Ep 16. The Accident

Alice is a comedy-drama series that follows the life of Alice Hyatt, a recently widowed woman who moves with her son Tommy to Phoenix, Arizona, in search of a better life. In season one, she takes a job as a waitress at Mel's Diner, where she meets her co-workers, including the sassy and outspoken Flo and the loving and quirky Vera.

In episode 16, titled "The Accident," Alice is excited to have a night off from work and spends it with her boyfriend, former football player Earl Hicks. The two go to a fancy restaurant where they have trouble communicating with the waiter, leading to some hilarious misunderstandings. After dinner, Earl suggests they go for a drive out of town, and Alice agrees.

During the drive, Earl falls asleep at the wheel, causing the car to go off the road and crash. Alice is injured, but Earl is unharmed. The accident brings up some issues in their relationship, as Alice begins to question whether or not Earl is truly ready for a serious commitment.

Meanwhile, back at the diner, Mel is feeling overwhelmed with the workload and the customer complaints. He enlists the help of a new waitress, Belle, who turns out to be more trouble than she's worth. Belle has a habit of spilling soup on the customers and making inappropriate comments, causing a lot of chaos in the diner.

As Alice recovers from her injuries, she receives a visit from an unexpected guest. Her estranged father, who left when she was a child, comes to visit her and it becomes clear that there are still some unresolved issues between them. Alice must decide if she is ready to forgive him and move on from the past.

"The Accident" is a poignant episode that deals with themes of love, forgiveness, and family. It showcases the strong performances of the show's lead actress, Linda Lavin, as well as the talented supporting cast. The episode is filled with both heartwarming moments and comedic relief, making it a standout in the first season of Alice.