"Old Man Gatling"--(S1, Episode #20) Discussion Thread - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BensonFan · 11-29-2007, 08:49 AM

Governor Gatling’s father Gibson (played by David Huddleston, who is actually 10 years younger than James Noble!) comes to visit his son for the first time at the mansion. The staff is excited to meet him---until they do.

No sooner he gets there, he starts putting everyone down (including his own son) and trying to take charge. He is unhappy with the staff and thinks they are keeping his son from bigger, better things. (“A bunch of losers!”)

The real kicker comes when he decides to disrupt the Governor’s press conference. Not only does he continually interrupt his son but he puts down all the other governors and causes an embarrassing scene. As Taylor and Benson try to wheel him forcefully out of the room in his wheelchair, he grabs onto a tablecloth and a photographer’s leg, knocking over the food that was on the table and the photographer, who brings a second table down with him.

Soon after, Benson decides to stand guard in the kitchen, keeping the old man there until the press conference is over. Benson gives him a piece of his mind, reminding him that his son is a successful man in his own right and doesn’t need his father butting into his life.

When the Governor comes into the kitchen after the press conference, Gene and his dad have a heartfelt discussion about their relationship and Gibson admits his faults as a father. The “I love you” scene was pretty touching and well-acted.

I really like the end scene when Gene tells Benson in the kitchen that he was relieved to see his father leave. (How about the comment Gibson made about his son Harvey’s bride: “She had no business wearing white”. Ouch!

)

By the way, who is Earl Butts? And what was Kraus fixing Katie for lunch?

And sorry, but this is NOT a milk episode.

Favorite quotes:
Gibson (to Taylor): You got soft hands, boy. Probably never did an honest day’s work.
Benson: If he did, we missed it.

Gibson (to Kraus): Did anyone ever tell you what a gorgeous woman you are?
Benson: Yeah. But she still wouldn’t let him in the lifeboat.

Kraus: Last night he (Gibson) was telling me to come up to his room.
Marcy: He’s got some nerve.
Benson: He’s got some guts.

Kraus: Either he (Gibson) goes, or I go.
Benson: Well either way I can’t lose.

Overall I like this episode. The father is extremely annoying but there are some funny parts and it’s a rare episode when Taylor and Benson can agree on something and work together to solve a problem. I really felt sorry for the Governor, especially after the press conference fiasco. (And for what it’s worth, I always thought the father acted the way he did because he was jealous of his son, but that’s up for debate!)

catlover79 · 11-29-2007, 01:07 PM

Talk about embarrassing parents!

Poor Gene. I also liked that Benson and Taylor worked together to solve this problem. Well-acted all around. Do we ever see Gibson Gatling again, Lisa?

BensonFan · 11-29-2007, 08:20 PM

No, we don't, Monika. In fact, in a later episode when Gene's estranged brother returns, he asks Benson (rhetorically), "Where was he when my father died?", which is strange because his father's death wasn't acknowledged whenever it supposedly happened.

svt65 · 11-30-2007, 01:41 AM

20 -- Old Man Gatling

Gene must be nervous already if he’s explaining his every sentence.

*Finally* Benson wins one of those household tests with Kraus.

Love the backhanded compliments Benson and Kraus give each other. :-)

I’m can’t figure out why the Governor would *want* his father to stay longer. Hope springs eternal?

Should someone who wears glasses call anyone else “four-eyes”?

Something to think about: How *did* Mr. Gatling get the wheelchair back?

What is the difference between the situation at the press conference and what happened in Marcy’s office when Gene apologised to the three? Here, his father first aggrandizes him and then puts him down, and he makes no apologies for him.

Excellent statement Gene makes after his father left. When this was left out of the aired TV Land show, I couldn’t see how it could be just cut away like that. Here, we see how Gene deals with it and continues with business. I can see him getting some of the reporters’ sympathy.

The “What for?” line was *so awful* the first time I heard it.

I find it hard to believe Gibson Gatling would say the words “I love you.” I’d see it more realistic if he tried to say them but finally couldn’t. But definitely trying, yes. However, I just can’t see him changing that fast, or at all really. Am I being too cynical? I don’t think so.

