Ep 12. A Guest in the Yard

Sanford and Son is a classic sitcom that aired from 1972 to 1977. The show follows the lives of junk dealer Fred Sanford and his son Lamont as they navigate life in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles.

In season 2 episode 12, titled "A Guest in the Yard," Fred is excited to bring home a new addition to his junkyard - a large wooden crate that he hopes to turn into a new living space. However, his plans are quickly derailed when he discovers that the crate already has a tenant.

Inside the crate is a young runaway named Joy, who has been hiding out there for several days. At first, Fred is angry with her for trespassing on his property, but he quickly softens when he realizes that Joy is in need of help. She tells him that she left home because her stepfather has been abusing her, and she has nowhere else to go.

Fred and Lamont take Joy in and offer her a place to stay. But the situation is not without its challenges - they have to keep her hidden from their nosy neighbor Aunt Esther, and they also have to figure out a way to help Joy reunite with her mother, who lives in San Francisco.

As the episode unfolds, Fred and Lamont try to come up with a plan to get Joy to San Francisco without being caught. They consider different modes of transportation - from hitchhiking to taking the bus - but each option has its own set of risks.

Meanwhile, Joy tries to make herself useful around the junkyard, doing odd jobs and helping Lamont with his homework. She also opens up to Fred about her troubled home life, and he offers her some sage advice.

Throughout the episode, there are moments of humor and heartbreak. There are scenes where Fred and Lamont argue over how to best help Joy, and there are moments where Joy breaks down in tears, overwhelmed by the situation she's in.

In the end, Fred and Lamont successfully get Joy to San Francisco, and they receive a heartwarming call from her mother, thanking them for their help. The episode wraps up with the characters reflecting on the experience and the lessons they've learned.

Overall, "A Guest in the Yard" is a poignant episode that tackles serious issues like child abuse and runaway youth. But it also has the trademark humor and wit that fans of Sanford and Son have come to love.