Another entry that shows the range and daring of FATHER KNOWS BEST. The Andersons are entering a family photo contest with the prize a trip to Hawaii. Kathy is excited and just sure that they will win. However, the neighborhood baker's family also decides to enter the contest. In addition to their four blond-haired children, they have a young adopted son from Korea named Toby. Toby's smile is so endearing that Kathy knows they will be a shoo-in to win the contest. In a fit of jealousy, she seeks to destroy the picture and ruin their chances.
The subtext of the episode is Americans' attitudes toward immigrants and foreigners. The episode implies that foreign-born like Toby have just as much right to the American dream. There are other layers too. The baker is a native-born American, but his wife appears to be a German immigrant. In other words, Toby's adoptive mother is an immigrant herself.
Although the plot is a bit contrived (Kathy's extreme jealousy is out of character) and the sentimentality flows freely, this is still a significant episode in the annals of FKB.
The subtext of the episode is Americans' attitudes toward immigrants and foreigners. The episode implies that foreign-born like Toby have just as much right to the American dream. There are other layers too. The baker is a native-born American, but his wife appears to be a German immigrant. In other words, Toby's adoptive mother is an immigrant herself.
Although the plot is a bit contrived (Kathy's extreme jealousy is out of character) and the sentimentality flows freely, this is still a significant episode in the annals of FKB.
