Mistaken for Good

When Jay drops off donations at the Odyssey retirement home, sweet Mrs. Wilson mistakes him for her grandson Humphrey - and hands him twenty dollars for the birthday he missed. Jay pockets the cash, and when Vance finds out, he threatens to tell unless Jay keeps the act going and splits the take. Fake birthdays, invented bus fare, little gifts... the boys keep the money coming from the trusting widow. But her tender stories of her late husband and a lost music box that played "Clair de Lune" leave Jay ashamed, and he secretly spends every dollar he has left on an antique music box to replace it. When Mrs. Wilson offers fifty dollars in thanks, Vance reaches for it - and the whole scheme comes tumbling out in front of Whit. Soon the boys are repainting the retirement home as punishment, and Jay - who won't let anyone call him kind - quietly sends a card for Mrs. Wilson's bedside table, expecting nothing in return.

Found on The Deep End Album 55 · 12 episodes

The run See every episode

0701 Unbecoming Jay When a scheming Jay pawns off his visiting cousin on an unsuspecting friend, an unlikely friendship blooms - and Jay can't leave well enough alone.

0702 Childish Things Burned by a past betrayal, Penny turns to a body-language book to instantly judge who she can trust - and starts seeing deception in everyone around her.

1 of 3 0703 The Labyrinth An undercover agent's sting goes sideways in London, leaving him framed, hunted on all sides, and saddled with a streetwise young orphan who knows too much.

2 of 3 0704 The Labyrinth Framed as a traitor and hunted in London, Jason races to uncover what his enemy has planned for a gathering of world leaders at the British Museum.

3 of 3 0705 The Labyrinth Held captive by criminals with a deadly bioweapon hidden inside museum antiques, Jason must find a way to stop an attack on visiting heads of state before the exhibition opens.

0706 To Mend or Repair When fixing things is all you know, Eugene must learn that a grieving heart isn't a machine to repair.

0707 Mistaken for Good A reluctant errand to a retirement home turns complicated when a lonely resident mistakes Jay for her grandson - and the money starts flowing.

1 of 4 0708 Sergeant York A reckless Tennessee sharpshooter's wild ways collide with tragedy, faith, and a war he wants no part of.

2 of 4 0709 Sergeant York A backwoods Tennessee sharpshooter who believes killing is a sin is drafted into the Army, forcing him to choose between his conscience and his country.

3 of 4 0710 Sergeant York A young man of deep faith must climb a mountain alone to decide whether his conscience will let him carry a rifle into the Great War.

4 of 4 0711 Sergeant York A reluctant soldier who hates killing must find a way to save his trapped comrades from deadly machine-gun fire.

0712 Child's Play When a childless couple agrees to babysit two energetic kids for the weekend, they discover that connecting with children takes more than careful planning.

1 of 2 0713 Something Old, Something New A bogus wedding invitation and a suspicious art deal throw Odyssey into delightful chaos as Connie battles a rumor she can't stop and two young detectives finally land a real mystery.

Featured characters

Minor characters & crew 4 more roles

4 supporting roles

Vance King Jason Marsden Beaulah Kramer Mitzi McCall Mr. Jenkins Bob Hoose Helen Wilson Linda Porter

Made by

Chris Anthony Host Bob Hoose Writer · Director · Producer Christopher Diehl Sound Designer Dave Arnold Executive Producer

The story

Read the full synopsis 2 min

Jay grudgingly delivers donated belongings to the Odyssey retirement home. A resident named Mrs. Wilson mistakes him for her absent grandson Humphrey, gives him twenty dollars for his missed birthday, and asks him to bring chrysanthemums on his next visit. Jay accepts the money and tells Vance what happened.

Vance threatens to expose Jay unless he continues pretending to be Humphrey and shares the profits. Calling himself Teddy, Vance accompanies Jay on repeated visits. They bring small gifts, invent transportation needs and birthdays, and accept more money from the trusting woman.

Mrs. Kramer notices the boys' frequent visits but completely misreads them. She praises Jay for restoring her faith in young people and explains how much happier Mrs. Wilson has become. Her real grandson rarely visits, and Jay's company has eased her loneliness. The praise makes Jay ashamed of the reason he has been coming.

Jay privately tells Mrs. Wilson that his name is not Humphrey and warns her not to give either boy any more money. She remains confused but shares tender memories of her late husband, Donald. She shows Jay the flat-tire earrings he gave her when they met and describes the lost music box that once held them and played “Clair de Lune.” Her tears and trust deepen Jay's remorse.

Too embarrassed to buy a sentimental gift himself, Jay asks Olivia to purchase a matching antique music box with all the money he has left. Vance discovers the plan and insists on attending because he still expects a share of whatever Mrs. Wilson gives them. Olivia, Mrs. Kramer, and Whit are also present when Jay presents the box.

Mrs. Wilson is delighted and offers the boys fifty dollars in return. Vance tries to accept, but Olivia exposes the pattern of payments. Whit takes the boys into the hall, and the adults contact their parents. Jay and Vance must help repaint the retirement home and are barred from visiting its residents for the time being.

Whit later tells Jay that Mrs. Wilson remembers he tried to protect her money and values his visits more than he realizes. Jay refuses to let anyone call him compassionate, but asks Whit to deliver a greeting card for her bedside table. His punishment cannot erase the wrong he did, yet his growing care for Mrs. Wilson leads him to choose honesty and kindness without expecting another reward.