ria he loves Mrs Ria Parkinson and then blows them all away by saying he and Ria are going to Paris for lunch tomorrow.