If Mr. Gatling was like this throughout his childhood, with his continuous putting-down-comments, I’m seeing this as a form of emotional abuse. Additionally, Gene seems to have made and continues to make through this episode explanations/excuses for his father’s behavior.

The fact that Mr. Gatling hasn’t seen Harvey in many years, and that brother Jack abandoned the family early on makes me think all the kids suffered enough to want to stay away. Wonder about their father’s relationship with Libby and with their mother?

I suppose Gene must have gotten support from his mother and/or sister. I’d say Mr. Gatling’s being in a wheelchair might have triggered his conduct, but the long history says not. I am happy that the Governor was able to come out so well from that relationship. He has an essentially cheerful and gentle personality.

Could Gene’s story-telling habit have come as a result of constantly trying to divert or cool situations at home?

This was a very sad and painful episode for me to watch. I liked it, but I still came out feeling pensive at the end. Well… anyway, here my quotes for this one:

After the introduction…
Gene: Isn’t he something?
Benson: He sure is! [to himself] I haven’t decided what.

Kraus: Either he goes or I go.
Benson: Either way I can’t lose.

Taylor: Now, how are we going to keep that old man out of the press conference?
Marcy: We’ll have to think of something.
Benson: I can think of a lot of things, but none of them are legal.

catlover79 · 11-30-2007, 01:44 AM

I wear glasses and would never call another person wearing them four-eyes. That's just being hypocritical.

blink · 11-30-2007, 03:32 AM

This episode had some really funny stuff like the punch bowl stand-off and all, but the thing that always impressed me about this one was the classic story line about the relationship between a domineering father and the son who the father thought was maybe just a little to laid-back for his own good.
Sure the oldman was a real jack-ass and not a very loving parent on the surface when Gene was growing up but you can't help but think that he probably contributed a lot to his son's success in life.
Here's some of my favorite quotes:

Gatling sr.: ( Taylor) You've got soft hands boy. Probably never done an honest day's work in you're life.
Benson: If he did we missed it.
Gatling sr.: Did my son tell you the good news!
Benson: No, he told me you were staying.

blink · 11-30-2007, 04:25 AM

Oh I forgot to add this. Krauss was fixing Katie's favorite, a peanut-budder and mayonnase sandwich for her school lunch. Or was it a prune and mayonnase sandwich?

catlover79 · 11-30-2007, 01:22 PM

^

BensonFan · 11-30-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt65

What is the difference between the situation at the press conference and what happened in Marcy’s office when Gene apologised to the three? Here, his father first aggrandizes him and then puts him down, and he makes no apologies for him.

I agree....I have to say, as much as I tend to side with Gene a vast majority of the time, I thought he was dead wrong here. Ok, we get the fact that your father has his own way of doing things and he was just trying to help you, but the fact remains the man caused an embarrassing scene, knocked over a photographer and two tables of food, and insulted the other governors (whom he didn't even know). I think an apology was definited warranted here. No reason to make excuses for his boorish behavior just because he's your father.

BensonFan · 11-30-2007, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

Oh I forgot to add this. Krauss was fixing Katie's favorite, a peanut-budder and mayonnase sandwich for her school lunch. Or was it a prune and mayonnase sandwich?

But what exactly was she saying? Was she saying it in German or something?

BensonFan · 11-30-2007, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

Sure the oldman was a real jack-ass and not a very loving parent on the surface when Gene was growing up but you can't help but think that he probably contributed a lot to his son's success in life.

Very possible. It seems from the things Gene said to his dad at the end, he really craved his approval and love as a boy, so maybe he tried as hard as he did to succeed in order to make his dad proud of him.

(Didn't you just want to give Gene a hug in that scene? I really felt his pain!) Just more great acting by Noble.

svt65 · 12-01-2007, 04:15 AM

I think he tried *too hard* to make his dad proud of him. But then, I'm not that kind of person; I wouldn't take that kind of garbage for long -- my own temper's too strong. I would have said... well, something not for this board, and left.

