I'm fond of all five seasons also. They are gems sprinkled throughout the series.
If I had to pick, it's more of a range with S2, S3 and S4 containing most of my favorite episodes.
S1
Season one was the introduction into the series. While setting up a good foundation, the general design of the series was skeletal.
S2
Season two was when the series was slightly retooled. I feel this was when the show had hit its stride. It still had the charm of the inaugural season but wasn't as wacky as the later seasons.
S3
Season three was when the show had taken on a zany slant. There are some terrifically hilarious episodes in this season. However, I feel some of the weaker episodes are located here too. Despite the locale affording some wonderful visuals, the Hawaiian episodes were kind of lackluster.
My least favorite storyline was Genie, Genie, Who's Got the Genie?. Sticking Barbara solo on a soundstage with large props equals ennui. I get claustrophobic watching those episodes. It was silly watching Larry as Tony declaring sweet nothings to a safe and Barbara as Jeannie avowing her everlasting love to the walls. I found it to be absurdly treacly than romantic. The best of the lot was Part III, since Barbara got to play Jeannie II; which allowed for her to directly interact with her cast mates and other actors. The storyline should've lasted no longer than two episodes.
S4
Season four was perfect. Jeannie and Tony were romantic enough to appease shippers, without being cloyingly affectionate. The zaniness was at an ideal level; hilariously entertaining without crossing the line into stupidity. The writers and actors had an excellent grasp of the characters, their interactions and the types of stories that worked for their universe.
S5
Season five had the wedding of Jeannie and Tony. And that's really the best thing out of this season. That's not to say there weren't good episodes and excellent moments. Nonetheless, largely the show had run its course. The quality was poor in characterizations and stories. The characters were always caricatures but it's really on display in this season. Tony and Jeannie were laughably demonstrative. The delightfully playful romance mutated into goofy plastic mawkishness. They became a spoof of their former selves.
In season five, Roger had no purpose. He was never to become a fully realized character; never to be given an actual birthday or any onscreen family members. The writers didn't even bother to give him a steady girlfriend. Still, in previous seasons, Roger's presence added to an episode. The final season, he was an aimless remnant of Tony's single life. Roger was reduced from a shrewd best friend and occasional rival to: at best, a mindless cheerleader; at worst, a tool. Bill as Roger mimicked a mannequin in I'll See You In C.U.B.A.. That pretty much sums up what happened to his character.
By the way, Larry and Barbara also had their characters mimicking mannequins (Tony: I'll See You In C.U.B.A.; Jeannie: Jeannie and the Bachelor Party, The Wedding). I guess the trio was all "Stepfordized".
Additionally, Dr. Bellows and Amanda were better off as probing antagonists than clueless acquaintances. They were (soft-core) villains. Turning them into friendly associates took away a lot of the show's dynamism. Once the hero and nemesis engage in affable visitations, the story has feebly expired.
Nonetheless, I'm appreciative that Jeannie and Tony wedded. It was a triumphant conclusion to their long courtship. It was also nice to have a brief glimpse of their married life.
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You can observe a lot just by watching. -- Yogi Berra
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CajunGenie
10 years ago
I agree with you about the Hawaii episodes - they were really nothing special, except for the scenery.
What bothers me is how Tony and Roger thought they could fool Jeannie into thinking they were going to the North Pole. Seriously, by Season 3, hadn't they learned enough lessons to know better? And why wouldn't Tony want to take Jeannie to Hawaii, especially since this happens three episodes after "Tony's Wife", where he tells her "I thought you and I had something...", and about eight episodes after "Jeannie, the Hip Hippie", where he was anxious to take her on a much-needed vacation.
Also, Tony wanting to date anyone else in Hawaii was a puzzle, even after Jeannie got there. I guess they had to keep the jealousy line going, even after "Tony's Wife".
Love Don Ho's music, but the ballad that he sings goes on for over 4 minutes! In unedited versions, this is fine, but the distributors cut out so much for commercials now, that essential parts of the story end up getting cut.
