| “ | Dr. Mary Albright : This is a small office and you are behaving like a big hose-monkey. Dick Solomon : You're not so bad yourself, woman. |
” |
"Brains And Eggs" is the pilot episode of 3rd Rock from the Sun. The episode starts with a crew of aliens coming to earth on a research mission disguised as the typical human family.
Plot[]
In the town of Rutherford, Ohio, the aliens appear in their human forms aboard a 1963 Rambler convertible. The High Commander has become family patriarch Dick Solomon, the Security Officer is his sister Sally and the Information Officer (who is actually the oldest of the aliens) has become Tommy, Dick's teenage son. Another alien, who has no obvious purpose yet, has taken on the form of Dick's brother Harry.
The first discovery they all make is that none of them can swivel their heads around a hundred and eighty degrees and thus cannot lick their backs. Shortly thereafter, Dick scrounges up a job as a physics professor at nearby Pendelton State University and the aliens rent a loft apartment from Mrs. Mamie Dubcek, who remains their landlady for the rest of the series. At work, Dick becomes smitten with Dr. Mary Albright, an anthropology professor with whom he shares an office. When he accidentally upsets Mary, he discovers emotions, which the aliens previously had no knowledge of. Intrigued and confused by the concept, Dick takes the family to a party at the Dean's house, where he apologizes to Mary there and she somewhat returns his affections. He later tells the rest of his crew that humans must be more complex than they ever thought and decides they will remain on Earth to further study the human condition. The rest of the aliens believe he actually wants to stay due to his infatuation with Mary, but Dick has his way since he is High Commander.
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Dick Solomon - John Lithgow
- Sally Solomon - Kristen Johnston
- Harry Solomon - French Stewart
- Tommy Solomon - Joseph Gordon-Levitt
- Dr. Mary Albright - Jane Curtin
Guest Stars[]
- Nina Campbell - Simbi Khali
- Mrs. Mamie Dubcek - Elmarie Wendel
- Leon - Ian Lithgow
- Bug Pollone - David DeLuise
- Caryn - Danielle Nicolet
- Mrs. Sumner - Jennifer Rhodes
Production[]
Set Differences[]
The sets seen in this episode are markedly different from those used later in the show's run. For instance, the Solomons' loft apartment doesn't have a staircase and the room is instead entered through the door that would later lead to Dick's bedroom.
In Dick and Mary's office, Dick has the desk that would later become Mary's and vice versa. Also, most of the set dressing in the office is different and it is entered through the door that later leads to Nina's office.
The sets were altered in "Truth or Dick", the next episode to be filmed, and they remained largely unchanged for the remainder of the show's run.
Filming[]
This episode is actually the second version of the pilot to be filmed. Originally, Dick's love interest was to be a secretary, but, after the first pilot, it became apparent to the show's producers that the aliens bounced off everything and that "straight" comic foils were required. The love interest was subsequently rewritten to be a fellow professor and a new character, Nina Campbell, became the secretary.
Nina was added since it was thought that an "edge in the office" was needed. Jane Curtin and Simbi Khali joined the cast two weeks after the rest of the regulars.
Trivia[]
- The production code of the episode is 101.
- Physicist Brian Greene has written dialogue for John Lithgow's character.
- This is the first episode directed by James Burrows and the first written by Bonnie & Terry Turner.
Gallery[]
