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The Courtship of Eddie's Father

Discipline Is a Four Letter Word Spelled Love (Season 2, Episode 24)
Not Rated
TV Episode | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Tom gets Eddie a chemistry set as a gift. Mrs. Livingston wants Eddie only to play with it in the bathroom just in case he spills some chemicals on the carpet, this suggestion supported by Tom. Mrs. Livingston catches Eddie playing with it...See moreTom gets Eddie a chemistry set as a gift. Mrs. Livingston wants Eddie only to play with it in the bathroom just in case he spills some chemicals on the carpet, this suggestion supported by Tom. Mrs. Livingston catches Eddie playing with it in his bedroom, at which she kindly reminds him to take things immediately into the bathroom. Not heeding the warning, Eddie immediately spills a dark blue tinted chemical onto his bedroom carpet. Eddie, trying to hide the accident, only makes things worse as the blue gets onto his shoes, tramped to other areas of the carpet, onto his shirt, onto a towel, and onto the bedspread. Eddie can't hide the visible manifestations of his accident from Mrs. Livingston. Ultimately, Tom reminds Eddie of the deal they made regarding responsibility, and the consequence of losing whatever the cause of failed responsibility. However, this one time, Tom decides to bend the deal, and lets Eddie keep the chemistry set. Although she doesn't say anything and supports Tom's parental decisions concerning Eddie, Mrs. Livingston is really as upset with Tom as she is with Eddie for Tom's leniency with Eddie in the situation. It isn't until Tom directly asks Mrs. Livingston of her thoughts regarding his decision with the chemistry set that Mrs. Livingston speaks her mind, albeit in her typically reserved Japanese way. For her, it is not a matter of a ruined carpet, but rather really of teaching Eddie what it means to be responsible and the role of discipline. Tom still thinks he made the right decision and attributes Mrs. Livingston's attitude partly to a woman's more emotional and sensitive nature. Both Tom and Eddie notice Mrs. Livingston's standoffish behavior following the incident and Eddie in particular tries to do whatever he can to make Mrs. Livingston "smile again". Another incident occurs later when Eddie hears a parade outside, and wanting to get a better look, climbs on top of the balcony railing. Seeing this, Mrs. Livingston grabs Eddie and sternly chastises him. Eddie, feeling physically hurt, runs to Tom, who just arrives home after the incident, for support against Mrs. Livingston's action toward him. This time, Tom supports Mrs. Livingston's actions, but only gives Eddie a stern warning without any real consequence. Tom figures Eddie has learned his lesson, however Mrs. Livingston, the witness to Eddie's action, doesn't think Tom really understands the severity of what Eddie did. It isn't until Tom later sees a similar incident - Eddie climbs over the balcony railing trying to retrieve his kite - that Tom takes more direct action: he grabs Eddie off the railing, gives him a quick spanking and a more concerned and hysterical talking to. Because of the spanking, Eddie says Tom is not only no longer his friend, but he doesn't love Tom anymore. Tom finally admits to Mrs. Livingston, who caught the tail end of Eddie's second time on the balcony railing, that he has never been as scared in his entire life, and that Eddie probably wouldn't have climbed onto the railing the second time if he was stricter with Eddie from the get go. The supportive Mrs. Livingston tells Tom that Eddie still loves him despite his words and despite Tom's discipline, which is indeed the case. Written by Huggo See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Terry Becker
Writers
Blanche Hanalis (written by) | Mark Toby (novel)
Producer
James Komack
Composer
George Aliceson Tipton (music composed by)
Cinematographer
Emmett Bergholz
Casting Director
Gary Shaffer
See all filmmakers & crew (19)
Status
Edit Released
Updated Mar 24, 1971
Release date
Mar 24, 1971 (United States)
Awards
Series awards
Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmy Awards. Another 3 nominations

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Cast

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3 cast members
Name Known for
Bill Bixby's primary photo
Bill Bixby
Tom Corbett Tom Corbett   See fewer
The Incredible Hulk (1978)
Miyoshi Umeki's primary photo
Miyoshi Umeki
Mrs. Livingston Mrs. Livingston   See fewer
Sayonara (1957)
Brandon Cruz's primary photo
Brandon Cruz
Eddie Corbett Eddie Corbett   See fewer
The Bad News Bears (1976)
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