Amanda Bellows must have returned to Cocoa Beach, 'cause she was absent from the luau. Roger and Dr. Bellows missed interacting with the second-greatest con artist in the world. The inclusion of the other regular cast members would have added some much-needed humor to the story lines.
It would have been nice to see some romance between Tony and Jeannie while they were there. But since Michael Ansara was also there.... :(
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HoneyBear5000
10 years ago
As far as Tony and Roger believing, that they could still fool Jeannie ... perhaps it's a guy thing? (Sorry fellas ) In Jeannie, the Hip Hippie, I think Tony didn't mind going on vacation with Jeannie because it was supposed to be just them. Mostly, Tony didn't mind going out with Jeannie as long she wasn't exposed to people associated with his work. (Roger being the only exception.)
The Hawaiian trip was for business not pleasure. I believe that's why Tony didn't take Jeannie. In his heart, he was still devoted to her. Tony told Roger that he wished he could have taken her along. At the beach, Tony wasn't interested in the bathing beauties. Roger caused the ruckus that inadvertently attracted all the girls over to Tony. Eleanor and the others threw themselves at Tony. He tried to encourage the groupies to go with Roger but none of them was interested.
The show tended to revisit the scenario of Tony being forced into dating some woman for business or a favor. Poor Tony seemingly was pimped out to every spoiled rich witch around. Eleanor Drucker (Admiral Drucker's daughter) was yet another heifer saddled onto the major. The admiral ordered Tony to show Eleanor a good time.
I believed Tony cared about Jeannie the moment they met. Supposedly, he being an occasional muttonhead was designed to keep the tension going. I think one reason for him to have delayed the inevitable was that he could've been guarded emotionally after his breakup with Melissa Stone (his former fiancée). Another possible reason might be that Jeannie turned out to be such a fortuitous happenstance that he was intimidated. Perhaps, it took some time for him to accept his good fortune.
I too missed Roger, Dr. Bellows and Amanda in The Second Greatest Con Artist in the World. Since reading Barbara Eden's memoir, I'll never look at Milton Berle the same way again.
It's a shame that Larry Hagman had serious personal issues during IDOJ run. And, it's too bad that he took his problems to the workplace. Even though, Tony and Jeannie appeared as a couple in Con Artist; they might've had more scenes together if Larry's ego didn't get in the way. Supposedly, they had to limit the amount of interaction between Milton and Larry. That left Barbara to film the bulk of the episode with Milton sans Larry.
Anyhow, Michael Ansara having been present in Hawaii--that more than explains the lack of romantic interaction between Tony and Jeannie. The absence of romance was quite noticeable in The Battle of Waikiki. Tony and Jeannie didn't even stand next to each other during the parade honoring King Kamehameha.
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You can observe a lot just by watching. -- Yogi Berra
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CajunGenie
10 years ago
Excellent points, Honey Bear!
But "heifer"?? Oooh, we don't like her very much, do we? :) :) That made me laugh! And I disliked most of the other women that Tony took out, as well. Probably the only one I liked was the Princess in "This is Murder"; Eleanor and Melissa would be at the bottom!
I think Tony said early on (maybe in the pilot) that he didn't want Jeannie running his life for him. Later, he wanted to date whomever he wanted, and he knew that Jeannie, being all powerful, could easily thwart any plans he made. Yes, he was absolutely more guarded after Melissa, but he wasn't ready to accept Jeannie as an automatic, exclusive girlfriend. He still wanted a little freedom, and he wanted to be the one to decide whether or not to take the next step. Jeannie pestered him so much about getting married, that I'm sure that was a turn-off, to some degree.
Men want to think it's all their idea, anyway! :)
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HoneyBear5000
10 years ago
Thanks, you brought up some excellent points also!
In reference to Eleanor Drucker, in general, I didn't like the women that treated Tony as if he was a trophy. Nina Ferguson in The Yacht Murder Case was of the same type.
I agree that Tony wanted to feel that he's in control.
In There Goes the Bride, Roger did tell Jeannie that she's too eager (towards Tony, of course). I can see how Jeannie's pestering might've been a contributing factor in the delay of marriage.
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You can observe a lot just by watching. -- Yogi Berra
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