Ep 21. The Hero

The Brady Bunch season 1 episode 21, titled "The Hero," follows the Brady family as they try to determine who their hero is. Bobby brings home a raffle ticket that he bought with his own money, and the prize is a visit from a TV hero. Bobby is thrilled and convinced that he will win the raffle, even though his siblings are less sure. However, when the winner is announced on live TV, it turns out to be Peter who has won, rather than Bobby.

Peter is ecstatic and, after nervously giving his address and phone number on live TV, is told that his hero, Joe Namath, will be visiting their home. Everyone is excited but also a bit nervous about meeting such a big celebrity, and they start cleaning the house and making preparations. However, when Joe eventually arrives, he is not quite what they expected - he is gruff and seems disinterested in spending time with the family.

The Brady kids are disappointed, but Carol and Mike try to keep everyone's spirits up by suggesting alternative ways to spend time with Joe. Bobby, in particular, is still convinced that there must be some way for them all to bond with their hero. After some brainstorming, they come up with an idea to play a game of touch football in the backyard.

The game is a lot of fun, and even Joe starts to loosen up and enjoy himself. However, when Peter catches a pass and accidentally breaks a lamp in the process, Joe becomes angry and storms off. The kids feel like they have ruined their chance to spend time with their hero, and they all go to bed feeling disappointed and sad.

The next morning, though, Joe shows up at their door unexpectedly. He explains that he was just having a bad day and that he had no idea how much the visit would mean to the Brady family. He spends the day hanging out with the kids and even helps them fix the broken lamp. By the end of the day, everyone agrees that Joe is the hero they had been hoping for all along.

"The Hero" is a heartwarming episode that emphasizes the importance of looking past first impressions and getting to know people for who they truly are. While the family is initially disappointed by Joe's behavior, they eventually learn that he is just a person like anyone else, with good days and bad days. Through their willingness to give him a chance, they are able to forge a meaningful connection and create a lasting memory.