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The Courtship of Eddie's Father Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
26 Episodes 1969 - 1970
Episode 1
Mrs. Livingston, I Presume
Wed, Sep 17, 196930 mins
On a movie studio tour, Eddie meets aspiring actress, Dolly Daly, who is recently arrived in Los Angeles and who Eddie sees as a potential mother. Eddie invites her home more as an act of generosity than anything. Dolly accepts, much to Tom's consternation especially since he can't fully explain to Eddie why what he did was wrong. Back at the apartment, Tom tries to explain to Dolly that she can't stay but in a losing battle, he ultimately let's her sleep on the couch. The next morning, Mrs. Livingston sees Dolly on the couch and is angry with Tom for what she sees as the bad example he is setting for Eddie by having one of his dates stay overnight. Mrs. Livingston storms out, Eddie and Tom thinking that she's gone forever. Just as Tom feels at the end of his rope, he comes up with an idea: he sends Dolly off to deal with Norman who has always wanted to do a story on young women new to Los Angeles hoping to make it into the movie business. In doing so, Tom solves most of his problems - Dolly is now out of his personal life and the story resolves some work problems Tom was having with Norman. The only unresolved issue is Mrs. Livingston's absence from the Corbett household. However Mrs. Livingston solves what was never a problem - she left the apartment solely to go to the market to get more eggs for breakfast.
Episode 2
Teacher's Pet
Wed, Sep 24, 196930 mins
When Tom goes to a parent-teacher meeting with Eddie's first grade teacher, Miss Kerry Allen, there is a mutual attraction between the two and they start dating. Although this is all right with Eddie, he eventually faces some problems at school with the other kids, who tease him about being the teacher's pet. Tom becomes concerned when Eddie comes home late from school one day obviously haven been in a fight, the fight due to Tom and Kerry's relationship. Despite this, Eddie doesn't want them to stop dating since he figures it is not any of the kids' businesses, especially since the relationship is not hurting anyone. In a discussion, Tom and Kerry decide that they individually are abusing their adult authority positions by being in this relationship and decide it best to stop dating. When they tell Eddie the news, Eddie, who looks like he has been another fight, tells them that he wants them to continue dating. The kids have finally let him play football out in the school yard just so that they could tackle him for being teacher's pet. However he likes the fact of finally being able to play football, especially when he makes his first touchdown.
Episode 3
And Eddie Makes Three
Wed, Oct 1, 196930 mins
Lynn Bardman is the latest of Tom's girlfriends. He is thinking about asking her to marry him. Although he doesn't come right out and say it to Tom, Eddie doesn't really like her. Eddie treats her with a slight coolness, which some could construe as just a kid acting like a kid. On a day that Eddie comes down with the flu, so does Mrs. Livingston, and thus she can't come to take care of Eddie while Tom is off at work. So Tom calls Lynn to watch Eddie for the day, during which she encounters one domestic disaster after another. Eddie finally warms up to her and comforts her, but conversely the day shows Lynn that she isn't ready to be a mother, which is what Eddie really needs.
Episode 4
The Littlest Kidnapper
Wed, Oct 8, 196930 mins
Eddie is concerned for Mrs. Livingston, who he sees as being all alone in the world. Eddie first wants Tom to marry her, and when Tom explains to Eddie why he can't and won't marry her, Eddie then brings home five-year old Frank, his Japanese friend, to give to Mrs. Livingston to be her son. Frank seems quite happy with this new arrangement. Tom and Mrs. Livingston are obviously concerned as Frank must have a real family who are concerned of his whereabouts. Eddie explains that Frank doesn't have a mother and father, but that he has a mother and a father: they're separated. Since Frank can't tell Tom any more information about himself than that his name is Frank and that he's five-years old, and since the school is closed, Tom feels the only option is to call in the police to locate Frank's family. The police can't do anything until Frank's family calls and feel that the Corbett household a better environment to keep Frank than the police station. Finally, Frank's parents, Duke and Kendis Komosori, locate Frank at the Corbetts. Although his ethnic background is Japanese, Duke is a totally westernized fourth generation American, while Kendis is traditionally Japanese, these differences which led to the break-up of their marriage. Although there are deep feelings still within the Komosori family, they will have to work hard if they want to reunite their family happily under one roof. The dysfunction between the Komosori's shows Eddie that Tom and Eddie and Mrs. Livingston all really have each other in a meaningful way despite Mrs. Livingston having a different last name.
