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Eve Lindley returns for the conclusion of the bad romance of Vicki Morgan and Alfred Bloomingdale, plus the continued adventures of Vicki: smuggling cash into Europe, moving into a bargain basement Playboy mansion, sailing to Hawai'i with a queer princess, and driving George H. W. Bush around LA. Digressions include Kim Cattrall (obviously), Wonder Woman (bittersweetly), and phone scams of the 70s (naturally).

Our content warnings for this episode are for physical and mental abuse, substance addiction, overdose, and murder. 

We talk about how Vicki got every prize except the one she really wanted--security--and share love for the Vickis we see in ourselves. 

Further reading: Dominick Dunne's Vanity Fair article on Vicki 

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Comments

WOOD, MORGAN

I love you both so much, and I have been dying for a whole month for this, and I love you Eve Lindley especially, because you're the best, but you are both the best for caring for someone you never knew and making sure she's safe. This is our highest calling as humans--being sure that others are safe. You do this for a person who's no longer able to take care of themselves, and I appreciate it.

WOOD, MORGAN

Also, Eve--on the last episode, you talking about the idea that everything has to mean something, that it has to have a payoff when you go through something--I think about that more than you will ever know.

Ash

This one sits heavy. An excellent episode, you and your team always knock it out of the park (sorry, baseball pun NOT intended.) She deserved a better life, a better ending.

kathleen

Off topic but still! Sarah! Season 3 of Derry Girls features a N. Irish nun in 1997 driving a DeLorean. And because of the O.J. Simpson episodes of this show, I had the background knowledge to think that reference was extra funny. So thank you for that info. ❤️

Dawn Woollen

I am so excited (weird word I know but it’s Monday morning!) to listen to this episode. The first one has been haunting me. I’m about 20 minutes in and the thing it’s important to consider when thinking about Vickie Morgan’s choice of staying with Bloomingdale is - she was 18 and supremely vulnerable. She looking for security and in a lot of ways she was in survival mode. It’s hard for us to think about bc she was so beautiful. But thats literally all she had. And considering all the ways we know Bloomingdale was sadisic and abusive, I shudder to think of all the ways he was both that we don’t know about. I don’t think at 18 she felt like she had much of a choice to stay with him. I’m sure she had been used by terrible men for her looks, especially in that time period (where even our beloved David Bowie was sleeping with 13 year olds openly) and in LA. Perhaps he felt the safest of the terrible. Maybe it was his money. Or his obsession, which all of the movies tell us is love. I can’t even be mad at her for making the deal with Bloomingdale not to hit her. She was 18! And she was stood up for herself. I can only imagine the emotional and financial abuse that was behind her side of the agreement. And considering what happened to her after he died, she probably knew how vulnerable she was without him better than anyone.

Beth Bruce

Conversation starting around 1:06:20 immediately made me think of Self Esteem and the Prioritise Pleasure album, which I think pairs quite well, if sadly, with the whole Vickie Morgan story. Thank you Eve and Sarah (and Carolyn and everyone else) for another wonderful compassionate, human episode.

Maciej Gieradka

I was wondering why is this story being released as a bonus episode but after this second part, I understand. And I feel bad for saying it, but my god. The delivery of the guest is so languid and lacking any energy that it's hard to listen to the whole episode without getting bored. The tempo is off and the guest doesn't deliver any interesting points or observations. The beauty of you're wrong about is the conversation between hosts who are interested in the topic and bring smart or even just funny or new way of looking at stuff. But when it ends up with Sarah telling the story and the guest only providing reactions in way of "oh wow, okay, I see, love it for her", it becomes so boring. I literally had to switch it off after an hour. Uff.

Sara Colognesi

Thank you so much for this very painful and compassionate two part episode. I treasure every time I get to hear Eve Lindley's beautiful voice and deep empathic input

The Pod is Coming From Inside the Cast!

What a rollercoaster of a life Vicki lived, I'm heartbroken for her but also glad you gave her story so much gravitas and kindness. It's what I love about your show, thank you so much for what you do.

Snappy Tappy Capybara

It is called oxytocin and dopamine. That is the “what is that?”. That’s why we are like “awww, there there, I’ll accept your bullshit, I’ll fix you up, nurse you back to whatever health you’re lacking. I’m sure you’ll definitely never demonstrate all these bad behaviors again or hurt me anymore”. Women, ESPECIALLY young women when their hormones are super intense because we’re supposed to be looking for mates to procreate, all of our empathy and “love” hormones and transmitters are off the chain, otherwise we would never ever care, want, desire, or fall in love with shitty partners and put up with all the bullshit. And also why we don’t strangle them. And probably our offspring, too.

