I have to say this is the episode that makes me the most sad... I typically don't feel as bummed even after realizing in other episodes that someone is dying or dead, as I do at the end of this one. Maybe because I've always admired the star Burgess Meredith who was so talented and makes me absolutely sympathize with Mr. Henry Bemis. And Mr. Bemis' wife, Helen, is just so mean.
(I also wonder how much of a headache Burgess got having to wear those thick glasses for filming. Even if he was a glasses wearer - those lenses had to be a strain on his eyes.)
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He just wanted to read....
But he couldn't at home...
Mr. Bemis: "Helen? Who did this Helen?"
Helen: "Who do you think did it, Henry? You should thank me, really. A grown man who reads silly, ridiculous, nonsensical doggerel."
Mr. Bemis: "This is not doggerel - there are some very beautiful things here!"
Helen: "I say doggerel, I also say it's a waste of time!"
He couldn't at work...
Bank President: "You, Mr. Bemis, do not function within the organization. You, Mr. Bemis, are a reader....I see you constantly going downstairs to the vault during your lunch hour."
Mr. Bemis:"....It's just that..."
Bank President: "Just the what, Bemis, make it quick and get back to your cage!"
Mr. Bemis: It's just that my wife won't let me read at home"
And he couldn't when he was finally all alone and had all the time in the world....
"Books, books, all the books I'll ever need! All the books I'll ever want!"
I thankfully have never needed glasses but I remember watching this episode the first time as a kid and how that was also the first time I actually thought about that dependence and how crazy and awful it would be if someone was without the glasses they needed so badly.
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