Ep 23. Lou Dates Mary

Mary Richards is the unstoppable producer of the Six O'Clock News at WJM-TV in Minneapolis. She's smart, funny and successful. She has the respect and admiration of her colleagues and a growing list of admirers that want to date her. One of those admirers is Lou Grant, her boss and mentor.

In season 7 episode 23 titled Lou Dates Mary, Lou decides to take the plunge and ask Mary out on a date. While Mary is initially hesitant, she eventually agrees to go out with him. Lou, however, is a little nervous about the whole thing, wondering if it's appropriate to date one of his employees.

Despite some awkward moments, the date goes well, and both Lou and Mary enjoy each other's company. They end the night by sharing a sweet kiss. But the next day, when they return to work, it's all business as usual. They don't acknowledge the kiss or anything that happened the night before.

As the days go by, Lou and Mary continue to work together as they always have and maintain a professional relationship. But they can't help but feel a little awkward around each other, silently wondering what the other is thinking. Meanwhile, their colleagues become curious about their relationship and start to gossip.

As the week comes to an end, Lou and Mary both realize that they want different things. Lou wants a bigger commitment, while Mary is happy with things the way they are. In a heart-to-heart conversation, they decide to end their brief romance and remain friends and colleagues.

The episode ends with a poignant scene where Lou and Mary sit together on the couch in Mary's apartment. They talk about their relationship and joke about how things might have turned out differently. But ultimately, they both agree that they're happy with the way things are and that their friendship is more important than any romantic relationship they could have had.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show was a groundbreaking sitcom that aired from 1970-1977. It was one of the first shows to feature a single, independent working woman in a leading role. Mary Tyler Moore's portrayal of Mary Richards was both groundbreaking and iconic, inspiring generations of women to pursue their dreams and careers.

The show was renowned for its sharp writing and hilarious cast of characters, including Lou Grant, played by Ed Asner. Asner's portrayal of the tough but kind-hearted news director earned him multiple Emmy Awards and cemented his place in TV history.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show tackled social and cultural issues with humor and wit, paving the way for future shows like Murphy Brown, The Golden Girls, and Parks and Recreation. But it was Mary Richards and her colleagues at WJM-TV that captured the hearts of millions of viewers and became an enduring part of American pop culture.

Season 7, and particularly Lou Dates Mary, showcases why The Mary Tyler Moore Show is considered a classic of television. With its sharp writing, great performances, and timeless themes, it remains as relevant and entertaining today as it was over 40 years ago.