Ep 10. The Girl Who Never Had a Birthday (1)
- TV-NR
- November 14, 1966
- 25 min
-
7.2 (207)
In The Girl Who Never Had a Birthday (1), the tenth episode of the second season of I Dream of Jeannie, the audience is introduced to Melissa Stone, a young orphan who has never had a birthday party. Jeannie, who is sympathetic to Melissa's situation, decides to throw her a birthday party with the help of Major Healey. However, things don't go as planned when Melissa disappears during the party.
Jeannie and Major Healey are left to search for Melissa, using their magical powers to track her down. They discover that Melissa has been taken to a nearby carnival by a couple who are trying to adopt her. Jeannie and Major Healey decide to intervene and rescue Melissa, but their efforts are complicated by the fact that the couple genuinely loves the little girl.
As the episode unfolds, we learn more about Melissa's backstory and the difficult circumstances she has had to endure as an orphan. We also see the lengths to which Jeannie and Major Healey are willing to go to protect Melissa and ensure that she has the chance to celebrate her first birthday in style.
Throughout the episode, there are several comedic moments that are typical of the I Dream of Jeannie series. For example, when Jeannie first decides to throw Melissa a birthday party, she has no idea how to go about it and ends up producing a cake that is so large it crashes through the floor of the house. Later, when Jeannie and Major Healey are searching for Melissa at the carnival, they use their magical powers to disguise themselves as clowns, leading to some humorous interactions with the other circus performers.
Despite the comedy, there is also a serious message at the heart of the episode. The plight of orphaned children is a recurring theme in the I Dream of Jeannie series, and this episode tackles the issue head on. By showing the difficulties faced by Melissa and the challenges of adoption, the show highlights the importance of providing stable and nurturing environments for children in need.
In conclusion, The Girl Who Never Had a Birthday (1) is a heartwarming episode of I Dream of Jeannie that showcases the show's blend of comedy and social commentary. The story of Melissa is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by many children in difficult circumstances, and the episode leaves the audience with a renewed appreciation for the importance of family and community.