User Reviews

Season six begins with a new upbeat opening; one that acknowledges the boys are growing up. While Ward's "look" is a constant, June has a new hairstyle and the boys look like the teenagers they are. Even the tempo of the theme has a new bounce. Promises of great things ahead? Wally has been spending a lot of time over at the Fosters with his new girlfriend, Julie Foster. June believes it might be nice for Wally to reciprocate their hospitality and take Julie out for a dinner. At dinner, Beaver jumps the gun and tells Wally the plans their parents have for his social life. Wally agrees, which shocks Beaver. Wally plans to ask Julie at school, but the right time didn't appear. At home, Wally calls Julie and asks her out. She's thrilled, and Wally asks her pick the restaurant. She decides on The White Fox. Wally doesn't know it, but Eddie gives Wally the bad news; this restaurant is the most expensive place in town.

Since no prices are shown in the newspaper ad, Wally calls the restaurant to find out what the prices are. Soup is 80 cents, coffee is 40 cents, this place is obviously beyond Wally's pocket; and they have a maître d and serve a la carte which Wally doesn't understand at all. Wally goes to dad for advice. He's old, he must have been to at least one 80 cent soup restaurant. Ward agrees, he has been that worldly once or twice; Ward suggests Wally discuss the cost of the restaurant with Julie. Julie is a sensible girl, she will understand the restaurant is expensive for a high school boy. When Wally goes over to speak with her, Julie is still on cloud nine. She has told all her friends; she even bought a new dress. What did Wally want? Is 7:30 a good time to pick her up? A stunned Wally walks away.

Back home, Wally asks Ward if he can sell the record player he received as a birthday present to get some money. Since a relative purchased that gift, Ward advances Wally fifteen dollars. Ward then informs Wally he has to call the maître d' to get a reservation, the White Fox isn't a walk-in restaurant; but when Wally stumbles through his request, he is told they don't have a table. Wow, Wally actually throws a hissy fit. Really. When Beaver tells Ward how lucky Wally was because tables weren't available; Ward calls the restaurant and speaks with Maurice, the maître d and straightens things out. It's clear that the company Ward works for frequently uses The White Fox to entertain clients, and Ward is well known there. Beaver wants to call one of his friends, but Ward tells him that he needs to hold off for a while. The phone rings; the call is from some French speaking guy, and he wants to speak with Wallace Cleaver. A table has been found. The dinner date is on.

When Julie sees the menu, she blanches. The prices are exorbitant—some main courses are from twelve to fifteen dollars alone—and she doesn't want to bankrupt Wally. The house special is sole at about eight dollars, that will be fine. Ward was correct in his assessment of Julie as a sensible girl. The meal was fine and when the check arrives, Wally has no wallet. Not to fret, Mom found the wallet earlier; Ward has called Maurice to arrange for Wally to sign the check. Julie is impressed; so is Wally.

Wally reports the evening went well. They ate some fish with nuts which was OK if you like fish with nuts. Wally calls it a night and goes upstairs. June wants to know if Ward will tell Wally the truth. No, Ward decides to let it go and have it remain a good memory for Wally. Upstairs Wally finds the wallet, in his jacket. Beaver says mom found it earlier and placed it in his jacket. Wally now realizes what must have been going on behind the scenes. Dad really stepped in to help. Beaver wants to know if Wally will thank dad, No, Wally says, because he wants Dad to have a good memory of the event.

A great season opener. We get to learn more about Ward, and we have more evidence of the kind of man and father he is. Not that we need it. The incident is no doubt a look back for many seniors, like myself, who will recall when a restaurant bill of $14.37 was mammoth. Such was the cost of trying to impress a girl. I recall a lot of us were social schlemiels in high school. Without a doubt, we would have been intimidated if we had to deal with a maître d. I will be grateful to my college fraternity for instructions on how to dress, order food at a restaurant, etc. The world of social graces was not my milieu growing up. Wally deal with it OK, here. It's clear he breathed a sigh of relief when the evening was over.

I thought Julie might order lobster. Been a long time since i saw this. Excellent writing, and great job by Tony Dow. Hope this season continues with fresh, funny scripts like this.