Melrose Place - Season 3, Episode 25

Brooke enjoys the beginning stages of her gaslighting of Alison

"All About Brooke"
Original airdate: 4/3/1995

Episode summary: Amanda and Brooke plot to oust Alison from D&D. Jess makes a subtle move on Jo, much to Jake's annoyance. Michael is forced to have Kimberly rushed to the ER after Sydney pays an unexpected visit to the beach house.

---

Recap: Michael continues to not give a rat's ass about Kimberly's self-inflicted attempted mercy killing (via a pill overdose) and leisurely puts on some classical music, pours himself a drink, and sits on the deck to read aloud the suicide note he found clutched in her hand. A few seconds later, Sydney arrives, surveys the bizarre scene, and exclaims, "OMG you killed her!" ... and so Michael jumps into action and pretends as though he's extremely worried about his wife's well bring. He checks her vitals as Sydney calls 911 (and covertly steals the suicide note Michael was reading) while Michael performs some pretty half-hearted looking mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. 

Kimberly is rushed to the ER by ambulance...and, much to Michael's annoyance, Sydney tags along 'cause she figured this is as good a time as any to talk about Jane's fashion design business being in desperate need of a major cash infusion. LOL.

The next morning, Jess is swimming laps in the Melrose Place pool when he notices Jo exiting her apartment with a heavy box. He leaps out of the pool to give her a hand - a chivalrous act that visibly irks Jake, who races over so that he can grab the heavy box away from Jess. Jo reacts by rolling her eyes in amusement at the brotherly competition...but then can't help herself from checking out Jess's bod when he dives into the pool. Mmm hmm..

Amanda summons Billy to her apartment to share the good news that she's in remission, and that for some God-only-knows-why reason she wants to go back to work at D&D - but is unwilling to humiliate herself by asking Alison directly. She asks Billy if he wouldn't mind doing it, and he responds by asking her why in blazes she'd want to work at a place that canned her when she could get hired at any other ad agency. Amanda explains that she considers D&D home...and also, since she's still in recovery mode, is confident that she'll be allowed to ease back into full time employment. Billy agrees to float the idea to Alison, then heads off to work - just as Amanda gets a call from Michael, who gushily proclaims his deep love for her before inviting her out to dinner tomorrow night. Amanda makes it clear she's wholly uninterested in doing anything romantic with him, but then decides it might be fun to crush his spirit over an expensive meal.

Billy enters Alison's office while she's rudely barking at someone on the phone (in a 90s style demonstration of what a tough CEO she is). When she ends the call, Billy tells her he'd like to formally recommend someone for the vacant account executive position: Amanda. Alison assumes he's joking and starts chuckling...but when Billy says he's quite serious, Alison rails about the nerve of Amanda, asking him to ask his boss to reinstall her at D&D instead of having the guts to do it herself. Fair point. Billy points out that they're in such desperate need of more staff and that Amanda is a proven hard worker...then craftily suggests to Alison that she fully exploit her frenemy for her advertising skills and experience. Alison chews on that interesting perspective for a few seconds and decides 'sure, what could possibly go wrong with hiring Amanda back?'

"Amanda wants to return to D&D, and I'm totally sure she has no ulterior motive."

"In that case, I will stupidly take the bait."

Brooke apologizes to Billy for the under-the-table massage she gave him during the previous episode, then says she really really likes talking to him 'cause of what a terrific sounding board he is. She invites him to have dinner with her, 'cause apparently there's no one else in her life she feels comfortable talking to about her current dad problems, and Billy just kind of shrugs and decides 'sure, why the hell not?'  

Sydney drops by Kimberly's hospital room, assures her she hasn't died and gone to hell, and explains that when she arrived at the beach house last night, Michael was enjoying a drink as he waited for her to expire from all the pills she overdosed on. Kimberly retorts by rewriting history and insists she wasn't trying to kill herself - but, in fact, was poisoned. She claims that Michael slipped something nefarious in her vitamin bottle and would like Sydney to ensure that that's what police detectives will discover when they execute a search warrant of the beach house. Sydney agrees to make the toxic switch, but wants 50K upfront...and Kimberly promises to wire her the cash tomorrow. She asks Sydney to also look around for a suicide letter she wrote "way back", 'cause she's worried it'll be misconstrued as a more recent suicide letter.

Over drinks at Shooters, Brooke tells Billy that her dad was a single father who doted on her - but is very angry with her now 'cause she broke off her engagement to Lowell. She says her dad has gone so far as to threaten to cut her off financially - but Billy just shrugs and says she'll do fine on her own, and offers to show her the ropes of living a more 'regular person' life.

Alison drops by Amanda's apartment to smugly offer her the Small Accounts Representative job at D&D, emphasizing that it's a ginormous step down from being the CEO. She warns Amanda to never lose sight of the fact that she's now the boss, and Amanda somehow manages to keep a straight face as she replies, "Of course you are" ... but after Alison leaves and is safely out of hearing range, Amanda gaily adds, "But not for long."

