Season Four the Best Yet?

[NOVARick]

I know it's easy to pick on all the format changes in this series, especially the one that comes in the fourth season when the kids suddenly disappear. But after watching some of these episodes, I'm almost willing to forget those changes for the mere fact that the show seems much more enjoyable to me. I think with all those changes through the years, Doris was trying to find a format that most suited her talents and viewers' expectations. The addition of John Dehner and Jackie Joseph is a welcome change. The verbal sparring between Doris and John's character, Cy Bennett, is very reminiscent of the kind of magic she had in her films with Rock Hudson and James Gardner. She didn't have anything like that with McLean Stevenson, whose character in seasons two and three was rather bland. And, nothing against Rose Marie, but I don't think she was really right for this series. Jackie Joseph brings a cute, refreshing and youthful touch to the show and seems to fit in better. Also, having Doris unattached to kids at home allows her room for lots of travel, adventure, and romance, the sort of elements that made her films popular. Only a handful of times in the first three seasons did I find myself laughing at this show. But I'm finding lots of funny moments in the season four shows and I'm looking forward to season five. Unlike the earlier formats, the one that arrived with season four seems tailor-made for Doris Day. Does anyone else share these sentiments?

[Adamantium]

I've only watched a handful of episodes from the first four seasons. But I do tend to agree with you. Season four is funny, especially Cy Bennett. Yet at the same time, I miss McLean Stevenson's Mr. Nicholson and Rose Marie's Myrna. I don't miss the boys that much, because they always sort of brought Doris down in a way. She had to be a mother first and I like in season four how she's a single woman without having children to care for. With that said, I hate when shows change without explaination. But what could they say? The boys went to a boarding school? Doris would clearly miss them and would mention them all the time (or at least once).

I noticed that line about Doris's mom. It made me wonder if Buck still exists in the fifth season. I know he doesn't show up, but if they took away the kids, does that automatically mean that Buck isn't around. Wouldn't that be terrible if Doris had a different father in season five? LOL

I like Mr. Jarvis and I'm glad he keeps popping up in the later seasons. I wish they'd use him in most of the episodes, by my count, he's only in three episodes in the fourth season. And a few in season three and I believe one in season two.

Once I get season five, I'm going to watch all five seasons in order. Then I can join in (or start) some good topics about this show.

[NOVARick]

I think the writers could have found away to explain the boys absence without compromising the character of Doris Martin. For example, since we know Doris was a devoted mother who wanted only the best for her kids and their happiness, they could have explained that the boys missed their friends, their school, the farm and Buck, so they went back. Mill Valley is only a short drive from San Francisco, so Doris would be able to see them every weekend (or more), and they could come be with her in San Francisco during the summer when school was out. Because the focus on the show would continue to be her work life, they wouldn't have needed to portray her life on the weekends with the boys, or during the summer when the show would have been on hiatus. So viewers could still be content in knowing Doris' boys were happy and where they wanted to be, and that Doris saw plenty of them (even though the viewers didn't get to share in those moments Doris had with her sons). And this would still give the writers an option of using the boys in a script if they ever wanted. But by doing what they did, they undermined the integrity of the characters, created confusion, and betrayed the audience who had been following the lives of the Martins over the previous three seasons.

Originally Posted by Adamantium

I've only watched a handful of episodes from the first four seasons. But I do tend to agree with you. Season four is funny, especially Cy Bennett. Yet at the same time, I miss McLean Stevenson's Mr. Nicholson and Rose Marie's Myrna. I don't miss the boys that much, because they always sort of brought Doris down in a way. She had to be a mother first and I like in season four how she's a single woman without having children to care for. With that said, I hate when shows change without explaination. But what could they say? The boys went to a boarding school? Doris would clearly miss them and would mention them all the time (or at least once).

I noticed that line about Doris's mom. It made me wonder if Buck still exists in the fifth season. I know he doesn't show up, but if they took away the kids, does that automatically mean that Buck isn't around. Wouldn't that be terrible if Doris had a different father in season five? LOL

I like Mr. Jarvis and I'm glad he keeps popping up in the later seasons. I wish they'd use him in most of the episodes, by my count, he's only in three episodes in the fourth season. And a few in season three and I believe one in season two.

Once I get season five, I'm going to watch all five seasons in order. Then I can join in (or start) some good topics about this show.

[Scoobiedoo30]

I agree

[McGillicuddy]

There just should have been some explanation, like on The Lucy Show, when her kids left.

[Jude The Obscure]

I find Cy Bennett to be too much like Theodore J. Mooney and while Doris wasn't scatterbrained, she does find herself in a lot of Lucy-like predicaments. Season 4 to me just isn't funny....