Writer: Howard Leeds
Director: John Erman
Guest Star: Eileen Brennan
Rating: bbb ½
Synopsis:
The story opens with Claymore talking to Carolyn about his problems with women. Carolyn is understanding, and when she and the Captain discuss it, she suggests that Captain Gregg help Claymore to have confidence with women. At home, Claymore is trying to improve his appearance. He laments the fact that a noble soul as his is put in a "factory-reject body." Captain Gregg appears and encourages Claymore to ask a woman for a date. With prompting from the Captain, Claymore calls her and to his delight, she accepts.
Later Candy and Jonathan walk in on Claymore while he is practicing dancing—with a chair. The children tell Claymore that his method of dancing is not "in" and proceed to show him the latest dances. In his inimitable way, Claymore attempts to get in the groove and dance as the kids do. Even Scruffy gets into the act.
Finally the time comes for Claymore’s date with Helen. They arrive at a nice restaurant and even Helen is pleasantly surprised at that. She proceeds to order things too expensive for Claymore’s taste. (Gags are used here when Claymore is unsure about something, or has no answers to Helen’s culinary questions: he has to leave to wash his hands (read consult the Captain, who has tagged along on this date.) Claymore finally takes charge and orders the dinners. Once served, Claymore tries in vain to keep up the conversation, but Helen is too busy inhaling the food to say very much.
The Captain reports to Carolyn later that Claymore’s date was "in a word, dreadful." After some discussion, he suggests that Claymore’s ego would be restored by a "set-up" date, and Carolyn says that she knows just the women who would be perfect for such an assignment.
As part of the plan, Carolyn invites Claymore out to see a movie, offering to treat! After the movie, they drop by the local malt shop. While there, old friends of Carolyn arrive. Carolyn makes an excuse to call home, leaving Paula Tardy to fall under Claymore’s spell. She compares him to Gregory Peck. Soon Betty Freeman is flirting with Claymore, who is just loving all the attention. Carolyn announces that she needs to return home, having found out that Jonathan has a "fever." Left alone with Betty and Paula, Claymore decides that they should dance and enjoy the music, and it gives him a chance to practice the dances that the children taught him.
The next day, Claymore is a new man! Dressed in a sport coat, an ascot, and dark glasses, he pays a visit to Carolyn. He exudes confidence now, as a ladies’ man. He then plies his charms on Carolyn, alluding that Betty and Paula knew Carolyn was interested in him. Carolyn is surprised at this turn of events! After he leaves, the Captain appears and the two discuss a way for Carolyn to let Claymore down without hurting his feelings: she will aim for his wallet.
Claymore arrives at Gull Cottage and Carolyn has drinks ready for them. They toast and Carolyn concedes that Claymore is correct—they are made for each other. She talks of the life they’ll have, dining, dancing, boarding schools for the children, expensive jewelry for her, etc. Claymore is stopped in his tracks at all of this, and says that it cannot be. He says that he is not made for just one woman, and then dramatically throws his glass into the fireplace. After his departure, the Captain appears and Carolyn concedes that there are only two Gregory Pecks.
Favorite Quotes:
Carolyn: "Give him some lessons in how to be suave."
Captain: "Suave is not to be learned."
Carolyn: "You learned it."
Captain: "You’re wrong. I had it from the cradle."
Claymore: "The supreme irony— to take a noble soul and put it in a factory-reject body."
Favorite moments:
After Claymore asks Carolyn for a date, the Captain does an imitation of Claymore’s mannerisms to a "T."
Least favorite whatever:
Claymore’s and Paula’s dancing at the malt shop leaves something to be desired. Also in this episode, there is little Captain/Carolyn interaction.
Items of interest:
Claymore dances to "Desiree" when he is practicing waltzing; this music is used in "Medicine Ball" when Carolyn begins her dream.
Notes of special interest:
Eileen Brennan nominated Charles Nelson Reilly for an Emmy Award for this episode. He lost to Werner Klemperer, who won for "Hogan’s Heroes."
Comments:
This episode showcases Charles Nelson Reilly’s comic ability. We don’t see much of the Captain and Carolyn together, and there is no romantic by-play or any sentimental comment between them, which this reviewer misses.
Reviewed by Debbie Beckman