Airdate: March 1st, 1969
Writer: Joseph Bonaduce
Director: Gary Nelson
Guest Cast: Danny Bonaduce as Danny Shoemaker
Tom Palmer as Rutledge Adams
Anne Barton as Jane Shoemaker
Dabbs Greer as Norrie Coolidge
Mason Curry as Deke Tuttle
Linda Sue Risk as Linda
Rating: 4 Bells
Episode Summary:
Before he goes to school, Jonathan is reciting his composition for the school writing contest. Carolyn, Martha, and Candy all tell him that he's a shoe-in to win. Jonathan asks Carolyn if she will be sad if he doesn't win. She tells him, "It's not whether you win or lose but how you play the game." As Jonathan rushes off to school Captain Gregg appears to Carolyn and asks, "What was it you said about winning and losing not mattering?" Carolyn replies, "Oh, something some twentieth century wise man once said." The Captain then says, "Hmm, a nineteenth century wise man once said 'I've won and I've lost, and winning is better!' " "What nineteenth century wise man said that?" asks Carolyn. With a smug look he replies, "Me!"
Later that afternoon Carolyn and Martha are anxiously awaiting the children's arrival from school. Both are nervous to find out who won the contest. Soon Jonathan and Candy are coming up the sidewalk looking very downcast. Thinking that poor Jonathan must have lost the contest, Carolyn and Martha try to act casual. As Jonathan sits down on the couch Carolyn asks him, "Jonathan, is there something you want to tell me?" He replies glumly, "Yes, Mom, I won." Carolyn begins to try to make him feel better when she realizes what he has said. Everyone is thrilled for Jonathan, including the Captain! He has won a new set of encyclopedias which will be awarded at the lobster house on Friday night and presented by Rutledge Adams, a descendant of John Adams.
In town, Claymore is presiding over the Chamber of Commerce meeting when Danny Shoemaker, the runner-up in the writing contest, and his mother interrupt. Mrs. Shoemaker wants to suggest that the runner-up be able to recite his composition as well. She brags about how good Danny's composition is and has to add, "Of course HIS mother's not a writer!"
Claymore tells her that there isn't enough time for another recitation. Spotting Rutledge Adams she drags Danny over to him and introduces Danny to Mr. Adams telling him he is the descendant of John Adams. At the mention of John Adams, Danny immediately begins reciting his composition, "John Adams, Soldier and Statesman. Second president of the United States. Every school child thrills to the mention of his name!" Rutledge Adams looks about helplessly as the precocious child continues on.
After Jonathan has once again practiced his recitation, Carolyn is looking it over when the Captain appears. She tells him that it's called "Patriots and Pals" and is about Benjamin Franklin and John Adam's friendship, and how the country grew through the friendship of these two men. The Captain listens with a concerned look on his face, and when Carolyn leaves the room he takes the composition up to the attic with him to read. Later, Jonathan comes looking for his composition and finds the Captain with it in the attic. He asks Captain Gregg if he likes his composition, and the Captain tells him that it is well written but that while Ben Franklin and John Adams were certainly patriots, they were by no means pals. He goes on to explain to Jonathan how he knew Ben Franklin's grandson, Temple, and how Temple told him that Adams was jealous of Franklin,and that Adams went to France not to assist Franklin but to spy on him. Jonathan is troubled by this new information but completely trusts the Captain with what he has said. He thinks that maybe he should change his composition.
At the rehearsal for the ceremony, Rutledge Adams asks Jonathan to read his composition. Before he does, Jonathan announces that he has changed the name of his composition and has done some more research and gotten some new facts. Mr. Adams says that's okay and tells Jonathan to begin. And begin he does! "The new title is The Scholar and the Schemer' by Jonathan Muir." He proceeds to read, "John Adams wasn't very nice to Ben Franklin. Sometimes he acted like a real fink. He said Ben was a big spender, lazy, and a liar."
Rutledge Adams looks at Jonathan in amazement, "Is this the composition that won first place?" Jonathan replies, "I changed it a little to make it truer." In the melee that follows, Mrs. Shoemaker shoves Danny up on the platform and he promptly begins reciting his composition. "John Adams . . .!"
Later, Carolyn is on the phone with Claymore who tells her that Rutledge Adams and the entire schoolboard is up in arms over Jonathan's new composition. He asks her where Jonathan got this information and Carolyn tells him, "He got it from you-know-who!" Claymore nervously hangs up the phone as he realizes who you-know-who is. The Chamber of Commerce then tells Claymore that Jonathan has to go back to his original composition before tomorrow night's ceremony.
At school the kids taunt Candy by telling her that Jonathan was sent home from school and tease her by chanting, "Jonathan's in trouble" and "Jonathan's un-American." Candy cries at them to stop and that it's all a lie.
Meanwhile, Carolyn is getting calls from upset schoolboard members, and finally asks Martha to man the phones while she goes up to speak with Jonathan who is sitting peacefully in his room. "Isn't it silly how people are carrying on about something that happened a long time ago?" she says as she walks into his room. Jonathan tells her, "Captain Gregg says if it's important enough for people to get mad at, it's important enough to fight for." When Jonathan asks her why nobody likes his composition Carolyn tells him that some people like to picture the great men of history as being perfect, and when he showed that John Adams wasn't exactly perfect they got upset.
