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"What happens when denial finally shatters?" That's the question at the heart of this riveting Knots Landing episode that left me literally frozen in place until the credits rolled. Season 3, Episode 21 "China Dolls" delivers one of the most emotionally raw television experiences of the early 80s soap era. The episode centers on Valene's painful awakening to Gary and Abby's affair, which has been building in plain sight while she desperately clung to denial. The metaphor of a cat and mouse partnership—where trust is established only to be betrayed—perfectly captures the psychological dynamics at play. Laura finds herself in an impossible position when Karen encourages her to visit Richard at the psychiatric facility, despite him previously threatening her with a weapon. Richard's surprising self-awareness ("I thought you were the weak one... only when you left I realized it was the other way around") offers a stark contrast to Gary's self-destructive behavior. Meanwhile, Joe needs a date for a work dinner to fend off his flirtatious boss, leading to an unexpectedly sweet platonic evening with Ginger. The episode culminates in a scene that had viewers cheering—Valene confronting Abby directly about the affair, resulting in Abby's cruel taunt "I can have him anytime I want" and Valene delivering a satisfying slap across her face. Despite this moment of clarity and strength, we watch in dismay as Gary, obsessively watching Abby from windows throughout the episode, ultimately returns to her by the end. What makes this episode extraordinary isn't just the dramatic confrontations but the psychological truth beneath them. It reminds us that sometimes our worst enemy isn't the person betraying us, but our own unwillingness to see what's right in front of us. As the host reflects, "It's one thing for Gary to lie to you, it's another to lie to yourself." Want to share your thoughts on this explosive episode? Reach out at soaplorepodcast@gmail.com or text through the show notes on your mobile device.