Gentleman Friend (The Courtship of Eddie's Father)

It's the first day of spring, and spring fever has hit Mrs. Livingston. Tom and Eddie notice that Mrs. Livingston is unusually preoccupied with her thoughts, they discover her thoughts are in the direction of her male suitor, Mr. Sato. They love each other. Eddie is worried that Mrs. Livingston's going to leave them, but Tom explains to him that part of loving someone, like the way they love Mrs. Livingston, is to want that person to be happy regardless of how it affects themselves. When Mr. Sato announces to Tom and Eddie that he wants to marry Mrs. Livingston, Eddie is obviously sad by the news despite what Tom said to him. Tom starts to interview for a new housekeeper, and finds a perfect candidate in Mrs. Thaler, but he doesn't hire her as he can't yet admit to himself that Mrs. Livingston is leaving. It becomes harder for Mrs. Livingston when Mr. Sato tells her he must move back to Japan. Ultimately she breaks it off with Mr. Sato, not, as Tom asks because of Eddie, but as she states because being homesick is not a good reason to get married.

Aired date: November 12, 1969 (S1.E9)

Appearances

• Miyoshi Umeki as Mrs. Livingston
• George Takei as Mr. Sato