Jonathan then tells her that no one even let him get to the good part how they worked together for the good of our country, and despite their dislike for one another they put their country first. It's not fair to take first prize away from him. Carolyn tells him she could buy him a new set of encyclopedias, but Jonathan replies that it wouldn't be the same as winning first prize. Carolyn tells him that he'll have to decide which is more important to him: changing his composition or winning first prize. When Jonathan asks her if she wants him to go back to the original composition, Carolyn doesn't know what to tell him.
A dejected Jonathan walks alone on the beach while his mother watches him with a pain in her heart. Captain Gregg appears to Carolyn and tells her how it pains him to see her look so troubled. "It's just so frustrating, " she tells him. "Jonathan needs me, and I don't know how to help him." Captain Gregg admits that the information he gave Jonathan stirred up a bit of a tempest but he tells Carolyn to cheer up, the lad will weather it. Carolyn tells him that she hates to see Jonathan shoulder all that responsibility. The Captain replies that he understands what she means but that Jonathan is in the right and he must stand by the right. "They'll take first prize away from him and he'll be hurt for being right." The Captain comes back with, "Throughout history men have been hurt for being right." Carolyn replies sadly, "Yes, men have, but Jonathan's just a little boy." Captain Gregg realizes she is right and turns a concerned look towards Jonathan.
Catching up to Jonathan, Captain Gregg asks him if he's decided what to do about the composition. Jonathan tells him he's going to stick with what he wrote because if he didn't it would be like calling the Captain a liar. "Who needs a terrific old encyclopedia anyway?" Jonathan says half-heartedly. "Small price to pay for defending your principles, " he tells the boy. "Sure is. We know we're right, don't we?" The Captain agrees, "Of course! I did talk to Ben Franklin's nephew!" Jonathan looks up at him puzzled, "Nephew! You said Ben Franklin's grandson!" The Captain pretends to look confused, "I did? Well, then it was his grandson . . . or perhaps it was his nephew . . ."
Jonathan is now looking at the Captain as if he's gone feeble. "Aren't you sure?" The Captain replies indignantly, "Of course I'm sure! Have you ever known me not to be sure?" Jonathan shakes his head no. The Captain continues on looking more and more confused, "Well, let me think . . . I've got it! It was Franklin's grandson's nephew! Or was it Franklin's nephew's grandson? No, no it was his grandson, Temple, just as sure as today is Thursday." "Today is Friday!" exclaims Jonathan. The Captain then apologizes for his memory not being what it should be. Jonathan worriedly asks, "What you told me . . . it's true, isn't it?" "Yes, of course!" replies the Captain. Then, feigning forgetfullness he says, "What did I tell you?" Jonathan looks away in disgust. "Gee, I thought I could count on you!" "I hope you will forgive and old seadog for his unreliability," the Captain says sadly to Jonathan who replies, "Now I'm all mixed up!"
Suddenly the Captain presents Jonathan with an idea. He could go back to Patriots and Pals and leave out all the parts that pertain to the pals. "After all, those two gentlemen did work together and we'll just tell them that part." Jonathan looks up at the Captain with great big smile and exclaims, "Hey, that's a great idea! I'll do it! You don't remember very well, but you sure come up with great ideas!" With a lighter heart Jonathan runs off to find his mother who is waiting anxiously for him. The Captain watches as Jonathan jumps into Carolyn's arms, and her smile is more than enough reward for him.
The ceremony now behind them, Jonathan and Candy are putting up the new encyclopedias. Coming out of their room, Carolyn breathes a sigh of relief now that's it's all over. As the Captain appears Carolyn tells him, "Well, Captain, all's well that ends well." Not looking particularly pleased he replies, "Well, just say all's well that ends." Carolyn looks up at him and asks, "Aren't you happy with the way things turned out?" He regretfully replies, "Mrs. Muir, it was not without price. I'm afraid Jonathan will never again see me in the same infallible light." "Oh, perhaps he sees you in a better light. A more human light!" She smiles at him knowing the sacrifice he made.
Pretending to be offended the Captain replies, "I, human? Mrs. Muir, as a writer I should think you would choose your words carefully." She smiles at him, "I do!" and he smiles right back at her. As they continue to gaze at one another they hear Candy ask Jonathan what did Danny Shoemaker say when he saw his encyclopedias? Jonathan replies, "He said he liked his pen and pencil set better. You know, when I was young I thought an encyclopedia was something you could ride!" With that Carolyn and Captain Gregg break into laughter.
Final Thoughts:
This episode is obviously special because it shows Captain Gregg's softer side in his affection for Jonathan. The Captain knows that to Jonathan he is a role model, the man he looks up to, the man who knows everything. Captain Gregg treasures Jonathan as the son he never had, and would never do anything to lose Jonathan's respect.
But when he sees Jonathan suffering the burden of a moral dilemma, thanks to his telling him his inside knowledge of John Adams; and because of the pain it causes Carolyn to see her little boy hurting, the Captain decides to put Jonathan first and sacrifice his "perfect" standing in the lad's eyes by letting him believe that his memory was faulty and couldn't be trusted. This was not without price as the Captain highly valued Jonathan's hero-worship of him. Would the Captain do this for just anyone? Certainly not! But when it comes to Jonathan the Captain would move heaven and earth.
I'm sure you all recognized Danny Bonaduce as Danny Shoemaker. Danny is the son of Joseph Bonaduce who wrote this and several other episodes. Danny was soon to be cast as the irascible Danny Partridge in "The Partridge Family." Did Danny Bonaduce ever play a character NOT named Danny?
Contributed by Sherry Ledenbach