#rob and Laura Petrie

[gaycrouton]

The fact that Mulder was the one who chose their undercover names in Arcadia, and instead of choosing something silly from Plan 9 or Star Trek, he named them after one of the most prolific married couples in television history — a couple known for their chemistry 💕 He loves her.

[omjitskailay]

Arcadia is so much funnier if you realize that the Dick Van Dyke show was a hugely popular tv show from thirty years ago, so its like if two agents today went undercover as Fox and Dana Scully but were like "we pronounce it Schooley"

[mellpenscorner]

Rarepair/Underrated Couples Bingo

Jack/Sarah (Newsies) - "Man on the Run" by Colony House Ann/Joe (Roman Holiday) - "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole Phillip/Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) - "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing" by Danny Kaye Rob/Laura (The Dick Van Dyke Show) - "Sunday, Monday, or Always" by Bing Crosby Sam/Rosie (LotR) - "For the Dancing and the Dreaming" Jack/Lucy (While You Were Sleeping) - "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves

Part 2 of 4 of Musical Bingo from this playlist.

[stone-cold-groove]

Mary Tyler Moore. The Dick Van Dyke Show - 1966.

[x-files-polls]

Téa Leoni: Cute cameo and the Scully-running-in-the-background-in-heels is one of my favorite gags in the whole show

The Petries: Named after the Dick Van Dyke show. Cute couple. Wonder why they never appeared again

Don't like this propaganda? Reblog it with your own or send some in my askbox

To jog your memory, here are the episodes they're from:

Hollywood A.D.: Wayne Federman, an entrepreneurial Hollywood producer and college friend of Skinner, picks up the idea for a film based on the X-Files division, however the agents find that the level of realism in their fictional portrayal is somewhat questionable.

Arcadia: Several disappearances at an idyllic planned community lead Mulder and Scully to go undercover as a married couple. However, they soon discover that the president of the homeowners' association takes the community covenants and regulations more seriously than they could have imagined.

[kent-farm]

—The Dick Van Dyke Show, “The Redcoats Are Coming”

[paceypeternathanslawyer]

Rob and Laura in The Dick Van Dyke Show

1x01: The Sick Boy And The Sitter

[exactly24bees]

Gotta love rob petrie. One of the founding wife guys for sure

[retropopcult]

Photo of the main cast of The Dick Van Dyke Show, 1962. Above: Mary Tyler Moore (Laura) and Dick Van Dyke (Rob). Lower: Morey Amsterdam (Buddy), Richard Deacon (Mel) and Rose Marie (Sally).

[spiritinflight]

most unrealistic part of arcadia is nobody in the neighbourhood calling out mulder and scullys fake names

[velvet4510]

Obviously I haven’t seen EVERY sitcom; these are from the ones I have seen.

[hitchell-mope]

Not with the censors you don’t.

[laurapetrie]

As the Petries, Van Dyke and Moore have more on-screen chemistry than most couples to ever appear on the small screen. Van Dyke and Moore played an enamored couple so convincingly on the show that I wouldn’t be surprised if many viewers actually thought they were married in real life. It’s easy to notice how many times Rob and Laura dance around their living room, careen into each others arms, or kiss passionately. Their characters slept in separate twin beds, but that wasn’t fooling anyone. Rob and Laura were totally infatuated, frisky, and proud of it. In one episode, Sally comes to visit and when she asks if she interrupted anything, Rob frankly replies, “Yeah, we were necking.” Indeed, the Petries bicker and disagree, but they always end each episode enthralled by one other. It’s as refreshing as it is charming. (x)

[paceypeternathanslawyer]

I watch The Danny Thomas Show every Saturday with my parents and every time I watch it... I can only seem to compare it to The Dick Van Dyke Show in my mind. Pretty much the same production team made both. Sheldon Leonard and Danny Thomas both produced TDVDS and TDTS. The big difference between the two was that Carl Reiner was the creator of TDVDS and I believe that Danny Thomas created TDTS and that clearly made all the difference in the world.

Today I was watching Season 11 Episode Episode 16 of The Danny Thomas Show called "Kathy, The Secretary" which aired on January 20, 1964 and I was comparing it to Season 3 Episode 22 of The Dick Van Dyke Show called "My Part Time Wife" which aired February 26, 1964. As you can see these two episodes aired within just a little over a month of each other. But the difference in these two episodes are light years away. In some ways they are very similar. Both have to do with the respective protagonist's wives going back to work for a little bit.

