General Information

Director: Ezra Stone

Writer: Douglas Tibbles

Cast: Fred Gwynne, Yvonne De Carlo, Al Lewis, Pat Priest, and Butch Patrick, Chet Stratton, Bryan O’Byrne, and Jackie Minty

Composer: Jack Marshall

Air Date: 12/30/1965

Overview

Faced with a bully named Jack McGinty (Jackie Minty), Eddie seeks advice from his father. Herman initially tells Eddie to ignore the aggressor, but modifies his approach when confronted with the antics of Clyde Thornton (Chet Stratton)—a practical joker who works at the parlor.

Despite containing a worthwhile lesson, “Herman’s Peace Offensive” is marred by slapstick violence. Fans of The Munsters may nevertheless enjoy this offering, which details an important aspect of Eddie’s growth as a character.

Pros

Having come to his senses, Clyde attempts to make amends with a now infuriated Herman, even going so far as to zap himself with a contraption designed to shock his coworker. Overplayed though it may be, the above scenario will satisfy those with an intense hatred of bullies.

Cons

To parallel Eddie’s conflict with a schoolyard bully, Herman is given a nemesis of his own. As opposed to Eddie, however, Herman towers over his opponent and possesses the raw strength of a superhuman monster. When considering this fact, viewers may question why a practical joker would dare challenge Herman in the first place.

Fed up with Herman’s brutality, Lily strikes her husband while criticizing his negative influence over Eddie. Though intended to be ironic, Lily’s abusive treatment of Herman serves to undermine the positive message at the core of this episode.

Analysis

In the final scene, Herman teaches Eddie to embody confidence without resorting to physical aggression—a commendable, if oversimplified, philosophy for dealing with obnoxious people.

Concluding Comments

“Herman’s Peace Offensive” should be applauded for promoting a practical but ethical manner of conflict resolution. Writer Douglas Tibbles’ heavy use of comic violence, on the other hand, indicates a lazy, unoriginal approach to storytelling.

Overall Quality: 6/10

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