Ep 4. The Lie Detector

The Jeffersons season 3 episode 4, titled "The Lie Detector," follows the story of George Jefferson, a wealthy businessman, who is suspicious that his friends and family may be stealing from him. This leads him to purchase a lie detector machine to get to the bottom of things.

As George sets up the machine in his living room, he invites his family and friends over to take the test. He starts by questioning his wife, Louise, who becomes agitated at the suggestion that she may be stealing from her own husband. Things take a turn when George asks her if she has ever been unfaithful to him, causing a major argument between the two.

Next up is Florence, the Jefferson's housekeeper, who is nervous about taking the test. She nearly faints when George accuses her of stealing money from his wallet. However, the test results show that she is telling the truth and has not taken any money.

When it's Harry Bentley's turn, he tries to laugh off the situation, claiming that he is innocent of any wrongdoing. But as the questions continue, George becomes more and more convinced that Harry is hiding something. The machine indicates that Harry is lying about not knowing the whereabouts of a missing watch, which leads to a confrontation between the two.

Meanwhile, Helen and Tom Willis arrive, and despite Helen's initial reluctance, she agrees to take the test. When George asks her about her relationship with their neighbor's son, Lionel, she becomes flustered and defensive. However, the machine indicates that she is telling the truth and has not committed any infidelity.

As the day goes on, tensions rise in the household as George continues to accuse his friends and family of stealing from him. Even the arrival of a police officer, who takes the machine away due to lack of a license, does not alleviate the situation. The episode ends with George and Louise making up and realizing that they should trust each other more.

Overall, "The Lie Detector" is a humorous and tense episode that explores themes of trust, suspicion, and honesty. It showcases the strong chemistry between the cast members and their ability to deliver witty one-liners while also tackling serious topics.