Season 3 - Alex MIA.... your thoughts

[bliss]

Re-watching season 3 again and noticed Alex was a no show in some episodes. The excuse was he was away on a medical conference, making housecalls, or working at the hospital. He did make an off-screen appearance when he called and asked Donna out to a fancy restaurant in the episode Decisions Decisions Where the heck was Carl Betz anyways

The episodes seemed a bit off w/out Alex in my opinion and just having Donna & the kids. I'm sure I'll feel the same way when I see season 6 eps without Mary....

[donnareedfan]

Originally Posted by bliss

Re-watching season 3 again and noticed Alex was a no show in some episodes. The excuse was he was away on a medical conference, making housecalls, or working at the hospital. He did make an off-screen appearance when he called and asked Donna out to a fancy restaurant in the episode Decisions Decisions Where the heck was Carl Betz anyways

The episodes seemed a bit off w/out Alex in my opinion and just having Donna & the kids. I'm sure I'll feel the same way when I see season 6 eps without Mary....

Bliss, I've noticed that too. And in the later seasons Donna isn't in much of the episodes either, she's gone to the neighbors house or shopping but I don't like Alex missing that's for sure.

[bliss]

Originally Posted by donnareedfan

Bliss, I've noticed that too. And in the later seasons Donna isn't in much of the episodes either, she's gone to the neighbors house or shopping but I don't like Alex missing that's for sure.

Thank you donnareedfan I like seeing Alex around the house and watching eps w/out him was like missing the leg of a table or god forbid Donna Stone as a single/widowed mother (odd I know lol)

I've never seen the later seasons (6,7, & 8) but does Donna phone it in when she sported the helmet hair by any chance and the STAR of her own show possibly not in an episode I know she wanted to end the series after Shelley left.

[donnareedfan]

Originally Posted by bliss

Thank you donnareedfan I like seeing Alex around the house and watching eps w/out him was like missing the leg of a table or god forbid Donna Stone as a single/widowed mother (odd I know lol)

I've never seen the later seasons (6,7, & 8) but does Donna phone it in when she sported the helmet hair by any chance and the STAR of her own show possibly not in an episode I know she wanted to end the series after Shelley left.

well i may have spoken too soon there is only one that i can remember that donna wasn't around for and that was season three Mary's Little Lambs, I only have a few that I recorded when the show ran on nick at nite- she may be out of a few scenes here and there but it is really odd when Alex isn't around at all for the entire episode those are never my favories, yes Donna wanted to quit after season five and between season three and four; I read someplace that she got really sick in between season seven and eight during the summer break the show had- they had the last three episodes written by paul peterson when she decided it was time to end the show
I can't wait for the later seasons!!

[bliss]

Originally Posted by donnareedfan

well i may have spoken too soon there is only one that i can remember that donna wasn't around for and that was season three Mary's Little Lambs, I only have a few that I recorded when the show ran on nick at nite- she may be out of a few scenes here and there but it is really odd when Alex isn't around at all for the entire episode those are never my favories, yes Donna wanted to quit after season five and between season three and four; I read someplace that she got really sick in between season seven and eight during the summer break the show had- they had the last three episodes written by paul peterson when she decided it was time to end the show
I can't wait for the later seasons!!

I read on some website Donna had food poisoning while on a safari in Africa during the Summer hiatus?!?!?!?

[donnareedfan]

Bliss I read that too. Poor Donna, I think that's the reason. Donna just never reallly recovered after being sick is what I'm thinking.

[gidgetgrape]

This is speculation on my part, but Carl Betz separated from his wife, Lois Harmon, in 1960 and divorced in 1961. This would have been during season 3, so it's possible he had to skip being in some episodes to get his personal life in order. According to this newspaper clipping (Show Business Couple to Split), Lois accused Carl of extreme mental cruelty.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?ni...pg=6729,213265

Again, I'm only guessing that's what was going on!

[bliss]

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

This is speculation on my part, but Carl Betz separated from his wife, Lois Harmon, in 1960 and divorced in 1961. This would have been during season 3, so it's possible he had to skip being in some episodes to get his personal life in order. According to this newspaper clipping (Show Business Couple to Split), Lois accused Carl of extreme mental cruelty.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?ni...pg=6729,213265

Again, I'm only guessing that's what was going on!

Never knew that of Carl. I knew he was into doing plays, reading Shakespeare, & remaining close to Donna Reed cast after the show ended (not sure about Patti)