All in the Family Season 3 Episode 14

Ep 14. Archie and the Bowling Team

  • December 16, 1972
  • 22 min
  • 7.8  (187)

Archie Bunker is up to his usual curmudgeonly antics in All in the Family season 3 episode 14, entitled “Archie and the Bowling Team.” The episode starts with Archie arriving home from a bowling game with his team, the "Alpine Dingbats," where he becomes visibly upset with the outcome. To make matters worse, Gloria's friend Liz, a member of the opposing team, also joins the Bunkers and Mike for dinner.

Throughout the episode, we see the tug-of-war between Archie's team captaincy and his belief that he is always right. His pride is hurt when he perceives that the team is not listening to him, as he is convinced that his experience in the game is paramount. Archie's ego-driven behavior further alienates his teammates and brings disharmony to the team.

Meanwhile, a witty verbal war erupts between Archie and Liz, highlighting the tension between the blue-collar, conservative Archie and the liberal Liz. While Mike and Gloria look on, amused, Archie and Liz wage an ideological battle, each trying to one-up the other. Archie's bigotry and usual antics come to the forefront, as Liz challenges his perspectives on racism and intolerance.

Amidst the bickering, the team's performance hits rock bottom, with the Alpine Dingbats remaining in last place. Archie blames his team members for their failures, but in a surprising turn of events, the team members confront him about his bad attitude, lack of teamwork, and belligerent behavior as captain.

Eventually, Archie realizes his faults and comes to terms with his actions, acknowledging his wrongdoing to Mike and Gloria. Faced with the possibility of losing his captaincy, Archie decides to offer an apology to his teammates. In a poignant moment, he reconciles his team, bringing a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

In conclusion, "Archie and the Bowling Team" is yet another demonstration of the Bates-driven comedic genius of All in the Family. The episode humorously explores the themes of sportsmanship, teamwork, egotism, and camaraderie. The exchanges between Archie and Liz challenge societal norms and question our beliefs while serving as a reminder of the power of forgiveness and the importance of teamwork in any venture. Ultimately, Archie rises to the occasion, bringing the team together and showing that growth and change are possible even for the most stubborn of characters.

Description
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All in the Family, Season 3 Episode 14, is available to watch and stream on CBS. You can also buy, rent All in the Family on demand at Amazon Prime, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    December 16, 1972
  • Runtime
    22 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.8  (187)