The Custody Battle

 was the 12th episode of Season 1 of The Golden Girls TV series, also the 12th overall series episode. Directed by Terry Hughes and written by series co-executive producer Susan Harris and Winifred Hervey, it originally aired on NBC-TV on December 7, 1985.

Summary
Sophia is faced with a new living decision when her other daughter Gloria arrives in town and wants her to move to California with her. Sophia agrees which puts her relationship with Dorothy under more tension than it already is.

Plot
Dorothy and Sophia are trying to get the house ready for Gloria's visit, clearly Sophia's making trouble, Blanche and Rose are double dating for Blanche to get the part of Lady Macbeth, Sophia then gives Dorothy a date but Dorothy tells her to stop this and give her space. Afterwards Sophia won't stop talking about Dorothy's space.

Gloria comes, planning to stay at a hotel but Sophia twists her arm and she stays in Dorothy's room. Dorothy and Gloria talk about their childhood, then about their small feud due to Gloria marrying into money and Dorothy's bad luck with love. She reveals she wants Dorothy visit her as Sophia has agreed to move to California. Dorothy the next morning speaks to Sophia who feels due to their argument it might be for the best.

Dorothy then goes to tell Blanche, who beforehand learns she has been cast as one of the witches and Rose is playing Lady Macbeth, then Dorothy reveals Sophia's decision which upsets them all. However that night Dorothy confronts Gloria about being the favourite taking Sophia away, but Gloria reveals that Sophia has always made Dorothy the favourite and that thought out their childhood Sophia made her the one in chance as she was the strong independent sibling, Gloria could only marry money and the final clue being the fact she lived in Miami.

Dorothy tells Sophia she needs her as much as she crosses her, so Sophia agrees that she has her space as well which Dorothy agrees and she, Gloria and Sophia have a great time together. However, afterwards Sophia gifts them things that she did in fact steal from them.

Guest Cast

 * Doris Belack as Gloria Harker

Trivia

 * When Gloria returned in The Monkey Show, she was recast and she was made to look like Dorothy.
 * Rue McClanahan, starred in the Original Off-Broadway Play of Macbird! playing a mock up version of Lady Macbeth.
 * Bea Arthur and Bert Convy were cast members in the original Broadway Cast of Fiddler on the Roof.

Quotes
Gloria: Dorothy, why don't you ever come to California to visit me?

Dorothy Petrillo-Zbornak: It's not easy, you know... I have my job, I have responsibilities, I've never been invited...

Gloria: Well, I'm inviting you now. I have a huge house with servants and an ocean view. And Bert Convy shops in my grocery store.

Dorothy Petrillo-Zbornak: Bert Convy? Let's leave now!