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The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
40 Episodes 1959 - 1960
Episode 0
Pilot
Sat, Mar 21, 20266 mins
Dobie believes his life is in shambles, all the fault of Max Shulman, the creator of this show and of the character of Dobie himself in the book "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis", and thus the person who has placed him in all his misadventures. Dobie thinks about quitting the show altogether because of all the problems he will be facing episode after episode. Many of the other people who will be appearing on the show try to talk Dobie into changing his mind.
Episode 1
Caper at the Bijou
Tue, Sep 29, 195926 mins
17-year-old Dobie Gillis is obsessed with finding the love of his life. He falls in love easily, and he realizes that he needs money to attract the right girl--money which he doesn't have. His exasperated father, Herbert T. Gillis, wants Dobie to earn money by working at the family grocery store. Dobie's free-spirited mother, Winnie, would rather Dobie focus his time on experiencing life, so she slips him a few dollars here and there to support his social life. Dobie believes his path to at least a short-term infusion of cash is to win the regularly-held $100 jackpot draw at the Bijou movie theater. He wants to spend that money to woo the pretty Thalia Menninger, whom he met at the theater. Thalia, who seems to truly like Dobie, is upfront that she will only date guys who have money, as she needs to marry a man who can support her. With the help of his witless beatnik best friend Maynard G. Krebs, Dobie thinks he has a way to win the next jackpot--and Thalia's heart.
Episode 2
The Best Dressed Man
Tue, Oct 6, 195926 mins
Dobie launches a runway offensive versus wealthy, better-dressed hunk Milton Armitage, his competitor for luscious teen gold-digger Thalia Menninger. When Dobie's grocer father Herbert T. Gillis refuses to finance a clothing binge, Dobie talks a local haberdasher into letting Dobie secretly model the shoppe's best outfits, to promote the store's business, plus counter Maynard & The Beat Generation's anti-fashion values, which challenge 50's Mad Men mores.
Episode 3
Love Is a Science
Tue, Oct 13, 195926 mins
Dobie's latest attempt to win Thalia's greedy heart is to write her a love poem. It has the opposite of Dobie's intended effect as Thalia states that poets make no money. Her goal is for Dobie to become a wealthy doctor, despite Dobie having no aptitude for the sciences as demonstrated by his failing grade in a zoology class exam, he only taking the class to work toward Thalia's goal. After not saying anything to him for the month thus far that he has been in the class, Dobie's lab partner utters three surprising first words to him: "I love you". She is the brainy Zelda Gilroy, who has as little in common with Dobie as Dobie has with Thalia, Dobie who also has no romantic interest in Zelda. But Zelda believes they are meant to be together solely because of propinquity, especially as they go through school together as "Gillis" will always be seated close to "Gilroy". Without knowing anything about Thalia, Zelda, in her love for Dobie and her want for Dobie to pass the class, agrees to do his zoology homework on her own as Dobie tells her a lie in that he has to work evenings (while in reality he plans to spend his evenings with Thalia). Will Zelda change her tune about Dobie if she finds out about Thalia?
Episode 4
The Right Triangle
Tue, Oct 20, 195926 mins
Dobie is desperate for money to impress the latest object of his affections, whose name he doesn't even know as she won't tell him. Dobie's older brother, college student Davey Gillis, home on a break, gives Dobie some advice on the matter: create a fictional "Mrs. X", an older married woman with who he is in a doomed love affair, to add mystery and a sense of desirability into his life. The ruse works on who he eventually learns is named Felicia. However, when Felicia spots Dobie with a beautiful older woman, she assumes that woman, their substitute math teacher Mrs. Adams, is Mrs. X. Rumors abound about Dobie and Mrs. Adams. Dobie has to decide whether to quash those rumors or let his classmates and others believe what they want if it means that Felicia will be his girlfriend. Other issues may make up Dobie's mind for him.
Episode 5
Maynard's Farewell to the Troops
Tue, Nov 3, 195926 mins
Maynard will do anything for Dobie... that is if he remembers to do it. As Maynard's behavior has exasperated Dobie once too often, Dobie feels he needs to take a break from hanging out with Maynard, despite still digging him. Many of Maynard's other friends, such as Riff Ryan at the record store or Charlie Wong at the ice cream parlor, feel the same way. When his parents don't even seem to want him around despite their assurances to him that they love him, Maynard begins to feel unwanted. The tone of Maynard's life changes when, at eighteen years old, a year older than the rest of his classmates, he receives his draft notice.
