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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mel O&#039;Drama" data-source="post: 415987" data-attributes="member: 23">PhyllisSeason TwoThe New Job / You’re Not Getting Better, Just Older / Speech 1A / Off The Bench / Boss Or Buddy Or Both Or Neither / Phyllis Cries Wolf / Out Of The Closet / The Wrong Box / Phyllis And The Jumper / Bess Airs Her Views / Mother Dexter Cohabitates / Mother Dexter’s Wedding / The Christmas Party / Phyllis Runs The Office / The Threat  / Taking A Chance On Chance / Leonard And The Bribe / Broken-Hearted Bess / I Am Beautiful / Dan’s Ex / Audrey’s New Life / The Elopement / The Apartment / And Baby Makes SixI was a little surprised to find that with the first episode this season, Phyllis’s work life was given an immediate and wholesale overhaul. Not only has this has addressed the lack of storyline potential with which the photography studio was burdened, it’s given the series a stronger ensemble.And so it’s out with the studio and Leo and Julie along with it. None of which has been a problem for me. I haven’t missed Julie as much as I’d have expected, and I’m delighted there isn’t any more Leo as I was weary of Richard Schaal’s overexposure in the Maryverse.And it’s in with the City Supervisor’s office, Dan, Harriet and Leonard. Thinking about it, Harriet and Leonard are similar character archetypes to Julie and Leo, but the dynamics feel different partly because of the performances, but also because the environment gives them far more scope. And with some more thought, this (slightly) broader variety of characters also gives Phyllis more in common with MTM. Now Phyllis has her own gruff boss-stroke-ally in Dan (Carmine Caridi - despite his Godfather credentials - is fondly remembered by me as Bruno’s Dad, Angelo Martelli in the TV version of Fame), while vain-but-dim Leonard is analogous with Ted Baxter.Even though the change of situation is said to come from Julie selling up the studio, it simply feels very Phyllis to change things up every year anyway, so it feels quite right for this series.Phyllis’s home life has been more consistent, with all the old familiar faces returning. As the season has gone along, there were some additions to the cast with Mother Dexter shacking up with - and quickly marrying - Arthur Lanson. I know that both actors died within a short time of the wedding episode, so was happy to see Judith Lowry was in the series for a number of episodes afterwards. I find myself wondering if episodes were shown in a different order to that originally planned in order to keep Mother Dexter present for as long as possible.Bess has felt like more of a presence in Season Two, and was certainly given the most character development of anyone, with trouble at college, a relationship breakup followed by becoming involved with Dan’s nephew with whom she quickly eloped. I had been spoilt about Bess’s pregnancy announcement in the final episode, but perhaps this helped ready me for it as it’s a little strange to think of young Bess being a married mother. Lisa Gerritsen would be nineteen here, but a very young looking nineteen, and Bess has been so consistently “old head on young shoulders” that it’s easy to forget that the shoulders are catching up with the head.The Dexters have been as consistently enjoyable as in Season One. Audrey’s absent-minded put-downs (usually of Phyllis) are even more enjoyable - and funny - than Mother Dexter’s because of how they’re delivered in a singsong trill and with a kind smile.Phyllis herself has been great fun to watch, for me at least. I spent much of Season One marvelling that suddenly I enjoyed this character whom I only tolerated over on MTM. With Season Two, it hasn’t even been a thought. She’s just another enjoyable character, and I’ve had little sense of Cloris upstaging or overpowering others. There have been some episodes that have shown a degree of growth for her (the “gay boyfriend” episode springs to mind, since her reaction is rather more worldly than when she found out her own brother was gay). And yet there are still many others where she’s so very Phyllis (trying to “fix” Dan and his wife’s marriage, days before their divorce is finalised).I’d love some insight into how the reworking came about and if it had any impact on cast dynamics. Wikipedia mentions the ratings continued to drop, and suggests Phyllis’s overhaul might have failed in part because Rhoda was also being reworked during the same season.Incidentally, as I re-read this, I now see Bess’s role was only increased in the latter part of Season Two because of changes necessitated by Jane Rose’s cancer which meant a reduced workload and less screen-time for Audrey. It was very well done, as I can’t say I noticed there was less of Audrey. In fact, the episode in which she got the job at the antique shop where her boss made a pass at her, to Jonathan’s fury, was a standout for me.</blockquote>

Verification: Who played JR Ewing?