Episode Guide

Season 2

Episode 6- Brother, Can You Spare A Blonde?

The Case

There really isn't one. Dave's older brother Richie comes to town flashing money. After he and David (who is mistaken for Richie) are threatened, Richie admits he found $100,000 under his car hood at home in Philadelphia. He doesn't want to go to the Police as he is sure the money is 'dirty' and besides he spent most of it. He figured Dave was a detective and came to California for his help and to make him jealous. Dave, Maddie and Richie decide he has to return most of the stuff he bought in an attempt recoup some of the money he spent. They go to the mall and get caught by the drug dealer whose money it is.

What's Really Going on Chris?

The financial situation at Blue Moon is so bad that Maddie, Agnes, and David all try to win money from a radio call in promotion. Maddie is also upset because she owes the IRS $35,000 and they want her to sell her house to pay off the debt. David tries to reassure her that everything will be OK. That night Maddie and Dave go to dinner to meet Richie. We find out there is quite a bit of sibling rivalry and, though they are a lot alike, Dave and Richie don't always get along. David is skeptical of his brother's sudden new wealth, Richie accuses David of being jealous of his success. They go dancing and Maddie and Richie very obviously hit it off. Richie asks Dave if there is anything going on between Dave and Maddie, Dave tells him it is strictly business. Despite how he feels about his brother, David asks to borrow $37,000 and Richie agrees. Richie vows not to say anything to Maddie. David leaves after looking upset standing in the corner watching Maddie and Richie dance.
The next day Maddie tries to talk to David about he feels about she and Richie 'getting along.' David acts like he doesn't care. Maddie complains that he is 'invunerable.' He gives her the $37,000 he borrowed from Richie and makes up a story about finding the money in a forgotten Blue Moon bank account. Maddie hugs him, and David says, "I'm not that invunerable." Maddie thanks him, but it doesn't look like she buys his story.
David is now in a bad mood. He gets in a fight with Agnes and trashes the bathroom. He is then mistaken for Richie and beaten up by a thug who "wants his money back." Maddie and Richie are at Maddie's house. Maddie starts to tell Richie she can't see him because of David. David bursts in and they get in a fight when Dave confronts Richie about the money. Richie comes clean and they go to the mall
The last scene is Maddie quizzing David about how he dropped Richie off at the airport. She finds out Dave walked him to the gate and waited for the plane to take off. David gives Maddie the $7500 reward for turning in the drug dealer to satisfy the IRS for a few months. Maddie says that Dave really does love Richie. Dave agrees and then asks her if she does. Maddie responds by saying that she would've dropped him off at the gate. This obviously pleases David. He asks if she is always this much fun this early in the morning. She responds with, "You'll die wondering."

Chris's Obsessive Analysis

And here we go......Why was Maddie attracted to Richie? I believe that it is because he is 'David' with money. As we find out later, Maddie does not feel that David is 'her kind of man.' Maddie is used to dating rich, successful men with social status. David is none of these, but Richie appears to be well off. Interestingly, she breaks things off with Richie because of David, but we never get to hear the rest of what she was going to say.
Was David jealous? Definitely! He is jealous of Richie's success, and then is reallyjealous that Richie gets Maddie's attention. Richie admits to coming to town to rub Dave's nose in his success and in the process humiliates David in front of Maddie about Dave's lack of material wealth. Nevertheless, Dave swallows his pride and asks Richie to borrow the money for Maddie anyway. He obviously cares for Maddie a great deal more than he lets on in order to do this for her. Maddie gives David a chance to express how he feels about her when she asks how he feels about she and Richie 'getting along.' She is obviously disappointed that he refuses to say anything, even though we know it bothers him a great deal. The last scene reveals that David isn't 'invunerable' and is concerned about Maddie's feelings for Richie. None of this escapes Maddie's attention and I think she enjoyed seeing David get jealous- just a little. It gives her a clue to how he really feels about her even though he won't admit it.

Memorable Moments

Although Ms. Hayes would argue the point with me, the dinner with Richie is Dave and Maddie's first date
The look on Dave's face when Maddie and Richie are dancing
Maddie's classic line, "You'll die wondering."

Links

Back to the Episode Guide main page
The next episode, "The Lady in the Iron Mask"
Brian's "Brother, Can You Spare a Blonde?" page
Aubrey's Blue Moon Banter page for this episode