Ep 9. Mutiny on the Hartley

In the second season of The Bob Newhart Show, episode 9 titled "Mutiny on the Hartley," we find our favorite psychologist trying to navigate the choppy waters of his private practice while also dealing with the whims and idiosyncrasies of his colleagues and friends.

The episode begins with Bob Hartley (played by the eponymous Bob Newhart) dealing with the aftermath of a peeping Tom incident in his office building. While he's not exactly traumatized by the experience, he is put out by the fact that he now has to keep his blinds closed all day, blocking out his view of the beautiful cityscape below.

Things only get more complicated for Bob when Emily (Suzanne Pleshette), his wife, decides to start taking yoga classes from one of his patients, a hippie named Harmon (played by Jack Riley). Bob is immediately skeptical of Harmon's aura-reading and holistic healing techniques, but Emily is smitten with his laid-back, free-spirited approach to life.

As if that weren't enough to contend with, Bob also finds himself at the center of a standoff between his receptionist Carol (Marcia Wallace) and Jerry (Peter Bonerz), one of his colleagues. Carol is fed up with the way Jerry treats her and the rest of the staff, so she decides to organize a mutiny against him. But when Bob tries to broker a peace between the two, he ends up getting caught in the crossfire and nearly loses a patient as a result.

Throughout the episode, Bob tries to balance his professional and personal obligations, often with hilarious results. Whether he's struggling to understand Emily's newfound love of transcendental meditation or dealing with the fallout of the office mutiny, he remains a steady, unassuming presence amidst the chaos.

As always, the show's strength lies in its sharp writing and flawless comedic timing. Bob Newhart's deadpan delivery and wry sense of humor are perfectly complemented by the rest of the ensemble cast, who all bring their own unique quirks and foibles to the table.

In "Mutiny on the Hartley," we see the characters continue to evolve and develop beyond their initial archetypes. Carol, for example, is given more agency and autonomy than in previous episodes, as she takes charge of the mutiny and proves herself to be a capable leader. And while Jerry is still something of a pompous blowhard, we get a glimpse of his vulnerability when he confesses to Bob that he's been feeling lonely lately.

Overall, "Mutiny on the Hartley" is a standout episode of an already excellent show. With its blend of incisive social commentary and laugh-out-loud humor, it's a testament to the enduring appeal of The Bob Newhart Show and its unforgettable cast of characters.