Saturday, July 19, 2014

I Love Lucy: Drafted

I Love Lucy: Drafted

Originally broadcast on CBS on Monday, December 24, 1951 at 9 PM Eastern.

Plot: When Lucy spies a letter to Ricky from the War Department, there is only one conclusion. When Ricky discovers Lucy is upset and knitting all the time, there is only one conclusion and we're off to the races.

Analysis: This episode comes at an interesting time for the blog. I'm actually working on a supplemental article to wrap up the 1951 year and the episode actually sneak previews it a bit - while Lucy and Ricky are making jokes about the possibility of being drafted into the Army, the reality was there was still drafting going on and American soldiers were fighting and dying in places like Inchon and Seoul on the Korean peninsula. I'll talk more about the Korean conflict later, but as far as the episode goes, it's nice to see that something that was quite serious at the time can still be made a bit of fun of.

The episode is also of note as the tag at the end of the episode is our first episodic reference to the Christmas season. The tag will take on a life of it's own in the future, but for now, a nice reminder of the season on Christmas Eve, 1951.

The Bottom Line: Overall, the episode is entertaining and good for a smile. The tag is a bit saccharine, but hey, who doesn't like a reminder of the holiday season, even if we are not in the season? If you find it on or it's in your library, give it a watch.

Drafted is in multiple I Love Lucy collections now. First is volume 3 of Season One, along with three other episodes (http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Season-One-Vol/dp/B00006DXXU/ref=sr_1_8?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1405725532&sr=1-8&keywords=i+love+Lucy+season+1+volume+3). Next is the complete Season One volume set where it is included with all thirty-five episodes of the first season (http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Lucy-Season-1/dp/B008KZX7W0/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1405725749&sr=1-1&keywords=i+love+lucy+season+1). For the true I Love Lucy fan who must have it all, there is the Complete Series set (http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Lucy-Complete/dp/B000TGJ8B2/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1405725929&sr=1-1&keywords=i+love+lucy+complete+series+box+set). And finally, for the Blu-Ray fans, the first season is out with two variations of the show - original "night of showing" presentation with the original openings, closing and commercials and syndicated "satin heart" opening and closing (http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Ultimate-Season-Blu-ray/dp/B00H5NY6CI/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1405726075&sr=1-1&keywords=i+love+lucy). Oh and Drafted is also available for viewing on Hulu Plus.

Next time, another ride with The Cisco Kid.

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