Ep 3. The Dowry

Sanford and Son Season 2 Episode 3, titled "The Dowry," follows the hilarious and crafty antics of Fred Sanford and his son Lamont as they try to secure a dowry for a young woman's hand in marriage. As usual, Fred is up to his scheming ways, but this time, he's got an ulterior motive: he wants a new TV set.

The episode begins with Fred hearing the news that Lamont's friend Grady is getting married. Grady's fiancée, Maria, is from an Italian family, and her father intends to give her a hefty dowry in exchange for her hand in marriage. This gets Fred thinking; he decides that he too can if he can find a young woman that comes with a dowry, he might finally be able to afford a new TV set.

So, Fred sets out to find a woman who can offer him the dowry he desires. He sets his sights on Aunt Esther's niece, Elizabeth, who recently arrived from Poland and is said to have a great deal of money. However, Fred discovers that Elizabeth is unattractive and much older than he had thought, crushing his hopes of making an advantageous marriage.

As a result, Fred turns his attention to a young woman named Maria, who works at a local grocery store. He sweet talks her into thinking he's interested in her, promising to take her to fancy restaurants and treat her like a queen. Maria is smitten with Fred until she realizes he only wants to marry her for her dowry.

Maria's father, however, sees through Fred's plan and confronts him, threatening to call the police. But Fred, being the sly fox he is, manages to convince Maria's father otherwise, and the hapless man agrees to give Fred $2,000 if he will go through with the engagement long enough to convince Maria his love is real.

Of course, the engagement and all its eventualities are hilarious, with Fred going to great lengths to fool Maria into thinking he's sincere while constructing a dowry checklist. He ropes in a fake family of friends to play his relatives and his plan gradually starts to unravel.

The episode climaxes with a scene at Maria's father's house, where Fred is quite literally caught with his pants down, trying to sneak off with the dowry. The scene is a classic example of the show's trademark humor and clever writing.

Overall, Sanford and Son Season 2 Episode 3, "The Dowry," is a comedic tour de force that shows off the talents of Redd Foxx as the titular Sanford. The episode is full of witty one-liners, physical comedy, and clever plot twists that keep viewers laughing from start to finish. It's a perfect example of what made Sanford and Son such a beloved and enduring classic television show.