When the series began in the fall of 1964, Ryan O'Neal's name was listed in the end credits, playing Rodney Harrington, the cocky oldest boy of the rich family in town. While Rod was quickly made part of the show's central "young-couple-in-love" (paired with Mia Farrow as Alison Mackenzie) , he remained listed at the end of each episode.
In the spring of 1965, O'Neal finally "graduated" to being announced as a lead character in the opening credits (along with Farrow, who'd always been there). As such, he started appearing in more episodes--and this one is the first where he really gets a chance to show his acting range.
Early in the episode, he has a long conversation with Alison's mother, as he grapples with finding out that his father has been covering up for literally decades that his recently-deceased mother was a murderer. Confusion. Anger. Disbelief. Sorrow. And an attempt to find love for his father nonetheless. All in one sequence. It's a lot--and he handles it neatly.
The guy might have a future! :-)
In the spring of 1965, O'Neal finally "graduated" to being announced as a lead character in the opening credits (along with Farrow, who'd always been there). As such, he started appearing in more episodes--and this one is the first where he really gets a chance to show his acting range.
Early in the episode, he has a long conversation with Alison's mother, as he grapples with finding out that his father has been covering up for literally decades that his recently-deceased mother was a murderer. Confusion. Anger. Disbelief. Sorrow. And an attempt to find love for his father nonetheless. All in one sequence. It's a lot--and he handles it neatly.
The guy might have a future! :-)
