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Airdate: December 25, 1969
Writer: Jean Holloway
Director: Jay Sandrich
Synopsis:
It is Christmastime and the Muir family is shopping for a tree at Claymore Gregg’s tree lot. Claymore tries to convince Carolyn to buy an expensive tree, but her budget won’t allow for it. After the Muirs leave, Claymore finds an infant who was put in his car! He takes the baby to the Muirs’ to be cared for while he tries to find out the child’s identity. Claymore nicknames the baby "Slugger." Captain Gregg objects to his "ship" becoming a nursery, but later relents and brings a cradle (his own) from the attic for the baby.
Claymore generously orders baby items from the drugstore-but charges them to Carolyn’s account. Upstairs Carolyn readies the baby for bed. The Captain appears and Carolyn asks him about his best Christmas. He replies that it is one that can never be, because it is a dream. When Carolyn ask what it is, he cryptically replies that she will know soon enough. Carolyn, still pondering, falls asleep and soon begins to dream-transported to the Christmas holidays back in Captain Gregg’s time.
Carolyn "wakes" to find that the Captain has kept his promise and arrived in time for Christmas. After greeting the family, he is surprised to learn that Carolyn’s Uncle Claymore has left an orphaned baby to be cared for by the Muirs. In a parody of Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol" Claymore is "Scrooge" and Carolyn his employee.
Later the Captain teases Martha about getting ready for his wedding to Carolyn. At work, Carolyn wants to leave early because of a worsening snowstorm; it is also Christmas Eve. The Captain comes to escort her home, and Carolyn invites Claymore to enjoy Christmas with them. Claymore declines, preferring to count his money instead.
After Carolyn and the Captain leave Claymore goes home and is eating gruel and counting his money when he hears his conscience pointing out the error of his ways.
The next day Candy and Jonathan are excited to see what Saint Nicholas has left them. The Captain presents a rattle to the baby from one of his many journeys overseas. A reformed Claymore comes to Gull Cottage with a goose for dinner and decides to give $50,000 for the baby’s upbringing.
Carolyn and the Captain make their way to the porch. He tells her that from the moment he saw her, he knew that she was the woman for him. He mentions that this is only a moment in a dream and they embrace and kiss! The scene dissolves ... back to the present.
When Carolyn wakes on Christmas morning she finds "Slugger" holding the rattle from her dream. Claymore arrives at the Muirs’ bringing a turkey and an evergreen tree as a gesture of holiday cheer. News of the baby is heard, an older sibling having put him in Claymore’s car by mistake. Everyone comments on the dreams they had the night before, realizing that they all had the same dream. Claymore realizes that the Captain is responsible for that, the Captain agreeing that he wanted to give them all a special gift. Claymore then wonders if the baby in the dream was his ancestor, to which the Captain asks him how he could do such a thing to an innocent child, even if in a dream!
Guest Stars: None.
Rating: 5 Bells
Items to Note: Lots of carols sung as background music.
Favorite Moments: The moments Carolyn and the Captain share on the porch! I also liked the tender looks he gives her as she fusses with the baby after first seeing the cradle.
Favorite Quotes:
Carolyn: He (Claymore) needs me; he’s behind on the books.
Captain: Now, don’t make excuses for him.
Carolyn: Well, I need HIM. I’m behind on the bills.
Captain: Did I tell you how lovely you are?
Carolyn: I’m so glad you came back for Christmas.
Captain: I had to. The moment I first saw you, I knew that you were the one.
Carolyn: It seems unreal, doesn’t it?
Captain: Perhaps, my darling, because it is only a moment in a dream . . . .
Captain: Man does not live by gruel alone.
Least Favorite Whatever: None.
Notes of Special Interest: I liked the Mozart-style variation of "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" theme. Played mainly on harpsichord, it perfectly fits the Dickensian setting for the dream sequence.
Contributed by Debbie Beckman