Rebecca Peet

I think the “what is that” is that we’re doing for men what we want men to do for us.

Rebecca Peet

Thank you Sarah and Eve for such an impactful and compassionate telling of Vicki’s story

Cheryl Rosbak

God, she was never given a chance to grow up and be self-sufficient, or even to learn what love looks like. I was a lot like that too when I was that age, but I managed to marry a kind man who wants me to succeed.

Lauren Joyner

This was so heartbreaking. Not the ending I was anticipating. I assumed Bloomingdale or someone connected to Reagan had her killed... I never expected Marvin. It somehow makes a tragic story even worse. Also was not expecting a mention of ShowBiz Pizza. Decoder Ring has a great episode about ShowBiz & Chuck E Cheese. ShowBiz Pizza was the one with the animatronics and they merged with Pizza Time Theatre (Chuck E Cheese) when the former went bankrupt and all were rebranded Chuck E Cheese. I'm doing this from memory, so listen to the episode because I'm sure I got it wrong. But I wonder if any money was actually made from Bloomingdale's stake.

Kristen Johnson

Sarah, your comments about grief and unresolved feelings of not being fully loved blew my mind. It was so profound and made me think about my own grief journey. That was amazing.

Fred Maxon

If you google image search "Marvin Pancoast," one of the first items that pops up is a vintage photo of him being sold under Amazon's Home and Kitchen category.

Sarah S

I can definitely relate to Vicki's habit of returning over and over to a partner who treats her like shit and can't commit to her. I understand why the decisions she made would have seemed natural to her, and I appreciate Sarah and Eve's empathy. Vicki didn't deserve any of the violence she encountered in our messed up society. At the same time I really struggled to not judge some of her decisions while listening to this! We all make unsafe of unhealthy decisions at certain points, but not always to these extremes, with these amounts of money involved. It was hard for me to wrap my head around, but I appreciate the challenge!

Carly Ann Braun

Loved this but found the ending a bit unsatisfying, mostly because I couldn’t figure out which Marvin killer her and so I had to go back and listen more carefully. It was a little confusing to have it end so abruptly too, because I had a lot of questions! Not that I want this podcast to go True Crime on us, but I think a lot more could have been discussed.

alexa 🌼

spoiler question: can you clarify which Marvin did kill her? is it gay friend Marvin? I listened but got confused too

Carly Ann Braun

I’m still not sure! I listened again and it’s definitely not clear. There’s a point where they say Marvin from rehab will come to be the most important man in her life. Sarah also says he’s diagnosed with Boarderline personality disorder. On my second listen I realized maybe she’s couching his diagnosis in a way as to not imply that people with BPD kill people. Or something like that. Then after Alfred dies they are talking about Marvin the palimony lawyer and then it’s never really clear which Marvin is helping her move out of her apartment. They do mention that the Marvin that kills her is diagnosed with AIDS, but I don’t feel good assuming that it’s the gay friend who has AIDS. But that’s ultimately who I think they meant and the differentiation got lost in the editing.

Maggie Murphy

Respectfully, I think if you listen to the second half Eve has more input and more of a back and forth. You may want to give the second half a chance, or maybe not. But also I think what Eve brought to this episode for me was an additional voice of compassion and understanding for Vicky. It’s fine if that wasn’t for you, but I just wanted to note that I felt Eve was another thoughtful, gentle, loving voice in this conversation extending compassion to the people involved in the story. Which to me was very valuable. And we can both feel how we do about that!

Maggie Murphy

Thank you both for this. I really appreciate how this show extends compassion to people that are not perfect heroes. And I appreciated how you both (Eve especially) acknowledged that because of how this story ended, none of us will ever know how Vicky felt about any of this, and who she really was. It’s a hard incomplete story but I appreciate you challenging us to expand our perspective to try and still understand the stories that are hard and incomplete. Love for you both!

Rebecca Bullock Godwin

I had to google it to find out, because it wasn't clear to me either. It was Marvin the roommate, and he stated they had argued over finances.

Hillary

This was SO good! I felt that the end just dropped though! I guess I wanted to hear more about that strange time for those people— not necessarily the what happened that night—or anything that came from this? What happened to her kid?…oof, what a double episode! Thank you for telling and discussing these stories/lives.

