Every series if it lasts for a while will have episodes with a different tone or feel to it . That's the case here . I agree that part of it is it's more romantic than funny. I have watched it many times of course but it's one that in recent years I generally skip when it comes on but I watched it again yesterday and I realized something and why the episode feels off . Well to start with one thing I always noticed is that it sounds like Vivian Vance has a head cold or something. Also the Mertz's are giving the Ricardo a low key but somewhat fancy anniversary party , another time Mrs Trumble wasn't invited. Fred shelling out money for a beautiful bakery anniversary cake and several bottles of champagne! It's funny too he even thought Ethel spent too little on the anniversary gift for then! Ethel has to point out they are hardly cheap on this occasion.
Second and this is the big one , Lucy is too normal in this one! Yes there is the bit where she gets Ethel to reveal information about Ricky's present to Lucy but that's pretty standard almost any tv wife might do the same thing. This is about the tamest I have ever seen Lucy. No real physical comedy, scheming or plotting. Just every day life . Good thing they didn't make a habit of it . Zany Lucy is critical to making the show different from anything else at the time .
Second and this is the big one , Lucy is too normal in this one! Yes there is the bit where she gets Ethel to reveal information about Ricky's present to Lucy but that's pretty standard almost any tv wife might do the same thing. This is about the tamest I have ever seen Lucy. No real physical comedy, scheming or plotting. Just every day life . Good thing they didn't make a habit of it . Zany Lucy is critical to making the show different from anything else at the time .
