Ep 4. Archie Gives Blood

Archie Gives Blood is the fourth episode of the first season of the iconic American sitcom All in the Family. The episode revolves around Archie Bunker, a blue-collar worker and a staunch conservative who reluctantly agrees to donate blood for a bank's blood drive.

The episode starts with Archie watching a football game on TV, but the game is interrupted by a public service announcement urging people to donate blood. His wife Edith suggests that he should donate blood as it is for a good cause. Archie is visibly hesitant, citing his fear of needles and a general dislike of the medical profession. However, Edith, who is always the voice of reason, convinces him to do the right thing and donate blood.

The next day, Archie goes to the community center for the blood drive. It is here that he meets a doctor who is African American, which unsettles him. Archie expresses his objection to seeing a black doctor, citing that he does not want a "black hand" touching his "white blood." The doctor patiently explains to Archie that the blood is the same color, and that they need both black and white blood to save lives. The conversation ends somewhat amicably, but Archie's prejudices are on full display.

Finally, Archie is seated in the donation chair, and the procedure begins. He attempts to play it cool, but he is visibly nervous, and the sight of his own blood makes him even more anxious. He tries to convince the nurse to stop, but she insists that he needs to finish the donation process. Eventually, Archie becomes lightheaded and passes out.

Later, at home, Archie is recovering from his blood donation experience, with Edith taking care of him. He is grumpy and uncomfortable, but he starts to understand the importance of donating blood. His neighbor Lionel, an African American, comes over to visit and congratulate Archie on his donation. Lionel's praise of Archie's good deed momentarily makes Archie forget about his prejudices.

In the end, Archie becomes somewhat of a local hero in his Queens neighborhood, with his blood donation being the topic of discussion at the local bar. However, his overt racism is still a large part of his character, and the episode ends with him making a racist joke, reminding us that his journey towards enlightenment still has a long way to go.

Overall, Archie Gives Blood is an excellent example of All in the Family's ability to tackle serious issues with humor while still delivering a powerful message. The show's ability to tackle uncomfortable topics head-on has allowed it to be remembered as an iconic show that pushed boundaries and influenced American television for years to come.