Hillary

Yes! My grief journey with my dad and our complex relationship. ❤️

Veronica T

I thought Gordon was going to push her off the balcony! I never thought it was going to be Marvin of all people

Kate North

Great episode, really enjoyed it. Always a fan of the "bimbo" stories. On a side note, I just assumed the "hasty burial" was due to him being Jewish.

J M

Sarah, I don’t know where to post this since I can’t comment on the main feed episode, but congratulations❣️ Thank you for sharing your truth with us. We love you. Happy Pride!!! 🏳️‍🌈

Shana Siegel

I loved this episode, Sarah, thank you for sharing yourself with us. I deeply appreciated how Eve came into this story with no prior knowledge because I was right there with her.

kathleen

Sarah, thank you for sharing your happy news! And happy Pride! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

Mikaela Kozelchik

Im currently crying over seagulls and sarah!! Happy pride!!!!!!!!

Abigail

It was a minor mention but the Mike’s mic cameo felt SO right for the you’re wrong about cinematic universe

J

More Eve please! Love it when she's on the podcast.

Maciej Gieradka

Guys, what is this episode where someone tells Sarah about all the pseudoscience of fingerprints etc? It's a recent episode but I can't find it

Rachel VIll

CSI: Forensic junk science with Josie Duffy Rice! I think it's a main feed ep.

Marília Ramos

with some delay, I completely agree.

lousullivan.bf

Is it possible that Alfred was buried so quickly because he was Jewish? Being buried within 24 hours of death is a traditional Jewish practice.

Sarah B

I know this is an ancient comment at this point but I would give anything for a Mike guest episode somewhere within the YWACU

Liz Gotauco, the Cosbrarian

I am so confused on Marvins motives in killing her - utterly blindsiding and tragic on top of evwrything else terrible.

Denise Azucena

This! I can’t believe we don’t have any insight into why he said he did it. No theories? I’m just so confused.

Holly McIntosh

“Don’t you just want to take a break from being you?”- man, as someone who suffers pretty badly with chronic mental health issues, I related to that HARD. Sort of laughing and sobbing in recognition- GOD you two are good!!!

Sade Stewart

It really meant a lot to me what you said about your father’s passing. my dad passed away this past year and we also did not have a good relationship and sometimes it is nice to be reminded that people die the way that they lived and that that’s OK and that that grief is hard after

Drew Bernstein

It’s important for me to tell you that Showbiz Pizza actually DID succeed. They BOUGHT OUT CHUCK E CHEESE despite being the copycat. HOWEVER the creator of the animatronics left the company with the rights to the characters so all the showbiz pizzas were converted into Chuck e cheeses because they could use those characters. But technically Showbiz Pizza was the winning animatronic pizza chain. They just used the Chuck e facade.

Drew Bernstein

By “left the company with the rights” I mean he took them with him that was a super confusing way of putting that lol

AlettaSchuurman

I am soooo excited y'all are going to do a Britney multiple parter!!!! This feels just like a combination that is toooo good to handle like reading a paperback book while eating chocolate (and NOT getting any stains on the pages)

MHW

Again, I cannot say this enough, but Eve Lindley is the Queen Of All Things and I couldn't love her more. I want her to be my best friend!

Polina B.

I wonder whether Alexis Rose’s character in Schitts Creek was a little bit based on Vicki. Real similarities in their escapades.

Kellen Rouse

I looked up what happened to Todd. Vicki’s lawyer did eventually get $200,000 awarded to her estate after her death, and it went to Todd. I hope he’s lived a good life, poor kid

computerone

I recently became a Patreon and am bingeing the catalogue. I just wanted to say Sarah, this episode really encapsulates what I love about this podcast and the way you tell stories. Especially the way you finished this episode: “We don’t have to relate to her and we don’t have to think she had good ideas in order to think she deserved to be safe and have a good life.” Preach.

sage j.

at 1hr 37 you said “in michelle’s case” and i just love it 🥹💝

Mary (and Ben)

THANK YOU! Apparently my husband has been trying to convince people that the slogan, "Chuck E Cheese's, Where a Kid Can Be a Kid!", used to be "Showbiz Pizza, Where a Kid Can Be a Kid!". He got very excited when I read him your comment. Nice to know the not everything millennials remember is the Mandela Effect!

Erin

Sister George Michael 💜

Hannah

Eve’s gasps are perfect