Ep 5. My Master, the Weakling
- TV-NR
- October 10, 1967
- 25 min
-
7.4 (196)
My Master, the Weakling is an episode from the third season of the classic sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. This episode centers around the relationship between Jeannie and her master, astronaut Tony Nelson, and the antics that ensue when Jeannie tries to help him become more assertive.
The episode begins with Tony being passed over for a promotion at NASA in favor of his colleague, Brown. Tony is understandably upset, feeling like he is always being overshadowed by others. His frustrations only increase when he returns home to find Jeannie, who has just returned from a trip to her home country of Basenji, dressed in traditional Basenji garb and performing a dance to celebrate her return.
Tony is embarrassed by Jeannie's behavior and scolds her for drawing attention to herself. Jeannie, confused by Tony's anger, decides that the problem must be that Tony is not assertive enough. She decides to use her magic to make Tony more confident and aggressive.
At first, Jeannie's plan seems to be working. Tony begins to assert himself at work and even stands up to his boss, General Peterson. However, things quickly spiral out of control when Tony becomes overly aggressive and starts picking fights with everyone, including strangers on the street.
Jeannie is dismayed by the unintended consequences of her magic and turns to her friend and fellow genie, Blue Djinn, for help. Blue Djinn agrees to reverse Jeannie's spell, but only if she agrees to never use her magic to interfere in human affairs again.
In the end, Tony is back to his old self and Jeannie is reminded of the importance of respecting human free will. The episode concludes with Tony and Jeannie's relationship stronger than ever before.
Overall, My Master, the Weakling is a fun and lighthearted episode that showcases the charming chemistry between Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman, who play Jeannie and Tony respectively. With plenty of humor, heart, and a touch of magical whimsy, this episode is a classic example of the beloved sitcom's enduring appeal.
