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Roger Wants a Divorce; Sam and the Portrait




Episode dated 1-2-67

In this particular episode, Roger has Elizabeth’s attorney, Richard Gardner (Hugh Franklin, who really, really struggled with his lines throughout, flubbing sometimes and having to improvise after stumbling over dialogue he’d forgotten mid-sentence) come to Collinwood to discuss a divorce from Laura so he can be rid of her. Laura wants David. That’s it. Roger is willing to concede. It wasn’t like Roger loved David that much, and, truthfully, he wants her gone so Burke Devlin wouldn’t attempt to persuade her to “come to his side” in regards to a new trial to clear his name against the wrongful manslaughter charge. Richard’s field isn’t divorce law, so he brings along his son, Frank (Conard Fowkes) who is. Roger simply wants to be free of Laura and done quickly. Richard tries to tell him that doing so won’t be easy considering Elizabeth’s attachment to David and distrust of Laura. The episode has Frank spilling the news to Victoria that she may be out of a job soon as Roger’s plans to give David to Laura will leave her absent a governess job. Meanwhile, Sam is “motivated” by Laura (not in so many words but it is her just the same) to draw a particular portrait that leaves Maggie curious as to who (or what) is under the sheet being painted. Sam’s secretive about it, not wanting Maggie to see it. This just makes her more curious as her pops always allows her to see his portraits in early-sketch form. She eventually can’t help herself and confronts Sam regarding why he’d paint such an unusual portrait that isn’t typical of his style or substance.






The whole point of the episode is to discuss David’s current status. Roger, as always, is concerned solely about himself, so getting rid of David is easy as doing so alleviates him of any parental duties. With Elizabeth out of the episode, it gives Roger a chance to try and get Richard to help him carry out the divorce as Laura so wishes. Since this is still the era of Burke Devlin’s feud with the Collins family, his name continues to pop up in conversation. Again, Carolyn is not even mentioned and left out in the cold regarding storyline importance. Maggie is dating Joe (she mentions him to Same when returning from seeing him), and Sam is weary and burdened by the supernatural compulsion to draw the portrait of Laura.

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