The Bob Newhart Show: Bob and Emily and Howard and Carol and Jerry

The Bob Newhart Show: Bob and Emily and Howard and Carol and Jerry
CBS
December 9, 1972
Sitcom
DVD
B+

Then everything clicks in this first BNS episode directed by Peter Baldwin and first written by Charlotte Brown.  Not only is it the ultimate episode for Howard/Carol shippers (with a bone thrown to Jerry/Carol shippers), but it's funny and intelligent and a bit sexy.  The five main characters (getting their names run together Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice style) play off each other very well, but there are some good moments with the guest cast, too.  Note that two of the Emily motifs, fear of flying and love of matchmaking, are used, but she also teases Bob that he's overpaid.  The bathroom scene is just perfect, and if the rest of the episode were on that level, I'd go with an A- or higher.

Marilyn Child is Mrs. Walker again.  Shizuko Hoshi, who plays the Waitress, would be a Hostess the following year.  And, yes, forty-year-old Pat Morita plays the Bartender.