Airdate: December 21, 1968
Writer: Howard Leeds
Director: Lee Phillips
Guest Cast: Jonathan Harris as Dr. Milton Rodman
Ruth McDevitt as Mrs. Rodman
Rating: 4.5 bells
Synopsis:
When Martha asks to borrow the car one evening, Carolyn notices that she is dressed for a special occasion. Martha is evasive about her plans but she is obviously, as Carolyn tells Captain Gregg, "in the throes of a romance." Very curious, she asks the Captain to follow Martha and report on this new development. He adamantly refuses, but of course the next scene finds him in the park, observing Martha and Dr. Milton Rodman, a local dentist. Though Martha is eager and willing for a little romance, Dr. Rodman seems oblivious to her charms. "I'd say Dr. Rodman's idea of romance is a moonlight cruise down a root canal," the Captain reports to Carolyn next morning.
Martha is noticeably depressed that morning. Carolyn quizzes her and learns the gloomy details of the dismal evening. It seems that Dr. Rodman even turned down an invitation to dinner. Carolyn hates to see Martha so miserable, but Captain Gregg advises her not to interfere. Claymore arrives then with insurance papers for Carolyn to sign. In his typical sneaky fashion, Claymore slaps his hat over the papers when she attempts to read them first Instead of signing, Carolyn enlists his aid in cheering Martha, instructing him to be nice and to pay her compliments. Claymore botches the assignment thoroughly in true Claymore style, leaving Martha feeling worse than ever.
Carolyn, upset over the situation, is having trouble working and is in a testy mood when Captain Gregg appears. She cuts him off short but changes her tune quickly when he informs her he has the solution to Martha's problem. He has Carolyn make an appointment with Dr. Rodman.
Carolyn sings Martha's praises as best she can during her dental exam, dancing nimbly around Dr. Rodman's preferences, until he comes at her with his drill, having found a genuine cavity. She arrives home with a new filling, laden with groceries, and tells Martha she followed up on her dinner invitaion. Dr. Rodman not only accepted; he wants to bring his mother along!
Martha is excited about the dinner as they prepare for the arrival of Dr. Rodman and his mother, who seems the veritable picture of sweet-little-old-ladyhood. Almost immediately, however, disenchantment starts to set in, as Mrs. Rodman reveals herself to be a shallow snob and a self-absorbed bore, in the process revealing her son to be totally dominated by her and tied to her apron strings. When Mrs. Rodman becomes openly insulting, implying that Martha is a gold-digger after her precious boy, Martha shows both of them the way to the door. (Captain Gregg, who orchestrated this whole scene, rather gleefully entertains Carolyn during this altercation, injecting his own comments throughout.)
Martha is definitely over her romantic inclinations toward Dr. Rodman, and in fact can't believe she ever felt rejected by him. She would, she informs Carolyn, refering to the Captain's portrait, as soon marry "that ogre!"
Some evening shortly thereafter, Carolyn anxiously awaits Martha's return from a night on the town with Claymore while the Captain watches her fret. Carolyn eavesdrops on the homecoming and is gratified to find Martha in a wonderful mood. She slips outside to thank Claymore, and even signs his insurance papers without reading them first!
Favorite quotes:
Captain: If you're so concerned, why not come right out and ask her?
Carolyn: Oh, I couldn't do that. She'd think I was being nosy and meddling.
Captain: She'd be right.
Carolyn: Of course, if someone else were to find out who the man was, I wouldn't be
meddling.
Captain: Ummhmm.
Carolyn: Someone special . . . who could follow her tonight and neither be seen nor heard?
Captain: Oh, no! Thank you, but no thank you!
Carolyn: But she wouldn't even know you were there.
Captain: For a very good reason because I won't be there!
Cut immediately to him there!
Dr. Rodman: You know, Martha . . .
Martha: Yes?
Dr. Rodman: When you smile . . .
Martha: YES, Doctor?
Dr. Rodman: I can see the moonlight reflected in your teeth. Nothing pleases me more than
the sight of good, healthy gums.
Martha: You're not just saying that to excite me?
Martha: How do you know about Dr. Rodman?
Carolyn: Oh, I have my ways. I hear he's a very nice person.
Martha: Oh, yes. And very romantic, too.
Carolyn: He IS?
Martha: He just couldn't wait to take my face in his hands and gaze into my gums!
Captain: First of all you have to make an important appointment on the telephone.
Carolyn: Right! Uh . . . with whom?
Captain: With the playboy of the dental world, Dr. Milton Rodman.
Carolyn: Right . . . Why?
Captain: Because you suddenly have an excrutiating toothache.
Carolyn: Oh . . . Why?
Captain: Oh, by the powers if this is the way women go about trapping men, it's a miracle
the race has survived!
Martha: Wait a minute. This extra food? A sudden visit to the dentist? Are you trying
to tell me something?
Carolyn: Well, let's put it this way . . . Guess who's coming to dinner?
Martha: I have a feeling it's not Sidney Poitier.
Captain: I have a feeling that all is going to be clear sailing.
Carolyn: You have a feeling, I have a filling.
Captain (during the visit): Those two could do with a spot of rum. It might humanize
them. The others can neither see nor hear me, Mrs. Muir. Though I'm not so sure about
vegetarians . . .
Mrs. Rodman: Don't contradict me, Milton! Remember my heart.
Captain: You haven't got a heart, you old barracuda!
Favorite moments:
The "no-cuts" scene (you know I love those) in the bedroom, when Captain Gregg reveals his plan.
Carolyn talking around dental instruments and adjusting her sales pitch to Dr. Rodman's every statement. Then being pinned in the chair by the advancing drill! {Shudder}
Notes:
We all love Martha, and so forgive her for taking the focus off Carolyn and Captain Gregg for this episode. Reta Shaw is great as always in her scenes. But, making up for the digression in our preferred focus, the scenes with Carolyn and the Captain all have that intimate warm appearance of two people who know each other well. I upped my rating from 4 to 4.5 bells after watching these scenes several times. Kudos to our wonderful actors (again) for their timing, delivery, and expertise.
Cast notes:
Jonathan Harris is best remembered as the nefarious Dr. Smith on "Lost in Space."
Ruth McDevitt is one of those distinctive character actors seen countless times through the years in a wide variety of roles.
Contributed by Rhonda Nichols