Interesting to view now as a snapshot of a time when issues such as children with disabilities were not treated as they are today nor commonly discussed. There are surely still parents who are resistant to allowing more qualified professionals care for their children with challenges feeling others can't care for them better than they can themselves the vast majority however realize the value for all to have the proper help.
This episode shows the emotional and physical toll on the parents and the disadvantages that the well meaning mother is causing her daughter. Fortunately such a strong actress as Suzanne Pleshette is cast in the pivotal role of the mother. Not just because she is so gifted a performer but the actress herself always exuded such a forceful, competent energy it helps inform the role with the unspoken message that even the most sturdy among us needs help sometimes.
As for the rest of the cast, David Hartman is stolid but adequate as Suzanne's husband and Carmen Zapata is both tough and warm as the woman running what at the time was a new concept, a non institutional home center for children with brain injuries. Robert Young wears Marcus Welby like a comfortable old suit and doesn't try and overwhelm the story and make it a star spot, probably why the show lasted so long.
One word of warning: since the show was produced in the early 70's Daisy is referred to as retarded. It can be a bit jarring at first but it was the standard and accepted term at the time.
This episode shows the emotional and physical toll on the parents and the disadvantages that the well meaning mother is causing her daughter. Fortunately such a strong actress as Suzanne Pleshette is cast in the pivotal role of the mother. Not just because she is so gifted a performer but the actress herself always exuded such a forceful, competent energy it helps inform the role with the unspoken message that even the most sturdy among us needs help sometimes.
As for the rest of the cast, David Hartman is stolid but adequate as Suzanne's husband and Carmen Zapata is both tough and warm as the woman running what at the time was a new concept, a non institutional home center for children with brain injuries. Robert Young wears Marcus Welby like a comfortable old suit and doesn't try and overwhelm the story and make it a star spot, probably why the show lasted so long.
One word of warning: since the show was produced in the early 70's Daisy is referred to as retarded. It can be a bit jarring at first but it was the standard and accepted term at the time.