The next morning at D&D, Amanda is warmly greeted by Billy...and a few seconds later, Alison wanders over and sticks it to her about having to work in a shitty cubicle. Amanda just happily sucks it up and offers to fetch everyone coffee.

Jess apologizes to Jake for "stepping on toes" with regard to his flirtiness towards Jo earlier, and pretends as though he fully respects Jake's affection for her. Jake confirms that, yep, he is very protective of Jo, and that he could see them coupling up some point down the line. Jess calls him a lucky man, then changes the subject and asks if he can borrow a shirt...and when Jake says, "Help yourself", Jess grins to himself and mutters, "I will." Mmm hmm..

"I'm really hoping that Jo and I will eventually live happily ever after."

"Sounds like something I'm going to have to wedge myself between."

Alison bitchily summons Amanda to her office to demand an explanation as to why she didn't send out the Lambert campaign info, and Amanda innocently retorts that she has no idea what she's talking about. Alison accuses her of playing dumb about not receiving the memo...and says this while Brooke is sifting through the papers on her desk. She picks up the Lambert memo and informs Alison that it was buried under her other paperwork and therefore never made it to Amanda's inbox...and a deflatedly red-faced Alison instructs Amanda to send out the campaign info asap.

Sydney sneaks into the beach house wearing gloves and snoops through the kitchen cupboards until she locates Kimberly's vitamin bottle. She exchanges the pills with something or other, then puts the bottle back - just as Michael returns home unexpectedly. Sydney instantly drops to the floor and huddles in a corner behind the kitchen counter...and Michael stands in front of the counter looking as though he might enter the kitchen and discover Sydney's hiding spot, but then decides to wander off to a different room. As soon as he's out of sight, Sydney quietly slips out undetected through the front door.

Over dinner at a fancy restaurant, Michael gushes to Amanda about her gorgeousness, then presents her with a diamond engagement ring as he proposes marriage. Amanda reacts by chuckling...and then chuckles more heartily to the point that she can't seem to stop (LOL), and as Michael stares back at her with a crestfallen expression, she flatly says, "I'm not marrying you." She adds that while she appreciates all of his help as her doctor, their quasi-relationship was largely based on a need that no longer exists (now that she's implausibly in full remission). Michael angrily points out that he's gone through a lot to be with her, plus Kimberly attempted suicide when he ended their toxic union - but Amanda says that's waaaaay more than she needed to know, and that Kimberly's mental health issues really aren't her problem. 

The next day at the hospital, two police detectives inform Michael that they're investigating his role in attempting to murder Kimberly, who has accused him of poisoning her vitamin supply. When Michael vehemently denies any wrongdoing, the detectives inform him that they got a search warrant to comb through the beach house and found a vitamin bottle with something un-vitamin-like in it. They warn that once the lab confirms the pills are poisonous, he could face potential prison time.  

Back at D&D, Alison barks at Billy and Amanda about all the urgent work that needs to get done by morning, adding that they're prolly going to have to stay late to get everything done on time. After Amanda exits the office to dive into the task, Billy admonishes Alison for riding Amanda purely out of spite, and for generally being an insufferable bitch ever since she was appointed to the top job. Alison yells at him to stop challenging her at every turn and snarlingly calls him her mere subordinate...and Billy gets particularly irked by being called out for his lowly status and storms out of the office. Inside the cubical farm, Brooke tells Billy she overheard some of the sniping just now and offers a surefire remedy for stress: a night of arcade games at the Santa Monica pier. Billy mulls on that prospect for a few seconds and decides 'sure, why the hell not?'

Michael drops by Kimberly's hospital room to confront her about the ridiculous attempted murder accusation...and Kimberly smugly retorts that once Amanda hears about his plot to kill her, she won't be interested in pursuing any kind of relationship with him [and says this as though it isn't totally obvious to anyone with a brain cell how utterly disinterested Amanda is in the prospect of coupling up with Michael, like in general]. Michael points out that dying was obviously the desired result of her self-inflicted overdose, and that his valiant effort saved her life - but Kimberly argues that she only survived the "poisoning" 'cause fate (aka Sydney) stepped in. She adds that she's fully determined to make his life a living hell...and when Michael tells her she has zero proof of a murder attempt, Kimberly chortles, "Wrong, Michael. Very wrong."

"You tried to kill me with those pills."

"I think you're confusing me with you."

That evening, Michael returns to the beach house and rips the deck apart in his search for Kimberly's suicide note...and when he carefully retraces his steps, he remembers that Sydney likely took it when she had dropped by unexpectedly. He picks up the phone to call Shooters, snarlingly accuses Sydney of theft, and demands to know where Kimberly's suicide note is. Sydney openly tells him that the note is definitely for sale and proposes they get together in a public place to discuss an exchange, and Michael agrees to meet up with her in an hour.

As Sydney wraps up her Shooters shift, Jess wanders over to the bar and brazenly pours himself a drink. Sydney warns that he's not supposed to do that while working...but then just kinda shrugs and announces that she's officially off duty and couldn't give the tiniest rat's ass what a loser like him does. LOL. Jess then ambles over to one of the tables, sees that someone has accidentally left their credit card behind, and covertly pockets it.

