Ep 5. Archie, the Gambler

The episode "Archie, the Gambler" from season 4 of All in the Family begins with Archie, the main character, coming home to find his wife Edith cleaning up after dinner. He starts complaining about the cost of living and how there's never enough money to pay the bills. Edith suggests that they could save money if Archie stops gambling, but he insists that he's just having a little fun and not causing any harm.

Later that night, Archie goes to a local bar with his buddies, where he gets into a card game with a group of strangers. Despite not really knowing how to play, Archie ends up winning a significant amount of money. He's thrilled and can't wait to bring the winnings home to show Edith.

However, things take a turn when one of the other players accuses Archie of cheating. They start getting into a heated argument, which eventually leads to a physical fight. The police are called, and Archie is taken into custody.

Back at home, Edith is worried sick and doesn't know where Archie is. She tries calling all of their friends and even the local hospitals, but no one has seen or heard from him. Meanwhile, Archie is at the police station, waiting to be bailed out.

The next morning, Archie arrives home, still shaken up from the events of the previous night. He tells Edith the whole story and shows her the money he won. But instead of being proud or happy, Edith is upset and angry. She tells Archie that his gambling is a problem and that they can't afford to keep taking risks like this.

Archie refuses to listen and insists that he's always been a gambler and always will be. He starts talking about all of the big wins he's had over the years and how he's never lost more than he can afford. But Edith isn't convinced and tells him that she won't stand by and watch him throw their money away.

The episode ends with Archie and Edith at odds, with neither willing to budge on their stance. It's clear that they have a lot to work through if they want to save their marriage and finances.

Overall, "Archie, the Gambler" is a tense and emotional episode that highlights the struggles of addiction and the toll it can take on relationships. The performances by the cast, particularly Carroll O'Connor as Archie and Jean Stapleton as Edith, are both nuanced and powerful, bringing a sense of authenticity and realness to the story. It's a standout episode in a series full of standout moments.