User Reviews

Ed is upset because a newspaper editorial suggests there is no place in the modern world for the horse. After throwing his saddle and some papers around, he complains to Wilbur about it, but Wilbur won't let him call the paper to protest. Addison has invested in a beach front property, but can't sell it because very old looking teenagers are hanging out there, riding surfboards, roasting weenies and painting pictures and reciting poetry. Two of them approach Addison and Kay, asking that Addison allow them to build lean-to structures on the property. Addison wants rent, and like, they're broke.

The young lady recites a poem about how the young people feel that there is no place in the world for them, just like the horse. Ed hears this and his reaction is priceless. He immediately dons a hat and dark glasses (how?) and joins their community. Eventually Ed is talked into returning to his barn, which is a good thing because he's blond, and who'd want to see a sunburned horse!

That crazy, cuckoo Ed is feeling rejected - along with a bunch of teenage beachcombers - Buzz and Zelma, who've taken up residence with Kay & Roger Addison.

Soon, a rejected Ed overhears Zelma's (the girl beachcomber) poem:

Rejected, neglected, befuddled, bemuddled. A zero - a whole in the cheese. A scene can't be made when you''re in the deep freeze.

Rejected, neglected, befuddled, bemuddled, The moment is wild - we're blown off our course. That's why our youth fells extinct like the...horse.' (There had to be a 'horse' point in there ;>)

A lightbulb goes off over his head, and,right after the commercial, Ed's in shades, and paining - and reciting Zelma's poetry - accenting it with his hoof.

Ed's inspired to write his own poetry:

Ode To Life Life is a feedbag, without any oats A stable that's empty and bare I search for the hay in an empty corral, But, how can I find what's not there.

Then, when Wilbur makes Ed feel rejected, he hoofs it off to the beach - to hang with those crazy kids.

Mister Ed is something you love wholeheartedly, or you just don't get it. I think it's a wonderfully twisted series.

One last thing: When I give such an episode as this a '9,' it's not because it has 'brilliant' acting, directing, or writing - it's because it hits a spot in me (and other, perhaps) that is just plain fun.

P. S: at the epilogue, an Ed who feels loved by his 'daddy,' Wilbur, rewrites his 'feedbag' poem, which follows:

Life is a feedbag, overflowing with oats A bag that should never be shut

And a horse that would leave a sweet guy like you Must be some kind of a nut

I love this horse, and his shenanigans.

MR. ED is often considered a silly, childlike show. As a matter of fact, the series included a good deal of clever social commentary and satire, as this episode demonstrates. A bunch of beatniks are taking up space on Addison's beachfront property, using it as an art colony, and Addison is annoyed. Kay sides with the young misfits and eventually brings her husband around. What's more, Mr. Ed feels sympathy for the beatniks - he, like them, feels rejected by society - and joins their colony! The generation gap humor between the young people and Addison is priceless, and the latter gets in some great quips. This is a superbly written episode that is both of its time and timeless.