Episode 5
The Computer
Wed, Oct 15, 196930 mins
Norman and Tina convince Tom to try computer dating as part of a story Norman is doing for the magazine. Tom however wants to make it clear to whomever his date that this is purely an academic exercise. Unfortunately for Tom, Norman bring's Tom's computer date over to the apartment on a day Tom is home sick with a cold. Diane Kirby, Tom's computer match, actually works for the computer dating company and is a fervent believer in the powers of her computer. It's love at first sight between Diane and Eddie, and Diane is attracted to Tom, but Diane is not Tom's type. Beyond that, Tom just wanted to talk to Diane solely for the story anyway. The wise Mrs. Livingston thinks she knows what went wrong: Tom's answers for the computer were all with Eddie's welfare in mind. This is proven true when, as a lark, Diane allows Eddie to answer the computer dating questions and insert it into the computer. Diane was not expecting any match to appear, however one match came back: her. This exercise made Diane herself realize that when she answered the questions, she was projecting her own strong want to be a mother.
Episode 6
Pain
Wed, Oct 22, 196930 mins
Eddie dreads his first day of school as he likes his current general routine. Tom forces him to go, but Eddie doesn't make it to first bell as he runs home before class even starts. Tom is frustrated, but is just as upset that Eddie is lying about his reason for running home. Tom tries to appeal to Eddie's sense of logic to convince him to go to school. Day after day, Eddie gets closer and closer to making it through a full day, however he is placing up fences around himself from actually letting himself to like the situation. Tom, feeling at the end of his rope, contemplates hiring a tutor, which Mrs. Livingston doesn't think a good idea since it will make Eddie different than all the other kids. Finally Tom thinks he's found the answer: he's going to quit his job and stay at home to teach Eddie himself, or so he tells Eddie. Tom pretends to be a tough, boring and quite bad teacher. In addition, he also tells Eddie that Mrs. Livingston will no longer be around since Tom can't pay her if he's not earning a living. Although Tom is somewhat ashamed of telling these white lies - especially after chastising Eddie for lying - the ploy works and Eddie decides to go to school and begins to like it. In Tom and Mrs. Livingston's minds, sometimes the end does justify the means.
Episode 7
Guess Who's Coming for Lunch
Wed, Oct 29, 196930 mins
Eddie gets a new second best friend - Tom will always be his best friend - by the name of Max, who Eddie wants to spend time with when best friend Tom needs to do his adult things. Tom finds out that Max's mother, Betty Kelly, is a single parent, which makes Mrs. Livingston think that Eddie is once again "mother shopping". On Eddie's urging, Tom invites Max over to stay for the weekend, and in turn invites Betty over for dinner on a pseudo blind date. She ends up being everything Eddie explained - beautiful with warm round eyes - and what Tom imagined, but she's also African-American. Eddie and Max have a tiff to start the evening, but Betty and Tom have a great evening from start to finish (except for the burnt dinner).
Episode 8
Bully for You
Wed, Nov 5, 196930 mins
Eddie is embarrassed by a knock-out punch he received from Joey Kelly, who Tom learns is smaller and younger than Eddie. Tom is concerned that Eddie is neither fighting back or defending himself against Joey. The last straw for Tom is when Joey knocks out Eddie's tooth. Tom understands Eddie's behavior when he finally meets Joey. Joey is a girl. It's even more clear when Tom learns of and sees Joey's home-life: she is raised by her single father, Joe, a rough and tumble guy's guys who doesn't know the finer details of raising a girl. A learned trait from her father, Joey continues to hit Eddie because she likes him. In an effort to expose Joey to other adult influences, Tom invites her over to the apartment where Mrs. Livingston teaches Joey the fine art of being a woman, Japanese style. It works in part, but old habits are hard to break, and Joey finally rebels once against Eddie. Eddie, in turn, based on advice from Joey's father, decides this time to punch Joey back. They come to a better understanding as Joey didn't like getting punched back. Eddie and Joey are going to become good friends after all.
