"Curious Cousin"

Airdate: March 6, 1970

Writers: Dan Beaumont and Joel Kane

Director: Lee Phillips

Guest Cast: Alice Ghostley as Cousin Harriet

Rating: 4 Bells

Synopsis:

Carolyn is anxious to begin her latest writing endeavor, a book based upon the Captain's memoirs. However, her creative juices are soon stemmed by the arrival of her cousin Harriet from Philadelphia, an "inquisitive snoop" whom Carolyn hasn't seen for two years. Harriet is appalled by Mrs. Muir's lonely, isolated lifestyle although Carolyn assures her that she's "happy, happy, happy." Harriet, however, is convinced that Carolyn is only pretending to be happy. Over the phone, she promises her twin sister, Hazel, that she'll dig around and find out why Mrs. Muir is so gung-ho about living in the back of nowhere.

While Harriet, Martha, and the children take in a movie, Carolyn and the Captain finally have an opportunity to work on the book. The Captain disappears when the gang returns home, leaving his pipe behind. When the ever-observant Harriet spies the pipe laying on the table, Carolyn admits that it belongs to a "friend." Harriet doesn't buy the friend routine, especially after she notices a decanter of wine and two glasses on the table, courtesy of Captain Gregg. After Jonathan helpfully enlightens cousin Harriet about the identity of the pipe's owner, Captain Gregg, Martha explains that the Captain is the man in the portrait over the fireplace, a man that has been dead for over a hundred years!

Harriet is convinced that Mrs. Muir has created a fantasy romance for herself, especially after she discovers Carolyn reading some of the Captain's old letters aloud in a room filled with his nautical memorabilia. Carolyn fears her privacy will be invaded once Harriet relates her fears about Mrs. Muir's mental state to the family. Carolyn and the Captain agree that the only solution is for Claymore to revive his role as a contemporary Captain Gregg. With a little help from the Captain, Claymore gives a "heavenly" performance and charms an enthralled Harriet who declares the Captain to be "toogood to be true."

Claymore arrives as Harriet prepares to leave the next day and when she notes the similarity in his and the Captain's appearance, Claymore quickly covers by saying that he is the Captain's twin brother! Harriet is equally enchanted with Claymore, seeming to find his inane babbling quite charming!

Favorite quotes:

(Claymore/Captain Gregg to Harriet as he takes his leave): "Forget my frivolous blathering but it hides the heart that is heavy with despair at having to leave the one I cherish. A seafarer's life is a difficult one at best but when he finds someone (looking at Carolyn) as gracious and loving as you it makes parting a burden, almost impossible to bear."

"Be assured that my feelings for this woman are deep and true.

(Taking Carolyn's hand) "With this small hand lies the hopes and dreams of my past and my future."

(Carolyn to the Captain in reference to his love letter): Carolyn: It's amazing how fresh and timeless they seem.
Captain: What happens between a man and a woman IS timeless.

Favorite scene/moment:

When Carolyn shows Harriet the sock that she's been knitting for Captain Gregg. The look upon Harriet's face as she becomes convinced that Carolyn has gone off the deep end was priceless! Also, the scene where the Captain stares (can we say "dreamy look?") unnoticed at Carolyn for a moment or two in her room as she's reading one of his letters.

Least favorite whatever:

here wasn't anything that I disliked about this episode. Alice Ghostley was well cast in the role of the snoopy cousin, and there was lots of interaction between the Captain and Carolyn. In all, this episode contained a nice balance of both humor and romance. I would have liked to have seen a scene or two featuring Hazel, as portrayed by Alice Ghostley. I think it would have been a hoot seeing the actress playing a dual role. I wonder if TPTB had similar thoughts on the matter (in a future episode) since Hazel was written specifically as Harriet's twin?

Notes: Alice Ghostley (appropriate name?) also starred in another episode, "Make Me a Match." In this outing, she also portrays a character who arrives from Philadelphia for a visit and finds Claymore attractive as well. Alice also starred in another "supernatural" series, "Bewitched", as Esmeralda .

Contributed by Caroline Kent