Harriet the Spy - The Walrus and the Carpenter (S2E6)
When Ole Golly announces she and Mr. Waldenstein are getting married and moving to Montreal, Harriet tries to change her mind.
| Runtime (min) | 24 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2023-05-04 |
| Genres | Animation, Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-G |
| Network(s) | Apple TV |
Storyline
Harriet receives life-changing news when her beloved nanny and mentor, Ole Golly, announces that she is engaged to Mr. Waldenstein and plans to move to Montreal after the wedding. Devastated by the prospect of losing the person who has guided her through so many challenges, Harriet refuses to accept the situation and sets out to sabotage the engagement. She believes that if she can convince Ole Golly that marriage and moving away are mistakes, everything can return to the way it was.
Throughout the episode, Harriet employs various schemes to change Ole Golly's mind, from pointing out potential problems with the relationship to trying to make Montreal seem unappealing. Her efforts reflect her deep attachment to Ole Golly and her fear of change. The episode explores themes of loss, growing up, and learning to support the people we love even when their choices take them away from us. Harriet must ultimately confront whether her actions are truly about what's best for Ole Golly or about her own fear of being left behind.
What kids learn
This episode offers children an important lesson about accepting change and supporting loved ones even when it's difficult. Harriet's initial reaction to Ole Golly's engagement—trying to sabotage it—demonstrates a natural but ultimately selfish response to loss. Children learn that while it's normal to feel sad or scared when someone important moves away or their life changes, true love means wanting what's best for that person, even when it's hard for us.
The episode also teaches about the difference between healthy attachment and possessiveness. Harriet must recognize that Ole Golly has her own life, dreams, and right to happiness that exist independently of her role as Harriet's nanny. This is a sophisticated lesson about boundaries and respecting others' autonomy that many children struggle with when facing similar situations.
Finally, children see that relationships can endure even when circumstances change. The bond between Harriet and Ole Golly doesn't disappear just because Ole Golly is getting married and moving. Young viewers learn that expressing genuine feelings, processing grief about change, and ultimately offering support are all part of maintaining meaningful relationships through life's transitions.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How should I talk to my child about someone important moving away? | This episode provides a natural opening to discuss feelings about separation and change. Acknowledge that it's normal to feel sad, angry, or scared when someone we love moves away, just as Harriet does. Help your child understand that these feelings are valid but that trying to control others' decisions isn't the answer. Emphasize that relationships can continue through letters, calls, and visits, and that supporting someone's happiness shows real love. |
| Is Harriet's attempt to sabotage the engagement appropriate behavior to show kids? | Harriet's sabotage attempts serve as a teaching moment rather than a model to emulate. The episode shows a realistic emotional response from a child facing loss, which allows parents to discuss why this approach is problematic. Use Harriet's mistakes to talk about how fear and sadness can lead us to make poor choices, and how we can recognize when we're acting selfishly versus supportively toward people we care about. |
| What age is appropriate for understanding the themes in this episode? | The episode's themes of loss, change, and learning to let go are most accessible to children ages seven and up who have experienced or can understand separation from important people. Younger children in the target audience may grasp the basic sadness of someone moving away, while older viewers will better understand the nuance of supporting others' life choices even when those choices affect us personally. |
| How can I help my child understand why Ole Golly would choose to leave? | Explain that adults have their own lives, relationships, and dreams that are separate from their roles in children's lives. Ole Golly isn't choosing Mr. Waldenstein over Harriet; she's choosing to build her own future while still caring deeply about Harriet. This helps children understand that people can love them while also making choices for their own happiness, and that this doesn't diminish the relationship or the love. |
| Does the episode show Harriet eventually accepting Ole Golly's decision? | The episode focuses on Harriet's journey from resistance to acceptance, showing her emotional growth as she processes this major change. While the specific resolution involves Harriet grappling with her feelings and learning what it means to truly support someone she loves, the episode emphasizes the process of working through difficult emotions rather than simply getting over them quickly. This realistic portrayal helps children understand that acceptance takes time and effort. |
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. |
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