EPI-LOG ARTICLE on Beauty
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Episode 27 (Season 2, Episode 5)
God Bless The Child
God Bless The Child (airdate: Dec 916, 1988). During the holidays, Catherine mans a Suicide Hotline at her desk. She is talking with a desperate young woman on the phone. Something about the woman and her plights brings Catherine to break the rules about personal involvement and asks the woman to meet her at a coffee shop. They meet and Catherine orders some soup for the young blonde woman, Lena. She is frightened, pregnant and alone. She tells Catherine of her dreams about having happiness. Catherine is touched and tells her that she will help. Catherine talks with Vincent on her balcony and tells him about Lena. She believes that there is something worth saving in this woman. Vincent promises to speak with Father. At the entrance to the tunnels in Catherine's building, Lena stands. Father is there and says that she was a prostitute. She doesn't deny the fact. He then explains about their world and that usually before they left anyone join, it takes a lot of preparation. Before he will let her enter their world, she must answer one question. "Why should we trust you?" Lena looks to Catherine who tells her to explain to Father what she is feeling. Lena tells him that she wants her child to grow up in a safe and loving environment. She will do anything to make sure that an innocent child will not suffer her mistakes. Father is moved and decides to accept her. Father explains to her about their world and how the pipes are used for communication. She has a labor pain and collapses. Father helps her to his chamber where Mary joins them. But it was just a false alarm although her time is close. Father and Lena are talking the next day when Samantha runs in with a present for Vincent. The penholder will be appreciated, Father tells her. Lena asks who Vincent is and Father's reply is, "One of us." The children sings a Christmas carol later on and Lena walks to them. She hears Father tell a story about Vincent after the children beg for it. He tells how Vincent was found and after that he tells of Paracelsus' banishment. Mary comes up and takes Lena back to lay down. Lena asks Mary who Vincent is. She tells her that he is someone who protects them and they protect him. Lena tells her she hopes that she will be able to meet him.
Vincent has gone deep within the tunnels to keep from frightening Lena. He is at the mirror pool, tossing stones. Lena comes up behind him. He pulls his hood over his head. Lena tries to see him but he just hides his face. Vincent puts his hand on her to make her stop, then she sees the hair there and isn't afraid. She takes his hood off and looks at him. They sit together and talk. A contraction hits her and Vincent takes her back to her chamber. Mary and Father comes to help. Lena holds onto Vincent's neck so she can relieve the pressure on her back. It is a hard labor but she comes through it okay to see her baby girl. Catherine comes the next day and sits with Lena. Lena tells Catherine about the birth and that she has never felt so safe. Vincent and Father walk in talking about names for the baby. Catherine quietens them saying that Lena might want to name her. Lena lets Vincent hold the baby and looks on them very radiantly. Catherine notes the look on her face. She is just a little too happy. The days pass and Lena becomes more and more in love with Vincent. One night she goes to his bedroom in her nightgown. She sits on his bed and he wakes up. He tells her she must cover herself, but she asks to spend the night with him. He gently tells her no, and she leaves, rejected. Vincent tells Catherine about Lena and that she has left. He blames himself. Catherine tells him she will try to find Lena. That night Catherine asks a hooker if she knows a Lena. The hooker doesn't but Catherine is so desperate that she tells her about a man, Maurice, who might help. Catherine goes to Maurice's. He flashes a light in her face and tells her to give him her purse. All he finds is $25. He tells her it isn't enough and she replies she'll have to owe him. Since she is so determined, he gives her Lena's address. Lena is putting on her makeup when Catherine arrives. She tries to get Lena to come back to her baby and to remember the safety and sense of belonging. They are there if Lena wants them. Lena tells her to go. As Catherine starts to leave, she asks her to stay. They hug and Lena sadly says "I love him". Catherine says "So do I." Vincent holds the baby in one arm and a torch in the other. Vincent gives Lena her baby and welcomes her home. They have a naming ceremony later on. Father welcomes the baby to the Tunnel World. Lena then tells them the name for her baby - Catherine.
Guest Cast: Katy Boyer as Lena, Willard E. Pugh as Maurice, Lisa Loving as the waitress, Dendrie Taylor as the hooker, Cory Danziger as Kipper, Zachary Rosencrantz as Zach, Marcie Leeds as Samantha
Writer: Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon
Director: Gus Trikonis.