The Best of Leave It to Beaver Season 2 Episode 13 Substitute Father

In The Best of Leave It to Beaver season 2 episode 13, titled "Substitute Father," Ward Cleaver is going out of town on a business trip, leaving his wife June and their two sons Beaver and Wally behind. Since Ward won't be able to take the boys to a baseball game that he promised them, Beaver and Wally are disappointed. However, their spirits are lifted when Ward introduces them to their substitute father, Harry Munson. Harry is Ward's colleague from work and he agrees to take the boys to the game, as well as look after them while Ward is away.

Harry's approach to parenting is quite different from Ward's. While Ward is strict and tells the boys what to do and what not to do, Harry is more of a friend than a parent. He lets the boys stay up late, eat junk food, and even skip school to go to the baseball game. Beaver and Wally enjoy their time with Harry and even declare that they like him better than their dad.

However, things start to go wrong shortly after Ward leaves. Harry is a bit forgetful and he forgets to pick up Beaver from school as promised. Beaver ends up walking home alone and when he tells his mother about it, she's understandably upset. June has never heard of Harry and doesn't really trust him. When Harry comes over to explain what happened, June asks him to leave.

Despite this setback, Harry tries to make it up to the family by taking them on a picnic. However, things go from bad to worse when Harry's car breaks down on the way to the picnic spot. They end up stranded in the middle of nowhere and have to walk back home. June is furious with Harry and tells him to leave once again.

What follows is a heartwarming scene where Ward, who has cut short his business trip, surprises the boys by coming home early. He then explains to the family that he wanted them to experience what it would be like if he wasn't around. He also tells the boys that while he may be strict, it's only because he wants what's best for them. In the end, Ward and Harry make amends and June forgives him for his mistakes.

Overall, "Substitute Father" is a heartwarming episode that explores the different styles of parenting. While Harry may have been fun for Beaver and Wally, Ward's strict approach ultimately proves to be the better one. The episode also highlights the importance of communication and forgiveness in a family.