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Plot
A letter from Fort Dix makes Lucy and Ethel think that Fred and Ricky have been drafted into the Army. When Ricky and Fred catch their wives crying and knitting socks for them to take to the Army, they assume that their wives are pregnant. The wives hold a surprise going-away party for their husbands, and the husbands hold a surprise baby shower for their wives.
Trivia
- Author of The Lucy Book, Geoffrey Mark Fidelman, quips that this is one of the only times we as an audience can be sure that Ethel and Fred do indeed have some sort of sex life. Otherwise, why would Fred believe that Ethel could be pregnant?
- This episode aired on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24, 1951).
- When this episode was originally broadcast, a "jingle bells/Santa" tag scene was added to the end. This skit showed all four main cast members dressed like Santa, and they find a fifth Santa who turns out to be the real Santa. This tag scene was used many times throughout the series, at Christmastime, and the five Santas idea was used for the official Christmas special shot during season 6.
- Ricky and Fred are performing for the troops, because this episode was filmed during the Korean War.
- The names of the guests invited to the party (the Sedgwicks, the Orsattis, and the Buzzells) were taken from some of Desi and Lucy's real-life friends' names.
- This is the first time we see Lucy's famous crying routine. Ethel joins in for this first time.
Quotes
- Ricky: I'll be perfect for [Fred's old Civil War vaudeville act]. Stonewall Ricardo from South Havana!
- Ricky: It wouldn't be patriotic [to have Lucy be in the act for the troops]. Have you ever heard Lucy sing? Our fighting men have been through enough...
- Ricky: You've been married for a long while, haven't you?
Fred: Now, why bring that up when we're having such a good time?
Ricky: Well, maybe you know women better than I do. Lucy's been acting strange lately.
Fred: Strange? How can you tell?