The Partridge Family Episode #28

Welcome to my review of The Partridge Family Episode #28! This episode is called A Man Called Snake and originally aired on October 1, 1971. There is only one Snake in my life. The Oakland Raiders great quarterback of the 1970’s, Kenny Stabler, was my Snake. The Snake in this episode is Rob Reiner. Most people know him as Meathead from All in the Family. I know him as Mr.

This episode opens with Shirley reading Keith’s interview in “Heavy” magazine to the family. There’s a big headline across the cover of the magazine reading “Keith Partridge Interview”. The quote about his sister Laurie liking boys is embarrassing for her. It gets worse when he names her current crush, classmate Harry Murphy. Keith thought he was helping her out by naming her crush, but it turns out she doesn’t know anybody by the name of Harry Murphy. She did have a crush on Barry Murphy, but he moved away a year ago. Way to go, Keith.

Scary Man

Chris and Tracy answer the door (after Tracy calls Keith a creepo – that was pretty funny). It’s Harry Murphy (aka Rob Reiner). He’s dressed like a hoodlum and wants to know where the chick who’s crazy about him is. The kids look scared. Don’t judge a book by its cover, children.

Snake explains that his gang dared him to show up at the Partridge’s. To prove to his gang that he was there, he asks Laurie to sign over his tattooed chest. Reuben storms in and tells Shirley that some idiot ran over her pink flamingo with his motorcycle. Then he sees Snake and starts sucking up.

Laurie leaves her high school the next day to find Snake in the hallway on his motorcycle. He offers her a ride to the library upstairs. The next day in class a rock comes flying through the window. A note for Laurie is attached. Snake is doing everything he can to get her attention. He’s very persistent.

The next scene is of the band practicing in the garage. Chris gets some good close ups and he’s fake playing very well. Danny’s happiness looks genuine. Tracy is playing that tambourine at a good pace and she’s in time. The young kids look really good during this rehearsal. Laurie is distracted due to Snake stalking her.

Trivia

• The song performed in this episode, Listen To The Sound, was never released on any Partridge Family album.
• David Cassidy’s first solo single, Cherish, hit the stores when this episode aired. It eventually reached #9 on the Billboard charts.

 

Laurie has a talk with Snake to ask him to stop harassing her but instead ends up liking him. He wrote her a poem and is very sensitive. Shirley forbids Laurie to go out with Snake. Really? Come on, Shirley. Don’t you too judge a book by its cover.

Shirley goes up to talk to Laurie in the girls’ bedroom. Laurie recalls the time when she was eight and a Randy asked her to his birthday party. She got braces and he immediately broke the date. Wait. I thought she got braces in season one when Mark Hamill was on. Click here to read about that episode. Laurie tells her mom to stop being prejudice and how she’s judging Snake because of how he looks. Way to go, Laurie. Tell your momma off.

Keep Away with Danny

The next scene is of Danny and Keith going to talk to Snake. They find the motorcycle gang (but no Snake) and the guys make fun of pretty Keith. I liked this scene and remember it from childhood. Danny pretends to have a gun in his pocket. The gang is playing keep away with Danny (literally throwing him in the air back and forth) when Snake rides up and saves the day.

Laurie brings Snake to her school dance. They show a lot of extras in this scene dancing their groovy dances of the early 70’s while Laurie and Snake stand off to the side. Things seem awkward but then Snake finally asks Laurie to dance. The only dance he knows is the box step. They stick out and the other kids laugh at them. Some rich looking preppy dude comes up and is a dick, so Snake throws the bowl of punch on him. Cool.

At the end of their date, Laurie lets Snake down sweetly and easily. They kiss and part ways while Keith spies from inside. Snake gave Laurie his gold earring to remember him. Aww….I like Snake.

The tag is Reuben bringing in a gift from the doorstep. It’s a brand new pink flamingo (just like the one Snake ran over in the opening) with a note from Snake. He wrote another sweet poem that ends with letting the family know the “bird is probably hot”.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my review of The Partridge Family Episode #28. I liked this episode. All of the characters had lines this time. Sometimes the kids don’t really say much. There was a good message with this episode in not judging people by how they look. Way to go, Partridges. Check out my groovy Partridge items in my eBay store.