We begin our story with "The New Actor." It's been two weeks since Scott was fired
as station manager and kicked out, which was approximately May 11 - he claimed a
job was waiting for him the following week in California, but Maple says that she
saw him that week, "last week," working on the docks. This episode occurs about May
24-27, 1941. Jeff hears American traitor Jonathan Arnold broadcasting from Germany
and prepares to leave again for London and the BBC to do his bit for the war
effort. Scott is hired as an actor to replace him, and Scott and Hilary immediately
reach a truce over Hilary's name (namely, that he will use it and not tease her
with Hildy and the like). This simple exchange signals a change in their
relationship and, in fact, he respects her wishes and never does it again. Hilary
is devastated by Jeff's leaving, of course, but from the start, Scott is stepping
in to Jeff's role. Literally, his roles. And for Hilary, it always starts there.
The next episode, "Two For the Price of One," is the next day. It's Scott's first day and Jeff is "on his way" to London. Through news broadcasts, it is dated around May 28. Scott is introduced as Simmons, the gardener on Bedside Manor. Simmons is quite interested in the lady of the house, and Hilary is scared witless, going so far as to flee the room. Scott delights in his role of sexually teasing Hilary. The banter is very similar to Jeff and Hilary's, especially in "I Now Pronounce You..." - or, it would be if Hilary would banter back! But the groundwork has been laid further. Scott, Hilary and Jeff all share the same teasing/verbal sparring as foreplay quirk. Jeff himself says that exchanging curses is a prelude to exchanging vows and Scott and Hilary follow the exact same path. Scott always flirted with Hilary, but she freezes here without Jeff to stand behind. Unlike other men she's flirted with, Scott is her equal in just about every way and that's new and a bit scary. Without Jeff, it's more dangerous and they need to find a new balance.
Next comes "The Importance of Being Betty," dated in the episode as June 1. Jeff and Hilary haven't been able to speak in two weeks [see
timeline note], possibly since he left. Scott is having definite money problems - remarks are made in a variety of episodes about his demotion and current minuscule salary rate, and in "Nothing Up My Sleeve," he goes fishing for loose change in coffee.
As Scott was let go from his manager position in mid-May, it's quite likely that the rent on wherever he has been staying runs out in early to mid June. He would then need to find a cheaper place to live. Hilary is currently down a household income with Jeff gone, and it would be logical for Scott to move in with Hilary at this time. If there is no guest room, he could rent Jeff's den for a small price, allowing him time to find a place of his own and Hilary to have income coming in to help with household expenses. Coming out of the depression, this would not be seen as odd, but common sense. They've certainly come to a truce by this point, and would be willing to use each other.
Several weeks pass before the next episode, "Mr. and Mrs. Singer," which is tentatively dated at July 20. Pavla comes and drops the bomb that not only was Jeff and Hilary's second wedding not legally binding, Jeff has already gone and married her instead. Even before Pavla's visit, Scott noticed how much Hilary was missing Jeff and made it part of his job to distract her in many ways. In a change, though, he wasn't always teasing her. They had a genuinely friendly and relaxed conversation where he agreed to stick to the script that afternoon - it was, possibly, their first conversation shown with no teasing or sarcasm involved. When Hilary stumbles into the studio after her talk with Pavla, Scott is very concerned over her behavior and actually catches her when she falls. Typically, he watches her fall down. After the visit, while Mackie brings heartbroken Hilary home, "Scotty" stays behind to be the first to talk to Pavla (or Pablo) and to start planning the trick on her. When setting up the con with Betty, he made sure to dig at Pavla, which Pavla definitely recognized. He has Hilary's concern at heart, and in return, she becomes the only woman outside of long-time friend Maple to call him Scotty as a truly affectionate nickname. They've grown closer and he's protective.
Following this is "Nothing Up My Sleeve," definitely dated as July 27-28. Staff concern over Hilary's welfare indicates that the events of "Mr. and Mrs. Singer" happened recently - possibly about a week earlier. Scott and Mackie are especially concerned and Hilary is, to quote Scott, vulnerable to Alan Ballenger's trickery.
Including "Nothing Up My Sleeve," there are eight episodes that run directly after each other with no days in between. The two following those complete the third season and takes us to the end of the month in August. Things move quickly now.
