A new bank policy requires mandatory secondary school completion, so Lucy must go back and earn her diploma. **NOTE - Yes I am aware that back in Season 2 Lucy attended her COLLEGE reunion, but this show had so many continuity errors you just have to go with it.
This episode is not a classic but has several things going for it that make it very appealing. First of all, the cast features the return of Doris Singleton, in a small role in the opening scene. Lucy says "I don't get to see enough of you" to Doris. And neither do we. It's always a delight to have her back and too bad her planned role in the upcoming HERE'S LUCY never came to fruition.
Robert Pine (CHIPS), one of the hardest-working characters actors of the last sixty years, shows up as an antagonistic class clown. He would lose out on a role in Lucy's YOURS, MINE AND OURS 1968 film that ended up going to Tim Matheson.
Lucie Arnaz plays a classmate of Lucy's in her biggest speaking role to date. Oddly, she seems more mature here than she would a year later in HERE'S LUCY's first season. It's satisfying when she chews out Pine's smart-aleck slacker character.
One of the teachers is portrayed by a very young Barbara Babcock. You may not recognize her at first because of the blonde hair, but the voice is unmistakable.
The script has some very funny lines. When Mooney's extolling the importance of education on a local TV show, Lucy's set blows up and she blithely says, "Even the set couldn't take that baloney!". Later, Pine's character remarks on Lucy's in-depth knowledge of American history: "She should (know), she lived through most of it".
The itching powder bit is only mildly amusing. Much better is the rousing rendition of "Dem Bones" that Lucy performs in the classroom scene that has everyone on their feet including the bewildered teacher.
The Lucy character is shown here as very conscientious and dedicated and it's a nice change from the typical zany scatterbrained schtick. Having her be declared honorary valedictorian and give the commencement speech is rewarding for the character and the writers got to sneak in their Public Service Announcement at the same time.
Not a laugh-riot, but very well-written with a great guest cast that elevates it and some very honest moments.
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