Ep 18. Archie Finds a Friend

Archie Bunker's insensitivity, bigotry, and overt prejudices had often been at the forefront of most episodes of All in the Family. In season 6 episode 18, titled "Archie Finds a Friend," however, Archie gets a chance to showcase his softer side.

In the episode, Archie comes across a man named Stretch Cunningham who is looking for work. Stretch is a tall, gentle man with a kind heart and a simple nature who is immediately drawn to Archie's friendly demeanor. Archie, on the other hand, is unsure how to approach Stretch at first, since he is so different from the people he usually interacts with. But soon, they strike up a friendship and Archie begins to see a different side of the world.

As the two men get to know each other better, they discover that they share some common ground. For example, they both have an interest in sports and enjoy talking about baseball. Stretch convinces Archie to go out on a limb and try something new, and Archie responds by taking Stretch to a fancy restaurant. This gesture surprises Stretch, who is not used to such treatment, but also shows him that Archie is willing to go out of his way to treat his friend well.

The relationship between Archie and Stretch deepens as they spend more time together, and Archie finds himself changing. He begins to empathize with Stretch's struggles and starts to see past his prejudices to the man who lies beneath. Eventually, when Stretch gets a job offer that he is excited about, Archie helps him prepare for the interview and encourages him to go for it.

Throughout the episode, the contrast between Stretch's humility and Archie's arrogance highlights the significant philosophical differences between the two characters. However, Stretch's amicable acceptance of Archie's differences was a new experience for Archie and it caused a shift in his behavior towards Stretch. The episode is a well-representative example of how the show Throughout All in the Family, the show highlighted the similarities between people despite their cultural differences and the stereotypes that come between them. The show provided a platform for viewers to confront themselves and recognize their preformed beliefs and how those beliefs might influence their actions towards others. Furthermore, All in the Family conducted its mission through humour, subverting mainstream media's approach to address difficult topics.

Overall, "Archie Finds a Friend" is a touching episode that showcases the good in people and emphasizes the importance of overcoming preconceptions and prejudices. It showcases the potential for growth and transformation of an individual regardless of their characteristic and perspective. The episode ends with the reunification of Archie and Stretch's friendship, who was caught in a dilemma at one moment. The episode pushed viewers to introspect their beliefs about different communities and encouraged into being more accepting of others.