Ep 11. Elaine's Old Friend

In this episode of Taxi, entitled "Elaine's Old Friend," Elaine (Marilu Henner) is reconnected with a former high school classmate named Judy (Deborah Harmon) who she hasn't seen in years. Judy is in town to attend a dental convention and invites Elaine out to dinner to catch up on old times.

As Elaine and Judy reminisce about the good old days, Judy reveals that she's going through a divorce and is feeling lost and alone. Elaine, always the nurturing friend, offers her support and encourages her to stay upbeat and positive.

Meanwhile, the guys at the garage are all placing bets on how the encounter between Elaine and Judy will pan out. Tony (Tony Danza) bets that Judy will be jealous of Elaine's successful career, while Louie (Danny DeVito) thinks Judy will be more interested in him than Elaine.

As the night wears on, Elaine and Judy's conversation takes a more serious turn when Judy confides in Elaine that she's considering moving to California to start over. Elaine, ever the optimist, tells her that she should follow her dreams and do whatever makes her happy. They part ways with a promise to stay in touch.

Back at the garage, the guys are eager to hear all the juicy details of the dinner conversation between Elaine and Judy, but Elaine brushes off their probing questions and instead tells them all about the dental convention. Louie, disappointed that he didn't win the bet, decides to take matters into his own hands by calling up Judy himself and asking her out on a date.

When Elaine finds out that Louie has decided to pursue her friend, she's not happy and confronts Louie about it. Louie, being Louie, is unapologetic and tells her that he's just doing what any red-blooded man would do. Elaine storms out of the garage, leaving Louie to ponder what he's done.

In the end, Judy decides to move to California and start fresh, and Elaine is happy for her old friend. Louie tries to apologize to Elaine, but she's still angry with him and tells him that he's crossed a line. Tony, ever the voice of reason, advises Louie to make amends and smooth things over with Elaine.

All in all, "Elaine's Old Friend" is a touching and poignant episode that explores the power of friendship, the importance of following one's dreams, and the challenges that arise when old friends reconnect after years apart. With its superb writing, fantastic acting, and clever humor, it's no wonder why Taxi remains one of the most beloved shows of all time.