Ep 17. The Undergraduate

The Brady Bunch season 1 episode 17, titled "The Undergraduate," follows the Brady family as they take in a college student as a boarder. Greg meets Chuck, who is in his senior year of college, and convinces his parents to let him move in as a way to earn some extra income for the family.

At first, everyone is excited about having a new member in the house, but it becomes clear that Chuck has some unorthodox beliefs and practices. He's a free spirit who challenges the traditional values of the Brady family, which causes tension between him and the other members of the household.

For example, Marcia is shocked when Chuck suggests that she doesn't need to go to college because she's a girl. Meanwhile, Mike is disturbed when he sees Chuck meditating in his room and fears that he's promoting a "hippie" lifestyle.

As the episode progresses, the tension rises between Chuck and the other Bradys. Carol is particularly upset when Chuck takes her antique statue of a cat and uses it as a doorstop, not realizing its value. Meanwhile, Peter starts to adopt some of Chuck's ideas and even suggests skipping school to go to a protest.

In the end, Chuck is asked to leave the Brady home after an incident involving him and Alice, the housekeeper. The episode ends on a poignant note when Carol reflects on the experience and how easy it is to be influenced by others.

"The Undergraduate" is a classic episode of The Brady Bunch because it deals with the generation gap that was prevalent in the 1960s and 70s. It also showcases the Brady family's traditional values and their struggle to adapt to new ideas and lifestyles. Overall, it's a humorous and thought-provoking episode that has stood the test of time.