Episode 6
The Sweet Singer of Central High
Tue, Nov 10, 195926 mins
Thalia believes a good money making scheme for Dobie would be to become a singer, as singers like Elvis Presley make lots of money. In comparison to someone like Milton, Dobie can't carry a tune, Milton who passes the school octet audition while Dobie is left off the singing group. With only one vacant spot, Dobie is still determined to impress Mr. Minafee enough so that he will change his mind. But what all Dobie's practicing accomplishes is getting his tonsils inflamed and swollen, leading to his tonsils being removed. But the resulting scar tissue in his throat also results in Dobie being able to sing like the best of the crooners, with Thalia now seeing dollar signs in Dobie's voice as opposed to Milton's. The questions become whether Dobie's newfound voice will last long enough for the octet to win the singing competition, and for him and Thalia to make their millions, or will his swelled head get in the way?.
Episode 7
Greater Love Hath No Man
Tue, Nov 17, 195926 mins
Maynard has been discharged from his short stint in the army. His return coincides with Dobie meeting who he believes is the true love of his life, Pearl Arnold. Herbert grounds Dobie, which prevents him from seeing Pearl. Dobie hatches a plan using Maynard so that he can go out on his regular date with Pearl. Dobie wants to repay Maynard for helping him. What Maynard is hoping is that Dobie will help him woo a girl he just met and fell in love with at first sight, her name which he doesn't even know. So Dobie decides to be Maynard's Cyrano de Bergerac. Maynard also doesn't know if she will return his affections. Dobie doesn't initially realize that his and Maynard's story has more in common with Cyrano's until he meets the girl of Maynard's affections: Pearl. Dobie, like Cyrano, has to decide to keep on advancing his own love with Pearl, or step aside and help Maynard get the girl. Their "Roxanne" may have some say in the matter.
Episode 8
The Old Goat
Tue, Nov 24, 195926 mins
The annual football game between Central High and Webster High is approaching. Webster has easily won in the last fifteen meetings, with the outcome of this year's game headed in the same direction. Central plays well against other teams, but for whatever reason Webster has Central's number. Dobie believes a lot has to do with the good luck superstition that Webster has of each player patting the head of their mascot, a goat, before the game. Steal their good luck charm, and Webster has lost their edge. Without telling anyone, Dobie, Maynard and Randy set off on a mission to steal the highly protected goat despite the risks if they are caught. Stealing the goat is one issue - hiding the goat until after the game, and keeping it a secret are entirely different and problematic matters, the latter especially so as the whole school is buzzing about the theft, with valued rewards to the culprit(s). Meanwhile, the Webster boys have plans of their own to retrieve their prized possession.
Episode 9
Dobie Gillis, Boy Actor
Tue, Dec 1, 195926 mins
Despite never having shown any interest in acting at all, Dobie plans to try out for the romantic male lead in the school play. The reason: drama club president, Annabelle Huffaker, who is the latest object of Dobie's affections, and who is the probable choice as the romantic female lead. Dobie's road into Annabelle's arms on stage hits a roadblock in the form of Milton Armitage, who looks to be obvious choice for the male lead. Dobie shows his lack of knowledge about the theater in general as Milton is indeed cast as the lead opposite Annabelle, while Dobie is the understudy. Dobie's only saving grace at this stage is that Mrs. Erdlatz, the play author and teacher in charge of the production, has issued a no kissing rule between the actors until the actual performance. Dobie, with Maynard's help, then moves to trying to manufacture a reason why Milton cannot go on stage performance night. However, Milton will not take anything Dobie or Maynard throws at him sitting down passively.
Episode 10
It Takes Two
Tue, Dec 8, 195926 mins
As usual, Dobie is short of money since his father won't give him any, this issue which he believes is a big obstacle to getting a girl. It becomes a huge issue with the latest object of Dobie's affections, Poppy Herring, a girl new to the school. Poppy is looking for a specific type of person to become her life mate, Dobie who is willing to say anything to meet Poppy's expectations. The biggest issue for her is that her mate should want children, exactly three, a boy and two girls who she already has pictured in her mind. What may kibosh Dobie's relationship with Poppy is Mr. Pomfritt's class on heredity, miserly and "cruel" (in Dobie's own words) Herbert's genes which Poppy does not want in her children's bloodline, despite Poppy not yet having met Dobie's father. So Dobie goes on a mission to show Poppy that Herbert is a sweet, kind and generous man, Dobie's plan which seems to be well on its way to success...
