Ep 3. The Date

Archie Bunker's Place was a popular American sitcom that aired from 1979 to 1983. The show followed the life of Archie Bunker, a politically conservative, blue-collar worker who operated a bar in Queens, New York. The series was a spinoff of the iconic 1970s show, "All in the Family." The third season of Archie Bunker's Place consisted of 24 episodes, and the third episode, "The Date," premiered on October 7, 1981.

In "The Date," Archie Bunker (played by Carroll O'Connor) is in a foul mood because Valentine's Day is coming up, and he has no one to celebrate it with. Meanwhile, one of his regular bar patrons, Barney (played by Allan Melvin), sets Archie up on a blind date with a woman named Fern (played by Doris Roberts). Archie is hesitant to go at first, but he eventually agrees.

When Fern arrives at the bar, Archie is surprised to find that she is an attractive, sophisticated woman who seems to be out of his league. They hit it off right away, much to the amusement of the other patrons at the bar, who can't believe that Archie has landed such a catch. Archie and Fern continue talking and laughing throughout the night, and they eventually leave the bar together.

During their date, Fern tells Archie that she works for a wealthy businessman named Mr. Callender, who is the president of a bank. Archie is impressed by this, but he also becomes insecure about his own job as a bar owner. He worries that Fern will look down on him because he isn't in a more prestigious line of work. However, Fern assures him that she doesn't judge people by their jobs, and that she enjoys spending time with him.

As the night goes on, Archie and Fern continue to connect. They go to a fancy restaurant, where they order expensive food and wine. Archie is uneasy about the price of the meal, but Fern insists that it's her treat. She also reveals that Mr. Callender is her boss, but that she is actually the one who runs the bank behind the scenes. Archie is surprised by this, but he is also impressed by Fern's ambition and intelligence.

The date continues to go well, and Archie starts to see Fern in a new light. He realizes that he is attracted to her not just physically, but intellectually and emotionally as well. They end the night with a kiss, and Archie can't believe his luck.

As Archie and Fern leave the restaurant, they are confronted by a group of young toughs who demand money from them. Archie stands up to the bullies, but he is quickly overpowered. Fern comes to his rescue, using her martial arts skills to take down the attackers. Archie is left in awe of Fern's toughness and bravery.

At the end of the episode, Archie and Fern return to the bar, where they are greeted with applause and cheers from the other patrons. Archie is finally happy to have found someone who appreciates him for who he is, and he looks forward to seeing Fern again.

"The Date" is a heartwarming episode that showcases the chemistry between Carroll O'Connor and Doris Roberts. It also explores themes of love, insecurity, and bravery, making it one of the most memorable episodes of Archie Bunker's Place.