Beaver and Chopper

[desilu #1]

Well, this was a different kind of episode. Ward and June handled the situation very well considering they had no heads up on Chopper's home life and the way they explained things to Beaver was very impressive for such a different subject matter for that era. This episode was very well written and I really felt for Chopper being that I also come from a divorced family. My parents acted alot like his parents so I related to him very well. I suppose alot of people did being that divorce is so popular.

[howilu]

To my knowledge, this was one of the first sitcom episodes to deal with divorce. A young Barry Gordon portrayed Chopper, who sometimes got "the weepies".

[howilu]

To my knowledge, this was one of the first sitcom episodes to deal with divorce. A young Barry Gordon portrayed Chopper, who sometimes got "the weepies".

[1954Boomer]

I agree with you folks also that this was one of the best episodes of the series, and on the cutting edge for its time.

[MikeZ]

First time I have seen that episode, and I thought was done very well!

[junecleaver]

i really could relate to chopper too, this epi showed a fine way of how some parents don't realize how much they can hurt their children through divorce

[MikeZ]

My parents were married forever.....over 55 years, so I never had to go through the heartbreak of a divorce, but I know many of my friends did. Too many parents don't realize how what is going on between themselves is hurting the rest of the family.

[desilu #1]

That is great that your parents were married that long. It is very rare to see that now days. My parents divorce was actually a blessing in disguise because I never really saw any love between them. I'm 31 yrs. old and I have found out that special occassions are more difficult because I need to split my time between them and now my husband's family. They are finally civil after being divorced for over 15 yrs. and I must say they came together for my wedding and made it special but there are times when I feel a little selfish and think it would have been easier if they would have stayed married. I guess it's bad either way. Sometimes I think my mom still finds it difficult to understand why I'm still daddy's girl and my dad can't understand why my mom was so unhappy with him. I'm sorry to rattle on I guess this episode just affected me more than I thought.

[MikeZ]

If an episode affected you in that manner, that means it was a well written, and the actors did their jobs well!

If you will forgive me, it sounds like your parents need to realize THEY were the ones who got divorced...not you. You can still remain fond of both of them. It is good that they could put enough of it behind them to come to your wedding, and you should not feel selfish for wishing they had stayed together, but sometimes that is just not possible. If there were problems between them, it may have just gotten worse. It is good that you don't seem to feel any guilt; many times the children go through life feeling it was their fault, and if they had been a "better child", the divorce would never have taken place. Of course, that is not true at all, but some parents don't take the time to convince the children of that fact.

[desilu #1]

There is nothing to forgive Mike. You spoke the truth and Thanks for the insight.;)

[MikeZ]

Thanks, 4 years of college Psychology...can't even remember my name sometimes, but still can quote the textbooks! :)

RIP Jon Brandis (1976-2003)

[Waterston_Fan]

Forgive me, I don't understand why there are three or four different threads on one topic. :confused:

I did see the episode just a few days ago and I thought it was good.

My parents divorced when I was like no more than 10 years old so I don't remember them having problems but the divorce was done in a nice fashion and they are still friends. Even though my dad has remarried and my mom has no problems with it but he's been married for like 10 or 15 years.

If you watch Dr. Phil, you can maybe see a family like 'Chopper's' who fights alot.