Will the Real Jan Brady Please Stand Up?

As one of the children of the 70s who grew up on the Brady Bunch, I always thought this episode was way ahead of its time. It also sooooo reminded me of a "clever" re-working of an episode from LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE, but geared for all us pre-teens and teens who demanded EQUAL TIME!

That's really a gasss.

It's a tale of independence and it's a very popular Brady Bunch episode as its relatable, regardless of your age.

I remember all of us kids back in the day bantering about this episode during lunch or recess, and most if not all agreed the wig was just not her. Period. That all said, Jan was still the heroine, an inspiration. She was a can do-er, and that's the name of the game.

More over, how many twentysomethings, thirtysomethings or whatever changed from a brunette to a blonde --as in blondes have more fun, right? Or the even more common scenario of ditching the old threads and buying a whole new wardrobe to become a different person. Never stops, never will!

Let's NOT forget Alice trying on that black wig, either! That's a classic tv scene. Look for Marcia Wallace, pre BOB NEWHART SHOW, playing the wig sales lady.

Lots of good memories here and food for thought. From Season 2 remastered ABC/Paramount box set.

As I've watched The Brady Bunch, I found that the stories finally reached into some interesting areas during the second season. The first season was mostly taken up with "battle of the sexes" plots and most of the kids seemed to be very broadly painted and interchangeable.

At this point, Jan finally has started to develop a personality. Prior episodes have developed her a little, and most notably, she's probably the strangest, and least predictable of the Brady kids. She's gotten sucked into weird, dumb practical jokes. She decided to invent a fake boyfriend. Now, with this episode, she decides that wearing a curly black wig will somehow make her notable to her friends.

I can understand the desire to distinguish herself, but this doesn't just come across as comedy... it's almost a disturbing type of comedy.

Jan doesn't seem to grasp that this is not a positive change she's trying to institute. This leaves the episode with a strange, uncomfortable feeling. You don't get the impression that Jan is normal. You get the impression of a more serious disorder.

Still, I might be over-thinking this.