The Whole Truth

Description: Season 2, Episode 14

Air Date: January 20, 1961

Plot Summary: A used car salesman finds himself incapable of telling a lie.

Review: This episode is essentially the plot of "Liar Liar," or, I should say, "Liar Liar" took this plot. While the episode was striving for comedy more specific to the era, I can't help but praise the awareness of TZ writers once again. The '50s and '60s are infamous for their apparent naivety, but TZ writers have shown over and over that people knew what was up with the world. Even though it's barely 1961, they were already wary of the quality of manufactured goods, and everyone has always known politicians are the biggest liars on earth (yet people continue supporting them). These bonus aspects add to what would be an, otherwise, mediocre experience.

So we meet the used car salesman himself, Hunnicut, as he's already hard at work conning people into buying his lemons. The episode makes great use of pointing out the typical tricks associated with these sleazy salesmen--you know, the fast talking, bullshitting, gimmicks these clowns employ. At one point, an old man shows up to sell his car as Hunnicut is more than eager to swindle him on the deal. Unbeknownst to Hunnicut, the old man has unburdened himself of the car--a car that forces the owner to tell the truth at all times. They mention that the car is haunted as an explanation, but this is questionable at best. Immediately, Hunnicut is stuck telling the truth which hurts his business as his entire car lot is full of junkers. Hunnicut also gets in trouble with his wife and gets knocked out by his employee. Huh...we REALLY need to bring back the days when you could punch someone for messing with you; I think this would solve a lot of problems. Anyway, Hunnicut eventually comes across an equally sleazy politician who almost buys the car; as a professional liar, the politician detects something is wrong with Hunnicut's honesty. This leads to Hunnicut being coerced into selling the car to some politician they want to see get stuck telling the truth. It turns out that this particular politician is none other than the (then) current leader of the Soviet Union, Khrushchev. Eh, this is a corny conclusion to say the least. Plus, come on TZ, you've established the notorious lying of politicians then throw in an anti-soviet statement? The pot calling the kettle black for sure. Oh well. In the end, this is a moderately entertaining episode that had a few poignant points to make that add a little interest to an ordinary tale. It's not bad, but it's not especially noteworthy.