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The Powers That Be
S2.E6
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IMDbPro

Sophie's Big Decision

  • Episode aired Jul 30, 2001
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
18
YOUR RATING
Robert Picardo and Robin Bartlett in The Powers That Be (1992)
Comedy

Sophie's ex-boyfriend returns with plans to drag her back to New Jersey; Bradley, Jordan and Margaret each try to get big-name guests to show up at a party.Sophie's ex-boyfriend returns with plans to drag her back to New Jersey; Bradley, Jordan and Margaret each try to get big-name guests to show up at a party.Sophie's ex-boyfriend returns with plans to drag her back to New Jersey; Bradley, Jordan and Margaret each try to get big-name guests to show up at a party.

  • Director
    • Hal Cooper
  • Writers
    • David Crane
    • Marta Kauffman
    • Graham Yost
  • Stars
    • John Forsythe
    • Holland Taylor
    • Eve Gordon
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    18
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Hal Cooper
    • Writers
      • David Crane
      • Marta Kauffman
      • Graham Yost
    • Stars
      • John Forsythe
      • Holland Taylor
      • Eve Gordon
    • 1User review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Top cast11

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    John Forsythe
    John Forsythe
    • Sen. William Franklin Powers
    Holland Taylor
    Holland Taylor
    • Margaret Powers
    Eve Gordon
    Eve Gordon
    • Jordan Miller
    Peter MacNicol
    Peter MacNicol
    • Bradley Grist
    Valerie Mahaffey
    Valerie Mahaffey
    • Caitlyn Van Horne
    David Hyde Pierce
    David Hyde Pierce
    • Theodore Van Horne
    Elizabeth Berridge
    Elizabeth Berridge
    • Charlotte
    Joseph Gordon-Levitt
    Joseph Gordon-Levitt
    • Pierce Van Horne
    • (credit only)
    Robin Bartlett
    Robin Bartlett
    • Sophie Lipkin
    Robert Picardo
    Robert Picardo
    • Larry Yablonsky
    Max Wright
    Max Wright
    • Justice Reynolds
    • Director
      • Hal Cooper
    • Writers
      • David Crane
      • Marta Kauffman
      • Graham Yost
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    6.618
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    Featured reviews

    9kevinolzak

    Episode 13 "Sophie's Big Decision" features Robert Picardo

    This 13th episode begins in the office, where Jordan is talking on the phone with Henry Kissinger, relating the story of how she ended up in Dick Cheney's pool the last time she saw him (Jordan: "hello, I'm trying to reach a simpering, spineless toady named Bradley Grist!" Bradley: "he's not here but there's a whimpering, panty-less bed-hopper named Jordan Miller!"). Margaret plans a lavish party to honor Supreme Court Justice Michael Patrick Reynolds (Max Wright), hoping to cash in on the good publicity, and does not wish to advise Sophie on getting accustomed to Washington (Margaret: "for the last time Bill, I will not play Henry Higgins to your illegitimate daughter's Eliza Doolittle!" Bill: "well at least think about it!" Margaret: "I have thought about it Bill and frankly, I would much rather give that Roseanne woman a sponge bath!"). The Senator finally breaks down his wife's resistance (Margaret: "William Powers, are you blackmailing me?" Bill: "that's a harsh word Margaret!" Margaret: "Bill, Bill, Bill...we're going to make a politician of you yet!"). Complications set in with the unexpected arrival of Larry Yablonsky (Robert Picardo, "The Howling," STAR TREK: VOYAGER), Sophie's old flame, who wants her to return with him to New Jersey. After much soul searching, she decides to leave DC, which only Theodore acknowledges (Theodore: "you're leaving forever aren't you?" Sophie: "don't tell anybody, I couldn't stand to see Pop so sad, or Margaret so happy!" Theodore: "can I ask you something...take me with you!" Sophie: "you know Scarecrow, I think I'm gonna miss you most of all!" Theodore: "I'm gonna miss you too Dorothy!"). Things do not start out well at Margaret's party, as Bill tries to break the ice with Justice Reynolds, asking if they have to buy their robes (Bill: "he gave me a very strange look!" Bradley: "you mean the kind of look that says I have a towering intellect, but your IQ can be measured on a thermometer, that look?" Bill: "that's the one!"). When Sophie proves herself a hit with Reynolds, she changes her mind and decides to stay. Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Pierce does not appear in this episode.

    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Présentateur vedette: La légende de Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      As Sophie is leaving, she mentions that she has been studying the Supreme Court in Night School, and "tonight we're doing the chapter on Clarence Thomas." This reminds her that "we're out of Classic Coke at the office." This is a reference to the sensational testimony of Dr Anita Hill during Thomas's 1991 confirmation hearing in the Senate, which involved sexual harassment and a can of Coca Cola. (Sophie drops the subject there, though the audience reaction confirms that the details of the incident were well known at the time.)
    • Quotes

      Sophie Lipkin: We're studying the Supreme Court in Night School. Tonight we're doing the chapter on Clarence Thomas. Oooh, that reminds me - we're out of Classic Coke at the office.

    • Soundtracks
      The Powers That Be
      Music by Marvin Hamlisch

      Lyrics by Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman

      Performed by Stephen Bishop

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • July 30, 2001 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Production companies
      • Act III Television
      • Castle Rock Entertainment
      • Columbia Pictures Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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