Episode 9
Gentleman Friend
Wed, Nov 12, 196930 mins
It's the first day of spring, and spring fever has hit Mrs. Livingston. Tom and Eddie notice that Mrs. Livingston is unusually preoccupied with her thoughts, they discover her thoughts are in the direction of her male suitor, Mr. Sato. They love each other. Eddie is worried that Mrs. Livingston's going to leave them, but Tom explains to him that part of loving someone, like the way they love Mrs. Livingston, is to want that person to be happy regardless of how it affects themselves. When Mr. Sato announces to Tom and Eddie that he wants to marry Mrs. Livingston, Eddie is obviously sad by the news despite what Tom said to him. Tom starts to interview for a new housekeeper, and finds a perfect candidate in Mrs. Thaler, but he doesn't hire her as he can't yet admit to himself that Mrs. Livingston is leaving. It becomes harder for Mrs. Livingston when Mr. Sato tells her he must move back to Japan. Ultimately she breaks it off with Mr. Sato, not, as Tom asks because of Eddie, but as she states because being homesick is not a good reason to get married.
Episode 10
Any Friend of Dad's
Wed, Nov 19, 196930 mins
Harvey Henshaw, an old college friend of Tom, stops by unexpectedly, Harvey who is in town on a business trip. Friend is overstating their relationship as Tom, although remembers him, probably would have been happy in life if he never saw Harvey again. Harvey is brash and overbearing. However, Harvey is happy to see his old buddy, Tommy, and ingratiates himself quickly into the Corbett household, especially gaining Eddie's favor, Eddie who calls him Uncle Harvey. Despite initially saying that he doesn't want to impose, Harvey stays for dinner, stays overnight (in Eddie's bed, Eddie who has to sleep with Tom), for breakfast, overnight again... Tom wants to stop being gracious to Harvey, but can't stop being so. One evening, Harvey brings home two "loose" women to double date with Tom. Tom doesn't want to spend any time with Harvey let alone date anyone who is not mother/wife material. Tom uses Mrs. Livingston not being able to sit with Eddie as an excuse not to go out with Harvey and the girls. However, Mrs. Livingston as his excuse falls through, and Tom is forced to go out with Harvey, or else get exposed in a lie. Just as Tom is about to finally tell Harvey to leave for good, Harvey announces that his trip is coming to an end and graciously gives beautiful and meaningful gifts to Eddie, Mrs. Livingston and Tom for their hospitality. Harvey really is a friend, but one better kept at a distance.
Episode 11
An F for Mrs. Livingston
Wed, Nov 26, 196930 mins
Mrs. Livingston is unusually preoccupied with her thoughts, and not in a good way. Tom and Eddie learn what's bothering her: she failed her final English exam. She feels ashamed. She also feels she has brought disgrace to the Corbett household. Based on what Eddie's friend Paul saw on TV, Eddie is concerned that since Mrs. Livingston lost face, she might attempt hari-kari, or what Paul and Eddie call berry-berry. Eddie watches her every move and is concerned when she won't let him in the kitchen and is wielding a knife. Eddie, not knowing what to do, calls Tom at the office. Eddie speaks only to Tina since Tom is unavailable. Harried herself with work, Tina mistranslates to Tom Eddie's message of berry-berry and Mrs. Livingston wanting to kill herself into that there will be no berry pie tonight due to a disaster. Eddie is still worried even after Mrs. Livingston explains the knife and the reason for not letting him in the kitchen. Eddie needs the help of an adult and even tries to detain a stranger, who knocks on their apartment door by mistake. Mrs. Livingston finally understands why Eddie is so worried, and when Tom comes home, Tom tells Eddie that Mrs. Livingston would never commit hari-kari. Eddie shows Mrs. Livingston how much she means to their family, after which she regains "her face". After all is said and done, Mrs. Livingston passes the make-up exam.
Episode 12
Member of the Wedding
Wed, Dec 3, 196930 mins
Norman is working on a wedding themed story, which inspires Tina to want to get married, specifically to Norman. On the spur of the moment, she proposes to him. Norman is flabbergasted since they haven't dated and hardly even know each other. Tom thinks it's a nesting instinct in Tina coming through, but he also thinks it's Norman's fault for his off the cuffs "I adore you" and "I can't live without you" comments to Tina. Norman decides that if he says those things, he must really mean them. So he decides to marry Tina. Talk of weddings brings up questions from Eddie and very fond remembrances from Tom of Tom and Helen's engagement, wedding and early life. Eddie tells Tina and Norman about Tom and Helen's life. Tina then Norman finally realize that marriage will mean a whole-scale change in their lives, from dates every night at the Licorice Stick - a discotheque - to a house with a white picket fence and children. They decide to call off the wedding, but being the party people that they are, decide to hold the reception anyway.
