The Quality of Mercy (S02E21)

Joel Redding, once a star on a popular soap opera, is grappling with the realities of middle age and life beyond the spotlight. He, along with his wife Sally and son Marshall, has relocated to a small town in hopes of establishing a more typical family existence. While assisting with a fundraiser for a local college theater, Monica, Tess, and Andrew notice rising tension between Joel and Marshall. The situation worsens when Joel begins an affair with a young actress. During one of his secret meetings, Sally has a serious accident while hanging a picture. Marshall discovers his injured mother and rushes her to the hospital, where he authorizes a risky surgery. When Joel finally returns from his escapade, Marshall confronts him in anger. Tess appears to Joel, urging him to recommit to his family and revealing that he was fired from the soap due to his age. Marshall struggles to forgive his father, leaving their relationship hanging in the balance.