Episode 11
Dobie's Birthday Party
Tue, Dec 15, 195926 mins
Dobie laments how undependable parents are, especially his, even in their undependability. Dobie's seventeenth birthday is approaching, and he tells them that he doesn't want a birthday party or for them to even mention it on the day, figuring that in saying so it would be a friendly reminder for them to organize a party for him. Much to Dobie's chagrin, they don't mention his birthday at all on the actual day. With the exception of Maynard to who he cries his heart out over the situation, no one else wishes Dobie a happy birthday either. What Dobie is unaware of is that his parents, Winnie specifically who knew what Dobie was doing, have organized a surprise party for him, Maynard's job to keep Dobie preoccupied until the start of the party in the evening. Dobie may have his own thoughts of his day's activities based on the fact that everyone except Maynard seems to have forgotten about him on this special day.
Episode 12
Deck the Halls
Tue, Dec 22, 195926 mins
It's Christmas Eve evening, but the Gillises are not having a Christmas family dinner as they would like. Winnie is at home. Dobie is at home. Even Davey is at home. But Herbert is in jail--voluntarily, much to the police's chagrin. Why? Herbert likes Christmas, but not the way people act at Christmas, taking advantage of the Christmas spirit by having some ulterior motive in doing something in the name of Christmas. These people include his own family. But the last straw for Herbert is customer Mrs. Lapping, who specifically uses the name of Christmas to make a profit at Herbert's expense. She takes him to court, where the presiding judge holds him in contempt. Because of the negative publicity, the judge drops the contempt charge, wanting Herbert out of jail before Christmas. But he refuses to leave because of what he now feels for people in general. Who or what can help Herbert get the true Christmas spirit and get home before midnight?
Episode 13
Couchville, USA
Tue, Dec 29, 195926 mins
Dobie is in his continuing struggle on the issue of money between Thalia and his father: Thalia wants him to get some while Herbert won't give him any. It is especially important now as the junior prom is approaching. Although Thalia has not yet got another date, she proves to Dobie that she can get a date if she so chooses, and she will if he can't come up with the money, $6, in two days. Because of the special circumstance of the prom, Winnie, who just had a talk with Herbert about showing greater affection toward Dobie, believes that Herbert might soften this time and lend Dobie the money. Although Thalia gave Dobie a list of possible jobs to earn the money, Herbert does offer to pay Dobie to work around the grocery store. The new-found affection between father and son may hit a deep freeze with Dobie being sidetracked with thoughts of Thalia over his focus on work. Because of this hot and cold situation between Herbert and Dobie, Winnie thinks that some "free" medical advice from a psychiatrist customer may cure the Gillis father-son situation. Dr. Cligger's unusual suggestion may end up putting some emotional blackmail of a different kind into the matter.
Episode 14
The Gaucho
Tue, Jan 5, 196026 mins
Herbert wants to take in a boarder, which doesn't sit well with Dobie as he believes it will hurt his relationship with image conscious Thalia, who will probably thumb her nose at dating someone who has to take in a boarder to make ends meet. To the contrary, Thalia believes it's a great idea if only because it'll give Dobie more money to spend on her. They rent the room to foreign transfer student Carlos Romero, whose father is in the Argentine military and is in town on military maneuvers. Despite having money to stay at a hotel, Carlos wanted his first American experience to be with a typical American family. Dobie may regret the decision to rent to Carlos as he is charming, suave and rich, which is just what Thalia is looking for in a husband. Herbert may also regret the decision as Winnie decides to redecorate Carlos' room, the cost to do so which far outweighs the rent they receive from him. Dobie and Maynard come up with a plan to use Carlos' American cultural inexperience to place him in a bad light with Thalia, but that plan has an unintended consequence.
