"Father Knows Best" is often dismissed as nothing but typical 1950s conformist fare -- but in more than one episode, the series actually questioned the then-current status quo in small but telling ways.
In this episode, college girl Betty is happy to follow the social rules for acceptance by the college's "In Crowd" that dictates who's acceptable & who's not. And as more than one character exclaims in horror, anyone who flouts those rules "might as well be dead!" Betty's complacency is challenged by Mr. Beekman, a fellow student who also teaches some high school classes for Betty's brother Bud. He encourages asking "Why?" of anyone or anything that demands unquestioning obedience. This doesn't sit well with Betty, whose own conscience is fighting her complacency. And then -- but watch the episode.
All in all, for what's considered a lightweight 1950s sitcom, this is reasonably thoughtful stuff. I'd imagine that more than one viewer might have been inspired to read Emerson, whose essay "Self-Reliance" is mentioned & quoted more than once, after watching this half-hour episode.
In this episode, college girl Betty is happy to follow the social rules for acceptance by the college's "In Crowd" that dictates who's acceptable & who's not. And as more than one character exclaims in horror, anyone who flouts those rules "might as well be dead!" Betty's complacency is challenged by Mr. Beekman, a fellow student who also teaches some high school classes for Betty's brother Bud. He encourages asking "Why?" of anyone or anything that demands unquestioning obedience. This doesn't sit well with Betty, whose own conscience is fighting her complacency. And then -- but watch the episode.
All in all, for what's considered a lightweight 1950s sitcom, this is reasonably thoughtful stuff. I'd imagine that more than one viewer might have been inspired to read Emerson, whose essay "Self-Reliance" is mentioned & quoted more than once, after watching this half-hour episode.
