I think people see hidden messsges in LITB that I'm not into. But, this Marlene babe. The writers make her to be the personification of temptation. They get 25 year old hottie Diane Sayer to play temptress Marlene. Wally has a night he'll never forget. He sees now there's other faster woman other then his square female classmates. Honestly there's 0% chance I'd be pushing off Marlene. Most guys would be nailing her, then dumping her. I'd be pounding beers, dancing, making out. But would it ruin my life like the writers imply. Wally had to figure Marlene getting knocked up by a rich Cleaver might open the door to a better life for her. Even naive Wally had to see this. I think a mother knows after a few words if a girl is good enough for her son in her eyes. June had real bad vibes about Marlene and her lines of bs. A great thought provoking episode.

I think people see hidden messsges in LITB that I'm not into. But, this Marlene babe. The writers make her to be the personification of temptation. They get 25 year old hottie Diane Sayer to play temptress Marlene. Wally has a night he'll never forget. He sees now there's other faster woman other then his square female classmates. Honestly there's 0% chance I'd be pushing off Marlene. Most guys would be nailing her, then dumping her. I'd be pounding beers, dancing, making out. But would it ruin my life like the writers imply. Wally had to figure Marlene getting knocked up by a rich Cleaver might open the door to a better life for her. Even naive Wally had to see this. I think a mother knows after a few words if a girl is good enough for her son in her eyes. June had real bad vibes about Marlene and her lines of bs. A great thought provoking episode.

Most guys would be nailing her, then dumping her. I'd be pounding beers, dancing, making out.

What if Eddy got the date with Marlene ? Now that would have been an eye opening episode !

We barely saw Wally kiss in the entire show's run ...then Marlene shows up and BANG, a bit of real life is thrown into the show, then, next episode, back to squaresville ! lol

I'm actually surprised they had a handful of true life coming of age themes, but in the end the entire cast finishes off as virgins. The movies American Graffiti & The Last Picture show sure showed the opposite ... ( be it set in the 50's but filmed in the 70's)

Wally after he pulled over, and Marlene kissed him "Jee golly!"

Wally after he pulled over, and Marlene kissed him "Jee golly!"

Wasn't he more surprised that a girl would do such a thing rather than feeling turned on by the kiss?

I wonder how Eddie would have handled the same situation? What would he have told everyone?

What if Eddy got the date with Marlene ? Now that would have been an eye opening episode !

That would! Unfortunately in the episode she couldn't stand him.

In the world of 1963 TV they took the car scene as far as they could. Even if they tried to take it further they'd run into the censor. Pretty admirable position for Tony Dow to be in, but embarrassing to have to push her away, too. You have to wonder sometimes how actors maintain control.

One of the funniest lines in the episode came from Gilbert, something like: She's what they call a woman of the world.

How the writers play it that Wally, Eddie, and Lumpy admire female's beauty, but show no sexual interest is quite comical. Ward eyes-up Wally's dates more than Wally does.

Until Beaver clued W&J in about seeing Marlene at Hank's Place, Ward had no problem with her. He was probably thinking, Wow, Wally, good pick!

Of course June had a problem with her right from the start.

Good point about sexual interest. Other than Marlene did we see him involved in ANY kiss?

Kinda odd Beaver was looking in the window to Hank's Place - really doesn't suit the Beaver character or the episode -

June: Beaver why on earth were you SPYING in the Window at Hank's Place ?
Beaver: Jeeez mom, I learnt spying from YOU !

I don't exactly recall but wasn't Gilbert looking in first and Beaver followed his lead?

I don't exactly recall but wasn't Gilbert looking in first and Beaver followed his lead?

It was Gilbert first. He thought it would be funny to watch the drunks coming out of the bar, but Beaver didn't want to and thought their behavior was sad.

Wally had to figure Marlene getting knocked up by a rich Cleaver might open the door to a better life for her. .



I think this episode was mostly simple satire about how many parents go to lengths to shelter their children, and the culture shock that results when the cocoon finally bursts.

June having strong reservations about this new threat to her progeny, was classic. I recall my own mother having dread for my "worldly" acquaintances.

Interesting Marlene thought the white collar possibly upper middle class Cleavers were living in luxury. I think that was a "red flag" to Ward and June. No so much uppity by them. But it raised June's worry level to panic.

LOL, I recall an episode of Married With Children where some babe supposedly developed an interest in Bud, and Al was certain that she was just trying to get her hooks in the vast Bundy fotrune.

I think this episode was mostly simple satire about how many parents go to lengths to shelter their children, and the culture shock that results when the cocoon finally bursts.

That it was, I agree, and it was telegraphed well.

From my observations of some of my peers, the longer the coddling/cocooning goes on for, the more unpleasant the culture shock. It can hit like a ton of bricks.

I suspect that it's rooted in compassion? The willingness to allow their children to remain ignorant of life's harsher realities until it's no longer possible to avoid them.

Might be an element of denial at work, as well.