Episode 15
The Smoke-Filled Room
Tue, Jan 12, 196026 mins
Despite running unopposed, Milton is campaigning hard for junior class president. Regardless, he figures he wouldn't lose even if someone - anyone - ran against him, as he's perfect in his own eyes and perfect in the eyes of others. Thalia, on the other hand, sees a flaw in Milton's reasoning: people wouldn't vote for him because he's too perfect, which doesn't resonate with the voter, most of whom are common. As she sees junior class president as the first step in the road to the lucrative White House, she convinces Dobie to run against Milton. Dobie agrees only because he would be spending time with Thalia, who volunteers as his campaign manager. With Maynard helping, Thalia's plan is working as Dobie's down-home message seems to be resonating with voters. Milton, who cannot stand to lose, decides to bring out the big gun, his mother, who is more ruthless than he. She tries to bribe Herbert with all her lucrative grocery-shopping business in return for him convincing Dobie to drop out of the race. Herbert has to decide whether or not to accept the bribe.
Episode 16
The Fist Fighter
Tue, Jan 19, 196026 mins
Thalia's latest kick is that she wants an athlete, as professional athletes make lots of money. Football team captain Milton is that athlete of choice, whereas Dobie is nowhere close to being an athlete of any sort. As Dobie goes through the list of sports at which he may try to excel, that exercise which yields nothing, he figures that he can bluff his way into being an athlete. The school doesn't have a boxing team, so he can pretend to be an expert fighter. The key to the bluff is to beat up a known athletic entity. Dobie is certain that Moose McCullough, a Central High School graduate and who is known as the best athlete Central High has ever produced, will take a fall for him, as more than anything Moose believes in love. Moose agrees to Dobie's proposition. The staged fight works, which results in Dobie getting Thalia and being known far and wide as "Top Fist." What Dobie doesn't account for is anyone calling his bluff, that person being Milton, who wants Thalia back, and who challenges Dobie to a fight. Is there any way Dobie can get out of this predicament without either being beat up or admitting his true weakling or cowardice status?
Episode 17
The Hunger Strike
Tue, Jan 26, 196026 mins
Thalia has just started dating Chatsworth Osborne Jr. She admits she is doing so just because he and his family are wealthy. Dobie vows to win her back. From a love poem that he is helping Maynard learn, Dobie comes up with the idea that he will become wan and pale to gain Thalia's sympathy. How will he accomplish his physical transformation?: by going on a hunger strike. He believes both the transformation and the hunger strike itself will persuade Thalia to be his steady girl. He vows to stay on the hunger strike until Thalia agrees to his wishes. When Dobie starts getting hungry, he contemplates cheating as he doesn't want anyone but Maynard to know since many people seemed to have a vested interest in whether Dobie eats.
Episode 18
The Flying Millicans
Tue, Feb 2, 196026 mins
Immediately after meeting and falling in love with her, Dobie learns more about Aphrodite Millican. Her life is focused on mental and physical health and well being, all in support of her family business. She is one member of the Four Flying Millicans, a traveling acrobatic troupe, with the other three members being her two hulking brothers and her aging father. Aphrodite ends up falling in love with Dobie, despite or more likely because he is weak mentally and physically. She and her family take on the task of whipping Dobie into shape in their quest to have him replace Mr. Millican in the act and in the process be part of their family by marrying Aphrodite. Dobie isn't sure if this future is his intended path, and as such he tries to end their relationship, which is easier said than done. Herbert and Maynard may also factor into the equation of Dobie's problem.
Episode 19
Room at the Bottom
Tue, Feb 9, 196026 mins
Thalia wants Dobie to go to Willoughby Hall, an exclusive eastern school, and befriend the sons of wealthy bankers (an idea that also captures Mr. Gillis' fancy in a dream sequence). All Dobie wants is Thalia's love, but to win her heart he must get a 100 on his math test. To what depth will he sink for love?
Episode 20
The Power of Positive Thinking
Tue, Feb 16, 196026 mins
Thalia has dumped Dobie for wealthy Chatsworth Osborne, Jr. It isn't because Chatsworth is rich, but because he can dominate her, which is what she wants in a man, and something she believes romantic, soft-hearted Dobie can never do. So when Dobie meets Professor Dobkin, Dobie believes he's found a way to win back Thalia. Professor Dobkin espouses the power one can obtain through harnessing the Earth's electromagnetic energy, that power which includes domination over anyone and anything. So for $2.99, Dobie buys the professor's book to use as his bible. What Dobie is unaware of is that the professor is a shyster and his theories a bunch of hokum. So when a series of events occur that Dobie believes was his doing through his new found power, including getting a date with Thalia, Dobie helps the professor spread the word, all at the professor's benefit of $3.99 a book. When Dobie learns the truth behind the professor, he also learns a little bit about the power within himself.
