'Thicker than Water': an unsung classic

I never saw the full episode, only about the last ten minutes, but they shook me.

Ordinarily, a show of this nature is off in its own happy little world and doesn't let the real world with its problems encroach. But on this occasion, "The Munsters Today" delivered a very relevant and powerful message.

In the world of TMT, vampires lived in peace with humans, but as usual, there were dissidents. Bill Daily played a vampire called Count Strimpkin, who was protesting against the activities of a group of vampire terrorists, and when I happened to tune in, a radio report had come in about an attack in which several people, including some children, were injured.

Grandpa was shaken, and if he had any color in his face it would have drained, and he suddenly looked every century as old as he was. "The vampire code stresses peace," he despaired. "This isn't supposed to happen in America! Why didn't somebody do something?" With that, he fell into a chair, sobbing. And Herman, so often the oafish lug, suddenly became stern and authoritative, and a true head of the household, as he reassured Grandpa that all would be done to help. And indeed, Strimpkin soon set out on his secret mission to oppose the terrorists wherever they lurked.

It's been observed that viewers tend to care more about characters in sitcoms than ones in drama series. Maybe this is because laughter brings people closer together than any other mood. In any case, this episode really touched my heart and made me care about this family as more than just fun monster characters.

If only one episode of this show was ever put out on home video, it should be this one. And these days, it would be very timely indeed.



"Only a Sith deals in absolutes" is an absolute statement.