Ep 1. It Happened One Afternoon (1)

In the season premiere of Newhart's second season, titled "It Happened One Afternoon (1)," the lovable innkeeper Dick Loudon finds himself embroiled in a whirlwind of hilarious and unexpected events. As the episode opens, we find Dick and his wife, Joanna, on a seemingly ordinary day at their quaint Vermont inn, the Stratford Inn.

Dick, who has a penchant for getting entangled in unconventional situations, inadvertently stumbles upon a collection of old love letters hidden in the inn's attic. Intrigued by their content and eager to unravel the mystery, he becomes determined to discover the story behind these letters and their mysterious author.

Armed with his curiosity, Dick sets out on a quest to solve this romantic enigma. However, his investigation takes an unexpected turn when he accidentally uncovers a hidden passageway leading to a secret room. This discovery only deepens the mystery, leaving Dick even more determined to uncover the truth.

Meanwhile, Joanna, being the supportive and inquisitive partner that she is, joins forces with Stephanie, the mindful maid at the inn, to aid Dick in his peculiar endeavor. Together, the trio begins their sleuthing adventure, using various clues from the letters to retrace the footsteps of the author and the intended recipient.

As they delve deeper into the past, Dick, Joanna, and Stephanie soon find themselves encountering a range of colorful and eccentric characters connected to the inn's history. From long-lost relatives to former employees, each person holds a vital piece of the puzzle, leading the trio on a comedic chase through time.

Their escapades take them to different locations in the inn and surrounding areas, including the local library, where they uncover dusty records, and the town's historical society, where they learn surprising revelations about the inn's earliest days. With every new revelation, the trio finds themselves propelled further down the rabbit hole of this engrossing mystery.

Throughout the episode, the inn's quirky guests also become unwitting participants in Dick's obsession with solving the puzzle. As they interact with the characters, the guests unwittingly advance the investigation, unintentionally providing vital clues that bring Dick, Joanna, and Stephanie closer to uncovering the truth behind the love letters.

As the episode reaches its climax, the stakes are raised even higher when the trio finds themselves on the brink of discovering the connection between the love letters, the secret room, and the inn's present-day existence. However, before they can fully piece everything together, the episode concludes with a suspenseful cliffhanger, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating the resolution in the next episode.

"It Happened One Afternoon (1)" takes viewers on a delightful journey filled with humor, devious twists, and endearing characters. With its witty dialogue, charismatic performances, and engaging plotline, this season premiere episode of Newhart exemplifies the show's ability to captivate audiences and provide them with a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining television experience.