"Summer in Alaska" is one of a group of episodes which show us Eddie Haskell's vulnerable side. (Others include "Eddie Spends the Night," "Eddie's Apartment," and "Beaver's Doll Buggy.") Eddie has got it into his head to go to Alaska for a summer job on a commercial fishing boat. For Eddie, it's an opportunity to get out of the house, see the world, and assert his independence (as well as act like a big shot around Wally and Lumpy); but Eddie's parents are of mixed mind about the idea. An interview with the leathery old ship captain immediately cures Eddie of any oceanic wanderlust and turns him into a confirmed landlubber.
Crestfallen, Eddie turns to Wally. He explains that he can't face his parents now that he has backed down; he is sure his father will laugh at him. Ken Osmond conveys Eddie's humiliation and upset palpably; the scene is very poignant and adds unsuspected depth to Eddie's character. Wally then visits Mr. Haskell in private and suggests to him a way to patch things up and let Eddie "off the hook" (no pun intended).
"Summer in Alaska" is notable for giving us the most extensive look into Eddie's family life. Both his parents appear, his father being played on this occasion by prolific television character actor George Petrie (there were two other "Mr. Haskells" in the course of the series). As so often on LITB, telling visual symbolism is employed to delineate home environment and character relationships. The Haskell home appears much less warm and inviting than the Cleaver home, with aesthetically unpleasing and awkwardly arranged furniture and décor. Mr. and Mrs. Haskell sit in separate wing chairs, which have the effect of isolating them both from each other and from their son. It is also noticeable that both parents are dark haired instead of blond like Eddie, which increases the sense of distance between them. When Wally visits Mr. Haskell in his living room, he is forced to sit on an uncomfortable backless settee while Mr. Haskell sits in an ugly slanted wing chair. The characters seem visually at cross-purposes.
The episode contributes a good deal to our understanding of Eddie's character. We are led to believe that he acts the way he does because of a poor relationship with his parents, particularly his father. Ultimately, however, Mr. Haskell turns out to be a reasonable parent, and it is hinted that the conversation with Wally is a wake-up call for him to work on his relationship with his son. Thus in addition to the usual moral lesson for kids, the episode presents a cautionary lesson for parents to be open and understanding towards their children.
Crestfallen, Eddie turns to Wally. He explains that he can't face his parents now that he has backed down; he is sure his father will laugh at him. Ken Osmond conveys Eddie's humiliation and upset palpably; the scene is very poignant and adds unsuspected depth to Eddie's character. Wally then visits Mr. Haskell in private and suggests to him a way to patch things up and let Eddie "off the hook" (no pun intended).
"Summer in Alaska" is notable for giving us the most extensive look into Eddie's family life. Both his parents appear, his father being played on this occasion by prolific television character actor George Petrie (there were two other "Mr. Haskells" in the course of the series). As so often on LITB, telling visual symbolism is employed to delineate home environment and character relationships. The Haskell home appears much less warm and inviting than the Cleaver home, with aesthetically unpleasing and awkwardly arranged furniture and décor. Mr. and Mrs. Haskell sit in separate wing chairs, which have the effect of isolating them both from each other and from their son. It is also noticeable that both parents are dark haired instead of blond like Eddie, which increases the sense of distance between them. When Wally visits Mr. Haskell in his living room, he is forced to sit on an uncomfortable backless settee while Mr. Haskell sits in an ugly slanted wing chair. The characters seem visually at cross-purposes.
The episode contributes a good deal to our understanding of Eddie's character. We are led to believe that he acts the way he does because of a poor relationship with his parents, particularly his father. Ultimately, however, Mr. Haskell turns out to be a reasonable parent, and it is hinted that the conversation with Wally is a wake-up call for him to work on his relationship with his son. Thus in addition to the usual moral lesson for kids, the episode presents a cautionary lesson for parents to be open and understanding towards their children.