Episode 13
A Night Out for the Boys
Wed, Dec 10, 196930 mins
Inexperienced campers Tom and Eddie accept an offer to go camping with Eddie's friend, Danny, and his father, Dr. Bob Lockwood, whose prime purpose for camping is to build character. While Tom just wants to relax and have a good time, Bob treats camp like the army, Danny being a private, and Tom and Eddie only privates in training. During their trip, Bob is called away back to the city on a medical emergency, leaving Tom and the boys to fend for themselves. While Danny and Eddie play hide and go seek, Danny gets lost. Tom and Eddie manage to find Danny, who admits it was all his fault since he did everything that a good camper should not. Tom did something wrong as well: he lost his compass and is also now lost. The threesome manage to stumble back to the campsite just as Bob returns. Considering the time during his absence to be a total debacle, Bob chastises all three and decides they should pack it in and go home early. Tom, who doesn't really care if Bob doesn't like him, does care about Eddie and Danny's weekend and more importantly Danny's welfare. Although Tom and Bob don't agree on anything, Bob does finally come to the conclusion that Danny may not respect him and is only scared of him when Danny continually calls him sir instead of Dad. The dynamic between father and son Lockwood is now changed from that of officer/charge to father/son.
Episode 14
Mother of the Year
Wed, Dec 17, 196930 mins
Eddie is feeling left out in school. Eddie's teacher, Miss Lister - who is really Mrs. Rogall - is pregnant and the mothers of her students are planning a surprise party for her. Of course, Eddie does not have a mother. Miss Lister finds out about Eddie's troubles and the party when Eddie writes her a note stating that since he doesn't have a mother, the only thing he can provide for her party is his father. In fact, "Mrs. Tom Corbett" receives a letter asking for her assistance in the party. After conferring with Miss Lister, Tom does decide to become Eddie's mother for this function. The other mothers are reluctant to let Tom into the party organization because of his gender and his supposed inability to do motherly things, like make finger sandwiches, or what Eddie and Tom call fingertip sandwiches. But Tom, after refuting the statement by organizer Mrs. Harris that the party is not one for "the ladies" but rather for Miss Lister and her class, does join in and volunteers to make such sandwiches for the party. The other mothers still think that Tom will ruin everything for the party. Tom very well could as he has no idea what are in finger sandwiches nor does he want to enlist the help of a female, even the help of Mrs. Livingston, in making them. But seeing that the food is for the children, Tom takes his cue from the sandwiches that Eddie makes for himself. The results may not look pretty, but end up being a big hit not only among the children, but also Miss Lister and the mothers. The sandwiches consist of chopped hot dog, peanut butter, mayonnaise, pickles, chocolate, milk, jelly beans and chewing gum (although Tom lied about the pickles and milk). Tom later admits to Mrs. Livingston that the success of making the sandwiches was due to one important factor: taking a good hit of bourbon before starting.
Episode 15
Who Pulled the Blues Right Out of the Horn
Wed, Dec 24, 196930 mins
Tom's sister-in-law, Kate, is in town for a visit. Eddie doesn't even know he has this aunt, Tom protecting him from memories of his mother who Kate strongly resembles physically. Tom thinks that family is family and decides to let Eddie meet his Aunt Kate. Kate may look like her sister, Tom's deceased wife Helen, but has a very flamboyant personality. In Tom's eyes, Kate is kooky and irresponsible. After Kate takes Eddie on an outing, Tom feels that Kate may not be the best influence on Eddie, especially since he thinks that Eddie's impressionable mind would think that kooky Kate is just like Helen. So Tom kindly asks Kate to leave for good. But after Tom witnesses a tender moment between Eddie and Kate and has his own remembrances of Helen, Tom changes his mind and realizes that family is important for Eddie. And most importantly, Eddie does have a clear distinction between his mother and his Aunt Kate.
