Ep 19. The Brave and the Backache

Rob Petrie, the head writer for "The Alan Brady Show," arrives at work with a sore back. Despite his pain, he's determined to finish the script for that day's show, a Western-themed episode called "The Brave and the Backache." As he struggles to write, he imagines himself as a cowboy hero out on the range, fighting off bad guys and wooing a beautiful woman.

Meanwhile, Rob's colleagues at the office are busy preparing for their roles in the episode. Sally Rogers, the show's comedy writer, is delighted to have a chance to play a saloon girl and wears a revealing outfit for the part. Buddy Sorrell, the show's wisecracking joke writer, is excited to portray a gunslinger and fiddles with his holster and gun.

As the day wears on, Rob's back gets worse, and he's forced to lie down on a sofa while dictating his lines to his colleagues. When the show's producer, Mel Cooley, sees him resting, he jumps to the conclusion that Rob is lazy and trying to shirk his duties. He orders Rob to stand up and work, but when Rob tries, he collapses in pain.

Mel takes Rob to see a chiropractor, Dr. Bowers, who diagnoses Rob with a slipped disc and prescribes bed rest for a week. Rob worries that he won't be able to finish the script in time for the taping, but Mel assures him that it will be taken care of.

The next day, Sally and Buddy visit Rob at his apartment to check on him. Sally, still dressed in her saloon girl outfit, attracts the attention of Rob's nosy neighbor, Millie, who assumes that Rob is throwing a wild party. When Millie storms in to investigate, she's shocked to find Rob lying in bed, unable to move. Sally and Buddy convince her that Rob is really sick and needs to rest.

With Rob out of commission, the rest of the team has to come up with a new ending for the episode. Buddy suggests a shootout in a ghost town, which they all agree is a great idea. But when they go to film the scene, things don't go quite as planned. Buddy, who's never fired a gun before, accidentally shoots out the lights in the saloon set, causing chaos and confusion.

In the end, the episode comes together and airs without a hitch. Rob, still stuck in bed, listens anxiously as the audience laughs and cheers. He's relieved and grateful when he hears that the episode was a success, but he's even more grateful for his friends and colleagues, who pulled together to make it happen.

"The Brave and the Backache" is a classic episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" that showcases the camaraderie and creativity of the show's characters. Rob's struggle with pain and injury highlights the physical demands of working in show business, while the team's dedication to their craft and their willingness to help each other out underscores the importance of teamwork and friendship. With its laugh-out-loud humor and heartwarming message, "The Brave and the Backache" is a must-see for fans of classic television.