I guess I would have done a Jack! Albeit he did his disappearing act quietly.

Still, perhaps Gene's sticking it out says something for his inner strength as well.

svt65 · 12-01-2007, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

But what exactly was she saying? Was she saying it in German or something?

From my German of long ago, she *seems* to be saying something about evening and dinner. Benson's comments reinforce this, but I wouldn't bet my glass of milk on it!

BensonFan · 12-01-2007, 10:43 AM

So did anyone figure out who Earl Butts is?

Benson: "If your father is funny, then I'm Earl Butts."

I have no idea who he is referring to here, therefore I have no idea what this is supposed to mean.

svt65 · 12-01-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensonFan

So did anyone figure out who Earl Butts is?

Benson: "If your father is funny, then I'm Earl Butts."

I have no idea who he is referring to here, therefore I have no idea what this is supposed to mean.

Earl Butz was Ag. Secretary under Nixon and Ford. He resigned in 1976.
Some links....
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=6408

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Bu...nd_Resignation

11-29-2007, 08:49 AM	#1
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	"Old Man Gatling"--(S1, Episode #20) Discussion Thread Governor Gatling’s father Gibson (played by David Huddleston, who is actually 10 years younger than James Noble!) comes to visit his son for the first time at the mansion. The staff is excited to meet him---until they do. No sooner he gets there, he starts putting everyone down (including his own son) and trying to take charge. He is unhappy with the staff and thinks they are keeping his son from bigger, better things. (“A bunch of losers!”) The real kicker comes when he decides to disrupt the Governor’s press conference. Not only does he continually interrupt his son but he puts down all the other governors and causes an embarrassing scene. As Taylor and Benson try to wheel him forcefully out of the room in his wheelchair, he grabs onto a tablecloth and a photographer’s leg, knocking over the food that was on the table and the photographer, who brings a second table down with him. Soon after, Benson decides to stand guard in the kitchen, keeping the old man there until the press conference is over. Benson gives him a piece of his mind, reminding him that his son is a successful man in his own right and doesn’t need his father butting into his life. When the Governor comes into the kitchen after the press conference, Gene and his dad have a heartfelt discussion about their relationship and Gibson admits his faults as a father. The “I love you” scene was pretty touching and well-acted. I really like the end scene when Gene tells Benson in the kitchen that he was relieved to see his father leave. (How about the comment Gibson made about his son Harvey’s bride: “She had no business wearing white”. Ouch! ) By the way, who is Earl Butts? And what was Kraus fixing Katie for lunch? And sorry, but this is NOT a milk episode. Favorite quotes: Gibson (to Taylor): You got soft hands, boy. Probably never did an honest day’s work. Benson: If he did, we missed it. Gibson (to Kraus): Did anyone ever tell you what a gorgeous woman you are? Benson: Yeah. But she still wouldn’t let him in the lifeboat. Kraus: Last night he (Gibson) was telling me to come up to his room. Marcy: He’s got some nerve. Benson: He’s got some guts. Kraus: Either he (Gibson) goes, or I go. Benson: Well either way I can’t lose. Overall I like this episode. The father is extremely annoying but there are some funny parts and it’s a rare episode when Taylor and Benson can agree on something and work together to solve a problem. I really felt sorry for the Governor, especially after the press conference fiasco. (And for what it’s worth, I always thought the father acted the way he did because he was jealous of his son, but that’s up for debate!)

11-30-2007, 04:25 AM	#7
blink Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 17, 2004 Location: Texarkana AR. Posts: 950	Oh I forgot to add this. Krauss was fixing Katie's favorite, a peanut-budder and mayonnase sandwich for her school lunch. Or was it a prune and mayonnase sandwich? Attached Images

11-29-2007, 01:07 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Talk about embarrassing parents! Poor Gene. I also liked that Benson and Taylor worked together to solve this problem. Well-acted all around. Do we ever see Gibson Gatling again, Lisa?
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

11-29-2007, 08:20 PM	#3
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	No, we don't, Monika. In fact, in a later episode when Gene's estranged brother returns, he asks Benson (rhetorically), "Where was he when my father died?", which is strange because his father's death wasn't acknowledged whenever it supposedly happened.

