Ep 7. Fonzie Drops In

Fonzie Drops In is the seventh episode of the first season of the popular American sitcom, Happy Days. The show originally aired on November 6, 1974, and was directed by Jerry Paris.

In Fonzie Drops In, we are introduced to Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler), the tough, leather-wearing, self-assured rebel of the show. Fonzie is a popular and prominent figure in the local Milwaukee community and is known for his cool demeanor and smooth way of talking. He is greeted with admiration and respect wherever he goes and has a loyal following of fans.

The episode begins with Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard) and his friends Potsie Weber (Anson Williams) and Ralph Malph (Donny Most) trying to impress some girls at Arnold's Drive-In. Richie is trying to get the attention of a girl named Marsha Simms (Laurie Prange), but she seems more interested in Fonzie, who happens to drop in at Arnold's along with his friends. Despite Richie's attempts to win her over, Marsha seems to be taken by Fonzie's suave persona.

As the night progresses, Richie and Fonzie engage in a series of challenges to determine who is the coolest guy at Arnold's. The competition includes arm wrestling, a jukebox contest, and a motorcycle race. Throughout these events, Fonzie displays his expert level of skills and effortlessly wins every challenge, further establishing his status as the "King of Cool."

At the end of the evening, Marsha chooses Fonzie over Richie, which causes Richie to feel upset and embarrassed. Fonzie tries to console Richie by telling him that he's a good guy and should be happy with who he is, but Richie remains down about the situation.

The episode also touches upon the theme of racial prejudice when Richie's father, Howard (Tom Bosley), has a conversation with Fonzie about the discrimination against Italian Americans in Milwaukee. Fonzie reveals that he has faced similar prejudice, being an Italian American himself. This conversation highlights the social issues of the time and shows the show's willingness to address them head-on.

Overall, Fonzie Drops In is a classic episode of Happy Days that introduces one of the most iconic characters in TV history. The episode showcases Fonzie's charisma and style, and his ability to be the center of attention wherever he goes. The audience is also given a glimpse into the show's broader themes of social issues such as prejudice and the importance of being true to oneself. It remains a fan favorite to this day and is regularly listed among the best episodes of the series.