Harriet the Spy - Hermit the Spy (S1E4)
After an awful day, Harriet wants some alone time. Watching Mr. Withers' 26 cats is just what she needs...or is it?
| Runtime (min) | 23 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2021-11-18 |
| Genres | Animation, Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-G |
| Network(s) | Apple TV |
Storyline
After enduring a particularly rough day, Harriet M. Welsch craves solitude and quiet. When her neighbor Mr. Withers asks her to cat-sit his twenty-six felines, Harriet sees it as the perfect opportunity to retreat from the world and spend time alone with her notebook. She eagerly accepts, imagining peaceful hours of observation and writing without interruption.
However, Harriet quickly discovers that caring for twenty-six cats is far from the tranquil escape she envisioned. The cats demand constant attention, create chaos throughout Mr. Withers' home, and leave Harriet with little time for the solitary reflection she desperately wanted. As she navigates the overwhelming responsibility, Harriet learns that running away from a bad day by isolating herself isn't always the solution. The experience teaches her about the difference between healthy alone time and avoidance, and she comes to appreciate the value of processing difficult emotions rather than simply hiding from them.
What kids learn
Children watching this episode learn that everyone has bad days and it's natural to want space to process difficult feelings. Harriet's initial impulse to seek alone time shows kids that recognizing your emotional needs is healthy and important. However, the episode also demonstrates that isolation isn't always the answer to every problem, and sometimes what we think we need isn't what will actually help us feel better.
The episode teaches responsibility through Harriet's commitment to caring for Mr. Withers' cats despite the overwhelming challenge. Even when the task becomes far more difficult than she anticipated, Harriet follows through on her promise. Young viewers see that taking on responsibilities means seeing them through, even when circumstances become harder than expected.
Kids also learn about self-awareness and emotional regulation. Harriet's journey shows that running away from problems or difficult emotions by hiding doesn't make them disappear. The episode encourages children to think about healthy ways to cope with bad days, whether that's taking a break, talking to someone, or finding constructive activities rather than simply avoiding the world around them.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why does Harriet want to be alone after her bad day? | Harriet seeks solitude as a way to escape the stress and frustration of her difficult day. Like many children, she believes that being alone will help her feel better and give her space to think. The episode validates this feeling while also showing that complete isolation isn't always the healthiest coping strategy, especially when taken to extremes or used to avoid processing emotions. |
| Is it okay for my child to want alone time when they're upset? | The episode suggests that wanting alone time is completely normal and healthy, but it's important to distinguish between taking a break to recharge and using isolation to avoid dealing with problems. Harriet's experience shows that some quiet time can be restorative, but completely withdrawing from others or responsibilities isn't the solution. Parents can use this episode to discuss healthy boundaries and coping mechanisms with their children. |
| What does Harriet learn from taking care of so many cats? | Harriet learns that her plan for peaceful solitude backfires when the cats require constant attention and care. The experience teaches her that she can't always control situations to get exactly what she wants, and that sometimes facing challenges head-on is better than trying to hide from them. She also learns about following through on commitments even when they become more difficult than anticipated. |
| Does this episode show healthy ways to deal with bad days? | The episode explores both helpful and unhelpful responses to difficult days. While Harriet's desire for alone time is understandable, her attempt to completely isolate herself proves ineffective. The episode encourages children to think about balance—taking breaks when needed while still engaging with responsibilities and relationships. It's a good starting point for conversations about emotional self-care and healthy coping strategies. |
| How can I talk to my child about the difference between alone time and isolation? | Use Harriet's experience as a conversation starter. Discuss how taking short breaks to calm down or think is different from hiding away to avoid problems entirely. Ask your child what helps them feel better when they've had a rough day, and talk about the importance of eventually sharing feelings with trusted people rather than keeping everything bottled up inside. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Harriet's ambition to know and see everything may change reclusive Agatha K. Plumber's life for the better. |
| 1 | 2 | Harriet's new coat is perfect for her—and Marion Hawthorne, apparently. But who will win the school's vote? |
| 1 | 3 | Janie and Harriet vow never to go to dancing school, but Harriet doesn't know that Janie actually likes dancing. |
| 1 | 4 | After an awful day, Harriet wants some alone time. Watching Mr. Withers' 26 cats is just what she needs...or is it? |
| 1 | 5 | Harriet learns about her middle initial and questions who she is. Her nanny, Ole Golly, teaches Harriet a valuable lesson about identity. |
| 1 | 6 | Janie and Harriet get to meet their favorite singer, only to discover a shocking truth about his music. |
| 1 | 7 | Harriet really wants to win a photo competition, but it means teaming up with someone she doesn't see eye to eye with: her mom. |
| 1 | 8 | Sport and Harriet think it's time to get rid of their beloved stuffies, but change their minds—and the narrative—thanks to Marion's sneaky reporting. |
| 1 | 9 | Harriet adds the Garcia family to her spy route...and discovers that someone is spying on her. |
| 1 | 10 | On her birthday, Ole Golly revisits a list of everything she wanted to do by the age of 35—and Harriet is determined to help her complete it. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | When Harriet loses her last—and favorite—baby tooth, she struggles with saying goodbye to her babyhood. |
| 2 | 2 | The Welsch family attends a neighborhood party where Harriet is determined to find out why the Robinsons are so boring. |
| 2 | 3 | At the world's fair, Harriet meets a 14-year-old photographer who's unsure of his future—but shows Harriet how to cherish today. |
| 2 | 4 | Sport joins Harriet for a local scavenger hunt. But when he brings his good-luck charm to improve their chances, Harriet is skeptical. |
| 2 | 5 | While Harriet's parents are out, she and Ole Golly join Mr. Waldenstein for a movie date. But can they get home before Harriet's parents do? |
| 2 | 6 | When Ole Golly announces she and Mr. Waldenstein are getting married and moving to Montreal, Harriet tries to change her mind. |
| 2 | 7 | Harriet's dream of creating a post–Ole Golly life is shattered when her notebook falls into the hands of her nemesis: Marion. |
| 2 | 8 | The fallout from her private thoughts becoming public leaves Harriet fighting to repair her friendships—and for the return of her notebook. |
| 2 | 9 | With the notebook causing quite a stir, Harriet hopes a backyard trial of her peers will prove her innocence. |
| 2 | 10 | After Harriet makes an unexpected discovery, she comes up with a plan to right her wrongs. |
This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.