The Danny Thomas Show did not deal with this plotline at all well. It starts with the typical old plotline of a wife spending too much money on clothes and hats and whatever she wants and their joint account being overdrawn because the wife can't budget money and only cares about what she can get for herself. This is such an old plotline that was done in I Love Lucy and a billion times after. It's old and it's very much depicted in a sexist nature. After a fight between them she almost on a dare decides to go back into the work force as a secretary for Danny's talent agent. The rest is a typically sexist series of events where the joke is that Kathy is a ditz and bad at her job. At the end of the episode she stops working to continue to be a housewife. I have nothing against housewives, I come from a long of them. My mom was one for a long while. My sister is currently one and honestly if I had kids and my husband had a well paying job where I didn't need to work I would definitely consider being one myself. But back in the days these plotlines were depicted on TV in a very sexist nature in so many ways that I can only begin to describe. For one, women were unappreciated for the work that they did at home. And again women were always depicted as not having the ability to even do that well. Like women were always making their husbands crazy and putting them in the poor house. And raising children was shown to practically be a breeze when they were even shown raising their children.

You compare that to the Dick Van Dyke Show and the difference is huge. Firstly the reason that Laura went back to work was different. Sally was working temporarily on another show and as usual the guys in the office were lost without her. Which was actually a pretty ahead of it's time concept. Sally was a career woman and an integral part of her job. She did everything well. She was an amazing TV writer and typist. She could do everything the men could do and then some. Either way Sally was off and Laura offered to help out at least with the typing while Rob and Buddy were writing the show. Where TDVDS really sets itself apart from TDTS was unlike Kathy, Laura ended up being amazing at the job. Not just in typing but she was also coming up with hilarious jokes for the show. Laura came into her husband's job and arguably did it better. Certainly that week she was doing it better. And that was the source of the conflict was that Rob was being a bit insecure about his wife coming into his job and getting bigger laughs than him. Don't let this synopsis fool you though, as insecure as Rob could be he was never as insecure as Danny was. And Rob always appreciated Laura and appreciated what she did. Also there were episodes where Rob helped out with housework like cleaning the dishes and stuff like that. That may sound small and insignificant now but at the time that stuff was considered "women's work." Men brought home the bacon and took the garbage out but women did the housework. So to depict a man who secure enough to help his wife out and to do the housework even when he was teased by his guy friends was really ahead of it's time. Rob and Laura were depicted as a team. It was them against the world and that was so incredibly ahead of its time on TV. But getting back to the main point. Laura was always depicted as being so good at her job and also so good at being a housewife. But it also wasn't shown as being super easy. Back in the day women were shown as never really having emotional breakdowns but Laura was allowed to be messy, sometimes both emotionally and physically. Like there were times when things got difficult. Laura wasn't shown as being emotionally immature but she was also allowed to be vulnerable and messy sometimes... and that's just life.

I really respect how TDVDS strove to push the envelope. How they strove to depict women, black people, and marriages differently and better than it had been in TV. It seems like every show was just trying to be like every other show that had succeeded in the past 10 years just trying to be another I Love Lucy. But even I Love Lucy pushed the envelope in some ways. So they weren't really trying for the spirit of I Love Lucy they just made a bunch of generic watered down versions of I Love Lucy. Carl Reiner went into TDVDS wanting to make something different, wanting to depict marriage in a more realistic way. To depict everything in a more realistic way but also to push the envelope of what was acceptable in some ways. I'm not saying that TDVDS always did things perfectly but I love how they strove for it. How they depicted a married couple (Jerry and Millie) going to couples counseling/therapy. How they depicted the main couple as being sexually attracted to each and depicted them as a team. It really blows my mind that a show like TDVDS existed in the year 1964.

[kissandships]

Y’all, I found a gif that perfectly encapsulates the thrill of starting a new crochet project

The Dick Van Dyke Show 3x28 - October Eve

[atths--twice]

Rediscovering the Thrill

What may have happened while they were staying at The Falls when Mulder left the bedroom telling Scully that the thrill was gone.

Fictober day 4 prompt 9: I wouldn't do that if I were you.

The thrill is gone. 

