Ep 4. Still Crazy After All These Years

Bob Newhart Show season 5, episode 4, titled "Still Crazy After All These Years," focuses on the character of Howard Borden, Bob's friend and patient. Howard is struggling with his age and feeling like he has wasted his life. He turns to Bob for help, but Bob is also dealing with his own aging and feelings of regret.

The episode begins with Bob and Emily out on a date, but Bob can't stop thinking about Howard's recent visit to his office. Howard had been acting unusually depressed and Bob had tried to cheer him up with some jokes, but Howard wasn't laughing. Bob finally admits to Emily that he's worried about Howard and thinks he might need therapy.

The next day, Bob brings Howard into his office for a session and quickly realizes that Howard's problem is existential in nature. Howard is turning 40 and feels like he hasn't accomplished anything with his life. He's still single, has a dead-end job, and no real prospects for the future. Bob tries to reassure him that he still has plenty of time to turn things around, but Howard is skeptical.

Over the course of the episode, Bob and Howard have a series of therapy sessions where they discuss Howard's fears and anxieties. Bob tries to help Howard see the positives in his life and encourages him to think about his accomplishments rather than his failures. However, Howard is resistant to change and seems to be stuck in a rut.

Meanwhile, Bob is also dealing with his own issues surrounding aging. He's starting to feel like he's become irrelevant and wonders what his legacy will be. He confides in Emily, telling her that he feels like he's wasted his life by being a psychologist instead of pursuing a more prestigious career. Emily tries to reassure him, telling him that he's helped thousands of people over the years and that's an accomplishment in itself.

As the episode progresses, Howard seems to be getting worse rather than better. He's started drinking heavily and his behavior is becoming increasingly erratic. Bob becomes concerned that Howard is beyond his help and suggests that he find a support group for people in similar situations. Howard agrees, but it's clear that his problems run deeper than just feeling like he's wasted his life.

In the end, Howard does join a support group and seems to be making progress, but it's clear that he still has a long way to go. Bob and Emily have a heart-to-heart, where they acknowledge their own fears about aging and how it's affecting their lives. They vow to support each other and embrace their future together.

"Still Crazy After All These Years" is a poignant episode that explores the theme of aging and its impact on our lives. It's a reminder that no matter how old we are, we can always make positive changes and find meaning in our lives. Through the characters of Howard and Bob, we see that even the most successful and accomplished people can struggle with feelings of regret and insecurity. Ultimately, the episode is a testament to the power of therapy and human connection to help us overcome our fears and find happiness in our lives.