Episode 16
The Library Card
Wed, Dec 31, 196930 mins
Because Eddie's progress at reading is going slowly, Tom thinks a good solution is to get Eddie a library card. It does the trick as Eddie is enthralled both with his very own library card and by association the book he checked out with it. Tom tells Eddie that having a library card comes with some responsibility, which Eddie apparently forgets as the book becomes overdue. What's worse however is that he can't find the book. Eddie turns his room upside down to locate the book, but to no avail. Eddie's friend, Alice, tells Eddie that he's going to go to jail for losing the book. Since Tom is too busy when Eddie tries to tell him he lost the book, Eddie decides the right thing to do is to turn himself into the police. The news of this act obviously gets back to Tom, who has a heart to heart with Eddie about the lost book. But after all is said and done, Tom has two apologies to make to Eddie, first for not being available for Eddie during his time of need (when Eddie was trying to tell him about the missing book), and second because Tom actually was the one who mistakenly "lost" the book.
Episode 17
How Do You Know If It's Really Love?
Wed, Jan 7, 197030 mins
Eddie has a serious problem: he's in love, or at least he thinks he is. The object of his love is Elsie, who just moved in down the hall. He thinks the feeling is mutual since she is keeping a pair of his sneakers for good luck. But not to place pressure on himself or Elsie, Eddie asks Tom to throw him an early birthday party so that Elsie will be just one of several people there on their first "date". Tom, with Mrs. Livingston's assistance, agrees. Elsie is the first to arrive, and based on her actions, it does seem like she likes Eddie as much as he likes her. Things change when Richard Katkov arrives, escorting a last minute guest to the party: Margaret. Once Eddie sees Margaret, he forgets all about Elsie. Tom has a heart to heart about Eddie suddenly ignoring Elsie in favor of Margaret. Tom wants Eddie to decide what the right thing to do would be, but Eddie, in a quandary, states that if he's not old enough to have a puppy, he's not old enough to make such an important decision. At the end of the day however, Eddie goes back to Elsie, saying that love is when the object of affection doesn't have all the outward trappings of beauty, but you still think they're "neat". Because of Eddie's grown up behavior, Tom gets Eddie another gift: his much wanted puppy.
Episode 18
The Road to You Know Where Is Paved with You Know What
Wed, Jan 14, 197030 mins
Retired school teacher, Miss Bristol, moves in down the hall from the Corbetts. The Corbetts and Miss Bristol soon become fast friends. Well meaning in her actions, she individually tells both Eddie and Tom that they spend too much time together, implying to each that perhaps the reason being that the other feels dependent upon the other, rather than the want really to spend the time together. Miss Bristol says so since she thinks that Eddie preoccupying Tom's time prevents Tom from meeting and spending time with women - potential mothers for Eddie - and Tom preoccupying Eddie's time prevents Eddie from developing meaningful friendships with children his own age. Both Tom and Eddie tell each other that they have other things to do that prevent them from spending time together, but they both are lying and end up being miserable in the process. Mrs. Livingston and Tom discover that Eddie's supposed new preoccupation is fabricated, after which Tom and Eddie have a heart to heart about what they really want, which is to spend time with each other. Tom is angry at Miss Bristol's meddling in their lives and he is going to tell her so. She appreciates Tom's candor and is happy that she was wrong about Tom and Eddie's relationship.
Episode 19
They're Either Too Young or Too Old
Wed, Jan 21, 197030 mins
There is a love triangle in the Corbett household. Eddie has a new babysitter, fifteen year old Glori, a recent transplant from New York. Glori is the best babysitter that Eddie has ever had, and admits to Tom that he wants to marry her since he and she think alike. Glori has great fun with Eddie as well, and even offers to babysit for free. But Glori has her romantic eyes on someone else: Tom. Eddie asks Glori to marry him, although he realizes they would have to wait, eighteen years to be precise. Glori lets Eddie down easy, saying that eighteen years is a long time to wait. She proposes another option to Eddie: instead of being Eddie's wife, she wants to be Eddie's mother, stating that way they wouldn't have to wait eighteen years for it to happen. Eddie loves the idea, but Glori swears him to secrecy. However, perceptive Mrs. Livingston tells Tom that she's pretty sure that Glori has a crush on him. Tom eventually sees it, so he implements a plan to make himself appear old and stodgy in Glori's eyes. Glori overhears Tom talking about this; she's embarrassed, but a few comforting and supportive words from Tom is all that's required to boost her self-confidence as an emerging strong, young woman.
