Halfway thru watching the 1st season

[1960'sTVfan]

I have the complete series DVD, and am now 65 episodes in to the 1st season. Will watch season 1's last episode, episode 130 on July 3, then take a 3 month break and start watching season 2 in October.

It's fun to watch the series this way, by simulating the original telecast schedule and watch an episode each day, Monday thru Friday.

Episodes 1 to 65 are entertaining, episode 24 is notably dramatic, with Charlie and Loretta having their road accident, and Mary finally flipping out on Tom over their problems in the bedroom.

I had forgotten about Charlie's ex-wife Muriel, she enters the picture in episode 56 and seeks revenge on Charlie.

[1960'sTVfan]

I've watched thru episode 95 now. Episode 94 has a great scene with Mary's husband Tom and Sgt. Dennis Foley, who is deeply in love with Mary and desperately wants to rescue her from her failing marriage with Tom. Tom shows up at Foley's apartment, thinking Mary is there but she isn't. Foley tries talking to Tom, but Tom's confused mind and male ego doesn't want to hear any of it. Tom ends up threatening Foley and orders him to stay away from Mary.

Then in the next episode, Tom comes home early from work and tells Mary he's been laid off from his job, most likely due to the fact he's been causing problems with the union. Then there is a scene with Mary and Tom in their bedroom, Mary tries to console Tom regarding his being laid off, she offers him her love and support, he foolishly rejects her, which only succeeds to push her farther away from him. Mary has had enough and walks out the door, after which Tom begins to sob and mutters to himself that he doesn't know what he wants. It is sad to witness their marriage slowly crumble over the course of the episodes. Mary then goes to Foley's apartment, where at least outwardly she finally appears ready to have a fling with Foley, after giving some resistance she finally says yes, at which point Foley's heart can't take anymore and he drops to the floor with a heart attack.

I know this show is intended to be a spoof of soap operas, some of it is funny, but to me the show plays more like a tragi-comedy, with the tragedy taking precedence and the humor thrown in to lighten things up, which defines the basic premise of Mary Hartman, making humor out of tragic situations. Aside from the great writing, at least in the 1st season, what sells the show for me is the great acting it has, all the performers are excellent in their roles. One exception is Claudia Lamb, who plays the Hartman's daughter Heather. She plays her role well, but tends to mumble her lines and sometimes it's hard to understand what she is saying. Dody Goodman, who plays the role of Mary's mother, seems to be somewhat patterned after Jean Stapleton's Edith Bunker from All In The Family. Goodman's character isn't quite as flighty as Edith Bunker, but is similar. The characters in Mary Hartman are likeable, everyday type of people, people who could be your neighbors next door.

The absence of a laugh track in this show, and also for the most part, the lack of background music in the episodes, helps to keep the viewer focused on the dialog and the events taking place in the episodes.

Mary Hartman was one of the best TV shows on the air during it's brief life, 1976-77. Definitely a time capsule show of it's era. The fact that it originally aired in syndication outside of prime time is probably the main reason for the shows cult status today. But now that the full series is out on DVD, people who haven't seen the show before should give it a try, it's too good to pass up. For fans like me who saw the show on TV during it's original run, having the full series released on DVD is a wish come true. I hope Shout Factory will eventually release on DVD the follow up series to Mary Hartman, Forever Fernwood.

I plan to post again in July after I watch the last episode of season 1, and give a brief summary of the season.

[cleverfun3000]

I, too, recently borrowed, watched and completed the entire first season of Mary Hartman, etc. It was watchable to say the least. It wasn't as hilarious as I remember when it was first broadcast waaay back in the 70's and you were correct - it was a drama-semi-comedy. It seemed there was indeed more interest in the drama development than the comedy aspect. I never noticed how it was one sad misadventure after the other when I first viewed it. Half way through the dvd set, I really didn't want to continue, but I forged on because i knew that this would be the absolute last time I would spend a single minute viewing this series. I guess I did it for old times sake and the memories about where I was and what I was doing with my life at the time this series first aired.

[1960'sTVfan]

Originally Posted by cleverfun3000

I, too, recently borrowed, watched and completed the entire first season of Mary Hartman, etc. It was watchable to say the least. It wasn't as hilarious as I remember when it was first broadcast waaay back in the 70's and you were correct - it was a drama-semi-comedy. It seemed there was indeed more interest in the drama development than the comedy aspect. I never noticed how it was one sad misadventure after the other when I first viewed it. Half way through the dvd set, I really didn't want to continue, but I forged on because i knew that this would be the absolute last time I would spend a single minute viewing this series. I guess I did it for old times sake and the memories about where I was and what I was doing with my life at the time this series first aired.