Episode 21
Dobie Spreads a Rumor
Tue, Feb 23, 196026 mins
Zelda seems more determined than ever of snagging Dobie by bringing both her family and his family into the mix. As such, Dobie is more determined than ever to get Zelda off his trail. He figures that part of the problem is that no one else seems interested in Zelda, which she herself admits. So Dobie decides what he has to do is make other guys interested in her by spreading a rumor about her that will make her irresistible to most guys, most specifically a rich, snooty guy like Chatsworth Osborne, Jr., while also making them think that they are pulling one over on Dobie himself by snatching her away from him. As the rumor takes on a life of its own, Dobie may not be able to enjoy fully the fruits of his labor.
Episode 22
Love Is a Fallacy
Tue, Mar 1, 196026 mins
Because he won't amount to what she wants, Thalia dumps Dobie yet again despite professing her love for him. But when Whitney - a new, rich, glamorously beautiful and somewhat crazy girl - arrives on the scene needing someone stable like Dobie for security in her life, Thalia decides that she wants to Dobie back, who in turn takes her back. In taking Dobie back, Thalia also wants to teach him to think, by taking a play out of Mr. McGruder's class on logic and the issue of cause and effect. Dobie, however, may not learn the lesson quite as Thalia wants.
Episode 23
The Chicken from Outer Space
Tue, Mar 8, 196026 mins
As hard as he tries, Dobie just can't seem to get rid of Zelda Gilroy, the one girl he doesn't want but wants him. Zelda is aware of Dobie's failings, such as not being a very bright student and thus not having any future career prospects. Zelda compensates for that by mapping out their future: they will live on a farm after they get married so that Dobie will at least be able to provide food. In being a farmer, Dobie has to take biology class, with which Zelda will help him. Dobie agrees to take biology only because he knows that brainy Zelda has his academic best interest in mind and will help him. Dobie sees being a farmer as his only future hope, regardless of if Zelda is in that future. As usual, Maynard follows Dobie into biology class. Their first project is to examine the effects of hormones on chicken. One will be injected with female hormones, one will be injected with male hormones and the control chicken will get no injection. Three problems arise with their new arrangement. First, Mr. Gillis, who doesn't know that Dobie has chickens, keeps on hearing rooster crows, which he is made to believe is all in his imagination. Second, Dobie wants out of his arrangement with Zelda if only because he has met the pretty Imogene Burkhart, who he sees as a possible girlfriend/future wife. And third, Maynard is forced to give the chickens their injections. He believes that a 2 cc injection means a 2 cup injection.
Episode 24
Dobie's Navy Blues
Tue, Mar 15, 196026 mins
Although they've only had one date so far, Dobie believes that he has wasted time with all other girls and that Myrna Lomax is the one and only for him. One potential obstacle in a Dobie/Myrna happy ending is Myrna's father, ex-navy man John Lomax, on who Dobie did not make a good first impression. When Myrna describes to her father the list of errands Dobie has to run, it sounds like Dobie is imminently heading off on navy duty, which is the farthest from the truth, that misunderstanding which Myrna does not correct as it will allow her to see Dobie. That is only the first in a long string of lies Myrna and eventually Dobie foster in their seemingly never-ending quest to remain girlfriend/boyfriend. The question becomes when the lies will catch up to them. Or will Dobie actually be forced to enlist?
Episode 25
Taken to the Cleaners
Tue, Mar 29, 196026 mins
Thalia will only go to the upcoming dance with Dobie if he signs a contract making him responsible for many expensive items for the dance, including having her dress cleaned beforehand. Despite having no money, Dobie signs. They may be able to save some money when they go to a new cleaner operated by a Mr. Edwards, who is having a promotional 2-for-1 special, so that Dobie can get his suit cleaned as well at the same price. Building upon the promotion, Thalia, with Dobie by her side, convinces Mr. Edwards to have them act as his agents, they who will bring business into the shop from their fellow dance attendees, in return for a modest commission. What Thalia and Dobie are unaware of is that the dry cleaning shop is just a front for Edwards and his partner for stealing clothes from their supposed clients. The questions become whether Thalia and Dobie will raise enough money to pay for the dance expenses, and/or if Edwards and his partner will be able to make off with all the clothes before the police catch up with them. The outcome may have the potential to change Thalia in a fundamental way from her sole focus on money at all cost.
