Adler-99

If you think the male chauvinism and sexist comments in this episode are exaggerated and over the top, I can assure you they're not. This is what your mothers and grandmothers had to deal with then when trying to succeed in or even break into a male-dominated field. Sexual harassment? There was no such term. If you reported this kind of behavior you were told to either (a) ignore it/put up with it, (b) get over yourself, or (c) it was all your fault anyway.

It's nice to see Reed have more of a role in this episode, and such a positive one, too. Hall's physical prowess and training were welcome as well. Kudos to the show for showing it like it was.

First broadcast in 1969, I found this episode absolutely cringe to watch in the 2020s. Very little police procedure, very little of anything other than all the nudge nudge, wink wink sexual innuendoes, which as usual show men as in charge and women as relying on their looks and implied promises of sex to get away with anything. However, having lived through that era, it was sadly accurate. The hairstyles, clothing, and hideous decorating styles of the late '60s are interesting to see in a vintage way, though.

Also, it's of note that this was before "stalking" became a real issue or a crime. It was considered a "compliment" or something that the victims brought on themselves.

This is a beautiful film, full of both pathos and humor. It's not afraid to let some spaces be filled with silence, unlike most movies which are nothing but constant sound and fury. I was afraid it would be too religious, but there are as many skeptics as there are believers.

The story line is easily understood from the trailer. Each of the main characters is looking for a miracle -- Dolly hopes her mute son Daniel will be able to speak, Eileen has a lump in her breast which terrifies her, Lily has one leg shorter than the other (but claims she doesn't care about that), and Chrissie wants... what? It all begs the question of what is a miracle, really? Is it only leaping from a wheelchair and shouting, "I'm cured!," or can it be simple peace and forgiveness?

Several high notes of the film were the fabulous mod 1960s clothes that Dolly wears, the humorous struggles of the three husbands left behind for a week, and the silent yet lovely presence of the little boy Daniel. Anyone who has a mute or autistic child in the family will be especially touched.

The only discordant note I found was the casting of Kathy Bates and Laura Linney -- both fantastic actors -- as former childhood friends and contemporaries, since there is actually such a large age difference between them.