Ethel's Birthday

This super fan favorite has been discussed many times on this board, as it's a treat from start to finish.

That being said, the most clever aspect of those hostess pants is that we, as viewers, do laugh when Ethel opens the box (so does the studio audience). But some posters have suggested that the pants are SO ugly, that Lucy may have been passive-aggressive in selecting them for a (by then) very plump Ethel. This argument doesn't work because Lucy is clearly excited when Ethel opens the box, and equally hurt when Ethel hates these tacky trousers.

The writers were clever in conceiving pants that could be deemed both chic AND ugly.

Last night, however, I watched the season one finale "Ricky Asks For a Raise." In the very last scene, Lucy herself seems to be wearing hostess pants. They look cute on Lucy, but would look less so on Ethel.

Thoughts?