Meet the actress: Beth Grant


Status: Deceased, murdered presumably by Mitchell Cafferty.

What we know:
She owned the local grocery store. After the bombs she started to increase her prices (supply & demand) to make a profit on the situation. Her perspective on material wealth seems likely to have been informed by a history of poverty. She once indicated to Dale that Skylar Stevens was not like them, implying that what they had in common was the requirement to earn wealth, rather than have it handed to them.

She seems to have had a real connection with Dale. In her will she left her grocery store to Dale Turner, who worked for her.

Her rogue capitalistic tendencies brought her into contact with the wrong sort of "associates" and it eventually cost her her life. Her decision making loop early in the event was deeply flawed.

What we don't know:

Relationships and connections to other characters:
Best friends, in a sense, with Dale Turner, only due to the fact that she seemed to have no other friends or family. She seemed to have some genuine affection for Stanley Richmond, despite her accusation that he stole pesticides from her. Also, she seemed to respect Johnston Green, and seemed to appreciate his intervention when her deal with Jonah Prowse didn't work out as expected.


Defining moments:
After the power was lost in Jericho, and without any means of refrigeration, Gail Green suggested that the town cook the remaining perishable food in Gracie's store before it spoiled. As the townsfolk ate and socialized that evening, Gracie made a comment that would define her character for the rest of its run.

"The least they could have done is thanked me."

While she was capable of great generosity, as exemplified by her relationship with Dale, Gracie was also prone to pettiness and greed. She perfectly illustrated Robert Hawkins' take on humanity. When it comes to figuring out if someone is good or bad, one has to consider that in reality there may be no such thing.

Quotes:
Episode 1.01 The Pilot -
Gracie: What about you, Jake? Where've you been keeping yourself?
Jake: I've been playing minor league baseball.
Gracie: Is that a fact?