Ep 16. Tobin's Back in Town

Bob Newhart stars in the classic sitcom "The Bob Newhart Show." In season 3, episode 16, entitled "Tobin's Back in Town," Bob's dental practice is thrown into chaos when his old buddy Tobin (John Fiedler) returns to Chicago after a two-year absence. Tobin is a hypochondriac who constantly complains about his health, so Bob is initially hesitant to get involved with him again because he doesn't want to deal with his neuroses. However, as the episode progresses, Bob realizes that Tobin's problems run deeper than just paranoia about his health.

The episode begins with Bob and his wife, Emily (Suzanne Pleshette), discussing Tobin's impending arrival. Emily is excited to see him again, but Bob is more reserved. He remembers how Tobin used to monopolize his time at the office and drive him crazy with his constant worries. However, when Tobin arrives at the dental practice, Bob is surprised to see that he looks healthier than ever. Tobin tells Bob that he's been going to a new doctor who has cured him of all his ailments. Bob is skeptical, but he's happy to see his old friend again.

As the day progresses, Tobin starts to exhibit some strange behavior. He keeps insisting that he needs to see Bob's nurse, Miss DeWitt (Marcia Wallace), even though he's perfectly healthy. When Bob finally confronts him about it, Tobin breaks down and reveals that he's been lying about his health. He's actually been seeing a psychiatrist for the past two years because he's been depressed and anxious. Tobin explains that the reason he's been acting so paranoid is that he's afraid he'll relapse into his old depressive state if he's not careful.

Bob is sympathetic to Tobin's situation, but he's also frustrated that his friend kept this from him for so long. He confronts Tobin about the fact that he's been monopolizing his time again, which forces Tobin to take a hard look at his behavior. Tobin realizes that he's been using his hypochondria as a way to keep Bob close to him because he's afraid of losing his friend. Tobin apologizes for his behavior, and he and Bob make peace.

The episode ends with Tobin leaving Bob's office, looking much happier than when he arrived. Bob reflects on the fact that he's glad to have his friend back in his life, but he's also learned that he needs to set boundaries and not let Tobin take over his practice again. Emily, meanwhile, is thrilled that Tobin's visit turned out to be a success, and she looks forward to seeing more of him in the future.

Overall, "Tobin's Back in Town" is a touching episode about the importance of friendship and mental health. Bob Newhart gives a great performance as always, and John Fiedler shines as Tobin, a character who starts out as annoying but becomes sympathetic by the episode's end. Fans of "The Bob Newhart Show" will enjoy this installment, and newcomers to the series will appreciate the poignant storytelling and stellar acting.