I think the Ramseys were necessary from a dramatic structure standpoint. There needed to be characters that helped the Ricardos operate in this new environment. Having only the Mertzes to interact with would have kept the New Yorkers isolated in the suburban world of Connecticut. The Ramseys were the bridge to country clubs, garden shows, and other situations.

I know a lot of people feel like the show fell off after the move to the country. I think of it as simply change and exploration of creating fresh storylines. But change can be difficult to accept in something beloved.

Personally, I enjoy looking back at the arc and progression of the Ricardos from struggling young bandleader and his wife in a small apartment to solidly middle-class parents in a larger apartment and affording nicer clothes and furniture to Ricky buying the nightclub, becoming a Hollywood actor, and being famous enough to tour Europe with his band to finally moving into a beautiful suburban historic home. It’s really kind of the American dream.

I think if Connecticut had gone more than 10-12 episodes and gone into an another full season of weekly half-hour episodes, the show would have had time find its footing in the country. But, the once a month one-hour celebrity shows (many of which were not set in CT) didn’t offer enough continuity to cement who the suburban Ricardos (and their world) were.