Without the humor, the show would be, as you said, one sad misadventure after the other. The humor serves as a buffer to balance out the tragedy, it would be too depressing without any humor. I like how the show is written, also like the actors in the show, they all perform well, that's what makes it entertaining for me.

[1960'sTVfan]

Episode 97 is a funny one. Mary is at the hospital with Sgt. Foley, who has had a heart attack and is being tended to by the physician. Mary is barefoot and wearing only a bathrobe. Mary calls her mom and asks her to pick her up from the hospital, and hopes to hide her indiscrection with Sgt. Foley from her husband Tom and sister Cathy. But it's no use, Tom and Cathy already know about it. Arlene Golonka makes an appearance in this episode, she was a good looking woman back in those days.

Strange thing about Sgt. Foley, he pines away for Mary, but at the same time, seems to be a ladies man/player with several women going in and out of his apartment on a regular basis, one of which is Mary's sister Cathy. Since Foley can't have Mary, at least so far, I guess he figures he'll take what he can get. In episode 99, Cathy visits Foley at the hospital, and he finally comes clean and tells her the truth about his feelings for Mary. Perhaps the heart attack shook him up a bit and helped him see the err of his ways.

[1960'sTVfan]

I've watched thru episode 100 now. The 100th episode ends with Mary and Sgt. Foley at long last sharing a passionate, tender moment, in Sgt. Foley's hospital bed.

This show is almost 40 years old now, but it's just as fresh and entertaining today as it was back then. Just too bad the quality of the scripts/writing for the 2nd season wasn't quite equal to the excellent writing in the 1st season. The 1st season is tremendous, I love it.

[1960'sTVfan]

I've seen up to episode 115 now, just 15 more episodes to go till the end of season 1.

It's interesting how the writers chose to handle the gay relationship between Howard and Ed. Howard is the one who wants to keep the relationship secret, while Ed is the one who wants to let it be known and stop hiding their relationship in the closet. Howard's mom struggles with the whole arrangement. Meanwhile, Howard has made a friend in Mary, they both enjoy talking to each other, so Howard's mom has visions of Howard going straight and being more than just friends with Mary.

Funny thing, neither Ed or Howard look or act like gay men. In fact, there is a scene in one of the episodes where both of them are behaving manly by working out and doing excercises in their living room. I guess that's just part of the humor in this show, they are two actors portraying the roles of gay men, but they aren't supposed to act the part.

Meanwhile, Charlie is bummed that his wife Loretta has chosen to do ministry work for 8 year old reverend Jimmy Joe Jeeter, rather than forge ahead with her country music singing career. And Jimmy Joe's dad, the slimy Merle Jeeter, has designs on Loretta. She seems to be completely blind to his intentions, but good ol' Charlie has his suspicions, you betcha.

And Mary is bummed to find out Sgt. Foley isn't interested to marry her, he wants them to be together but stay unmarried. By this time in the series, Tom and Mary are on the outs, seemingly headed for divorce.

The 22 1/2 minute episode length of this series is a hindrance, there just isn't enough time in the episodes for decent plot development. Often times, scenes end too quickly, in order to jump and segue into the next scene. There are several characters in this show, things going on with all of them, and 22 1/2 minutes just isn't enough time to keep things moving smoothly. Had the series been picked up by network TV, the episodes would have been 25 minutes in length, another 2 1/2 minutes to work with. Better still, this show would have worked best in an hour long format, this would have allowed ample time during the episodes for story development. But it has to be enjoyed for what it is, with flaws and all, some loose ends I've noticed so far that the writers chose to leave unresolved. For example, the mass murderer, Davey Jessup, was supposed to go on trial for his crimes, but no trial ever takes place. Episode 130 ends the 1st season when Mary has her breakdown.

[Kasey]

I am glad we didn't have to endure the trial. The whole hostage situation was kind of tedious to sit through and dragged the show down. Things really started getting good when they wrapped that up.

[1960'sTVfan]

Originally Posted by Kasey

I am glad we didn't have to endure the trial. The whole hostage situation was kind of tedious to sit through and dragged the show down. Things really started getting good when they wrapped that up.

I agree the writers dragged the hostage situation out for a whole weeks worth of episodes. But since they spent so much time with it, the least they could have done was devote an episode or two with Davey's trial and resolve the situation. The only scene there is, is in the police station and it's made known Davey was arrested, and Mary will be asked to serve as witness in his trial. That's it. After that, the whole scenario was dropped. It's not made known what became of Davey. I thought that was bad.

I also didn't care for how the situation with Charlie's ex wife Muriel ended. She is in the series for several episodes, ends up rooking Charlie for five grand, then walks out the door and isn't seen again. I didn't like that, seems to me the writers could have done more to elaborate that scenario, but I guess they chose to drop it.

