While berating women drivers, Horace and a Mrs. Brady (Connie Sawyer, known for her longevity in acting, who passed away in 2018 at age 105) collide at an intersection. The kind woman has a collection of parking tickets in her mere three days of driving and nervously tries to pay for his dented fender, afraid she'll not be allowed to drive any longer. Horace insists on making a larger issue of it and says Peter, who was riding with him, will be his witness. Horace talks with Mr. Brady (Lee Krieger) who just wants to settle the matter and concedes his wife said she was confused by construction at the intersection. Peter doesn't want to be involved, but is pressured by Horace. Peter tells Mr. Brady that Horace ran a red light, resulting in the crash. The beyond reasonable Mr. Brady just suggests each pays for their own damage. Horace, however, still insists Mrs. Brady is guilty of reckless driving and pushes forward with a lawsuit. Horace shares his slanted views with young Stevie who has now picked up the habit of putting down women drivers. When Horace asks for $1,000, Mr. Barkin (Robert Christopher) representing the Brady's insurance company informs him that the couple is asking for $15,000 for the situation. Horace tries to dispatch Peter's statement by saying he is mentally incompetent. Wilma watches "Gaslight", a noted film where a husband sneakily puts his wife in situations set up to make her think she is losing her mind. It gives Horace the idea to give Peter the same treatment. Horace works to make Peter think he went fishing, complete with hiring a man (Joe Higgins) to play the part of a Captain Nelson who has stuffed a giant swordfish Peter is to have caught. He also provides a doctored picture of Peter with him. The carefully orchestrated, diabolical plan indeed begins to work, but it may affect the suit in an unexpected way.
The script flows better than most of the series with even a few twists and comedic moments. Giving Howard Smith's Horace more script to work with was wise for the comedy value. However, it is a stretch to believe Horace's character would have a vendetta to that degree against women drivers without being given a reason. If the writers were trying to be playful on the subject, I don't think it came off as such. Frustratingly, it seems the ideal episode construction for the series was ironed out here, but tainted by the way the viewpoint came across.
The script flows better than most of the series with even a few twists and comedic moments. Giving Howard Smith's Horace more script to work with was wise for the comedy value. However, it is a stretch to believe Horace's character would have a vendetta to that degree against women drivers without being given a reason. If the writers were trying to be playful on the subject, I don't think it came off as such. Frustratingly, it seems the ideal episode construction for the series was ironed out here, but tainted by the way the viewpoint came across.