This is one of those episodes of television shows that one says, "They don't make them like they used to!". This episode has laughs but it also has what "Hazel" and the best pre-2000 sitcoms had: lots of heart. While many sitcoms and dramas today believe snarkiness and "pushing the envelope" sexually and verbally makes for great television, what really can make great television appears lost: writing that displays "great heart"., wherein the main characters express their feelings for each other in an honest, heartfelt way that cuts across all times. This is part of what makes a sitcom a classic sitcom, as "Hazel" is.
I was surprised by the honesty in which Harold's fear of losing Hazel to an old beau was honestly and sensitively portrayed, as it would happen in real life, not in any contrived way. The way in which the expectations that old flames or "the one that got away" returning to one's life and promising a second chance at love really displays how far both former lovers have changed in their lives was also accurately and sensitively displayed by Hazel and the one man who she almost married and returned to her life, Gus. While it could be argued that Hazel might've married Gus in real life, leaving an emotional vacuum for the Baxters, particularly, Harold, the logic used by Hazel to turn down Gus' marriage proposal showed an insight and maturity that sitcoms don't display and seem to, categorically, run away from. How sad that displaying honest, non-four letter word sentiment seems to be ridiculed, unknown, and shunned by comedy writers on American television today. It seems that the more shocking and controversial a show's content is, the better the quality, which believes the honest, warm sentiment displayed in this episode of "Hazel" as a relic from the Victorian Era and is not realistic for today's audiences. How sad and untrue! Future television writers could learn tremendous lessons from Peggy Chantler, who wrote this episode. I hope they do!
I was surprised by the honesty in which Harold's fear of losing Hazel to an old beau was honestly and sensitively portrayed, as it would happen in real life, not in any contrived way. The way in which the expectations that old flames or "the one that got away" returning to one's life and promising a second chance at love really displays how far both former lovers have changed in their lives was also accurately and sensitively displayed by Hazel and the one man who she almost married and returned to her life, Gus. While it could be argued that Hazel might've married Gus in real life, leaving an emotional vacuum for the Baxters, particularly, Harold, the logic used by Hazel to turn down Gus' marriage proposal showed an insight and maturity that sitcoms don't display and seem to, categorically, run away from. How sad that displaying honest, non-four letter word sentiment seems to be ridiculed, unknown, and shunned by comedy writers on American television today. It seems that the more shocking and controversial a show's content is, the better the quality, which believes the honest, warm sentiment displayed in this episode of "Hazel" as a relic from the Victorian Era and is not realistic for today's audiences. How sad and untrue! Future television writers could learn tremendous lessons from Peggy Chantler, who wrote this episode. I hope they do!