Neither were visible much during "A Star in Stripes Forever," dated approximately at July 29-30. In fact, they had only one scene together, where they walked past each other in the hallway without saying a word. This is highly unusual for both of them - what changes could be happening in their relationship so shortly after Ballenger's leave?
"A Girl Like Maple," approximately dated July 31-August 2, sees a lot of Scott and Hilary action. In addition to the parallels of "The Hands of Time," where Brent is torn between two wives, Scott kisses Hilary on the cheek and enjoys it very much. She doesn't react with the same terror as his come-ons as Simmons, but stands her ground and slaps his face. It's our thought that they slept together for the first time the night before that scene. She's very off-balance emotionally after Jeff, Pavla and Alan, and they have clearly gotten closer as the season progresses. Add alcohol, friendship, close proximity and sexual frustration into the mix, and it's more than possible. The smooch on air is one more way for Scott to distract her from the heartache in her life. Later, when Maple has taken over her role, Scott chooses to side with Maple. This frustrates and upsets Hilary, rather than angers her - and then she goes along with it! A marked change from Hilary in scenes past, but she only does it once Scott has made his choice.
The night is the reading of "From The Pen of Gertrude Reece," likely August 3. This is Gertie's script, cast with her friends in what she sees as their roles to each other, and she has some interesting ideas. Hilary is naturally upset with Jeff throughout, but it's notable that when Jeff asks her what she wants, she asks him to get her Scott. At this point, it's already been established that Scott doesn't sit at the tables, so why a second request? Narratively, it's unnecessary, so this is a pointed line. When Jeff refuses, she complains that Jeff won't keep her company and "Scotty Dog" won't sit for her - the two men are linked in her mind. At the end, when she and Gertie are trying to figure out who Betty chose for herself, she immediately leapt to the conclusion that it was Victor over Scott and was dismayed to realize Scotty was still in Betty's competition. "Oh, cripes," indeed.
The two banter playfully throughout "Eugenia Bremer, Master Spy," dated about August 4-6. On air, they make an offer to cook, together, for the next listener who calls in and Scott makes a comment about her cooking - it's possible he's referring to "Close Quarters," but could easily refer to their status as housemates. It's another throwaway line that could mean something more. While the cast works on the "chain gang," and Hilary bypasses it, Scott alone is frustrated - no one else is surprised. By this point, Scott has higher expectations for her and is disappointed when she doesn't hit them.
Hilary also has high expectations for Scott, but he meets hers. She describes Scotty as her dream lawyer in "Courting Disaster," which spans approximately August 7-8, and one of her characterizations is that her happiness is one of his biggest concerns. She knows exactly who she wants and what their relationship is. She has learned that she can count on him to be on her side always and fight for her. In short, he has taken Jeff's place as the one she depends on. In addition, the courtroom scenes are very interesting. They begin with her gazing at him, nearly adoringly, and throughout them, they meet each other's eyes to communicate without speech and touch often. When Maple tosses out Hilary's accomplishments from the legal complaint, he looks to her in concern, not teasing, and pats her hand reassuringly. A week ago, he would be laughing at the trick Maple is pulling, but now, Hilary is the most important person in their triangle. During Drake Stanley's summation, his arm was resting on the back of the chair, comfortingly around her, while he leaned in protectively. They are very comfortable together by this point. There are still rough patches - watch how she expects him to give her the water he poured, but he drinks it. They remain themselves throughout their relationship, but the edges are smoothed.
"Caller ID," two episodes later and dated approximately August 21, is another important episode. Scott appears to go home and get Hilary to bring her to the station, as they walk in together with Hilary in her negligee, bantering very familiarly. A few minutes later, Scott tells her and Eugenia that he just called Maple after finding her phone number in the little black book that he used to carry on his person. Hilary's response is of instant jealousy - she faces away from Scott at first, with the hurt face generally seen as a response to Jeff, and then turns towards him with her verbal claws splayed. Scott recognizes her jealousy immediately. He smirks as she glares, their eyes meeting as they lean towards each other. Later, during the mixed-up crossover broadcast, Hilary states flat-out that she needs to choose between Brent (Jeff) and Philip (Scott). The Hands of Time has always been used as a parallel to the station's lives, and this is no exception. It's especially important to note because the next episode is Jeff's return.
