Ep 4. Hermit the Spy

Harriet the Spy follows the adventures of Harriet M. Welsch, an eleven-year-old girl who aspires to be a spy and writes down everything she observes in her spy notebook. In season 1 episode 4 titled "Hermit the Spy," Harriet becomes obsessed with a reclusive neighbor named Old Golly, who has gone missing. Old Golly was Harriet's former nanny, and the two had a special bond, so Harriet takes it upon herself to investigate her disappearance.

Harriet enlists the help of her two best friends, Sport and Janie, to search for clues and gather information about Old Golly's whereabouts. They begin by questioning a neighbor who saw Old Golly walking her dog just before she disappeared. Harriet also sneaks into Old Golly's apartment and searches for clues but finds nothing of significance.

As Harriet continues her investigation, she starts to suspect that Old Golly may not have left voluntarily. She discovers evidence of a struggle in Old Golly's apartment, including a broken picture frame and knocked-over furniture. Harriet becomes increasingly worried and enlists the help of her friends to search for Old Golly in the surrounding woods.

During their search, the trio stumbles upon a hidden treehouse belonging to a mysterious hermit. The hermit is a recluse who lives in isolation from the rest of society and has been watching over Old Golly and her dog while they have been missing. Harriet befriends the hermit, who reveals that Old Golly is safe and staying with her sister, who is ill.

Harriet is relieved to hear that Old Golly is safe but still feels guilty about not realizing sooner that her former nanny was in trouble. She comes to the realization that spying on people can have unintended consequences and sometimes may not be the best way to understand and help the people around her. She decides to make amends by expressing her gratitude to Old Golly and spending more time with her, rather than just observing her from afar.

Overall, "Hermit the Spy" is an exciting and heartwarming episode that explores the theme of friendship and the importance of looking out for others. It is a reminder that there are always consequences to our actions, and that we should be mindful of how we treat those around us. Harriet learns a valuable lesson about the power of empathy and compassion, which makes her a better spy and a better friend.