Mama's Family Season 1 Episode 2 The Return of Leonard Oates

Mama's Family is a classic sitcom that follows the life of Thelma Harper, a foul-mouthed and sassy grandmother, played by the incomparable Vicki Lawrence. In Season 1 Episode 2, titled The Return of Leonard Oates, Thelma's estranged brother-in-law, Leonard Oates, comes back into her life after a 30-year absence.

The episode begins with Thelma complaining to her son, Vint, about the latest annoyance in her life; her neighbor's overgrown hedge blocking her view of the street. Vint tries to calm her down, but Thelma is not easily appeased. Just then, the doorbell rings and in walks Leonard Oates, Thelma's ex-brother-in-law, looking for a place to lay low for a while.

Thelma is hesitant to invite Leonard into her home, given their checkered past. Leonard was married to Thelma's sister, Fran, who passed away years ago. However, Thelma eventually relents and lets Leonard stay with her, much to the dismay of her other children, including Vint's wife, Naomi.

The rest of the episode focuses on the ups and downs of Leonard's stay with Thelma. He seems to have changed his ways and is trying to make amends for his past mistakes, but Thelma can't seem to shake the distrust she's had for him since his marriage to Fran fell apart.

To complicate matters, Leonard has a bad habit of letting his tongue run wild and blurting out uncomfortable truths. This leads to some comical moments throughout the episode, including an awkward dinner party where Leonard shares some unsavory details about his past with Thelma's family.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that Leonard has an ulterior motive for his sudden return. He's on the run from the police and is using Thelma's home as a hideout. Thelma is furious when she learns of this and demands that Leonard leave immediately.

However, fate has other plans for Leonard and the episode ends with a heartwarming moment between him and Thelma. The two finally bury the hatchet, and Thelma offers Leonard a place to stay until he sorts out his legal troubles.

The Return of Leonard Oates is a classic episode that captures the essence of what made Mama's Family such a beloved sitcom. The writing is sharp and funny, and the actors are at the top of their game. It's a great example of the type of wholesome, family-friendly content that dominated TV in the 80s and 90s.