Silent Treatment

[Scrabjan1]

An episode that bothers me. Not just because of how Beaver treats June but June and Ward. It’s more about June acting like a victim, a hurt puppy. He’s so rude to her and what does she do? Kiss him goodnight. Ward is completely oblivious to how he treats his mother. Why? Beaver is so obnoxious in this one and lots of people hate it. I have 2 boys and if one of them acted like that to me I’d handle it.

When he treats Ward like he’s father of the year and ‘sleep real well’ I wanted to barf.

It’s almost like Beaver forgot how he felt when he thought no one loved him anymore. He was very hurt so he has a very short memory. June acted with great patience with the kid and never lost her cool. I wanted her to react but then the bee scene wouldn’t be important.

[Cx]

It seems way too contrived, contrived beyond the limits of credibility. This might fly with a younger Beaver, say season 1 or 2, but certainly not at Beaver at season 6.

His cold shoulder to his mother is way way over the top in both theatrics and obviousness. He keeps doing this until he folds like a house of cards in a gust of wind over his mother's attention to his minor wound. Top it off with a very uncharacteristic lack of astuteness by Ward. Come on!

I liked the side snippets of this episode, unrelated to Beaver's silent tantrum. Like Eddie's enthusiasm of how much more of a chick magnet he'll be with an FM radio ( in a clapped-out 1940 Chevrolet )

[stevea]

Ward seems like he has brain fog in this one. Huh? Beaver acting strange? He finally seems to start awakening as he and Beaver are painting the picnic table.

Also I've said before, this not speaking or cold shoulder routine, IMO, is common for young teens. One also might say it's an over-reaction on his part--just because he didn't get to go with Eddie and Wally? But it WAS probably the first time they actually wanted him to to be part of anything they did (one might cite the Bellport amusement park, but the "big guys" were dragged kicking and screaming into letting Beaver go along).

[Scrabjan1]

Originally Posted by Cx

It seems way too contrived, contrived beyond the limits of credibility. This might fly with a younger Beaver, say season 1 or 2, but certainly not at Beaver at season 6.

His cold shoulder to his mother is way way over the top in both theatrics and obviousness. He keeps doing this until he folds like a house of cards in a gust of wind over his mother's attention to his minor wound. Top it off with a very uncharacteristic lack of astuteness by Ward. Come on!

I liked the side snippets of this episode, unrelated to Beaver's silent tantrum. Like Eddie's enthusiasm of how much more of a chick magnet he'll be with an FM radio ( in a clapped-out 1940 Chevrolet )

Folds like a house of cards in a gust of wind. That was perfect. I agree completely like who were they trying to fool that weird way he acted. Beaver running to mommy like a little lost lamb. June ready and willing to be mom again. Might’ve worked if Beaver were 6. Notice he didn’t want Ward only June.

[stevea]

I've said before I remember using this gambit as a young teenager. It's part of the arsenal. I wanted a response but they ignored it. Best thing to do.

Unlike June, who as was said, kissed him good night, offered another blanket, etc.

[vitoscotti]

Kind of irked me about this episode was Ward's braindead mental state he was in. Except for Beaver the Cleaver characters were pretty consistent. The Beaver character being 6 year old in a 13 year olds body was in full swing. So him being a turd to June wasn't impossible. But, don't mess with the Rock of Gibraltar Ward character. I rated the episode a 3 out of 10 and in hindsight I was too generous.

[TheLittleFaerie]

I thought it was handled quite well. Maybe it was good for Beaver to be allowed feel whatever he was feeling WITHOUT being scolded. In ways I thought the Cleavers were ahead of their time in how the disciplined the boys.... I know sometimes Wally and Beav would make insinuations to Ward "clobbering them", but I never got the impression he ever hit them, plus he talked about his own father hitting him, almost like it was something he didn't do to his own kids

[stevea]

Originally Posted by vitoscotti

Kind of irked me about this episode was Ward's braindead mental state he was in. Except for Beaver the Cleaver characters were pretty consistent. The Beaver character being 6 year old in a 13 year olds body was in full swing. So him being a turd to June wasn't impossible. But, don't mess with the Rock of Gibraltar Ward character. I rated the episode a 3 out of 10 and in hindsight I was too generous.

Going way back to the days when TV Land had a chat board, I recall a lot of people really dislike this episode.

The majority opinion was that it's out of character for him to treat June this way.

[TheLittleFaerie]

Originally Posted by stevea

Going way back to the days when TV Land had a chat board, I recall a lot of people really dislike this episode.

The majority opinion was that it's out of character for him to treat June this way.

Considering Beaver was entering into teen-hood, I don't think it was that out of character... I thought it added a lot of realism to the show. But at that point it was probably time for the show to end, since Beaver was no longer believable as the frog-catching, sling-shot-toating little boy

[stevea]

Originally Posted by TheLittleFaerie

Considering Beaver was entering into teen-hood, I don't think it was that out of character... I thought it added a lot of realism to the show.

That's what I've said. It's normal.

I guess a lot of people were used to that naive little boy stumbling thru life, screwing up.

They saw the rebellious young teen in this episode and did not like it. And as was said above, clueless Ward didn't help matters.

[Scrabjan1]

Ward bothered me more than Beaver. Beaver’s complete disregard for June’s feelings wasn’t lost on her and Wally. Ward even was in agreement with Beaver’s criticism of June how she didn’t appreciate Ward’s sense of humor. Beaver knew he was being cruel but Ward was just plain oblivious or maybe he loved all the praise.

[stevea]

Another strange thing: June kept harping at clueless Ward about Beaver's attitude toward her.

Then when he finally wakes up and they discuss it, he wants to talk to Beaver but she says no. Then why was she repeatedly bringing it up in the first place?

Wouldn't it have been cool if she had said, No, I'll talk to him? Other than Beaver Won't Eat she never wanted to be involved in discipline (and she wenrt over the top in that one.) Look at June's Birthday--Wally had to almost beg her to go talk to Beaver after he nailed her not wearing the blouse.

[stevea]

A lot of people don't like this episode, but I still think it's one of the better ones.

Yes, the writers overdo Ward's cluelessness, and Beaver is irritating. But the scene with Beaver and June after he's stung by the bee makes it all worthwhile.

[CosmicCharlie]

I'd say this is the MOST Beaver Being A Jerk Episode - truth is I pulled that as a kid too - got me nowhere

Beaver spending too much time around Eddie ? lol The other times Beaver is a Jerk is when he follows Eddies Advise / like Don Juan Beaver / and the Chuy episode / and ....

[biffbronson]

Originally Posted by stevea

A lot of people don't like this episode, but I still think it's one of the better ones.

Yes, the writers overdo Ward's cluelessness, and Beaver is irritating. But the scene with Beaver and June after he's stung by the bee makes it all worthwhile.

An intriguing premise and a satisfying resolution can go a long way. I found it to be a memorable episode, even though perhaps some aspects could have been handled a little differently.