Ep 15. Mary's Double Date

The Donna Reed Show premiered in 1958 and ran for eight seasons, becoming a quintessential portrayal of suburban life in the 1950s and early 1960s. The show followed the lives of the Stone family: Donna Stone (Donna Reed), her pediatrician husband Alex (Carl Betz), and their two children, Mary (Shelley Fabares) and Jeff (Paul Petersen). Each episode chronicled the trials and tribulations of family life, often with a touch of gentle humor and heartwarming sentimentality.

Season 1 Episode 15, "Mary's Double Date," is a classic example of the show's wholesome and relatable themes. Mary, the Stones' teenage daughter, is excited to go on a double date with her friend Barbara and their respective boyfriends. However, her plans are derailed when Barbara backs out at the last minute, leaving Mary to find a replacement date.

At first, Mary is hesitant to ask anyone else, fearing that her friends will think less of her. But with some encouragement from her mother Donna, she finally decides to ask a boy from school named Steve (played by James Darren, who would go on to have a successful career in music and film). Steve is eager to go out with Mary, but there's a catch: he needs to bring a date for Mary's friend's boyfriend, who is also tagging along.

Despite her initial reluctance, Mary agrees to find a date for the mystery boy, who turns out to be a cousin of Steve's. However, when Mary meets the cousin, she is disappointed to find that he is awkward and unappealing. She tries to make the best of the situation, but it becomes clear that the double date is not going as planned.

Meanwhile, Donna and Alex are dealing with their own set of problems. They have agreed to host a dinner party for their friends, but Donna is feeling overwhelmed by the preparations. She enlists the help of her neighbor, Mrs. McGillicuddy, but things only get more complicated when Mrs. McGillicuddy's pesky nephew shows up uninvited.

As the night wears on, Mary's double date goes from bad to worse, with her cousin date becoming increasingly insufferable. However, when Donna and Alex's dinner party takes an unexpected turn, Mary finds herself coming to the rescue, using her quick thinking and social skills to save the day. By the end of the episode, everything has been resolved in typical sitcom fashion, with everyone learning a valuable lesson about the importance of honesty and communication.

Overall, "Mary's Double Date" is a charming and lighthearted episode of The Donna Reed Show, showcasing the show's trademark blend of humor and heart. It offers a glimpse into a bygone era of family life, where simple problems could be resolved with a little bit of ingenuity and a lot of love. Regardless of its age, the episode still has the power to resonate with audiences today, reminding us of the enduring values of family, friendship, and the importance of being true to ourselves.