Ep 16. The Gambler

In The Flintstones season 2 episode 16, titled "The Gambler," Fred Flintstone is bitten by the gambling bug. The episode begins with Fred and Barney at a local pool hall where Fred bets and loses all of his money. He even puts up his TV set as collateral for a bet on a billiards game but ends up losing that too.

Back at home, Wilma is not happy about Fred's gambling habits. She scolds him for wasting their money and not being responsible. However, Fred can't seem to shake off his desire to gamble and decides to take a job as a delivery man, delivering packages to different gambling establishments.

The job gives Fred easy access to various forms of gambling like poker, roulette, and horse racing. Despite his initial success, he soon loses all of his earnings and starts borrowing money from his friends, including Barney, to continue gambling.

Things take a turn for the worse when Fred loses a bet with a dangerous bookie named Big Ed. Big Ed threatens to harm Fred's family if he doesn't repay the money he owes him.

Desperate and out of options, Fred is forced to participate in an illegal boxing match to earn the money he owes. To make things worse, the opponent he is supposed to fight is a giant of a man, much bigger and stronger than him.

Despite the odds, Fred trains hard with the help of Barney and eventually wins the match, saving himself and his family from any harm. He is relieved and vows to never gamble again. The episode ends with a happy reconciliation between Fred and Wilma, who is proud of her husband for overcoming his addiction.

Overall, "The Gambler" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of gambling and how it can consume a person's life. It's also a story about redemption and the importance of family and friends in one's life. The episode remains a beloved classic of The Flintstones series and continues to entertain audiences of all ages.