The Black Eye (2024)

"I Love Lucy" episode
"The Black Eye"
Season 2, Episode #20
#55 in Series
Series:I Love Lucy
Network:CBS-TV
Air date:March 9, 1953
Written by:Bob Carroll, Jr., Madelyn Davis & Jess Oppenheimer
Guest stars:Bennett Green
Directed by:William Asher
Production code:2x20 / 055
Episode guide
The Black Eye (1) IMDBThe Black Eye
Episode chronology
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"The Club Election""Lucy Changes Her Mind"

The Black Eye was the 55th episode of I Love Lucy, also the 20th episode aired in Season 2 of the series. The episode, was directed by William Asher and co-written by Bob Carroll, Jr., Madelyn Davis and Jess Oppenheimer, aired on CBS-TV on March 9, 1953.

"The Black Eye"
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Contents

  • 1 Synopsis
  • 2 Plot summary
  • 3 Did You Know?
    • 3.1 Trivia
    • 3.2 Goofs
    • 3.3 Soundtracks
    • 3.4 Scene excerpt from "The Black Eye"
  • 4 Cast (in Credits Order)
    • 4.1 Main Cast
    • 4.2 Guest Stars/Recurring Cast
  • 5 More external links

Synopsis[]

The Mertzes won't accept Lucy's truthful explanation of how she got a black eye.

Plot summary[]

Ethel hits Fred square in the face while opening the door. Fred says that he's going to get a black eye, and nobody will believe that he actually got his injury from getting hit by a door. Ethel says that everyone should believe Fred when he tells the truth. After all, that's what really happened. But Ricky makes them remember a time when the Mertzes didn't believe the real story about how Lucy got a black eye.

Lucy and Ricky are reading a thriller novel together. Lucy gets really into it, acting out the argument parts. Fred and Ethel overhear Lucy from outside the Ricardos' door, and they think that Ricky and Lucy are having a huge fight, and that Ricky hit Lucy. Right before the Mertzes phone to come visit, Ricky tosses Lucy the book, and it hits her hard, giving her an instant black eye. When the Mertzes see that Lucy got a black eye, they think Ricky really was the one who gave it to her!

The next morning, Ethel goes to see Lucy to get the true story of the black eye, still not buying the book story. Lucy decides to have fun with her, and she makes up a tale of how Ricky found out that she's in love with another man. Meanwhile, Fred wants to patch things up between the two falsely fighting lovebirds, so he sends Lucy some flowers that are supposedly from Ricky. But he signs the card with his own name!

When Ethel finds out that Lucy got flowers, she instantly thinks that they're a gift from the "other man." Lucy lets Ethel read the handwritten card, to show her that they've got to be from Ricky. Ethel sees Fred's handwriting and signature, and thinks that Fred is Lucy's lover! Ethel swats Fred with the box of flowers, and on the way out of the Ricardos' apartment, Fred meets Ricky in the hallway and slugs him for causing all the trouble!

The next day, Fred and Ethel go back to the Ricardos'. They now believe the true story that Lucy got her black eye from being tossed a book, because the same thing happened to Ethel the previous night. Now, all four of them have black eyes!

Did You Know?[]

Trivia[]

  • This is the fourth flash back episode since Lucy Goes to the Hospital.
  • When Ricky reads something in English, he translates into his native Spanish as he goes along. This is an incredibly common technique for someone who is bilingual.
  • Lucy got her black eye from Ricky's bad book toss, Fred got his from Ethel beating him with the box of flowers, Ricky got his from Fred punching him, and Ethel got hers from also getting hit by a thrown book. Lucy and Ethel get left black eyes. Ricky and Fred get right black eyes.

Goofs[]

Continuity

At the florist's, Fred orders some roses to be sent to Lucy in Ricky's name and adds some gladiolas to the order. However, after the flowers are delivered and Lucy opens the box, the gladiolas aren't included in the order.

Soundtracks[]

Soundtrack Credits
  • Theme From I Love Lucy (Instrumental) - Written by Eliot Daniel and performed by Wilbur Hatch and the Desi Arnaz Orchestra

Scene excerpt from "The Black Eye"[]

Quotes
  • Fred: [as Fred is coming in the Ricardos' front door, Ethel opens the kitchen door and it hits him] She slammed the door on my nose.
  • Ethel: I did not. He walked right into it.
  • Ricky: Does it hurt much, Fred?
  • Fred: I wouldn't be surprised if it's broken. I may never smell again.
  • Ethel: Wanna bet?

