Change Your Image
jpdoulos
Reviews
The Beverly Hillbillies: Mark Templeton Arrives (1970)
Is Granny a Villain of this Series?
The obvious villain of this show is Mr. Drysdale, but the Mark Templeton/Frogman plot (one of the worst of the series) makes one consider Granny as a villain.
If the main story arc of the show is Jed Clampett's desire to find a husband for Elly May, no one sabotages her potential love interests more than Granny (this in spite of how much she bemoans her becoming an "old maid.") She is the absolute worst in this story. For at least four episodes she plots and outright lies to try and drive Mark Templeton away. When Jed and others ask an explanation for her odd behavior, she refuses to give a straight answer, saying things like "Well, if you don't know, I can't tell you."
She is dumber than Jethro in these episodes. Even Jethro knows what a naval frogman is, and that the flippers are just scuba wear.
It's frustrating to watch. The series needed some kind of closure, with Elly May finally getting married. But her worst obstacle to this is Granny. They actually would all be better off in the long run if she went back to the hills. Worst of all, for a comedic farce it's not even the least bit funny.
Father Knows Best: Thanksgiving Day (1954)
Pleasant Thanksgiving Themed Episode
As other reviewers have pointed out, this is not a standout episode. The dad acts like a real jerk to the point it is out of character.
But I gave this episode a score of 9 to counter the ridiculous score of 1 given to it by "strictlyconfidential." He admits outright that he gave it this low of a score solely because of the brief religious prayer at the end (It's a Thanksgiving-themed episode, for crying out loud).
If he's that incensed over such a brief religious expression, that's his problem, but it is not a fair and honest review to give it a 1 based on that alone. TV shows have people say things all the time that I personally disagree with, yet I try to give a fair review based on all of its merits.
Petticoat Junction: It's Not the Principle, It's the Money (1966)
Is Uncle Joe the villain of this series?
Uncle Joe is the most aggravating character of this entire series, maybe one of the top ten most annoying characters in all of television.
He contributes nothing, makes nothing but negative remarks, and is arrogant beyond belief. He seems to like no one, and is rude to everyone, even the completely likeable dog. Why he holds such dislike for the family pet is never really explained or justified, but consistent since he acts obnoxious toward everyone.
In this episode he is in top form, and he causes so much financial loss to the Shady Rest Hotel that it begs the question - is he the unintentional villain of this show? He ruins bedsheets, comes up with ridiculous moneymaking schemes that wind up costing the hotel dearly, and generally sits around contributing nothing productive. In this episode he costs the hotel an entire convention for the sake of saving $6.00.
Kate Bradley continually forgives him because he is family. But fact is he is a huge burden upon all of them.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Don't Interrupt (1958)
A Solid Cautionary Tale
It's a shame that this episode is confusing to so many people because it is actually very profound.
First of all, there is a reason why the entire first half of the episode is spent showing us how horrible a child Johnny is - as well as how inept his parents are. Reviewers have complained that they want to slap this child or even more his parents. To be fair - that is the reaction they are hoping for. Meanwhile we get the information about the escaped mental patient.
The second half of the story is that of Chill Wills and the challenge to Johnny not to interrupt his story. When the mental patient appears, crying for help out in the storm, Johnny wants to say something, but he wants the silver dollar more. When the story is over he tries to tell them about the man, but he is soon distracted by the silver dollar and completely forgets about him.
The final moment is important. Scatman Crothers steals the coin and asks the question "How much could a dollar be worth to a little boy?"
Well, we've just been shown how much it was worth to Johnny. It was worth another person's life. Little Johnny is now a murderer.
We are surprised. But should we be? Children come into the world not as angels but as "little savages," and greatly need parenting. But these parents have done nothing but verbally correct him with no consequences. And so Johnny is thoroughly self-centered and incapable of having much concern for others. Neglectful parents are a good way to wind up with a criminal.
You feel like slapping some sense into these parents? Good. You just got the point of the story.
Travelers: Naomi (2018)
Oh no, Christians - beware
As soon as I saw the cross on the family's wall I told my wife "Here we go - Christian characters. Just wait they will be crazy radical cult people."
"You don't know that for sure."
"Yes. I do. This show is one of the worst when it comes to anti-religion bias. Just wait."
And voila - crazy weirdo just as I said.