Episode 26
That's Show Biz
Tue, Apr 5, 196026 mins
Dobie has just started dating Clothilde Ellingboe. Her parents, who don't yet really know Dobie, don't approve of him primarily because his parents don't get involved in Dobie's life, most specifically in that they are not members of the Central High School Students and Parents Betterment League (CHSSPBL). To continue dating Clothilde, Dobie has to convince his parents to get involved in the CHSSPBL. Despite Herbert not having the energy to get involved in such issues after a long day at work which for him starts at 5:30 A.M., Winnie is able to drag Herbert to a meeting. The meeting they attend is replaced by a subcommittee meeting dealing with the Capers, the annual fund-raising revue organized by the CHSSPBL and performed by the parents and faculty. Donations, which will go to the student canteen this year, are collected at the end of the show. While Winnie is accepted as part of the cast, Herbert is roped into being one of the stage hands. At the performance, Herbert sees what most of the members of the CHSSPBL don't: that the talent featured is of questionable quality. As one by one of the audience walks out of the show, Herbert tries to save this year's version of the Capers and by association the student canteen fund.
Episode 27
The Prettiest Collateral in Town
Tue, Apr 12, 196026 mins
Herbert is applying for a much needed loan for the business. Dobie inadvertently threatens the loan by his actions in front of the loan officer, Mr. McCurdy. But Mr. McCurdy ends up being a spineless man when it comes to his wife and daughter, the latter, Mignonne McCurdy, who, like her mother, is a rigid and self-assured person. What Mignonne wants is a pliable man she can mold into her vision, that man being Dobie, who she wants to be her date at a party she is hosting on Saturday night. McCurdy infers that Herbert's loan is dependent on Dobie keeping that date, which Herbert would like him to do. Dobie, who has not even yet met Mignonne, has to decide what to do: keep the date to help his hard working father get the loan, or be true to his heart and not keep the date as Dobie is already in love with Melissa Frome, who he considers the perfect girlfriend as she sees in him the perfect boyfriend.
Episode 28
Live Alone and Like It
Tue, Apr 19, 196026 mins
At age 17½, Dobie feels that his parents still treat him like a child, but each in a different way. While Winnie coddles him, Herbert enacts overly strict household rules, both which he believes stifles his freedom. His solution: move out of the house. After Dobie does much arguing with his parents on this issue, Herbert eventually allows Dobie to move out if only he agrees that he will no longer bring up the issue if he finds that after the fact that he really was not ready to be on his own and wants to come home. Herbert believes Dobie just needs to get it out of his system before coming to his senses. Conversely, Herbert agrees not to drag Dobie home against his will. Dobie quickly learns that he financially cannot make it on his own, and gets a willing roommate: Maynard. But Dobie and Maynard together find that they really aren't ready to be on their own as they can't cook or clean or manage their money, but Dobie won't give Herbert the satisfaction by moving home. On the other side, Herbert reluctantly admits to Winnie that he misses Dobie but won't drag him home. Winnie may have a solution to break the male Gillis stalemate to get both what they really want without either losing face.
Episode 29
The Big Sandwich
Tue, Apr 26, 196026 mins
Thalia's plan to agree to a date with Dobie to attend the school's picnic so that she can charge her friends 10-cents a ride to the event in Dobie's father's car (resulting in $4.20 in revenue) hits a snag when Dobie not only can't get his father's car for the day, but finds that he can't even go to the picnic as he has to mind the store while his parents go to a weekend long reunion with Winnie's family. Without telling Dobie before it happens, Thalia comes up with a more lucrative Plan B: she orders $46 worth of sandwich supplies through the store on Herbert's account, so that they can make and sell 400 sandwiches to the picnickers at 25-cents apiece, resulting in a $54 profit. Dobie, with Maynard at his side, can't do anything but go along with Thalia's plan. But that plan has many more obstacles to financial success, the biggest being Mother Nature. Meanwhile, Herbert can't help but worry what mischief Dobie is getting into back at the store, that is when Herbert isn't dealing with Winnie's overzealous and condescending relatives.
