Ep 13. Ricky Minds the Baby

In "Ricky Minds the Baby," the thirteenth episode of season three of "I Love Lucy," Lucy's plans to do some shopping with Ethel are foiled when they can't find a babysitter for little Ricky. Desperate for some time away from the baby, Lucy convinces Ricky to take a turn watching him while she and Ethel go out. At first reluctant, Ricky eventually agrees to stay in and keep an eye on his son.

The episode is narrated by Lucy, who begins by explaining how busy she and Ethel have been with their club meetings and volunteer work. She's excited to finally have some free time to go shopping, but when they can't find a sitter, she's at a loss. Ethel suggests they just take the baby with them, but Lucy insists they need a break from motherhood for just one afternoon.

Ricky enters just as they're discussing the situation, and Lucy quickly tries to convince him to take over. She reminds him that he's always talking about wanting to spend more time with his son, and this is the perfect opportunity. After some gentle persuasion, Ricky agrees, but he's clearly nervous about the whole thing.

As soon as they leave, Ricky gets to work trying to keep little Ricky entertained. He dresses him up in a sailor suit and tries to get him to do impressions of famous sailors. When that doesn't work, he tries to play music for him, but little Ricky's cries are louder than the music. Finally, he decides to give him a bath, but he's so uncomfortable with the whole process that it's clear he's never done it before.

Lucy and Ethel, meanwhile, are having a great time on their shopping spree. They try on hats, sample perfumes, and generally act like kids in a candy store. But as the afternoon wears on, Lucy can't help but worry about how Ricky is doing with the baby. She imagines all sorts of disastrous scenarios, including little Ricky getting into one of Ricky's instruments and destroying it.

Back at home, the situation isn't quite as bad as Lucy fears, but it's certainly not going smoothly. Ricky accidentally drops the baby's bottle in the sink and has to rush to sterilize a new one. He also gets caught up in a baseball game on the radio and forgets to check on the baby. When he finally remembers, he finds him crying and realizes he's hungry again.

As the day wears on, Lucy's worries escalate. She can't resist calling home to check on little Ricky, but each time she does, she only makes things worse. Ricky gets more and more frazzled and little Ricky screams louder and louder. By the time Lucy and Ethel return home, everyone is in a state of high anxiety.

The final scene is a classic bit of physical comedy that plays out in Ricky and Lucy's bedroom. Ricky is so exhausted from his day with the baby that he falls asleep almost immediately. But little Ricky is still crying, and Lucy tries to calm him down by singing to him. As she rocks him back and forth, she accidentally spills his bottle on Ricky's head. Ricky wakes up disoriented and covered in milk, and a frantic chase around the room ensues.

"Ricky Minds the Baby" is a classic example of the physical comedy and domestic chaos that made "I Love Lucy" such a beloved show. While the parenting antics may seem a bit dated to modern viewers, there's still a timeless humor in watching two adults struggle to take care of a screaming baby. The episode also highlights the dynamic between Lucy and Ricky - she's the impulsive one who always wants to have fun, while he's the responsible one who wants to do what's best for their son. But ultimately, they both love each other and their family, and that's what makes the show so enduring.