Ep 5. Mother, May I?

In The Cosby Show season 3 episode 5, entitled "Mother, May I?", the Huxtable family welcomes Grandma Anna, Clair's mother, to stay with them for a while. As the family prepares for her arrival, Clair confesses to Clair Huxtable that she's nervous about her mother's upcoming visit, as she has always felt like she was never good enough for her.

When Grandma Anna arrives, she immediately begins to criticize Clair's parenting skills and lifestyle choices. Anna disapproves of Clair's decision to pursue a career, and tells her that she should have focused on being a stay-at-home mom. Moreover, Anna frequently makes negative comments about Clair's appearance, her home, and even her children.

Throughout the episode, Clair tries to confront her mother and stand up for herself, but Anna refuses to listen and dismisses her concerns. The tension between the two women escalates until Anna leaves the house, promising never to return.

Meanwhile, Theo struggles to complete a difficult math assignment and seeks help from Vanessa. When she is unable to help him, Theo is forced to face his fear of failure and ask for help from his teacher. With Vanessa's support, he gains the confidence he needs to ask for assistance and ultimately succeeds in completing the assignment.

At the same time, Denise is dealing with a broken heart after being dumped by her boyfriend, Dabnis. She turns to her family for comfort, but finds that they are all preoccupied with Grandma Anna's visit. Feeling ignored and alone, Denise rebels and decides to dye her hair bright pink. In the end, however, she realizes that her family still cares about her and accepts her no matter what.

Overall, "Mother, May I?" explores the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters, and the importance of self-acceptance and familial support. The episode is a poignant portrayal of the struggles that many families face, and the strength that can be found in the bonds between loved ones.