Episode 30
Soup and Fish
Tue, May 3, 196026 mins
Dobie knows that money can't buy happiness, despite he always striving to have more money. Rich Chatsworth is not happy, he who strives to be accepted as one of the gang, like Dobie and Maynard. Meanwhile, Sabrina Armitage, Milton's sister, returns after being away for three years at an exclusive private school. As she doesn't know many people in town, she invites both Dobie and Maynard to a formal party at the Armitage mansion. Both are interested in attending, Dobie to be with Sabrina, while Maynard's interest extends primarily to Sabrina's bohemian friend, Venice West. But it isn't until they arrive at the party and are denied entrance by the butler that they learn formal means black tie, which further means tuxedos. With all the stores closed and no money to rent tuxedos anyway, Dobie tests whether or not Chatsworth, who is Sabrina's cousin and also an invitee, is a stand up enough guy to be part of their group, by the three of them sharing his one tuxedo for the evening, each on rotating thirty minute shifts. If Dobie does make it into the party, Dobie's behavior may well be the make or break item in if Herbert is able to secure Mrs. Armitage's lucrative business, which he's worked to get for years.
Episode 31
Where There's a Will
Tue, May 10, 196026 mins
After twenty-four years of marriage, Herbert is finally able to take Winnie on a honeymoon - the honeymoon they never had - with a little extra money earned at the store. With no extra money beyond that, Herbert can't, or won't, give Dobie the money for dance lessons, or Davey, who is home from college, the money for golf lessons each requests, both who vow that the lessons are for the economic benefit not only for himself but for the family. Other factors come into play, but most specifically Herbert being asked to sign his will by his lawyer makes him reflect upon not only on his mortality but how little he believes he has been able to accomplish in his life, especially in the way that he has run the store, which he now begins to feel is no legacy for his offspring. Herbert doesn't tell anyone what he is feeling, so he has to figure out how to get out of this funk. Conversely, others may be able do something inadvertently to accomplish the same goal.
Episode 32
Put Your Feet in Our Hands
Tue, May 17, 196026 mins
Dobie doesn't like to work. He changes his mind about the concept when Chatsworth's latest date, the beautiful Daphne Root, dumps Chatsworth because he unapologetically has never done a decent day of work in his whole life. Daphne believes work is the backbone of society. When working at his father's store doesn't quite turn out the way he wants in order to impress Daphne, Dobie has no other option but to accept her offer to work as a salesman in her father's shoe store. Dobie has a further obstacle in winning Daphne's heart when Chatsworth comes back on the scene, using a tool with which Dobie can't compete: money. So Dobie has to figure out a way to fight Chatsworth's money by non-monetary means.
Episode 33
Competition Is the Life of Trade
Tue, May 24, 196026 mins
Dobie competes against Chatsworth Osborne, Jr. for the affections of the newest girl in town, the pretty Delphine Quimby, but Dobie doesn't know if he stands a fighting chance against what Chatsworth has to offer, namely wealth and sophistication. His parents, especially his father, try to convince him that he can indeed compete if he wants something bad enough, especially as he is a Gillis. What Dobie and Herbert are unaware of is that Delphine's father is opening a new grocery store in the neighborhood. When Dobie finds out, he has to decide if his loyalty to his father or his pursuit of Delphine is more important. But in dealing specifically with the issue of competing against Chatsworth, Dobie may have an unlikely ally.
Episode 34
The French, They Are a Funny Race
Tue, May 31, 196026 mins
At age eighteen, Maynard has finally come to the conclusion that most others have known all his life: that he is directionless. He wants to change his drifting ways, but doesn't know how. Dobie isn't much help advising him either. So they decide to ask their exasperated teacher, Mr. Milfloss, for advice. What Mr. Milfloss tells them is that the reason Maynard is able to drift is because no one is dependent on him, that sense of responsibility to another human being which would give him purpose, and that a girlfriend is such a person. This advice scares Maynard as girls in general scare Maynard. But when Dobie approaches a female who he has never seen before and who he believes is the latest such to steal his heart, Maynard too has found that girl for who he is looking. That same girl, Francoise Desjardins, is visiting from Paris and doesn't speak English, and Dobie doesn't speak French. Regardless of the fact that Maynard also doesn't speak French, he is able to comfort Francoise as they communicate in more universal ways. Maynard is in boyfriend bliss for the first time in his life, until Chatsworth Osborne Jr. arrives on the scene, he who does speak French and seemingly steals Francoise away from him. Dobie believes a heartbroken Maynard has to take some extreme measures - some expensive - to win Francoise back from Chatsworth.