Episode 20
The Mod Couple
Wed, Jan 28, 197030 mins
When Eddie tells Mrs. Livingston that she is just like a mother to him, Mrs. Livingston knows that it is time for her to leave the Corbett household for good. She doesn't want to be an obstacle for whoever the eventual Mrs. Corbett will be in the lives of either Tom or especially Eddie. So Mrs. Livingston quits immediately and tells Tom the reason. However, Tom still needs a housekeeper and Eddie still needs a caretaker. This is evident the day after, when the first disaster happens when Eddie needs to get dressed (Mrs. Livingston used to pick out his clothes), and the second when Tom tries to make breakfast. Norman comes to the rescue, first in helping Tom write a help wanted ad despite the fact that Tom has already written and submitted one to the newspaper, and second in providing advice on appropriate living and housekeeping for the modern bachelor household. Luckily for Tom and Eddie, they don't have to heed Norman's advice as the perfect housekeeper answers their ad: Mrs. Livingston. In reality, she answered Norman's penned ad.
Episode 21
Guardian for Eddie
Wed, Feb 4, 197030 mins
Tom needs to find a suitable guardian for Eddie, just in case something happens to him. Tom and Helen's list of relatives is relatively short from which to choose. Helen's sister, Kate, is unsuitable since she is constantly traveling. Helen's parent's are too elderly. That leaves Tom's mother. Eddie doesn't really know his grandmother all that well as she lives in San Francisco, and doesn't visit all that often. So Tom thinks it's a good idea to bring his Mom to Los Angeles for a visit, although he doesn't tell her or Eddie the reason. Tom's mother is formal, stern and judgmental, she who views anyone who does not have the same values as her as a Communist. Eddie doesn't really like her as she makes him feel "flat". Tom ultimately doesn't believe that she would make a suitable guardian for Eddie. He next thinks that Mrs. Livingston the ideal candidate: she and Eddie mutually love each other and Mrs. Livingston would probably accept the responsibility. However Mrs. Livingston thinks that she is not the ideal person, as because Eddie and Tom have eked out a certain lifestyle, what Eddie would need is another father figure. Although reluctant since he doesn't consider himself to be either father material or stable, Norman is Tom's final choice. Since Eddie and Norman also mutually love each other and ultimately Norman would have Eddie's - and Tom's - best interest at heart, Norman accepts.
Episode 22
The Promise
Wed, Feb 11, 197030 mins
Mrs. Livingston, who is in the United States on a visitor's visa, has been turned down in her application for a permanent resident's visa. Thus the Immigration Department plans on deporting her back to Japan. Immigration has referred her file to the Department of Employment for their assessment of Mrs. Livingston's "exceptional abilities" that would qualify her to stay under that proviso. Miss Harriet Ritter, in charge of Mrs. Livingtson's file, is a self-important, self-absorbed woman, who will not listen to Tom's arguments for letting Mrs. Livingston stay. She believes that Tom's sole interest in Mrs. Livingston is that of a substitute wife. When Tom strikes out with Miss Ritter, Eddie accuses Tom of lying in that he was going to get Mrs. Livingston's permanent visa. Eddie is mad and disappointed and plans on going back to Japan with Mrs. Livingston to take care of her. Finally Tom figures that what Miss Ritter needs to hear is that they love Mrs. Livingston in a caring way and not a romantic way. Eddie's expression of love and of explaining Tom and Mrs. Livingston's relationship is so innocent in its delivery, that he convinces Miss Ritter there is no impropriety between Tom and Mrs. Livingston. Mrs. Livingston will get her visa.
Episode 23
A Five-Pound Monkey on His Stomach
Wed, Feb 18, 197030 mins
Norman wants to go on a crash diet. He has a photo shoot in three days and thinks he looks fat. So he takes sanctuary at the Corbett household for the duration, where he knows Tom and Eddie will keep him on the straight and narrow on his diet. Planning to go solely on a watermelon diet, Norman doesn't have an easy time. First he has to contend with watching Tom and Eddie eating Mrs. Livingston's delicious cooking (Japanese style, of course), and after a little while just getting plain hungry from his lack of food. The entire household helps by going for a jog with him, which makes him hungrier than ever. Norman stashes away some food which Tom finds, and Norman offers to help Mrs. Livingston with the groceries just so that he can steal some food out of the grocery bags. He even contemplates eating Eddie's goldfish. Finally, Eddie catches Norman just about ready to munch into a midnight sandwich. Eddie offers to watch him all night if need be. By the end of it all, Norman does lose five pounds, but it is the love and generosity of the Corbett household, especially by Eddie, that carries Norman through.
