Poppy's by the Tree (Part 2) is the second episode of Season 2 of the FOX sitcom Married... with Children, as well as the 15th overall episode in the series. Written by Ron Leavitt and Michael G. Moye, the episode was directed by Linda Day and premiered on FOX on September 27, 1987.
Synopsis[]
After a hair-raising encounter with the maniac, Al decides to get the family out of town. But they realize that they are trapped at the motel by a storm and the locals are unwilling to help them. Things take a turn when Peggy is taken hostage by the ax murderer in a room and Al must rescue her.
Plot[]
To be added.
Cast[]
Regular Cast[]
- Ed O'Neill as Al Bundy
- Katey Sagal as Peggy Bundy
- Christina Applegate as Kelly Bundy
- David Faustino as Bud Bundy
- Amanda Bearse as Marcy Rhoades
- David Garrison as Steve Rhoades
Guest Stars[]
- Gary Grubbs as Delbert
- Richard Paul as The Sheriff
- Charlie Dell as Roy
- Ian Patrick Williams as Beany
- Becky Phelps as Gloria
- Kim Morgan Greene as Becky
- Dan Gauthier as Kelly's Boyfriend
- Vic Polizos as Poppy's Killer
Quotes[]
- [The townspeople find the Bundys asleep in the lobby/diner area. Beany keeps touching Kelly's hair while Al has a spork in his hand, placed on his lap]
- Roy: Well this is certainly a fine "How-do-ya-do"! They're alive! What happens to our pool?
- Beany: I guess we just roll it over to tonight [everyone nods and agrees] Should we wake them up? Its almost noon. [tries touching Kelly's hair again, but Roy stops him].
- Roy: Don't startle the poor, little white haired girl. I read them albinos are real skittish!
- [Beany nods and then walks over to Al, but is stopped as he tries to tap him on the shoulder]
- Roy: Be careful! The one with the powerful feet got a fork in his pants!
- Al: Family meeting! [huddles with Peg and the kids] We're outta here!
- Peg: Al, may I remind you that somebody has slashed our tires, the bridge is washed out, and somewhere in Honolulu, there is a family going [smiling] "Ahhh".
- Al: You can't let it alone, can you Peg? Ah, this is nice. [mockingly] "Why can't we go to Hawaii?", "Why do we have to come here?", "Why do we have to take this car?". You know, standing here with my loving family I have a question: Why am I running from the axe?!
- [The townspeople find the killer on the floor, knocked out by Al. They are shocked after rolling him over and seeing who the killer actually is]
- Al: [confidently] Well, do we take him to jail now or hang him right here?
- Sherriff: Do you know who this man is, Bundy?
- Al: Yeah, he's the killer.
- Sherriff: Yes, but he's also... "The Man Who Met Andy Griffith"! [Delbert, Roy, and Beanie pick the killer up, dust him off, and check for any injuries]
- Al: [shocked] What are you doing?
- Beany: Making sure you didn't hurt him!
- Roy: See, Bundy, Dumpwater ain't much of a town. We only got two things: a serial killer and "The Man Who Met Andy Griffith"!
- Delbert: We could probably stand to lose one or the other, but we'll be damned if we gonna lose both! [the townspeople nod and agree]
- Sherriff: Y'all better get going, Bundy! [gestures Al towards the door with his thumb]
- Gloria: I say we hang the whole family! [Bud nervously moves away from her and hops on Peg's lap, hugging her]
- Beany: I'd kinda like to keep the little white haired girl. [smiles as he looks at Kelly, who immediately hugs Peg as well]
Notes[]
Title[]
- The episode title refers to the motel Poppy's by the Tree that the Bundys stay at for their vacation.
Trivia[]
- This is the first two-parter on Married... with Children.
- Part 1 and 2 of this episode were originally shown as a one-hour episode.
- The addition "by the Tree" is a reference to the common Florida beachfront resorts addition "by the Sea".
- Al and Peggy stay in room 21 and Bud and Kelly stay in room 22.
- The killer holds Peggy hostage in room 25.
- When Al comes to rescue her, she tries to say through the gag "Al, he's right behind the door. This is a trap."
- This is the first episode in a running gag where Peggy says to Bud and Kelly, "Thank your father kids." and the respond (usually bitterly) "Thanks, Dad."
- Charlie Dell, who plays Roy in this episode, would later play Leslie Baum in the season 9 episode "Shoeless Al".
- Gary Grubb, who plays Delbert in this episode, would later play Cal Stevens in the season 11 episode "Requiem for a Chevyweight (Part 2)".
- Ian Patrick Williams, who plays Beany in this episode, would play Inspector Fitzpatrick in the season 10 episode "Al Goes to the Dogs".
- The ending credits for this episode show the exterior of Poppy's by the Tree Motel instead of Al and Peggy on the couch.
- As evidenced by the production code, this was the third episode produced for the season, though it was the second episode aired.
Cultural References[]
- Throughout the episode, it is mentioned that the highlight of Dumpwater is seeing "The Man Who Met Andy Griffith".
- Andy Griffith was an American actor who was best known for playing Sherriff Andy Taylor on the 1960 television sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show.
- At the time this two part episode aired, Griffith found renewed success as a television actor as he was starring in the legal drama, Matlock which ran from 1986 until 1995.
- After confronting the sheriff about Delbert stealing his camera and accuses him of being the killer, Al tells him "I know it, you know it and them (looks at Roy and Beanie playing cards)... well, if Darwin was right, they will know it in about a million years!".
- This is in reference to English naturalist and biologist, Charles Darwin, who was best known for his contributions to the science of evolution.
- During Peggy's time as a hostage, she tells the killer "Don't kill! Watch Phil!" referring to the The Phil Donahue Show.
Music[]
- The Bundys sing the last line from "Home! Sweet Home!" on their way back to Chicago.
Locations[]
Sets[]
- Peggy and Al's Poppy's by the Tree Motel Room
- Kelly and Bud's Poppy's by the Tree Motel Room
- Poppy's by the Tree Hallway
- Poppy's by the Tree Motel Lobby
- The Killer's Poppy's by the Tree Motel Room
- Bundy Living Room/Kitchen
Goofs[]
- When Al is blocking the killer's axe with his suitcase and they struggle for it, it is obvious that the axe is made of rubber, as the handle keeps bending.
- Al and Peg are upstairs with the killer. Both of them are screaming, but downstairs, you can't hear anything. Everyone is sitting around talking. It's not until Al and Peg scream again that everyone runs upstairs.
- After the sheriff reassures Al that he and his partner, Delbert are on the case, he folds his arm across his chest and tilts his head back in a cocky manner. The camera changes angles almost immediately and the sheriff now has arms down at his side and is looking at Al straight on.
- Near the end, when Roy tells the Bundys that the town has only two things "A serial killer and the man who met Andy Griffith!", it appears that Becky, the women in the turquoise blouse and jean shorts standing next to Beanie, is trying not to break character by laughing.
External Links[]
Poppy's by the Tree (Part 2) at the Internet Movie Database- Poppy's by the Tree (Part 2) on Bundyology
- Poppy's by the Tree (Part 2) - Transcript on albundy.net
- #15 Poppy's by the Tree - MWC Podcast on Horrorphilia
