“Fool's Gold” – S2, Episode #3 (#27 overall) Discussion Thread - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BensonFan · 07-15-2012, 01:24 PM

Warning: Spoilers!

Original Air Date: Nov 14, 1980

In this episode, Gold Fever strikes the mansion staff. It starts out innocently enough, as Kraus and Benson are cleaning the living room. While doing so they notice that a cherub in the fireplace is crooked, and as Benson finally struggles to straighten it, out pops a secret compartment in the fireplace where an old letter is discovered with an interesting poem, addressed to “Dolly” from “Icky”:

When Hyperion’s race is through,
Lesser steeds are resting too.
Through the window in the west,
Let his glory come to rest.
When the final glimmer falls,
Harken, El Dorado calls.

It seems that Icky is a former governor who is accused of many crimes and misdeeds while in office and wants to escape eventual punishment by fleeing with the gold and Dolly (whom I assumed was his mistress but maybe it was his wife/girlfriend). This riddle was to direct her to the site of the gold. That’s when the fun starts and everyone gets on each other in mad pursuit of it.

Later, once they finally do track down where the gold is (thanks to Benson solving the riddle), they find another note explaining to Icky from Dolly that she and stable boy Felipe took the gold and fled with it to Spain (leaving Icky to fend for himself, apparently!)

This episode always amuses me, because it’s just funny to see them at each other’s throats all in pursuit of the same thing. I believe this was also Jerry Seinfeld’s debut appearance on the show. (He tried to unsuccessfully pitch some jokes to Benson that the Governor could use at the Historical Society dinner that same night.) Also I just realized they say the word “gold” repeatedly, which must have been a little amusing for Missy Gold.

Some favorite quotes:

Governor: That’s good, Clayton. What does the rest of it mean?
Clayton: I don’t know…yet. Which I find rather comforting because if I can’t figure it out, then sure as hell none of you can.

Kraus: So all we have to do is knock a hole in the wall and let the sunshine in!
Benson: Why don’t you knock a hole in your head and let some brains in?

Marcy: Clipper ship bound for Spain, all that gold and Felipe. How romantic. I hope the ship sank.

Pete: Yeah, well at least I don’t dig up squirrels. That’s really sick.
Marcy: I haven’t filled in that hole yet, Pete, so watch it.

Clayton: I’ll take that.
Kraus: I’ll flip you for it.
Benson: Watch it, Clayton. She isn’t talking about a coin.

Kraus (picking up a candy dish): What’s this ugly thing doing here?
Benson: At the moment, she’s looking at a candy dish.

Benson: Will you people come to your senses? Now the first person who mentions gold again is gonna get thrown out of here.
Governor (entering the room): I know where we can find the gold.
Benson: Well, the second person.

Governor: Marcy, you haven’t even typed up my speech for tonight.
Marcy: That’s because Pete and Clayton haven’t written it yet, sir.
Governor: That is no excuse, Marcy.

Katie: Pete, I’ll race you to the attic! (runs, Pete runs after her)
Benson: Now that the children are gone, I think we all have work to do.

Benson: You’re wasting your time; you’re not going to find any gold. For the last 140 years, nobody’s lived in this house but politicians. I’m surprised we still even got the silverware.

catlover79 · 07-16-2012, 11:08 AM

Too funny - can't wait to watch it.

catlover79 · 10-20-2012, 11:34 PM

Who would've guessed at the time that the dud role of Frankie would be the first high-profile appearance of Jerry Seinfeld, who would become one of the biggest stars in the industry less than a decade later?

Every time Pete comes into or leaves a scene eating something, it just cracks me up. They should've called him the Human Vacuum Cleaner.

The "twist" at the end of the episode was genius. Rats!!

RetroActive · 08-10-2017, 03:21 PM

One of my favorite episodes. Funniest dialogue.

Love how Marcy says, "I hope the ship sank" while smiling.

340wedge · 08-14-2017, 12:25 PM

Without a doubt one of my favorite episodes. I probably have seen it 100 times and still laugh every time.

RetroActive · 08-14-2017, 01:14 PM

How could I forget--Kraus falling off the roof into the bushes.

JR1 · 02-22-2018, 09:52 AM

Also loved Marcy's quips in this episode. Per usual, Benson's digs at Kraus were priceless.