The "Happy Homecomings" of Jeff and Victor happened on September 1. Scott was so busy with the code that he never even knew that Jeff was back. Hilary, for her part, is crushed by Jeff's return and gives an emotional ultimatum to Betty.
Immediately after this comes "Some Time, Some Station," also set entirely on September 1. Like Hilary with Victor, it took awhile for Jeff's presence to sink in for Scott. Scott didn't even look surprised at any point, just concerned for Hilary. When faced between continuing to poke an unresponsive Eugenia or protecting Hilary, he jumped for Hilary. He held her back, supported her, and, all right, watched her collapse down to the floor. (At least he noticed, though, unlike Jeff!) He quickly joined her on the floor and took over questioning Jeff on her behalf. This created an interesting framing of the trio, with Hilary in the middle and leaning from one to the other. When Jeff seems to be winning Hilary over, professing his enduring love for her, Maple looks sympathetically at Scott while Scott rolls his eyes at Jeff's words. He doesn't want to see Hilary hurt again.
"You've Met Your Match" happens on approximately September 7. Hilary goes to great lengths to say that she's single - multiple times in a short scene, directed only to Gertie. She is covering her tracks - we think Scott has recently proposed marriage, probably to perpetuate some kind of con, perhaps as a way to gain an inheritance. She can't believe she's even considering it, but she's so broken and furious with Jeffrey. It's a temporary con to help Scott and gives her the emotional support that she needs now that Jeff is back. Of course, that doesn't mean she can't still make Jeff jealous. Ultimately it backfires, and despite her trying to land Victor (safe, dear friend Victor), she ends up with Scott and Jeff ends up with Betty. The main couples have made a complete switch. In her fury, we think she agrees to marry Scott and they do it that night.
The next episode, "And if I Die Before I Sleep," spans about September 10-15. Jeff is all of a sudden back into Hilary's good graces. She's speaking with him, allowing him to touch her multiple times, from a back rub to support while she cries, and the very familiar way he wakes her up. After the matchmaking debacle and subsequent marriage, she's feeling a bit guilty.
There are amusing sequences with Scott, Betty, Hilary and lack of clothing throughout "Hilary's Agent," which covers approximately September 20-27. When he sees Betty starting to strip to her slip, he doesn't react as one might think. He briefly admires the view and then is nonchalant while Betty panics. He doesn't even smile. Contrast that to watching Hilary strip - he has a big grin on his face and is pleased with the view - until Betty covers his eyes and he pouts.
"Birth of a Station," around September 30, plays up the relationship between Scott and Jeff more than anything! Despite that, there were nice Scott and Hilary moments. One was when, during Scott's plea for a doctor with a ham radio, Hilary jumps in, leans close to Scott and announces that "we're having a baby!" Now that's a Freudian slip!
The next episode, "Pratfall," is dated October 9-10 and is a very strong Scott/Hilary episode. The two work together through the entire two days. After lying in wait in the men's lounge, Hilary drags Scott into the writer's room. Throughout the scene, they stand close and lean into each other. They make a point to snark about each other's potential romantic partners, as well. When Scott gives a whistle, Hilary's first question is if he has found a picture of her. When he shows her the letter, she steps into his arms and sighs, "Oh, Scotty!" Later, when Jeff and Hilary are fighting and Scott interrupts, the threesome are framed as Scott and Hilary vs. Jeff. When Jeff storms off and Hilary tries to follow, Scott stops her to remind her that Jeff could be the one voting for the PRAT award. He's looking out for her all the time. He watches as Hilary goes to suck up, and rolls his eyes and leaves in disgust when she professes adoration for her ex-husband. At the awards show, Scott and Hilary are seated together, as are Jeff and Betty. When Scott loses, Hilary is sympathetic and pats his arm before trailing her hand down his arm. At the end, Jeff goes to get Hilary's coat, but Scott is the one she leaves with (his arm comfortably around her). Logical, if they are still housemates. Hilary certainly wouldn't have let Jeff move back in. In addition, Hilary has conned the con man - Scott admires this greatly. He also admires the gentle flirting technique she employs to get him to keep her secret.
