Ep 8. Mike Comes Into Money

In All in the Family season 3 episode 8, titled "Mike Comes into Money," viewers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as the Bunkers and their extended family deal with the news that Mike (played by Rob Reiner) has inherited $1800 from his late Uncle Max.

At the beginning of the episode, Mike seems unsure of what to do with the money. He eventually decides that he wants to use it to invest in something meaningful, like a piece of art or a musical instrument. Gloria (played by Sally Struthers), on the other hand, is eager to spend the money on something more practical - like a new washing machine.

As Mike and Gloria debate the best use for their newfound wealth, Archie (played by Carroll O'Connor) sees an opportunity to get his hands on some of the money. He tries to convince Mike and Gloria to invest in a "sure thing" - a set of golf clubs that he claims can't be beat. But when Mike insists on doing his own research before making any investment decisions, Archie and the rest of the family become frustrated with him.

Meanwhile, Edith (played by Jean Stapleton) is dealing with her own financial issues. She feels guilty for spending money on frivolous things, like new curtains and a new hat, when she knows that Mike and Gloria could use the money more. To make matters worse, she accidentally breaks a valuable vase while cleaning the living room.

As the episode progresses, the tension in the Bunker household continues to rise. Gloria becomes increasingly frustrated with Mike's indecisiveness, while Mike becomes more and more convinced that he doesn't want to waste the money on something that won't have any lasting value. Meanwhile, Archie and Edith continue to bicker over the broken vase and Archie's insistence on spending money on the golf clubs.

By the end of the episode, all of these conflicts come to a head. Mike finally makes a decision about what to do with the money, and it's not what anyone expects. Gloria is disappointed by his choice, but ultimately decides to support him. Archie is furious that he won't be getting any of the money, and Edith is devastated to learn that the vase was worth more than she realized.

Despite the various conflicts and challenges that arise throughout the episode, "Mike Comes into Money" ultimately serves as a reminder that money can't buy happiness. The Bunkers may have briefly had some extra cash, but their underlying issues and frustrations remained just as present as before. Through it all, the family learns the importance of communication, compromise, and sticking together - even when times are tough.