This episode starts off on a wrong note by using two sitcom clichés: a series regular playing the near-identical relative of their main character, and the seemingly innocent character who turns out to be a sexpot. It would have been trite on another show, but here it almost sinks the episode.
This is also the first episode to center around Cliff, now graduated to full cast member. Cliff is already the blowhard we know and tolerate, but he's not the caricature he becomes in later seasons. Instead we're meant to feel bad for his painful shyness with women. It's weird seeing Cliff as a sympathetic character, but the others' concern for his feelings is oddly touching. It's also believable that he would fall for Carla's sister Annette.
There are a couple of funny moments, including one exchange that's worth repeating verbatim:
DIANE (trying to get the gang into the back room to discuss Cliff and Annette): It's our weekly seminar on the use of leitmotiv in the "Chanson de Roland".
SAM: Yeah. Boy, time really flies by, doesn't it?
DIANE: Norman, join us. Coach?
COACH: Not me, Diane. Thank you, no.
DIANE: You're the guest speaker.
COACH: Hey, this might be good.
The real reason, however, why this episode doesn't work is Rhea Perlman's performance as Annette. She's clearly having fun playing a different character, but Annette is so off putting (What is with her accent?) that she seems to belong on a different sitcom. Fortunately the show will avoid comedy this broad, at least for a few more seasons.
This is also the first episode to center around Cliff, now graduated to full cast member. Cliff is already the blowhard we know and tolerate, but he's not the caricature he becomes in later seasons. Instead we're meant to feel bad for his painful shyness with women. It's weird seeing Cliff as a sympathetic character, but the others' concern for his feelings is oddly touching. It's also believable that he would fall for Carla's sister Annette.
There are a couple of funny moments, including one exchange that's worth repeating verbatim:
DIANE (trying to get the gang into the back room to discuss Cliff and Annette): It's our weekly seminar on the use of leitmotiv in the "Chanson de Roland".
SAM: Yeah. Boy, time really flies by, doesn't it?
DIANE: Norman, join us. Coach?
COACH: Not me, Diane. Thank you, no.
DIANE: You're the guest speaker.
COACH: Hey, this might be good.
The real reason, however, why this episode doesn't work is Rhea Perlman's performance as Annette. She's clearly having fun playing a different character, but Annette is so off putting (What is with her accent?) that she seems to belong on a different sitcom. Fortunately the show will avoid comedy this broad, at least for a few more seasons.