Synopsis: |
Maggie develops an allergy to dust mites, microscopic bugs that live in carpets,
mattresses, and basically everywhere. During an examination, Joel asks Maggie
out on a date as a fresh start, but she is so preoccupied that she doesn't even
hear him. Obsessing over the idea of bugs crawling all over her, Maggie frantically
sterilizes her house. When Joel stops by to ask her out a second time, he is
successful and they have a wonderfully romantic "first date" until he tries
to kiss her. She freaks out over bacteria and ends the date. Joel tries to convinced
her that we are all part of a giant ecosystem, but she remains defensive and
irrational. When she dreams about a human-like dust mite that has a wife and
kids and everyday troubles like real folks, Maggie sees that life is a collective
symphony and gives Joel a warm and passionate kiss.
Maurice is looking
to invest in a rare violin and enlists the help of a concert violinist, Calvin
Ingraham (guest star Simon
Templeman), to ensure the instrument is genuine. When Cal tries it out,
he is deeply moved by its magnificence. Once the transaction is completed, Maurice
locks it away in the safe to appreciate in value and Cal is concerned that,
if not played, it will lose its tone. Insane with desperation, Cal plants a
bomb in Maurice's car, which explodes, leaving Maurice unharmed but shaken.
Maurice comes to realize that it was a crime of passion and brings the violin
to Calvin for him to play while incarcerated.
Chris is welding
a steel statue of a naked woman and reaches a frustrating artistic impasse.
After talking with Maggie about her dust mite situation, he finds his inspiration
in the idea of an unseen civilization. He sculpts a human-sized dust mite with
the human form implied, as a metaphor that life is dirty.
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Trivia
(Production Bible): |
Kate noticed it, so did I: does anyone else see a resemblance between Cal and
former No Ex scribe Jeff Vlaming?
I'd give a paycheck
just to hear Joel say "F**king O'Connell, get a grip already!"
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