Cast (in Credits Order)[]

Main Cast[]

Guest Stars/Recurring Cast[]

More external links[]

The Black Eye (2024)

FAQs

Why is it called a black eye? ›

A black eye, sometimes called a "shiner," is a bruise around the eye. When an object strikes the eye, the force of the impact breaks delicate blood vessels in the eyelids and surrounding tissues. Blood collects under the skin, and causes black or blue discoloration in the eyelids and around the eye socket.

What is the black in the eye? ›

Overview. A black eye is bruising caused by bleeding in the tiny blood vessels in the skin surrounding the eye. Most injuries that cause a black eye aren't serious. But a black eye could be a symptom of a more serious injury, such as an internal injury to the eye or a fracture of the thin bones around the eye.

How did the black eye happen? ›

A black eye is most commonly caused by something hitting the eye or nose. Either one or both eyes may be blackened depending on where you get hit. If you suffer a blow to the nose, both eyes may swell; the swelling is due to the buildup of fluid in the loose skin beneath the eyes.

Can a black eye heal in 3 days? ›

In some cases, a black eye may begin to fade and show signs of improvement within three days, especially if it's a minor injury. However, for more severe cases or if there is significant bruising and swelling, it may take longer for the black eye to fully heal.

What is a black eye American slang? ›

Idioms and Phrases

A mark of shame, a humiliating setback, as in That there are enough homeless folks to need another shelter is a black eye for the administration . This metaphor alludes to having discolored flesh around the eye resulting from a blow.

What does the phrase black eye mean? ›

to punish someone severely, but without causing them permanent harm, for something they have done.

What is the rarest eye color? ›

Gray: The Rarest Eye Color
Eye ColorU.S. PopulationWorld Population
Gray and otherLess than 1%Less than 1%
Green9%2%
Hazel/amber18%10%
Blue27%8% to 10%
1 more row
Jan 1, 2024

Why are green eyes so rare? ›

Green eyes are the most rare eye color in the world. Only about 2 percent of people in the world have naturally green eyes. Green eyes are a genetic mutation that results in low levels of melanin, though more melanin than in blue eyes. Green eyes don't actually have any color.

What is another name for a black eye? ›

A black eye is also known as periorbital haematoma. Most black eyes will heal on their own in a few days.

What does the black eye mean on a bracelet? ›

Black Evil Eye Meaning

Black is a color that represents strength, power, and authority. Wearing an evil eye bracelet black can help to increase confidence and assertiveness, making it an excellent choice for those who need to take charge in their personal or professional life.

What is the history of eye black? ›

History. One of the earliest known instances of a player wearing eye black is baseball legend Babe Ruth, who, in or around the 1930s, used the grease in an attempt to reduce sun glare. According to Paul Lukas of ESPN.com, eye black caught on with American football player Andy Farkas.

How have people gotten a black eye? ›

A black eye can happen when something strikes a person in the face. This could be a ball, a fist, a door, or another item. A black eye can also occur after some type of dental or cosmetic surgery.

What causes raccoon eyes in humans? ›

Raccoon eyes are usually a symptom of an injury to the eyes or head. Injuries can stretch and tear tiny blood vessels called capillaries under your eyes. Blood leaks into the skin and turns it a dark purple color.

What are the last stages of a black eye? ›

The bruise around your eye will change colours as it heals. The skin may turn from black and blue to green, yellow, and brown before it returns to its normal colour. It may take 1 to 3 weeks to return to normal. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.

Why do I wake up feeling like I got punched in the eye? ›

The causes of eye pain when waking up can be a common symptom of many different conditions such as pink eye, dry eyes, eye allergies, eye injury, angle-closure glaucoma, eyestrain, recurrent epithelial erosion and eyelid inflammation (blepharitis).

What is the meaning of the name black eye? ›

A periorbital hematoma, commonly called a black eye or a shiner (associated with boxing or stick sports such as hockey), is bruising around the eye commonly due to an injury to the face rather than to the eye.

What was the original purpose of eye black? ›

History. One of the earliest known instances of a player wearing eye black is baseball legend Babe Ruth, who, in or around the 1930s, used the grease in an attempt to reduce sun glare.

Why do Americans use eye black? ›

Football players often apply black stripes, called "eye black," underneath their eyes for games. Black stripes are supposed to prevent glares from light by absorbing it.

Why is the human eye black? ›

Pupil absorbs all the light that falls on it and allows them to go in the eye so it looks black. No light is reflected back from it. Therefore the colour of pupil is black.

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