Billy and Brooke are at the Santa Monica Pier, having a carefree evening as they take a break from playing video games...and Billy remarks on how he's had more fun with her in one evening than he's had all season with his ex (meaning Alison). Brooke says she really enjoys being herself around him...then leans in for a near kiss before suggesting they go back to the arcade and play more video games.

Sydney tells Michael she wants 50K in exchange for Kimberly's suicide note, and reminds him that it would absolve him of all wrongdoing with regard to the phony attempted murder charges. Michael reluctantly agrees - but then warns her to watch her back now that both he and Kimberly hate her.
​
Back at D&D, Brooke tells Billy that an extremely pissed off Mr. Lambert is on the line and is demanding to talk to Alison - but, as fate would have it, she's out of the office attending an AA meeting. Amanda just happens to overhear their conversation and suggests that she take the call 'cause she's totes familiar with how Mr. Lambert operates...and Billy's like, "Sure, whatever", so Brooke puts the call through to her cubicle. Amanda greets Mr. Lambert, tells him that Alison is at her AA meeting, and that her lingering booze addiction is no doubt at the heart of all the glitches in his campaign. 

Back at Shooters, Jess tells Jake he'd like to treat him and Jo to dinner tonight. Jake hems and haws for a few seconds before agreeing to what is sure to be an uncomfortable three-way dynamic. Jess says he'll surprise him about where they're eating, but that he should wear something nice. 

When Alison returns to work after her AA meeting, Brooke nervously tells her that Billy gave her the OK for Amanda to take a call from Mr. Lambert, who's now insisting that Amanda be his sole account rep. Brooke mournfully adds that it's pretty clear Amanda has designs on her job and wonders if there's anything to be done 'bout that - but Alison says she's not going to worry about it, not least 'cause [she's choosing to mistakenly believe that] Amanda is utterly powerless in her current, low-level position. 

Kimberly is packing up to leave the hospital when Michael enters the room and smugly informs her that he's officially off the hook for any attempted murder charges. As he waves her suicide letter in the air, Kimberly grabs it and rips it into pieces - but Michael chucklingly tells her it's one of 200 copies he made. He then gives her an ultimatum:

• Stay in L.A. and risk losing her medical license when he sends a copy of her suicide note to the state medical board
• Leave L.A. and be a doctor anywhere else  

"Look, I found your suicide note."

"I had 200 copies made - just in case I felt like doing a mass mailing."

While dining at a fancy restaurant, Jess is regaling Jo with stories of when he and Jake were young lads, blah blah. When the bill comes, Jess pulls out his (stolen) credit card and offers to pay for the meal...but when Jake asks to see the credit card 'cause he's doubtful that Jess could possibly have a legitimate one, Jess gets angry at the (spot on) accusation and storms away from the table. Jo chides Jake for not being more gracious about accepting a free meal from his ugh of a brother...then races after Jess and insists that Jake actually really does want to work things out. Jess moans about how haaaard it's been for him after the passing of their ma, then says that the only silver lining is that he got to know her better. He opts not to return to the table 'cause he needs to go somewhere to cool off, then leans in close to kiss her cheek and thank her for listening. Mmm hmm..

Over at Melrose Place that evening, Alison drops by Billy's apartment with a stack of D&D reports that need to be edited by noon tomorrow. As Billy glares hatefully at her [and somehow refrains from pointing out that he's not currently at work and therefore shouldn't be subjected to her edicts on his unpaid, leisure time], she admits to being somewhat of a workaholic lately, then coquettishly promises that - though, I guess, not including today - there won't be anymore talk of work after 5pm. Billy brusquely tells her that she shouldn't expect sex on demand, makes it clear they're no longer a couple, and pronounces, "The new you is rude, selfish, and completely ego-centric." He adds that he has no desire to sleep with his boss, is still mad that she referred to him as a subordinate, and hands her the shoes she kicked off a few seconds earlier and firmly wishes her a good night. Alison reacts by staring at him incredulously, then snarlingly tells him he'd better have that stack of reports finished first thing in the morning, 'cause "The noon deadline was for someone I cared about."

Sydney is carrying her laundry across the Melrose Place courtyard when she runs into Kimberly, who tells her she's leaving town - despite being deeply enraged at being screwed over by her regarding the 50K sale of her suicide note. She growls, "You owe me" and vows to return to Melrose Place to collect. With interest. Eeek!

Brooke meets up with Amanda at an out-of-the-way bar so that she can pass along a copy of Alison's current files and phone logs. Amanda applauds her sneakiness and chuckles about how much she enjoyed the look on Alison's face when she (Brooke) "found" the Lambert memo on her desk. The two agree that they're going to make a very formidable team at D&D as they plot to oust Alison from the top job, then raise a glass to each other's deviousness.

​Thanks for reading! If you are enjoying TVofYore's recaps, consider thanking me by buying me a "coffee"!

---