The Brady Bunch Episode #28
Welcome to my review of The Brady Bunch Episode #28! This episode is entitled The Slumber Caper and originally aired on October 9, 1970. The main thing I remember about this episode is that we get to see Marcia cry. Again.
The show opens with the girls nervously waiting at the bottom of the steps outside Mike’s den. Mike and Carol are inside talking very seriously. Mike agrees and says, “Let’s go ahead with it.” Carol walks out with a big smile. “Yes, Marcia. You can have your slumber party!” The girls shriek and it hurts my ears.
The boys are on the swing set bitching about the slumber party. They later plot against the girls. They come up with ideas like spiders, scary masks, spooky noisemakers, and itching powder in the sleeping bags.
Principal’s Office
Cut to the principal’s office where Marcia is in trouble. She doodled a picture of George Washington that has her name on it. There’s a remark about her teacher being a hippopotamus (“Mrs. Denton or a hippopotamus?”) that Marcia claims she didn’t write. The principal sentences Marcia to stay an hour after school each day for a week. How is that fair? Way to be a lame principal.
What’s even worse than the principal not seeing the obvious truth, Marcia’s parents don’t believe her either. I hate watching Maureen McCormick cry, but I totally feel sad for her.
There’s a scene in the principal’s office with Mike and the principal. Both of those actors (Robert Reed and E.G. Marshall) worked together previously on The Defenders. The principal tells Mike, “There was only one conclusion I could make.” What? How are you a principal? Or a human being? You’re lame, dude.
Marcia’s parents have a change of heart and decide to take Marcia’s side. She’ll need to do her punishment at school, but the slumber party is back on. The girls are ecstatic with the news. Mike tells the boys that the party is back on and they’re just as excited. Mike is suspicious.
The Slumber Party
The girls at the party genuinely seem to be having fun. In fact, Maureen McCormick said this was one of her favorite episodes. She became close with two of the girls in this episode. One is the daughter of Florence Henderson and the other is the daughter of creator Sherwood Schwartz. Robert Reed’s daughter was also on this show. I wonder if she and Maureen didn’t get along.
Marcia figures it was her best friend Jenny who wrote the hippo remark. She calls and uninvites her to the party. The girls enjoy chips, hot dogs, a monster at the top of the stairs, a big rubber spider, and more. Jan is telling a scary story when the girls all start to itch. Paula admits to writing the saying on the picture that Marcia drew. Marcia feels horrible for blaming Jenny. She ends up inviting Jenny to the party while it’s still going on. When Mike goes to answer the door as Jenny arrives to the party, a big can of flour falls on his head. Another one of the boys’ jokes.
Ending
The tag is of Mike and Carol having coffee in the kitchen. Mr. Randolph the principal calls and tells Carol that Marcia and Paula explained the whole thing to Mr. Randolph and Mrs. Denton and all is forgiven. What? Paula shouldn’t even be thinking that her teacher looks like a hippo let alone write those things down. Paula should have been punished.
I hope you enjoyed my review of The Brady Bunch Episode #28. Even though I hate the sound of shrieking high-pitched girls, this was my favorite episode so far in season two. Check out all of my Brady items available in eBay store!