Episode 35
The Unregistered Nurse
Tue, Jun 7, 196026 mins
The latest object of Dobie's affections is the slightly older Valerie Brown, a nurse receptionist at Dr. Simpson's medical practice. Valerie believes Dobie is a sweet and harmless teenager, she who humors his obvious come-ons. As none of his ploys on Valerie work, Dobie feels he needs to get a little underhanded and play on Valerie's sympathies by feigning an illness, symptoms which he believes he can fool both Valerie and Dr. Simpson into believing he has. He needs to use a slightly different tactic to convince his parents that he's sick. Dobie finds that his medical check-up isn't quite as easy and straightforward as he thought it was going to be. He has to do a little more underhanded work to make sure his tests come back the way he wants. Other problems for Dobie in this matter are his chosen illness which is a little more serious than he believed, and an issue unknown to him specifically about Valerie's personal life.
Episode 36
The Long Arm of the Law
Tue, Jun 14, 196026 mins
The latest object of Dobie's affections is Arabella Parmalee, she who seems to like Dobie in return. Dobie hopes to make a good impression on her parents whenever he first meets them. Along with Maynard, poor Dobie is picking flowers for Arabella out of a public park - in open defiance against a visible "do not pick the flowers" sign - when he is caught by a violent tempered policeman, with who he has a not so pleasant encounter. Dobie soon learns when he goes to pick up Arabella for their first date that that not so pleasant police officer is her father. As he can't force Arabella to stop seeing Dobie - especially as Mrs. Parmalee approves of Dobie - Officer Parmalee decides to take a slightly different tact trying to convince, more to force, Herbert to stop the relationship. Herbert has his own thoughts on the matter. But another party may be an even more effective tool for Officer Parmalee, one who he has not even employed to help him.
Episode 37
Here Comes the Groom
Tue, Jun 21, 196026 mins
After being rejected by girl after girl after girl, Dobie, who wants to be in a committed relationship, believes the only way to do so is to get married. The only prospect is Zelda, who he asks to marry him immediately. One would have thought that Zelda would want to get married to Dobie under any circumstance. One would have thought that Mr. and Mrs. Gillis would not provide consent for Dobie to get married at his tender age. And one would have thought that Mr. and Mrs. Gilroy also would not provide consent for Zelda to get married at her tender age, especially to a boy like Dobie who has no financial prospects. Each of the groups and individuals uses a little reverse psychology to get what he/she truly wants with regard to this manner, that reverse psychology which may backfire on everyone.
Episode 38
A Taste for Lobster
Tue, Jun 28, 196026 mins
The latest object of Dobie's affections is Gwyneth Krausmeyer. Unlike many girls he's tried to date in the past, Dobie may have a real chance with Gwyneth as she is a free spirit who despises the notion of material wealth and money, neither which Dobie has. She just longs to sit atop a quiet mountaintop and listen to the music of the stars. Although Herbert is somewhat suspicious of Dobie no longer asking him for money, it's Dobie's encounter with thirteen year old Chrissie Tyler and Chrissie's relationship with Gwyneth's younger sister Hermione that may threaten Dobie's relationship with Gwyneth. Chrissie is an entrepreneurial minded young man whose business venture seems like easy money to Dobie. While Gwyneth would like Dobie to use his position as a wiser elder to stop Chrissie from focusing so much on money, Dobie may fall back into old habits and use some business sense of his own to cash in on Chrissie's easy fortune.
Episode 39
Rock-A-Bye Dobie
Tue, Jul 5, 196026 mins
Dobie is in love with Ginny Metzger, with who he is practically engaged. As Ginny has modern twentieth century sensibilities, Herbert does not approve of her. Although Winnie likes Ginny well enough, she isn't happy that Dobie, at age seventeen, has marriage on his mind. Winnie is shocked that Herbert has not even had "the talk" with Dobie yet. To prove that Dobie is at an age where he can support a wife, Ginny suggests she and Dobie start a business, as bosses don't need to know anything, unlike workers. The business she chooses is a babysitting service, as babies are the simplest form of being. Ginny wants Dobie to get all their supplies from his father's store. Because during the talk Dobie seems to know more than Herbert expected and as Dobie took a box-full of baby supplies from the store, Herbert and Winnie come to the conclusion that Dobie and Ginny secretly got married, and have a baby. They feel they have to forge a relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Metzger and set things right.
