ALL IN THE FAMILY-ARCHIE SEES A MUGGING and MIKE’S MYSTERIOUS SON

 

ALL IN THE FAMILY-ARCHIE SEES A MUGGING and MIKE’S MYSTERIOUS SON

"A man should listen to his wife!"

"Archie..."

"Aw, dry up!"

"And what are you lookin at?"

Two funny episodes. There have been better and funnier episodes but these move along, teach Archie a lesson  about lying (MUGGING) and maybe show a small glimmer of compassion (SON). Edith has a dilemma in SON which is funny and there is a lot of dialog out of both episodes that comes from both situations (Archie sees a mugging and instead of telling the truth because he’s afraid, he concocts a lie that involves the M word that no one is supposed to say anymore, showing more of his prejudices against the I-talians---“Sicilians are known for two things: their spaghetti and revenge!”). The actress who plays Marilyn Sanders is Marsha Rodd who in a few episodes will play Maude’s daughter Carol Traynor (never knew her last name until now) for just this spinoff episode. I feel she’s okay but not particularly likeable. Here, she leaves her son in the Bunker home, insinuating that she has something to leave for Mike, making the others all believe the quiet little boy is Mike’s son! AND Archie’s correct in that she has a lot of nerve. As for ARCHIE SEES A MUGGING, he has a lot of nerve lying but that’s Archie. Of note is that Archie was in a good mood because Mike stuck up for him in a debate with McNabe (off screen but told to us by Edith) so that he asked him to go with him to get a refill of cigars and the two acted as if they liked each other but this is over by the time they get home and Archie slams the door in Mike’s face. Edith has many funny lines in both episodes. I love when Mike claims the boy doesn’t even look like him and Edith says, “Except when he pouts…” and Mike yells, “MA!”  I love that he calls her Ma, too. Mike does love Gloria which, and I hate to bring this up again, decries that the ending the stupid spinoff GLORIA has for Mike and Gloria, while maybe realistic, is just stupid and dumb and makes this episode, SON, seem like Mike is just a big, fat phony who doesn’t love Gloria, who decides to stick up for Mike and stand by him, even if the kid is his son. That ending in the TV series GLORIA spoils this episode and many others. It should never have been, plus, I consider it some alternate universe. In any case, two funny episodes with dramatic moments, especially SON. I guess we’re supposed to feel sorry for the single mother but if she were more likable, maybe it would work better. 

Bill Macy plays a cop and he will be playing Maude’s husband in a few episodes. Also when he shows up, the across the street “set” MOVES back and forth!