Episode #422 "The Song Remains the Same"

Dr. Sheila Ball, a pop psychologist with a book called "The Passion Zone" about how couples can keep passion in the relationship forever, is doing a book-signing at the Hardback Café. Dr. Sheila observes Darien's behavior with Erica and correctly surmises that they're married. Darien took the chair and left Erica standing; Erica assures her that he wouldn't have done that when they were dating. Hilton wonders why passion can't be found in the quiet of a couple sitting together on a couch. Dr. Sheila asks if this involves one party watching sports on TV. When Hilton answers affirmatively, Dr. Sheila says this could lead to trouble in a marriage. Later Griffin and Hilton are commenting on Dr. Sheila's talk and Ruth points out that they can make fun of Dr. Sheila, but they sold almost every copy of her book tonight. Hilton tells everyone that what keeps the passion in his and Ruth's relationship is the "Mathis," which is to say that if you want passion, you have to put on the correct music. In fact it appears that Hilton's Johnny Mathis tape is entirely worn out. Erica says not to worry; she and Darien will look for another one tomorrow at the flea market. Darien says he's been working so much that he'd really like to sleep in the morning. Erica points out to him that according to Dr. Sheila, he's snipping another passion string. Later Hilton tells Ruth that clearly Darien hasn't yet learned one of the great truths of marriage; ninety percent of marriage is being dragged off to do something you don't want to do and pretending to like it. Hilton and Ruth agree that they made their marriage work before there were a lot of books on the subject. Ruth observes that they did put in their share of work keeping things together. The next day Erica complains to Hilton that she and Darien always went to the flea market together; it was their place. It belonged to them. Erica says that her marriage is in trouble; all the danger signs are there, and she didn't recognize them until she read Dr. Sheila's book. Hilton tells Erica that she's the one messing up the marriage; she didn't have any of these so-called problems until she read the book. Marriage is a long dance, and occasionally you step on each other's feet, but you have to feel the music and go with it. At the bookstore, Ruth talks to Darien about his problems with Erica. Ruth reminds Darien that he and Erica have gone to the flea market every month since they've been together; it's even the place where he first told Erica he loved her. He and Erica have a special place that belongs to them. It's the same with Hilton. He loves his Mathis, because it brings them back to a place that's as fresh today as it was during the first dance at their wedding. Darien tries to make-up with Erica, but she's still angry. She doesn't want to be taken for granted and she wants him to want her even though he has her. Darien says that Erica is his flea market and always will be. Even though she knows that's weird, she's charmed. They go to the flea market and come back with a surprise for Hilton, a replacement copy of Hilton's favorite tape, "Wonderful, Wonderful" by Johnny Mathis.