“Well, We Managed to Survive Another Crisis.”
While I was never a super fan of The Brady Bunch, I watched the show enough over the years that I’ve seen many of the episodes. And, while the show is definitely a groovy time capsule, there is still something fun and charming about it, especially in season two.
Just in case you’ve missed this particular bit of pop culture, this sitcom tells the story of the Brady family, which is formed when Mike (Robert Reed) married Carol (Florence Henderson). Of course, they each have their own three kids they are brining into the marriage. Mike’s three kids are Greg (Barry Williams), Peter (Christopher Knight), and Bobby (Mike Lookinland), while Carol has three daughters, Marcia (Maureen McCormick), Jan (Eve Plumb), and Cindy (Susan Olsen). Rounding out the bunch is their housekeeper, Alice (Ann B. Davis).
Over the course of this season Greg and Marcia are left in charge for the first time. Marcia also has a big sleepover. Greg makes a home movie about the first Thanksgiving. Jan makes up a boyfriend and buys a wig in separate efforts to stand out from Marcia. Jan’s practical jokes and Cindy’s tattle tailing get out of hand. Peter breaks Carol’s favorite vase, and everyone else confesses to the deed. Bobby takes up the drums. The family tries to save a local park…but Mike’s firm is designing the new building that is supposed to be put there. And Carol decides to try her hand at writing a story, using the family as inspiration.
Then there’s my personal favorite from the season. Cindy is scared after seeing a vanishing act at a magic show just as Peter starts working on a magic act.
And that episode perfectly captures why this show is still so popular today. Oh, you can point out how unrealistic it is, and you’d be right. And, every situation is resolved in 24 minutes? Must be nice. But that’s also the draw. We want to live in a world where family cares for each other. There are some truly sweet moments. It’s a perfect escape from the real world. And that’s okay.
As a sitcom, I’m not sure how often I laugh out loud, but it is still charming, keeping me smiling. Since this was filmed on a sound stage with one camera instead of multiple cameras in front of a live audience, we get a fake laugh track.
Thanks to an effort to cut costs, all of the kids but Greg miss an episode this season. A couple of times it’s obvious, but occasionally, you only notice if you are truly paying close attention.
The acting is fine here. It’s not going to win any awards, but it is good enough to pull you into the story each week. Notable guest stars are Don Drysdale and Deacon Jones, both sports legends of the day.
In the first season, I found the episodes dragged a bit. Here, that wasn’t the case. Sometimes, that’s thanks to a B story that winds up tying into the main storyline. Other times, the writers find that extra plot point that keeps the story interesting.
And, as I stated earlier, this show is definitely dated. These episodes aired in 1970 and 1971. Between the styles, the decor, and the groovy language, you definitely notice. But, somehow, that is still part of the charm.
I get this show might not be for everyone or every mood. But if you are looking for a light escape from your cares, you will find yourself enjoying season two of The Brady Bunch.
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