The words Mulder had said when he left the room kept repeating in her ears as she straightened up while she waited for her face mask to dry. 

The thrill is gone. 

How could it be gone when it had never even started? At least not in the way he was implying. Not how Rob would mean it if he was speaking to Laura. 

She knew he was teasing her, acting the part of a hurt husband, but still… 

Picking up his shoes, she placed them on a shelf in the closet. Seeing his sweatshirt had been left on the bed, she sighed as she snatched it up to hang it in the closet.

The thrill is gone. 

Is that what he wants? she wondered, placing the sweatshirt on the hanger. A thrill? Something that isn’t who we are? Does he want to be someone else? For me to be someone else? Or is it our thrill that’s gone? 

“Hey, Scully,” Mulder said, poking his head around the corner. 

“Jesus Christ, Mulder,” she said, dropping his sweatshirt and looking at him in exasperation. 

“Sorry,” he said, tapping his fingers against the doorjamb. “Didn’t mean to scare you.” 

“Yeah, well,” she huffed, picking up the sweatshirt and hanging it with a bit more force than was needed. “Did you need something?”

“It’s still early,” he said rather sheepishly and she raised her eyebrows, waiting. “I know I won’t be sleeping anytime soon. You wanna watch a movie or something?” 

She stared at him, crossing her arms and drawing in a breath. 

“You don’t have to, but-” 

“No, I…” she said with a quick nod. “I will.” 

“I mean I don’t know what’s on, but…” 

“It’s still early,” she finished and he nodded, tapping his fingers on the doorjamb again. “Maybe we could see what’s inside that gigantic basket Pat gave us.” He grinned and she attempted to smile back, but her skin felt tight. She touched her face and nodded. “You go open it, I’ll wash this off and join you.”

“You got it, Mrs. Petrie.” 

“Shut up,” she said, pushing him out of her way as she walked to the bathroom. She heard him laughing as he left the room and she smiled slightly. 

Ten minutes later, she walked into the kitchen to find the contents of the entire basket laid on the counter as Mulder looked at it dubiously. 

“Nothing good?” she asked and he sighed. 

“I don’t know. It’s all so… frou frou-y.”

“Frou frou?” she teased. 

“Yeah. They’re not brands I recognize. Look at this one, what’s that name? I can’t make it out. Solare’s? Sss… Salane’s? I can’t tell.” 

“They’re crackers,” she said, looking at the box and then at him. “Take them, the salami, and that cheese and I’ll grab a knife and a plate.” 

“The wine too, or no?” he asked and she shook her head with a slight frown. 

“No, the wine at dinner made me feel… I don’t know. I don’t want any. But you go ahead if you want.” 

“Nah. It’s not exactly my first choice, especially this one from… Zairess? Seriously, what is this? Where did Pat get these things?” 

“Probably some hoity toity shop somewhere. Gotta keep up with those appearances, right?” she asked as she opened cupboards and drawers searching for what she needed. 

“I would hate to live in a place like this,” he said and she snorted. “No shit,” she said, rolling her eyes. Shaking her head, she finally found what she was looking for and grabbed a large plate and a sharp knife. 

“But you wouldn’t mind it.” 

“Living somewhere where neighbors help each other out? That’s not so bad.” 

“But dinners at their house? Tuna casserole dinners, Scully? ZZ Top wine?” He gestured to the bottle he had put back into the basket and she laughed. “From the finest little shop in San Diego, but still…” His eyes widened and he stepped backward out of the kitchen as she followed. 

“At least the tuna was dolphin safe,” she deadpanned and he grunted. 

“Not as safe in my stomach. It definitely did not agree with me.” 

“Proper food can have that effect on a body used to only eating takeout and microwave dinners.” 

“Are you knocking my frozen meatloaf meals, Scully? How can you when it’s made for hungry men like me?” 

She laughed again as they sat down on the couch and she set the plate and knife on the coffee table. He added the salami and cheese, opening the box of crackers and then the bag inside. Placing some on the plate, he picked one up and took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. 

“Not terrible,” he stated, chewing again. “But definitely dry. I’ll go get us some water.” 

“Hmm,” she hummed with a nod as she opened the salami and began slicing pieces of it and laying them beside the crackers. 

Mulder came back and snatched a piece as he set the glasses of ice water on the coffee table. 

