Ep 15. The Ironwood Experience

The Bob Newhart Show season 5 episode 15, titled "The Ironwood Experience", follows the staff of the Chicago-based mental health clinic where Bob Newhart's character, psychologist Dr. Robert "Bob" Hartley, works. The episode sees Bob and his colleagues, receptionist Carol Kester (Marcia Wallace), therapist Jerry Robinson (Peter Bonerz), and orthodontist Dr. Howard Borden (Bill Daily), embarking on a team-building retreat at a remote lodge called Ironwood.

Despite their initial excitement about the trip, things quickly go awry as the group encounters a number of obstacles, including a power outage that leaves them stranded in the woods and a series of personality clashes and misunderstandings among the staff. As tensions rise, Bob is forced to mediate conflicts and try to keep the group focused on the team-building exercises, which include rope courses and trust exercises.

Meanwhile, back at the clinic, one of Bob's patients, a former professional football player named Bill (played by Ed Asner), begins to unravel without his regular therapy sessions. Bill's wife calls the clinic in a panic, and Jerry is tasked with trying to help Bill over the phone while also dealing with his own insecurities about the trip to Ironwood.

As the two storylines unfold, viewers are treated to a mix of humor, heart, and insight into the complexities of human relationships and communication. The episode ultimately offers a satisfying conclusion to both the Ironwood and clinic storylines, with the characters learning valuable lessons about themselves and each other along the way.

Overall, "The Ironwood Experience" is a standout episode of The Bob Newhart Show that showcases the show's strengths in terms of both writing and acting. Fans of the show will appreciate the witty banter between the characters, as well as the nuanced performances from the talented cast. And for those new to the series, this episode provides a great introduction to the world of Bob Newhart and his lovable group of misfits.