Ep 14. Christmas and the Hard Luck Kid

In season 1 episode 14 of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, named "Christmas and the Hard Luck Kid," Mary Richards is feeling the holiday spirit and wants to do something special for someone in need. She encounters a young boy named Stevie who is living in poverty and offers to help give him a memorable Christmas. However, Stevie's pride and independence make this task more difficult than Mary initially anticipated.

As Mary tries to help Stevie, she faces a few challenges along the way. She struggles to find the perfect gift for him and ends up buying him a pair of ice skates. Stevie, who has never ice skated before, is hesitant at first, but eventually agrees to give it a try with Mary's encouragement. The two end up having a blast on the ice, but Mary worries that she may have overstepped her boundaries by getting him the skates.

Meanwhile, in the newsroom, Lou and Murray are trying to come up with a unique and clever Christmas card to send to their clients. Ted, on the other hand, has given up on getting anyone a gift after receiving a package from his family that contained only a cheap pencil. Ted is convinced that no one in the newsroom will get each other anything worthwhile, but Sue Ann challenges this notion and encourages everyone to participate in a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Back in Mary's world, she continues to try and help Stevie make the most of the holiday season. She brings him to the office Christmas party, where he is able to mingle with Ted Baxter and other colleagues. However, Stevie's defensiveness and unwillingness to accept help from others makes it difficult for Mary to connect with him.

As the episode comes to a close, Mary realizes that her attempts to help Stevie weren't necessarily about him, but rather her need to feel like she was making a difference in someone's life during the holidays. In a heartwarming moment, Mary and Stevie share a genuine hug and Stevie thanks her for everything she's done for him.

Overall, "Christmas and the Hard Luck Kid" explores themes of generosity, pride, and the true meaning of the holiday season. With its relatable characters and heartwarming moments, it's no wonder that The Mary Tyler Moore Show has become a beloved classic.