“Hmm. That’s good. Zany Tony makes a good salami.” 

Scully laughed as she opened the cheese and started slicing it. 

“Who makes this cheese?”

“It said Wandering Willows Farm on the package.” 

“The fuck it did,” he laughed, reaching for the wrapper and looking at it. “Tira’s Cheese. Tira.” He looked at her and shook his head as he dropped it back onto the coffee table. “Your name was better.” 

“If I ever decide to throw all this away,” she said, waving the knife to indicate the room at large. “I’ll become a cheese maker and call it Wandering Willows, just for you.” 

“It’s a solid plan. People do love cheese.” He tried to take a slice, but she stopped him by blocking his hand. 

“I have a sharp knife in my hand. I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” 

“But, Scullyyyy,” he whined. “Tuna casserole.” She shook her head and snorted out a laugh. “With white wine, need I remind you.” 

“No,” she said with a shiver. “You don’t need to remind me. I think Tira’s vineyard made that wine too.” 

“Ha!” he exclaimed, bumping her with his shoulder and laughing quietly. “Cheese and wine. You’ll have some stiff competition at ol’ Wandering Willows.” 

“I can take her,” she said, finishing with the cheese and setting the knife down. 

Picking up two slices of cheese, she handed him one. They nodded as they tried it, watching each other as they chewed. 

“It’s… cheese,” he stated and she nodded in agreement. “It’s not bad.” 

“But it’s not great.” 

“Better than tuna casserole.” 

“Hell yes it is,” she said, reaching for another piece as well as a cracker and a piece of salami. “Let’s see how all three are together.” 

He prepared a cracker for himself and they nodded once again as they took a bite. 

“Oh, that’s good. Much better as a combo,” he said, shoving the rest of it into his mouth. 

“Yeah,” she agreed. “Much better.” 

“Does it need mustard? I think there’s a jar of Zoreli’s in that basket. Or Tortoroni’s Tangy Mustard.” 

“Is it Zoreli’s and Sons? Because I really prefer that brand over just Zoreli’s.” 

He laughed as he began stacking the salami and cheese onto another cracker and she smiled as she did the same. 

“Wandering Willows will have to speak to the Zoreli’s about an exclusive deal to work with them.” 

“It’s in the bag. One of my employees is sleeping with the boss of the Zoreli family. They made an offer they couldn’t refuse,” she said in her best Brando voice and he choked on his cracker when he started laughing. 

He reached for his glass of water, choking and sputtering, as she thumped him on his back and chuckled softly. 

“Scully,” he said in a strained voice after he had taken a few large drinks, shaking his head and coughing as he laughed again. 

“You want into the Willows… you’re then in until you die.” 

“Or you’re given a pair of cement shoes,” he said with another cough. 

“Meh…” she said with a shrug. “You gotta protect the family.” 

“I never knew the cheese/wine/mustard business had such a dark side.” 

“Why do you think you don’t recognize the brands we’re eating tonight? The others…” She ran her thumb slowly across her throat and his eyes widened. “We don’t play at the Willows.” 

He smiled slowly, shaking his head as he stared at her. She smiled back and then looked at the television. 

“Are we still going to watch a movie?” 

“Yeah,” he said, smiling as he set his glass down and reached for the remote. “Yeah, we are.” 

He flipped through the channels until he landed on something, glancing at her for her approval. She nodded, not really caring what they watched. He set the remote down and made up another cracker to eat. 

They watched the movie in near silence, eating their snack and drinking their water. 

But every once in a while, he glanced at her and shook his head as he laughed through his nose. She smiled and shrugged, an entire conversation being spoken without saying a word. 

What do you think now, Mulder? she thought, looking at him out of the corner of her eye. Is our thrill still gone? Do you-?

“Is being bedfellows the only way into a place of employment at Wandering Willows?” he asked, pulling her from her thoughts. 

“Not always,” she said, carefully considering her words. “All options for employment are taken into consideration.” 

“So if it’s beneficial to the farm…” 

“Or if the person is just really good looking…” she said with a shrug and he smiled. 

“And they own a mustard farm…” 

“Or a fruit farm. We’re always looking to expand. And if we can lock down jellies… well…” She sucked air in through her teeth and he threw his head back as he laughed. 

Yeah, she thought with a smile. The thrill is definitely still there.