MovieChat Forums > I Love Lucy (1951) Discussion > Those Ungrateful Mertzes!

Those Ungrateful Mertzes!

posted 2 years ago by Corryveckan45 (181)
5 replies | jump to latest

A few days ago, I watched the episode when the group was getting ready to go back to New York, and Ricky sold the car as a cost saving move to return by train, but forgot to include the Mertzes.

As fans know, Fred and Ethel respond by walking out on Lucy in a huff, saying some unkind things about Ricky, and ultimately (and humorously) buying an ancient motorcyle (with matching outfits?) to get home.

When Ricky finds out what the Mertzes have done, he offers to buy their train tickets but Fred complains that he should also pay for the now wrecked motorcycle and Ricky refuses. Ethel later chastises Fred for not leaving well enough alone and being satisfied with Ricky paying for the tickets. Fred protests again, and, to my surprise, Lucy agrees with Fred.

I think Fred should have paid for the motorcycle. I can understand the Mertzes being surprised that Ricky hadn't purchased tickets for them originally, but Ricky never said he intended to leave the Mertzes behind, and it was obviously just an oversight on his part.

I have a feeling that Ricky paid for many of the Mertzes expenses in Hollywood. I mean, Fred nearly had a stroke when he saw the prices of the selections on the Brown Derby menu, and I can't imagine him footing the bill for the Mertzes room at the hotel on his own.

Given the two couples' longstanding friendship, I think the Mertzes should have waited to give Ricky an opportunity to explain before taking any action.

Any thoughts?

[–] Garyandfilm (556) 2 years ago

First and foremost: Desi Arnaz was said to have hated this episode. I would at least agree that it's a one-joke episode, with virtually no story development.

That said, Fred and Ethel are always hilarious when they get offended. Here, they really overreact.

The motorcycle scene gets my vote as perhaps the funniest Fred and Ethel bit ever on the series. Slapstick was usually Lucy and Ethel, not Fred and Ethel, and they are hysterical before, DURING, and after they "crash!"

This ep is otherwise ho-hum, especially coming after some truly great Hollywood shows.

[–] Corryveckan45 (181) 2 years ago

Thanks Gary:

I agree that the Mertzes' scenes involving the motorcyle are the highlight of the episode. I like Ethel's comment to Lucy: "Logic has nothing to do with it. When I say he's wrong he's WRONG!"

Did Desi Arnaz ever say why he hated this episode? I agree that except for the motorcycle scenes, it's not great, but I wouldn't say it's a dud.

[–] [email protected] (6247) 2 years ago

Just watched this episode a few nights ago and I am always struck by Fred's utter cheapness!!

Ricky didn't plan on forgetting the Mertzes. He just had a lot on his mind. Going by train (or plane) would've made more sense anyway if you consider the fact that Lucy's mom and baby would have to be squeezed into that back seat. There wasn't much room! It would've been an uncomfortable trip.

Fred had money for a motorcycle and all that gear they wore, so why not purchase two train tickets instead? No way could you drive 3000 miles without stopping to eat or sleep. A trip on a motorcycle would have cost as much as train tickets. They would have had to get a motel room at least once or twice. Or was Fred planning on driving into the woods and sleeping there?

I know Fred's cheapness was played for laughs. But sometimes he was too cheap for words!

[–] AndrewHNPX2 (120) 2 years ago

I've always assumed Arnaz didn't care for the episode because of how bad it made Ricky look, forgetting about the Mertzes like he did.

I've always really like this episode because to me it perfectly captures that feeling you sometimes get when you're tired of being on vacation (at a hotel or on a cruise or something) and just want to go home already.

[–] [email protected] (6247) 2 years ago

I've had that feeling on vacation. I've had enough of hotels and just want to get home.

I don't think Ricky looked bad in this episode. He was quite generous on the whole Hollywood trip. If anything, Fred looked like a major tightwad again. I wonder why Desi Arnaz didn't like the episode (maybe you're right).