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Noel Buys a Suit

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Episode Details

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Synopsis

When Noel’s dad decides to get married again, Noel is not so sure he likes the idea. Gayle is ruining everything, changing the house around, and she does not like the terrific checked suit Noel has bought for the wedding.

Plot

Noel Canard’s father is preparing to remarry, introducing a new stepmother, Gayle, into the household. Noel is struggling with the changes, as Gayle has begun redecorating the house and altering the way things used to be. To get ready for the upcoming wedding, Noel’s father gives him money to go buy a suit. Proud of his independence, Noel insists on going shopping alone. He falls in love with a loud, checkered jacket that he feels is “practical” because the salesman told him it goes with everything.

When he brings the suit home, Gayle is polite but clearly dislikes the bold pattern, as she prefers everything to be “neutral” and plain. She insists on buying him a plain navy shirt to tone down the outfit, claiming “less is more.” Noel takes offense, feeling that Gayle is trying to control him just like she is controlling the house decoration. He refuses to wear the shirt and locks himself in his room, threatening to skip the wedding entirely.

Gayle attempts to talk to Noel through the locked door. She explains that she isn’t trying to replace his late mother or push him out, but that she is trying to find her own place within the family. They reach an understanding. At the wedding, Noel wears his checkered suit, and Gayle accepts his unique style, marking the beginning of their new family dynamic.

Cast

Main Cast:

Supporting Cast:

Crew

Trivia

  • This is the first episode not to feature Cookie.
  • This is the first episode not to directly involve Ida in the main story.
  • According to the end credits, Moore’s provided the location for the suit shopping scene, but not the suit itself.
  • The church scene was filmed at Woodgreen United Church, though it is not identified by name in the episode.
  • This episode marks the shift where stories began to revolve more around Lisa and her friends.
  • Chuck makes a reference to Bugs Bunny when discussing rabbits eating carrots.

Transcript

Don: Avocado green and canary yellow. Don’t look at me, I don’t choose them, I just put them on. Well, who’s this for anyway? Remember that job I told you I put the new sink in? You want me to paint the whole downstairs? You better get going, Dad.

Noel: Bye. So, I guess we’re all ready to start on Monday, eh?
Don: Yep.
Noel: Noel, what’s for supper? We’re having chicken tonight. Okay if I ask Gail over?
Don: Sure, that’s okay. All right, I’ll be right back, okay? Wanna come to dinner tonight?
Noel: Sure.

(Later at dinner)
Gayle: Hey, you know what I’d like to do? What would you like to do? I’d like to paint this whole house before the wedding.
Don: In a week?
Gayle: Mm-hmm. What color? I don’t know, something practical that matches with everything. Less is more, if you know what I mean.
Don: Well, I suppose so. I’ve spent enough time fixing up other people’s houses, I guess it’s time this one was redone.

Ida: I like pink. Or red.
Chuck: Pink and red, pink and red’s for girls.
Ida: No, I’m telling you, it’s carrots, rabbits eat carrots.
Chuck: And I said rabbits should eat greens, I read it.
Ida: Yeah, well, I saw it on TV.
Chuck: Where, on a cartoon? You feed your rabbits carrots, don’t you?
Noel: Sometimes. Sometimes I feed them vitamin supplements. As long as they get food when they’re hungry.

Chuck: Speaking of food, does anybody want to get a donut?
Noel: I can’t. I gotta go shopping with my dad. He’s buying me a new suit for the wedding.
Ida: So they’re really doing it, eh? Next week. Do you like her?
Noel: She’s fine, but she’s changing the house, though. That’s not too good.

(Suit Shopping)
Friend: Hey, Noel! I thought you’re going. Where’s your dad?
Noel: You gave me the money. I’m going alone.
Friend: I gave you the money. My mother would never trust me like that.
Noel: My dad has confidence in me.
Friend: You shouldn’t go alone. We need someone to tell you if it looks good. Come on, we’ll give you a hand.

Salesman: May I help you? I need a suit. I see, and just what did you have in mind?
Noel: Something cheap.
Salesman: I think you might be interested in looking at our sales rack right this way.
Friend: You shouldn’t have said cheap. What was I supposed to say?

Noel: Boy, look at this one. Nice colors. Looks like what hockey players wear. Good price. Try it on. You think my dad will like it?
Friend: Sure, he likes hockey, doesn’t he? How’s it fit?
Noel: Pretty good, I think. Let’s see. Hey, it looks nice. Sleeves are a little long.
Salesman: Roll them up. It fits okay. Yes, yes, that’s smart.

Noel: Nothing like a tie to just pull an outfit together. It is practical, isn’t it? I mean, can I wear it anywhere?
Salesman: Anywhere and everywhere. This is the type of suit that goes with anything and everything.

(Back at home)
Gayle: It’s practical. It’s the kind of suit that goes with anything.
Noel: Oh, neutral? What do you mean?
Gayle: Well, you know, it means it goes with everything.
Noel: That’s right. Everything and anything. Great choice.

Gayle: Look, um, Noel, why don’t I buy you a new shirt to go with your suit?
Noel: You don’t have to.
Gayle: Well, I know I don’t have to, but I’d really like to. Come on, let’s see what size you are.
Noel: Your hands are wet.
Gayle: Sorry. You’re choking me. Oh, Noel, look.
Noel: Just do it yourself, okay? You don’t have to do this. I can buy my own clothes. And on top of that, she’s been changing everything around. I can’t find things in my own house anymore.

(Later in Noel’s room)
Noel: It will look terrible. Everybody knows stripes and checks don’t go. I told her I can buy my own clothes.
Friend: She did this on purpose. Didn’t you tell her what your suit looks like?
Noel: Of course I did. She knew very well it was neutral. You told her it was neutral? Yeah, isn’t it? If it’s neutral, I’ll eat my hat. What’s neutral then? Plain. Neutral is plain.

Noel: Probably because she wants it neutral, the way she likes it. She wants everything her way. You sure didn’t buy a neutral suit. You better think of something. She’ll be mad.

(Showing the suit)
Gayle: Great. Let’s have a look at it. Oh, Noel, you call this neutral? Don’t laugh at me. Oh, I’m sorry, Noel. Who is neutral anyway? You’re the one who wants everything neutral around here.
Noel: No, I don’t. What do you mean? I’m not going to go away, even if you send me.
Gayle: My dad needs you. Send you away? Noel, what are you talking about? I don’t have to do anything if I don’t want to. And I’m not going to wear that stupid shirt to the wedding. In fact, I’m not even going to go to your stupid wedding.

(At the bedroom door)
Gayle: Noel, come on. Let me in, please. I’ll always need you.
Noel: More than you know. You’re my son. But she’s not my mother. My real mother’s dead. We don’t need her. I need Gail.
Gayle: I love her. She’s going to be my wife. I hope you can learn to accept that.

Gayle: You didn’t have to wear the shirt, you know. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. Oh, Noel. I’m so sorry I hurt yours. I guess I have a lot to learn about living in a family. We better get going.

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