Ciao, Uncle Bill

This episode shows a rather out of character side of Uncle Bill, who meets a woman in Italy and rather quickly decides to marry her and move his entire family to Italy without actually talking to them about it first. Although this series is certainly not known for its gritty realism, the theme of family unity and togetherness is a recurring storyline. Uncle Bill's abrupt announcement that he was getting married and not actually having any meaningful conversation with his children beforehand felt very contradictory to the usual grounded and thoughtful character he usually portrays.

I found Mr. French's willingness to take over the raising of the children as a solo endeavor quite touching. There was a bit of an ominous future implied with French's prospects of landing another position with adequate salary and the flexibility for him to live off site from his next position so he could live with and raise the children.

The fact that Uncle Bill and his prospective bride had not actually discussed the living arrangements of his children seemed odd. Yes, it's a simple 60's tv show, but still the storyline was strange. Oddly enjoyable.

When Uncle Bill's is on the phone his girlfriend said what sounded like "hurry up Brian". Which of course she might have said Bill. But listen if you see a rerun it sounds like she is using his true name.

If there was one strong recurrent theme throughout the run of CBS's "Family Affair", it was the kids' fear that this wonderful set-up with their uncle and his valet would come crashing down and they would once again be farmed out to competing relatives. Surprisingly though, in this third season episode which finds Uncle Bill in Rome romancing a client's glamorous daughter, Cissy, Buffy and Jody truly believe he's ready to rid himself of the three of them in favor of a new life overseas. They even get Mr. French to believe he's abandoning them (to which French responds, "If Mr. Davis doesn't want you in Italy, I shall not go as well"). Curiously enough, their suspicions are almost on the money. Uncle Bill's new fiancée certainly does not expect the kids to come live with them (where does she think they'll live? Perhaps boarding schools?), but Bill makes it sternly clear they are a package deal and where he goes, they go. The episode is built on odd assumptions, misunderstandings, and that old fear of family separation. These themes were always good for "Family Affair", but a bit strange coming in the third year. What will it take to make these kids feel secure??