Ep 2. Car Wars

Alice is an American sitcom that aired from 1976 to 1985. The show is a spinoff of the movie Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore and follows the life of Alice Hyatt who is a widowed single mother looking to start over. In season 3 episode 2, called "Car Wars," Alice is looking to purchase a new car but runs into problems with her current vehicle.

The episode starts with Alice driving her car to the mechanic's garage because it keeps stalling out on her. The mechanic, a grumpy man named Mel, tells her the car is beyond repair and she needs to purchase a new one. Alice, who is not financially well-off, is hesitant to buy a new car but realizes she has no choice.

Alice decides to go car shopping and takes her friend Vera along for support. The two women visit a local car dealership where they meet the sleazy salesman, Alvin. Alvin is quick to sell Alice on an expensive new car, which she cannot afford. Just when Alice is about to give up, she spots a used car with a price tag she can afford.

Alice decides to test drive the car and it seems to be in good condition. However, as soon as she drives it off the lot, the car starts to break down. With Vera by her side, Alice is determined to make it back to the dealership. As they try to make it back, they encounter various car troubles, including a flat tire and an overheating engine.

Meanwhile, back at the diner where Alice works, her son Tommy is involved in a car war with the neighboring restaurant's delivery boy. Tommy is using his mother's car to participate in the car war, which consists of crashing into the other driver's car until it can no longer be driven. Alice's boss, Mel, discovers what is happening and is furious with Tommy, threatening to fire Alice if he continues.

As the episode progresses, Alice's car troubles get worse and she ends up stranded on the side of the road with Vera. Just when they think all is lost, a kind stranger stops and offers to help them. The stranger, named Dave, turns out to be a mechanic and is able to fix Alice's car right then and there.

With her newly repaired car, Alice returns to the dealership to confront Alvin about the faulty vehicle he sold her. After some negotiating, Alvin agrees to take the car back and refund her money. In the end, Alice is relieved to have her old car back and happy to have made a new friend in Dave.

Overall, "Car Wars" is a fun and entertaining episode of Alice. It features some classic sitcom tropes like a sleazy car salesman and a car war, but also has heartwarming moments when Alice and Vera bond over their car troubles and Alice makes a new friend in Dave. The episode also touches on themes of finances and motherhood, further adding depth to the series.