The Milestone

A tender story, told simply.

I keep thinking (and saying) that, by the 6th season, the show had slipped. Indeed, there are some clunkers. On the other hand, I seem to be creating several reviews where I praise the episodes.

Like this one. Also as I've said before, my favorite episodes are those that do not pack a wallop, that do not try to push the message too hard, and finally, that find the words effortlessly.

Kathleen Hite penned many episodes for this show, and she came through again with this one. For someone who cut her teeth on Gunsmoke radio episodes (and later on the tv version), she really knew the basics of a quality script.

This tender story concerning Olivia was a wonderful way to give an early farewell to Michael Learned, as she left during the 7th season. I think this is one of my most favorite Olivia episodes.

And Louise Latham, well......she's always been a standout for me.

A lovely episode.

I wish I could encourage every woman who is contemplating divorce for the weakest of reasons to come and watch this episode. I had my wife of 22 yrs and three kids pull this very same thing on me. I was dumbfounded. How can someone you know so well suddenly become a stranger. I think if many people had just one good friend who has common sense they might avoid making poor decisions that bring with them consequences of a lifetime.

What's the matter with Olivia? She's tired of her life. That manifests itself physically and mentally. After raising kids to near or into adulthood,she's done her job--she's a mom--and now has no purpose. What's the cure?

A new life. To every season...and all that.

Whatever solution is concocted at the end of the episode is temporary--as next year's departure of Miss Learned(and Olivia)demonstrated.

Six stars.