How many of us did stupid, unthinking things as kids? When Beaver comes home from fishing, his friend suggests he take some of the minnows for their next trip. Beaver does so but fills his jacket pockets with the bait; and then he hangs the jacket in the closet, probably for the first time, leaving it next to his brother's suit. A bad enough move made worse as Wally, at Eddie Haskell's suggestion, intends to wear the suit to a school party to impress the girls.
Everyone is upset. Ward and June because Beaver should have known better; Wally because you can't impress girls smelling like dead fish.
Ward and June decide to help Wally out and have the suit cleaned. And after the suit is dry cleaned, Beaver doubles down. This time his "friend" Rich accidentally spills leather conditioner on the suit; and Rich suggests that Beaver try his mother's home remedy: bleach. A recipe for disaster.
The hero of the episode is unexpected. Beaver is desperately trying to rescue the suit when his nemesis Eddie Haskell arrives. When Beaver explains what he is doing, Eddie gives him the business. But when Eddie touches on how angry Wally will be, Beaver responds, "Well, it's not only that, but I wouldn't want to hurt Wally for anything in the whole world." Then Wally appears, and Eddie asks what Wally will be wearing to the dance. Beaver's heart sinks. But Eddie suggest suits are too flash, better if they wear sport coats and go for the cool Tony Curtis look. Wally is surprised by Eddie's change of mind, but agrees.
When Wally leaves the room, Beaver thanks Eddie and says he can't get over what a good guy Eddie is. (Surprised me too). Eddie says the Squirt owes him one and better not say anything to anyone. Beaver agrees and tells Eddie he will do anything, even rob a bank.
A very well written episode that really catches the ethos of the time. I believe just about every one of my generation found themselves in a mistake and just made matters worse rather than admit the error. A hard lesson to learn, even for adults.
P.S. I was a huge fan of this show as a kid and have not a memory of Eddie as anything but a sleaze. I'm sort of glad I'm watching the reruns now on MeTV. I owe Eddie, and Ken Osmond, an apology. He really had character.
Everyone is upset. Ward and June because Beaver should have known better; Wally because you can't impress girls smelling like dead fish.
Ward and June decide to help Wally out and have the suit cleaned. And after the suit is dry cleaned, Beaver doubles down. This time his "friend" Rich accidentally spills leather conditioner on the suit; and Rich suggests that Beaver try his mother's home remedy: bleach. A recipe for disaster.
The hero of the episode is unexpected. Beaver is desperately trying to rescue the suit when his nemesis Eddie Haskell arrives. When Beaver explains what he is doing, Eddie gives him the business. But when Eddie touches on how angry Wally will be, Beaver responds, "Well, it's not only that, but I wouldn't want to hurt Wally for anything in the whole world." Then Wally appears, and Eddie asks what Wally will be wearing to the dance. Beaver's heart sinks. But Eddie suggest suits are too flash, better if they wear sport coats and go for the cool Tony Curtis look. Wally is surprised by Eddie's change of mind, but agrees.
When Wally leaves the room, Beaver thanks Eddie and says he can't get over what a good guy Eddie is. (Surprised me too). Eddie says the Squirt owes him one and better not say anything to anyone. Beaver agrees and tells Eddie he will do anything, even rob a bank.
A very well written episode that really catches the ethos of the time. I believe just about every one of my generation found themselves in a mistake and just made matters worse rather than admit the error. A hard lesson to learn, even for adults.
P.S. I was a huge fan of this show as a kid and have not a memory of Eddie as anything but a sleaze. I'm sort of glad I'm watching the reruns now on MeTV. I owe Eddie, and Ken Osmond, an apology. He really had character.
