Ep 1. My Mother Can Beat Up My Father

Rob Petrie, the head writer of the Alan Brady Show, has trouble sleeping after a bout of indigestion. As he lies awake, he starts to daydream about the latest script he has been working on. In his dream, he imagines that Laura, his wife, is a superhuman who can beat up anyone, including her small and frail mother, Sally. Rob's dream comes to life when Sally comes to visit the Petries. She brings with her a recent newspaper clipping about a female prizefighter who has lost her championship title.

Sally insists that she wants to meet the female boxer because she believes that she can take her down if given the chance. Rob thinks that Sally is crazy, but Laura encourages her to go for it. Meanwhile, Sally begins challenging anyone and everyone to a fight, even people who are much larger and brawnier than she is. Sally's antics draw a ton of attention, and soon she becomes a media sensation with newspaper reporters, photographers, and TV stations covering her every move.

As Sally's newfound fame escalates, Rob becomes more and more concerned. He worries that Sally will get hurt in a real fight and tries to talk her out of it. But Sally is adamant about proving that she is a tough, little old lady. To make matters worse, Rob's co-writer, Buddy, who has a crush on Sally, tries to sabotage Sally's chances of getting into the boxing ring by paying off the female boxer's manager to refuse Sally's challenge.

Despite all the obstacles, Sally manages to convince the female boxer to fight her by publicly calling her out during a live television interview. The two women finally meet in the ring, and the fight is on. But what happens during the bout surprises everyone, including Rob, Laura, and Buddy.

The episode explores the themes of family dynamics, pride, and self-esteem. Sally, who is often dismissed as a helpless and frail senior citizen, wants to prove that she is still strong and capable. While Rob is initially skeptical about Sally's strength and ability to fight, he ultimately learns to respect her determination and courage. The episode also touches on the idea that sometimes, people may surprise us with their hidden talents and capabilities.

Overall, the season 4 premiere of The Dick Van Dyke Show is a lighthearted and fun-filled episode that will have viewers laughing and cheering for Sally's underdog story.