“Be a Pal” is the second episode of the television series “I Love Lucy,” first aired on October 15, 1951. In this episode, Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) feels that her relationship with her husband, Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz), is becoming distant. Lucy worries that Ricky is no longer paying attention to her like he used to, which makes her anxious and eager to find a way to rekindle the romance in their marriage.
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Lucy decides to seek advice from a book on how to be a better friend to her husband. She believes that if she acts more like Ricky’s best friend rather than just his wife, he will start to show interest and attention to her again, as he did when they first got married.
With determination, Lucy begins to change her behavior. She tries to join in Ricky’s hobbies, such as playing poker with him and his friends. However, Lucy is unfamiliar with the games Ricky enjoys, and her efforts quickly turn into comical and chaotic situations.
Not stopping there, Lucy decides to recreate the environment from Ricky’s childhood in an attempt to evoke his memories. She decorates the apartment in a Cuban style and even dresses up as Ricky’s mother, hoping that this will touch his heart. Lucy even sings a Cuban song while wearing an outlandish costume, intending to make Ricky happy.
However, as usual, Lucy’s plan backfires. Instead of being moved, Ricky is confused and embarrassed by the situation. Nonetheless, in the end, Lucy and Ricky realize they still love each other, despite the differences and challenges in their daily lives. The episode concludes with both of them reconciling, and Ricky showing appreciation for Lucy’s efforts to keep their marriage strong.
Review and Significance
“Be a Pal” is a typical example of the comedic style in “I Love Lucy,” where the ordinary situations of family life are explored to create humorous and charming moments. The episode also emphasizes the importance of communication and understanding in marriage
