Ep 19. Lucy Does the Tango

Lucy Does the Tango is the nineteenth episode of the sixth season of the timeless sitcom I Love Lucy. Originally aired on February 2nd, 1959, the episode starts with Lucy excitedly planning for the arrival of her cousin Ernie, who is a dance teacher. She is eager to learn how to dance the tango, as she sees it as a symbol of love and passion.

However, when Ernie arrives, Lucy realizes that he is not the romantic dancer that she had in mind. Instead, he is a strict and rigid instructor who quickly becomes frustrated with Lucy's inability to master the moves. Lucy's husband Ricky, who is a professional performer and dancer, steps in to teach her instead, but their personal relationship quickly collides with their professional one.

Meanwhile, Fred and Ethel, Lucy's best friends and landlords, are upset that they have been left out of Lucy's dance lessons. Fred, in particular, feels that he is being left behind and that his age is making him useless to Lucy. In an effort to prove himself, he starts practicing his own tango moves, much to Ethel's amusement.

As the episode progresses, tensions rise as Lucy struggles to learn the tango and keep up with Ricky's high expectations. Ernie becomes increasingly exasperated with her, and Ricky's frustration with Lucy's lack of skill in their dances leads to a heated argument. Fred's attempts to practice the tango also go awry, but he eventually helps Lucy to see the beauty in the dance and to realize that it is not just about mastering technical moves, but about feeling the music and expressing oneself.

Ultimately, Lucy and Ricky reconcile and perform a beautiful tango routine at the club, much to the delight of the audience. Meanwhile, Fred and Ethel also join in the dance, proving that age is just a number when it comes to enjoying life and embracing one's passions.

Overall, Lucy Does the Tango is a charming and lighthearted episode that showcases the talents of the iconic I Love Lucy cast, as well as their ability to navigate complex relationships and find humor in everyday situations. With its playful humor and witty dialogue, it remains a beloved classic in the history of television comedy.