Anniversaries and Birthdays
One of the recurring themes on ILL is remembering birthdays and anniversaries...or rather
NOT remembering them.
As fun as these episodes are, it's a little difficult to believe that Ricky couldn't remember
Lucy's birthday or their anniversary, especially when the writers were so inconsistent.
Ricky, of course, is planning a big powwow for Lucy's birthday at the club in season two,
yet on Ethel's birthday in season four, he rushes out to get his "emergency" box of chocolates,
stating loudly, "Happy birthday, Sweetheart!" Lucy mentions her birthday is "months from
now." How could Ricky be so off after all those years of marriage, and all those years of
remembering??
In Hollywood, not only can he not recall the date (he knows the month, as Lucy has given
him that much), neither can Fred or Ethel. Ethel, in particular, would surely remember!
Lastly, when Ethel states she's saved money for Fred's upcoming birthday (in the
Madame X outing), Lucy says, "Oh, Fred, I didn't know you had a birthday coming up."
After 13 years of friendship, wouldn't Lucy at least say, "Oh, Fred, I FORGOT you had
a birthday coming up."
But maybe I'm being too rough on the writers. My very best friend of over twenty years
NEVER remembers my birthday - not even the month, unless I bring it up. My oldest
friend (of over 40 years) remembers the month - but not the date. Oddly, I remember
ALL my friends' and family members' birthdays.
Thoughts?