There are other little things too over the course of the episodes that are left unresolved, things are mentioned and meetings are arranged but are never followed up on. Since the writers had a limited time to work with for each episode, some situations ended up being unresolved.

[1960'sTVfan]

Done now watching the 1st season. A few events that occur near the season's end: Mary's mom Martha finds out her real life father is a Choctaw Indian, they eventually meet and he appears in a few episodes. Also, Mary's sister Cathy runs off with a priest.

There is an interesting scene in episode 129, Mary is in New York preparing to appear on the David Susskind Show as America's typical consumer housewife. She goes shopping and ends up in a toy store, sees a doll house that she is totally entranced with, wants to buy it but the store manager tells her it's not for sale. Mary then begins to daydream and visions what she so desperately wants, a perfect life in a perfect house, with a perfect husband and daughter.

Season finale, episode 130 starts off with Merle Jeeter putting the moves on Loretta in his motel room, until Loretta's husband Charlie arrives to the rescue with a shotgun. A struggle ensues and the gun goes off, the scene then fades to black leaving the viewer to wonder what happens next. The rest of the episode devotes it's time to Mary's appearance on David Susskind. There is a panel of three there to question her, I thought it was funny some of the personal questions they asked her. Anyhow, Mary eventually starts to meltdown and has her breakdown. Norman Lear said it's one of the best acting performances in the history of television. I wouldn't go so far as to say that, Louise Lasser does give an effective performance, but it's more sad than anything to witness her meltdown and breakdown. The episodes final scene sees Mary sitting in a chair at a hospital psych ward, the voices of Mary's relatives and doctor are heard talking in the background, discussing Mary's condition. The camera focuses in on Mary as she starts repeatedly saying her name, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Norman Lear then appears and says this was the final episode of the season, and a condensed version of the season will air for 13 weeks before the next season begins. Interesting.

Louise Lasser as Mary Hartman is the main star of the show, but I actually find her the least appealing of all the main characters in the show. I don't dislike her, but she appeals to me the least. I honestly don't know what Sgt. Foley sees in her, it takes all kinds I guess.

Anyhow, a very excellent 1st season, much of it I remember from watching the series when it originally aired in 1976. I'll take a break now and start to watch season 2 in October. Unfortunately, the writing starts to go downhill a bit in the 2nd season, but I plan to stay with it to the end, episode 325. Louise Lasser ended up leaving the series before season's end, if I recall correctly, she doesn't appear in the last 10 episodes or so, but she does have a scene in the series final episode.

[1960'sTVfan]

Well I've watched the first 20 episodes of the 2nd season (episodes 131 to 150 on the DVD's.) It's OK, but the decline in quality of the writing is obvious compared to the 1st season. This was always a strange and bizarre show, but the 1st season had good writing going for it. In the 2nd season, it's even more strange and bizarre, with lesser quality writing. As a result, the show becomes less interesting, slow and boring at times. Different writers took over, and the magic of the 1st season is gone. There are still good moments, just fewer and further between. But I plan to stick with it to the end, some of these 2nd season episodes I've never seen because by this time I had lost interest in watching the show nightly during it's original run almost 40 years ago. Now I have a chance to see what I missed. Louise Lasser bailed on this show and left towards the end of the 2nd season. In a way I understand why.

I still hope Shout Factory will release Forever Fernwood on DVD. It would be a travesty if they don't release it. Forever Fernwood was an improvement over the lackluster 2nd season of MH.

[1960'sTVfan]

Well I've reached the halfway point of the series now, 163 eps watched, 162 left to go. Things have gotten a little more interesting now since Mary was released from the looney bin. Still not to the level of the 1st season, but at least things are improving after the slow and dull start of season 2. One thing that's different in the 2nd season is that background music begins to surface during some dialog scenes. I don't like that, I think it's distracting and annoying.

There isn't much interest here in this Mary Hartman forum, few replies, so I may not post any more updates.

[Carla@60626]

I spent the past summer binge watching the MH2 box set. I wasn't aware it had been released. I was so happy to finally see the show again and rekindle my crush on Sgt Foley. I have been dying to talk to someone about the show, so feel free to message me about it.

[1960'sTVfan]

Just thought I'd post a quick update, I've watched thru episode 255 now. The 2nd season isn't nearly as good as the 1st, but I already knew that anyway.

There are several problems with the 2nd season. The Haggers become less interesting, there is more focus placed on Merle Jeeter, a character I never liked, but the main problem is the absence of Sgt. Foley. He brought a lot to the show, had great chemistry with Mary, and their scenes together are outstanding. Foley does return in episode 275 and then is there till the end, episode 325, but by then it was too late to save the series, and Louise Lasser wanted out anyway.

I'm still hoping Shout Factory will release Forever Fernwood, but they don't seem interested to do it, so I'm not holding my breath waiting for it.