Ep 3. A Piece of the Rock

Alice season 1 episode 3, titled "A Piece of the Rock," sees our protagonist struggling to come to terms with her past as she attempts to move forward with her life. The episode opens with Alice (played by Linda Lavin) sorting through some old boxes in the attic, reminiscing about her former life as a housewife. As she sifts through her belongings, she comes across a letter from her ex-husband, revealing that he has sold their apartment building without her knowledge.

Feeling betrayed and helpless, Alice seeks the advice of her coworkers at Mel's Diner. Vera (played by Beth Howland) suggests that Alice try to negotiate with her ex-husband for a fair share of the profits, while Flo (played by Polly Holliday) offers to introduce her to a lawyer friend who might be able to help.

As Alice weighs her options, she begins to question her own worth and whether she is capable of standing up for herself. The episode delves deeper into Alice's character and her struggle to define herself beyond the roles of wife and mother that have defined her for so long.

Meanwhile, Mel (played by Vic Tayback) is dealing with his own problems as the health inspector threatens to shut down the diner. In typical Mel fashion, he attempts to bribe the inspector with a free meal, but his plan backfires when the inspector discovers a roach in his food.

Despite these setbacks, Alice refuses to give up and seeks out her ex-husband to confront him about the sale of the building. The two have a tense conversation that ultimately leads to a reconciliation of sorts, with Alice finding a newfound sense of agency and determination.

Overall, "A Piece of the Rock" is a poignant episode that explores themes of empowerment and self-discovery, while also offering plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments. The writing is sharp and witty, with strong performances from the entire cast. Whether you're a longtime fan of the show or a newcomer to the series, this is an episode not to be missed.