Ep 23. A Sight for Sore Eyes

In season 3 episode 23 of Happy Days, entitled "A Sight for Sore Eyes," viewers are treated to a classic example of 1950s Americana as the Cunningham family takes a trip to the local optometrist.

The episode opens with Richie and Joanie both complaining about having blurry vision, prompting Howard to suggest they visit Dr. Steuben, the family's eye doctor. Mr. Cunningham himself is hesitant to go, as he's had a longstanding fear of eye exams, but the rest of the family convinces him it's time for a check-up.

When they arrive at Dr. Steuben's office, the family is greeted by the doctor's frazzled and flustered receptionist, who mistakenly books all five Cunnighams for the same appointment time. This leads to a series of misunderstandings and slapstick moments as the family members trade places in the exam room, each trying to avoid the dreaded eye chart.

Meanwhile, Fonzie has his own run-in with the doctor's receptionist, who mistakes the leather-clad greaser for a patient and insists he take off his shirt for an exam. The Fonz is only too happy to oblige, much to the delight of the receptionist and the bewilderment of the other patients in the waiting room.

As the exam antics continue, it becomes clear that the Cunningham kids need glasses, much to their chagrin. Richie, in particular, is mortified at the thought of being seen in public with spectacles, and Howard tries to cajole him into embracing his new accessory by showing off his own stylish glasses.

The tension comes to a head when Richie and Joanie head to Arnold's Drive-In after their exam, only to find the rest of the gang making fun of a boy named Howie who wears thick-lensed glasses. Richie is torn between wanting to fit in with his friends and feeling empathy for Howie, and ultimately decides to stand up for the bespectacled boy by confronting his friends.

The episode's climax comes during a tense showdown at the drive-in, as Richie and his friends exchange barbs and insults over the glasses issue. Just when it seems like the rift will be irreparable, Fonzie steps in and delivers a heartfelt speech about embracing individuality and accepting people for who they are, glasses and all.

In the end, Richie and his friends come to a new understanding about the importance of tolerance and self-acceptance, and the episode concludes with the family all donning their new glasses and heading off into the sunset, united in their shared vision of the world.