This is a very unusual episode of "All in the Family" because for once I found myself actually agreeing with Archie! This scared me at first, but since my wife also agreed with me, I assume it's just one of those rare cases where the idiot actually was right....for a change!
The episode begins very typically, Archie and Michael are arguing for the sake of arguing. Soon after this, Michael learns that a relative died and he has a small inheritance coming. He plans on getting his wife a needed winter coat but what he does with the rest of it makes up the rest of the show. Michael wants to give it to the McGovern campaign. Whether this is a good idea or not, Archie is rightfully upset at the Stivics haven't paid rent for living there the last three years. Sure, the agreement is that they'll later repay Archie but Archie feels as if this money is rightfully his now. Micael and Archie then argue and Archie insists that from now on Gloria and Mike should pay for and make their own meals...as he's sick of the Stivics freeloading. How is this impasse going to work itself out...as it can't continue this way forever.
As I said, I actually had sympathy for Archie. While he's a total jerk, using the money to help pay Archie back seemed pretty reasonable. I appreciate this, as if Archie was ALWAYS wrong then the show would have been more a caricature of the man instead of making him realistic and believable. Others may agree with Mike on this one...and this ambiguity makes this one a winner.
The episode begins very typically, Archie and Michael are arguing for the sake of arguing. Soon after this, Michael learns that a relative died and he has a small inheritance coming. He plans on getting his wife a needed winter coat but what he does with the rest of it makes up the rest of the show. Michael wants to give it to the McGovern campaign. Whether this is a good idea or not, Archie is rightfully upset at the Stivics haven't paid rent for living there the last three years. Sure, the agreement is that they'll later repay Archie but Archie feels as if this money is rightfully his now. Micael and Archie then argue and Archie insists that from now on Gloria and Mike should pay for and make their own meals...as he's sick of the Stivics freeloading. How is this impasse going to work itself out...as it can't continue this way forever.
As I said, I actually had sympathy for Archie. While he's a total jerk, using the money to help pay Archie back seemed pretty reasonable. I appreciate this, as if Archie was ALWAYS wrong then the show would have been more a caricature of the man instead of making him realistic and believable. Others may agree with Mike on this one...and this ambiguity makes this one a winner.
