The Jeffersons Season 2 Episode 31 Ep 31 - Florence's Problem
- TV-PG
- January 1, 1975
- 25 min
Ep 31 - Florence's Problem of The Jeffersons season 2 follows the beloved housekeeper Florence Johnston (played by Marla Gibbs) as she grapples with a difficult personal issue. As the episode opens, Florence is clearly struggling with something and is constantly snappy and irritable with her employers, George (Sherman Hemsley) and Louise Jefferson (Isabel Sanford). Whenever anyone asks her what's wrong, she brushes them off and says it's nothing, but it's clear that there's something big bothering her.
Throughout the episode, we see Florence trying and failing to keep her private issue under wraps, as her behavior grows increasingly erratic. She snaps at Mr. Bentley (Paul Benedict), the Jeffersons' neighbor, when he tries to make small talk with her, and she even yells at her fellow housekeeper, Ralph (Ned Wertimer), for no real reason. Despite all this, the Jeffersons are hesitant to push Florence too hard, knowing how much she has done for them over the years. Instead, they try to give her space and hope that whatever is bothering her will eventually sort itself out.
As the episode progresses, we see Florence confiding in her friend and fellow housekeeper Elma (Vernee Watson), who quickly deduces what is going on and offers her advice. Florence is hesitant to take it, but as the pressure mounts, she realizes that she needs to follow Elma's lead if she wants to get through this crisis. Together, the two women come up with a plan to deal with Florence's problem, although it remains unclear whether it will be successful.
Throughout the episode, there are also several subplots involving the other characters. For example, George and Louise are trying to get invited to a swanky party hosted by a wealthy family in their building, but are repeatedly rebuffed. Meanwhile, their son Lionel (Mike Evans) is trying to impress his girlfriend Jenny (Berlinda Tolbert) by being more assertive, with mixed results.
Overall, Ep 31 - Florence's Problem is a classic episode of The Jeffersons, full of the same humor, heart, and biting social commentary that made the show such a hit in its time. While Florence's problem may be the central focus of the episode, there are plenty of other moments and character beats that make it stand out. Whether you're a long-time fan of the show or just discovering it for the first time, this episode is sure to entertain and engage you from start to finish.