Episode 24
Free Is a Four Letter Word
Wed, Feb 25, 197030 mins
The magazine has a new majority stockholder, Cynthia Drummond-Randolph, or "Cissy" as she is known to her friends. She's beautiful, stylish, wealthy, philanthropic, conservative and everyone at the magazine is nervous about meeting her. The only person who isn't nervous about meeting her is Norman, who has a chance encounter with this beautiful woman without knowing who she is. Norman is not exactly her type, both in a personal and professional sense, as she does not trust or understand free spirits such as him. After touring the operation, she not only recommends, but orders Tom to outsource photographic services, which in essence means firing Norman. Tom, although realizes he cannot fight her through official channels since she controls the Board of Directors and can manipulate the stockholders, does the only thing he can do to support Norman: if Norman goes, Tom goes. Eddie supports Tom's decision, but Tina and Mrs. Livingston thinks it's a mistake. Norman wants to make it easy for Tom by quitting. It seems that Cissy has won this battle as Tom decides to stay, that is until Cissy implies that the real reason for her decision is not a financial one, but a personal dislike for Norman's type. Tom again decides to quit as for him, this battle is all about freedom. Tom's direct comments to Cissy initially offend her, but she later realizes that he may be right. She herself needs to have a little more freedom in her life, and she's willing to retain the status quo at the magazine until she figures out if freedom is really all it's cracked up to be.
Episode 25
Don't Look Now, But Your Scorpio's Rising
Wed, Mar 4, 197030 mins
Tina is on a new astrology kick after the magazine researches an article on such. Based on her chart, she is convinced that she cannot no longer work for Tom since their signs are the worst for each other, so she quits without warning. Tina's replacement is Maryanne Atwater, who is young, beautiful and highly efficient. She knows what Tom wants even before he does. Tom and her astrological signs are the perfect match. And after she brings Tom and Eddie their dinner on an evening she knows Mrs. Livingston is off, Eddie thinks she's "neat-o". However, Tom doesn't think so. Everywhere he turns, she's there, and frankly, she scares him. He does whatever he can to subtly or not so subtly ask Tina to come back, including having a session with Mrs. Livingston's I Jing sticks (which are supposed to be able to tell the future), however she refuses because of her astrological chart and because she feels inferior to Miss Atwater. Ultimately Tina does come back after Maryanne suddenly quits. Maryanne does so because she uses her secretarial positions primarily to look for a husband - she hopes that her bosses become so enamored with her efficiency that they can no longer live without her, both professionally and personally. But when she knows or feels that will not happen with her current employer, she moves on. And Tina decided to come back since she realized that she lied when she had her chart made - being a vain woman, she gave her age as two years younger than her actual age.
Episode 26
Money Is a Five Letter Word
Wed, Mar 11, 197030 mins
Tom, Mrs. Livingston, Norman and Tina all receive an envelope in the mail, each containing ten, crisp, new $100 bills. None of them know who their secret benefactor is. Beyond each having a different reaction to the money and what to do with theirs, each does want to find out who sent them the money. The only clue is that the address on the envelope was typed on a toy typewriter, just like the one Eddie has. Later at home, Tom hears Eddie typing away behind closed doors in his bedroom. Tom walks in on Eddie typing an envelope. Tom also sees a wad of money in Eddie's desk drawer. Eddie, the secret benefactor, was just about to send some more money, this time to his friends. Apparently he found the money, which came in a bank bag, and didn't tell Tom about it since Tom taught him not to tell when doing a good deed in fear of people thinking ulterior motives for doing so. Although Eddie wants to continue to be a pseudo Robin Hood, he decides to return the $10,000 to the bank after a discussion with Tom and gets a $25 reward from the bank. The day after, Eddie is upset. The kids at school called him a goody-goody and called Tom a dummy for returning the money. Eddie thinks the kids hate him. What's just as bad is that some of Tom's friends have the exact same reaction to Tom as Eddie's friends. Tom surmises that their behavior is because those people feel uncomfortable with someone who did "the right thing" when they themselves know deep in their heart that they should also if given the opportunity but probably wouldn't. Tom ultimately convinces Eddie that he should take into consideration that he himself, Norman, Tina and Mrs. Livingston, the most important people in is life, think he did the right thing. And Eddie made his mother in heaven proud.