11-30-2007, 01:41 AM	#4
svt65 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 07, 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Posts: 147	20 -- Old Man Gatling Gene must be nervous already if he’s explaining his every sentence. Finally Benson wins one of those household tests with Kraus. Love the backhanded compliments Benson and Kraus give each other. :-) I’m can’t figure out why the Governor would want his father to stay longer. Hope springs eternal? Should someone who wears glasses call anyone else “four-eyes”? Something to think about: How did Mr. Gatling get the wheelchair back? What is the difference between the situation at the press conference and what happened in Marcy’s office when Gene apologised to the three? Here, his father first aggrandizes him and then puts him down, and he makes no apologies for him. Excellent statement Gene makes after his father left. When this was left out of the aired TV Land show, I couldn’t see how it could be just cut away like that. Here, we see how Gene deals with it and continues with business. I can see him getting some of the reporters’ sympathy. The “What for?” line was so awful the first time I heard it. I find it hard to believe Gibson Gatling would say the words “I love you.” I’d see it more realistic if he tried to say them but finally couldn’t. But definitely trying, yes. However, I just can’t see him changing that fast, or at all really. Am I being too cynical? I don’t think so. If Mr. Gatling was like this throughout his childhood, with his continuous putting-down-comments, I’m seeing this as a form of emotional abuse. Additionally, Gene seems to have made and continues to make through this episode explanations/excuses for his father’s behavior. The fact that Mr. Gatling hasn’t seen Harvey in many years, and that brother Jack abandoned the family early on makes me think all the kids suffered enough to want to stay away. Wonder about their father’s relationship with Libby and with their mother? I suppose Gene must have gotten support from his mother and/or sister. I’d say Mr. Gatling’s being in a wheelchair might have triggered his conduct, but the long history says not. I am happy that the Governor was able to come out so well from that relationship. He has an essentially cheerful and gentle personality. Could Gene’s story-telling habit have come as a result of constantly trying to divert or cool situations at home? This was a very sad and painful episode for me to watch. I liked it, but I still came out feeling pensive at the end. Well… anyway, here my quotes for this one: After the introduction… Gene: Isn’t he something? Benson: He sure is! [to himself] I haven’t decided what. Kraus: Either he goes or I go. Benson: Either way I can’t lose. Taylor: Now, how are we going to keep that old man out of the press conference? Marcy: We’ll have to think of something. Benson: I can think of a lot of things, but none of them are legal.

11-30-2007, 01:44 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I wear glasses and would never call another person wearing them four-eyes. That's just being hypocritical.

11-30-2007, 03:32 AM	#6
blink Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 17, 2004 Location: Texarkana AR. Posts: 950	This episode had some really funny stuff like the punch bowl stand-off and all, but the thing that always impressed me about this one was the classic story line about the relationship between a domineering father and the son who the father thought was maybe just a little to laid-back for his own good. Sure the oldman was a real jack-ass and not a very loving parent on the surface when Gene was growing up but you can't help but think that he probably contributed a lot to his son's success in life. Here's some of my favorite quotes: Gatling sr.: ( Taylor) You've got soft hands boy. Probably never done an honest day's work in you're life. Benson: If he did we missed it. Gatling sr.: Did my son tell you the good news! Benson: No, he told me you were staying.

11-30-2007, 01:22 PM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	^

12-01-2007, 04:15 AM	#12
svt65 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 07, 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Posts: 147	I think he tried too hard to make his dad proud of him. But then, I'm not that kind of person; I wouldn't take that kind of garbage for long -- my own temper's too strong. I would have said... well, something not for this board, and left. I guess I would have done a Jack! Albeit he did his disappearing act quietly. Still, perhaps Gene's sticking it out says something for his inner strength as well.

12-01-2007, 10:43 AM	#14
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	So did anyone figure out who Earl Butts is? Benson: "If your father is funny, then I'm Earl Butts." I have no idea who he is referring to here, therefore I have no idea what this is supposed to mean.