Episode Reviews - "Farewell to Penny" - season 5 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

stevea · 01-30-2026, 08:56 PM

This is another episode that shows Beaver really likes Penny--the first was a baby carriage episode near the end of season 4.

Beaver is adamant he doesn't want to attend a party for Penny. Ward and June agree he's too old to be forced to go, but eventually Whitey visits and reveals it's a moving-away party, as she's leaving town. So, Beaver goes.

As Beaver is leaving the party at school, the teacher, Mr. Blair, suggests Beaver help Penny carry her presents out. Thus ensues a pleasant like-each-other conversation between these two.

Whitey eventually tells Beaver that Penny raised a fuss and will not leave until school is over. This prompts Beaver to pick a fight with Penny, and all is as it was.

Last appearance of Wendell Holmes, who played Mr. Blair and had earlier played roles as another teacher Mr. Willet, and handyman Andy Hadlock. He died a few months after this episode aired.

MichaelMartinD · 02-04-2026, 05:17 PM

The Beaver/Penny dynamic was sweet, as I recall. I had forgotten Wendell Holmes was in this one. I only remember him from "Beaver's Hero," "Beaver's English Test," and of course "Andy the Handyman." He was a fine actor.

stevea · 02-04-2026, 08:55 PM

Had the Penny character not left the show, I think the writers could have developed a relationship there, especially had the show gone on beyond six seasons.

Agree about Wendell Holmes.

01-30-2026, 08:56 PM	#1
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,164	Episode Reviews - "Farewell to Penny" - season 5 This is another episode that shows Beaver really likes Penny--the first was a baby carriage episode near the end of season 4. Beaver is adamant he doesn't want to attend a party for Penny. Ward and June agree he's too old to be forced to go, but eventually Whitey visits and reveals it's a moving-away party, as she's leaving town. So, Beaver goes. As Beaver is leaving the party at school, the teacher, Mr. Blair, suggests Beaver help Penny carry her presents out. Thus ensues a pleasant like-each-other conversation between these two. Whitey eventually tells Beaver that Penny raised a fuss and will not leave until school is over. This prompts Beaver to pick a fight with Penny, and all is as it was. Last appearance of Wendell Holmes, who played Mr. Blair and had earlier played roles as another teacher Mr. Willet, and handyman Andy Hadlock. He died a few months after this episode aired.

02-04-2026, 05:17 PM	#2
MichaelMartinD Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 23, 2013 Posts: 573	The Beaver/Penny dynamic was sweet, as I recall. I had forgotten Wendell Holmes was in this one. I only remember him from "Beaver's Hero," "Beaver's English Test," and of course "Andy the Handyman." He was a fine actor.

02-04-2026, 08:55 PM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,164	Had the Penny character not left the show, I think the writers could have developed a relationship there, especially had the show gone on beyond six seasons. Agree about Wendell Holmes.