The Powers That Be (TV Series) Bill Gets Shot (1992) User Reviews

Episode 2 "Bill Gets Shot"

[kevinolzak · 10/10 · 21 May 2010]

This second episode is probably the funniest (a really tough call however). As always, Theodore is depressed, this time over Margaret's elaborate celebration on the anniversary of his marriage to Caitlyn (Joseph Gordon-Levitt does not appear in this one). When they arrive, there is a brief exchange- Caitlyn: "it's our anniversary, where would you rather be?" Theodore: "hurtling through a windshield!" Sophie's presence is not desired by Margaret (even though she's now living there), imploring her husband to get his "little wartime souvenir" to spend the evening out. Margaret's gift of a spot in the family crypt plots sends Theodore off to Bill's study, searching for a way to kill himself (a stapler does not succeed). When the unsuspecting maid Charlotte enters to offer him a dish of shrimp, he is startled into firing off the gun he's discovered in the desk drawer, striking Bill in the next room. Margaret demands that he be moved ("Oh my God quick! Get him on the couch! He's bleeding on my carpet!"), while Jordan and Bradley try to spin the 'assassination attempt' to the Senator's political advantage; that is, until they learn that he was shot in the left buttock (Bradley: "you mean to say he was shot in the ass?"). Needless to say, no one wants to tell the truth about what happened, except the distraught Theodore ("you're the last person I'd want to shoot...my wife...YOUR wife!"). When Margaret notices the shrimp on the floor in the study, Theodore takes the blame for a stunned Charlotte (leading the way for a future plot line). Before anyone can shoot poor Bill a second time to make things more convincing, Sophie puts a stop to the insanity, earning her father's gratitude, leading him to demand at gunpoint that everyone treat his newfound daughter better. Once again, a startled Charlotte inspires an accidental gunshot, and Margaret immediately clutches her belly ("oh my God, I've been shot!" Caitlyn: "oh mummy, where, where?" Margaret: "there!"- pointing to the bullet hole in her portrait on the wall!).