07-15-2012, 01:24 PM	#1
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	“Fool's Gold” – S2, Episode #3 (#27 overall) Discussion Thread Warning: Spoilers! Original Air Date: Nov 14, 1980 In this episode, Gold Fever strikes the mansion staff. It starts out innocently enough, as Kraus and Benson are cleaning the living room. While doing so they notice that a cherub in the fireplace is crooked, and as Benson finally struggles to straighten it, out pops a secret compartment in the fireplace where an old letter is discovered with an interesting poem, addressed to “Dolly” from “Icky”: When Hyperion’s race is through, Lesser steeds are resting too. Through the window in the west, Let his glory come to rest. When the final glimmer falls, Harken, El Dorado calls. It seems that Icky is a former governor who is accused of many crimes and misdeeds while in office and wants to escape eventual punishment by fleeing with the gold and Dolly (whom I assumed was his mistress but maybe it was his wife/girlfriend). This riddle was to direct her to the site of the gold. That’s when the fun starts and everyone gets on each other in mad pursuit of it. Later, once they finally do track down where the gold is (thanks to Benson solving the riddle), they find another note explaining to Icky from Dolly that she and stable boy Felipe took the gold and fled with it to Spain (leaving Icky to fend for himself, apparently!) This episode always amuses me, because it’s just funny to see them at each other’s throats all in pursuit of the same thing. I believe this was also Jerry Seinfeld’s debut appearance on the show. (He tried to unsuccessfully pitch some jokes to Benson that the Governor could use at the Historical Society dinner that same night.) Also I just realized they say the word “gold” repeatedly, which must have been a little amusing for Missy Gold. Some favorite quotes: Governor: That’s good, Clayton. What does the rest of it mean? Clayton: I don’t know…yet. Which I find rather comforting because if I can’t figure it out, then sure as hell none of you can. Kraus: So all we have to do is knock a hole in the wall and let the sunshine in! Benson: Why don’t you knock a hole in your head and let some brains in? Marcy: Clipper ship bound for Spain, all that gold and Felipe. How romantic. I hope the ship sank. Pete: Yeah, well at least I don’t dig up squirrels. That’s really sick. Marcy: I haven’t filled in that hole yet, Pete, so watch it. Clayton: I’ll take that. Kraus: I’ll flip you for it. Benson: Watch it, Clayton. She isn’t talking about a coin. Kraus (picking up a candy dish): What’s this ugly thing doing here? Benson: At the moment, she’s looking at a candy dish. Benson: Will you people come to your senses? Now the first person who mentions gold again is gonna get thrown out of here. Governor (entering the room): I know where we can find the gold. Benson: Well, the second person. Governor: Marcy, you haven’t even typed up my speech for tonight. Marcy: That’s because Pete and Clayton haven’t written it yet, sir. Governor: That is no excuse, Marcy. Katie: Pete, I’ll race you to the attic! (runs, Pete runs after her) Benson: Now that the children are gone, I think we all have work to do. Benson: You’re wasting your time; you’re not going to find any gold. For the last 140 years, nobody’s lived in this house but politicians. I’m surprised we still even got the silverware.
	__________________ HEY, SONY: Thank you for Benson, Season 2! Now can we get started on Season 3 plans?

07-16-2012, 11:08 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Too funny - can't wait to watch it.
	__________________ "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

10-20-2012, 11:34 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Who would've guessed at the time that the dud role of Frankie would be the first high-profile appearance of Jerry Seinfeld, who would become one of the biggest stars in the industry less than a decade later? Every time Pete comes into or leaves a scene eating something, it just cracks me up. They should've called him the Human Vacuum Cleaner. The "twist" at the end of the episode was genius. Rats!!

08-10-2017, 03:21 PM	#4
RetroActive Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 11, 2014 Location: California Posts: 25	One of my favorite episodes. Funniest dialogue. Love how Marcy says, "I hope the ship sank" while smiling.

08-14-2017, 12:25 PM	#5
340wedge Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 09, 2008 Location: New York Posts: 83	Without a doubt one of my favorite episodes. I probably have seen it 100 times and still laugh every time.

08-14-2017, 01:14 PM	#6
RetroActive Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 11, 2014 Location: California Posts: 25	How could I forget--Kraus falling off the roof into the bushes.

02-22-2018, 09:52 AM	#7
JR1 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 07, 2009 Location: USA Posts: 742	Also loved Marcy's quips in this episode. Per usual, Benson's digs at Kraus were priceless.