MovieChat Forums > Diff'rent Strokes (1978) Discussion > Biggest Problem With 'The Hitchhikers' E...

Biggest Problem With 'The Hitchhikers' Episode

posted 7 years ago by kirstymd
15 replies | jump to latest

Arnold & Kimberly weren't put in danger because they were hitchhiking. They were fine until they agreed to return to a complete stranger's house.

[–] blondcutie1972 7 years ago

I agree, also that Bill was a real psycho, when he was told Arnold they can't leave, he had the scariest look in his eyes!  He also looked like Ted Bundy.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2388) 7 years ago

Looking back, this was really messed up for a childrens show.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

People weren't quite as hysterical as they are now but yeah there were some dark themes on this show.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2388) 5 years ago

Makes you wonder what some of the writers were thinking.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Back then TV liked to tell a lot of morality and cautionary tales. It was pretty common in sitcoms in the 80's.

[–] stevenackerman69 7 years ago

It was dangerous to hitchhike to begin with. What if Bill had been drinking and the car crashed? Also, he probably could've forced them to his apt. if they objected. The thing is not to take rides from strangers.

[–] DusterJ79 7 years ago

you have a point, but at the same time you have to wonder if he would have taken them home if they didn't agree to go to his place.

[–] crypticanomaly73 7 years ago

They wouldn't have been in that position though if they didn't hitch a ride in the first place.

Sometimes a movie or tv show plot is so stupid that only the stupid can understand it.

[–] mistersparkle 7 years ago

It should have turned out that the guy was working for Mr. Horton and it was all a plot to capture Arnold.

--
You have many question, Mr Sparkle. I send you premium -- answer question, hundred percent!

[–] DusterJ79 7 years ago

Mr. Horton was my uncle, it was all a misunderstanding.. he wasn't trying to molest Arnold, he was just misunderstood...

[–] pioneergrrrl (2388) 7 years ago

What was it with this show and sexual abuse?? Really---you have to wonder. Of course all the kids ended up severely messed up

[–] pioneergrrrl (2388) 7 years ago

Well that would have been interesting wouldn't it.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2388) 7 years ago

Yes that was beyond stupid. Hitch hiking is dumb too.

Arnold does not think about the dangers of going off with a stranger---or the fact that their dad....etc has no idea where they are. Yes this is pre-cell phone era. Now they could just use GPS and being rich of course they would have one.

Still wondering why they cannot afford a cab in NYC. Cabs existed back then. And NYC back then did have public transit. Much safer option than going into a stranger's car, house and perhaps vanishing forever.

[–] Smartboy (76) 5 years ago

While we are on the topic of this episode, I would like to tell you guys what I especially liked about it. While Arnold was out with Kimberly, Maggie and Pearl were in the apartment alone. I always found Maggie to be quite attractive and have a very cute voice. When they hear Mr. Drummond and Willis coming, they must hide to keep the surprise from being ruined. Maggie say to Pearl, "we had better get our little behinds out of site"! Hearing a cutie pie like Maggie refer to her butt as her little behind really made me feel giddy!

[–] pioneergrrrl (2388) 3 years ago

well if Kimberly and Arnold are still filthy rich--why do they not have money for a cab? That would have made the most sense. They live in this big penthouse but they lack enough money for a cab?

Also they could have had the family limo drive them. They weren't without transit.

the other thing creepy about the episode is that Drummond is supposed to be 52? Sorry but he looks much older. like 72 by today's standards.