Ep 19. Lamont Goes Karate (aka Charley's Tea)

Lamont Goes Karate (aka Charley's Tea), the 19th episode of Sanford and Son's third season, follows the story of Fred and Lamont as they encounter Charley, an old friend from the past. Charley had moved to Japan and had become a martial arts expert, and upon his return to the States, he came to visit the Sanford residence.

Fred is immediately dubious of Charley's martial arts abilities, but Lamont is excited to learn from him. However, things take a strange turn when Charley asks Lamont to deliver a package to a Japanese tea shop. Once at the store, Lamont discovers that the package is actually a gift for the shop owner, a karate master, and that Charley's true intention is to convince the master to teach him more advanced techniques.

Despite initial skepticism from the master, Lamont manages to win him over and convince him to teach Charley some karate moves. Meanwhile, Fred becomes enamored with a collection of tea and decides to buy some to open his own tea shop. However, when Lamont and Charley return from their karate lesson, Fred has inadvertently ingested a hallucinogenic tea and is acting erratically.

As the episode progresses, Lamont continues to train with the karate master while Charley becomes increasingly aggressive and impatient, putting himself and others in danger. The episode concludes with Lamont standing up to Charley and reminding him of the true purpose of martial arts - to protect oneself and others, not to harm them.

Throughout the episode, there are elements of humor, drama, and action, as well as commentary on the cultural divide between Japan and the United States. The episode also explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the power of martial arts as a discipline and a way of life.

Overall, Lamont Goes Karate (aka Charley's Tea) is a compelling and entertaining episode of Sanford and Son that will leave viewers laughing, intrigued, and inspired.