Ep 1. Archie's Brief Encounter (1)

In the season 7 premiere of All in the Family, titled "Archie's Brief Encounter (1)," we see the Bunkers facing some new challenges. As we enter the episode, we find Mike and Gloria, who are now living in California, headed to New York to celebrate their third wedding anniversary with the rest of the family. This is the first time they have seen Archie, Edith, and the Jeffersons in two years.

As Gloria and Mike arrive at the house, Archie and Edith are just returning from a weekend trip to Atlantic City. Archie seems unusually chipper and is eager to share some exciting news with his family. However, his happy mood is quickly dampened by the arrival of an attractive woman named Denise. Denise, who is an old acquaintance of Archie's from years ago, is visiting the Bunkers and has seemingly rekindled a friendship with Archie.

As Denise becomes more ingratiated into the Bunker household, tensions between Archie and Edith begin to arise. Archie's behavior makes Edith feel uncomfortable, and she starts to suspect that there's more to their relationship than friendship. Meanwhile, Gloria and Mike are trying to navigate their own issues, specifically the challenges of starting a family.

As the episode progresses, we see Archie and Denise spending more and more time together, including a night out at a club. Back at home, Edith grows increasingly frustrated with her husband's behavior and confronts him about his relationship with Denise. Archie vehemently denies any wrongdoing, insisting that Denise is just a friend.

The tension between Archie and Edith reaches a boiling point when Edith finally confronts Denise about her relationship with Archie. Denise admits that she and Archie have slept together and tells Edith that Archie is in love with her.

The episode ends with the Bunkers and the Jeffersons sitting in the living room, with tension and unease hanging heavy in the air. As the credits roll, we're left wondering how this newfound romantic relationship will impact the family dynamic moving forward.

Overall, "Archie's Brief Encounter (1)" is a dramatic and emotionally charged episode that explores themes of infidelity, jealousy, and trust. Fans of the show will appreciate the continued development of the Bunker family and the introduction of new characters that add fresh drama and complexity to the story.