The two are very cranky with each other throughout "Workshift," which takes place around October 24-25 - there's no teasing or bickering to be seen. There's one comment about Scott always being underneath Hilary, but their hearts aren't in it. They are both very frustrated, although it doesn't devolve into mean sniping like it would have a year earlier. At the end, they go off together to fight Sage, leaving Betty behind. And Betty is perfectly fine with that.
Two episodes later, around November 17, we have "The Sunset Also Rises." This is a very Scott/Hilary centric episode, as they are now the stars of Gertie's second script. Although Betty tries to be Norma to Scott's Joe, she fails miserably and admits it. Of the many pairings attempted, the only one to work is Scott and Hilary. Jeff and Hilary didn't even get a shot. There are fewer parallels to life at the station than "Rendezvous in Rabat," but it's clear that Scott and Hilary are the couple of choice. Watch Hilary's hand slide down Scott's chest in an early scene - and watch him jump as she grabs down low out of frame, not to mention their tango (and Charleston). This is Gertie's view of them, and Gertie knows everything.
"All's Noisy on the Pittsburgh Front," the series finale two episodes later, is another critical episode despite the fact that they share no scenes. Scott joined the army the week before, on December 8, 1941. He kept it a secret from Betty and the others, but he's sure to have told Hilary. For one, they live together. For another, he's seen the devastation that has resulted each time Jeff left for the war. He's protective of her and wouldn't want to inflict a painful surprise like that. So when Jeff tells Hilary that he's planning on enlisting, she panics. It's not just that she doesn't want Jeff to go again, which is bad enough, but that she's already losing Scott. Scott has been her rock while Jeff was gone, and she can't possibly lose both of them at once. She impulsively tells Jeff that she'll marry him. She knows that she's already married, but presumably figures that she can extend the engagement or that even a pretend marriage to Jeff will keep him from joining up. Or, most likely, had not thought that far ahead and only knew that she had to keep Jeff in Pittsburgh. When Jeff catches on to her plan, the proposal is off the table. Then he's rejected from the army and proposes to her one last time - but now, worn down by Scott's imminent departure and her relief at Jeff's staying, she can admit the truth. She's married. She's Mrs. Scott Sherwood.
The foreshadowing to this revelation started nearly twenty episodes earlier, in a completely different season. With that kind of build up, it's easy to imagine that much of the planned fifth season would have been devoted to the fall out. Without it, though, we can only infer what Rupert Holmes intended. There are many different possible endings, as well as interpretations. Would Scott and Hilary have stayed together? Would it have been Scott and Betty and Hilary and Jeff? Betty and Victor? Maple and Victor? Betty and Jeff? There is episodic support for all of the above.
We, however, believe that Scott and Hilary would have been the triumphing couple. From the first time Scott and Hilary laid eyes on each other, there were sparks. Sparks of anger and distrust, sure, but that's Hilary's style! Look at her explosive relationship with Jeff. She held back because of her love for Jeffrey. Once he had destroyed her trust and broken her heart, however, the bets were off. Hilary, as co-dependent as she is, needed a new support system. Scott had always been there, and now he was feeling down about losing Betty's respect. Scott and Hilary were, from day one, well matched. Hilary is a very smart and educated woman, with a lot of life experiences behind her. Scott is her equal in ways that young and idealistic Jeffrey couldn't be. Hilary, likewise, is very much Scott's usual type of woman - she's got the brains, the looks and, let's face it - the sexual history. When they are together, sparks fly.
They clearly and canonically got closer after Jeff left. They spent more time with each other on screen, their teasing escalated, they gazed at each other and took every opportunity to touch each other. Rupert Holmes told fans that they married each other. Does that equal love? No. Not exactly. But as their friendship developed and the marriage happened, we believe that they did begin to fall in love with each other. They might not have realized it yet, and definitely would not admit it if they had. But the feelings are there - it's shown in the writing and in the acting.
Would Scott and Hilary have struggled through the marriage fall-out and emerged with the idea of staying married to each other and giving up on Jeff and Betty? That's our theory, and we're sticking to it.
