Ep 19. We Closed in Minneapolis

We Closed in Minneapolis is the nineteenth episode of the first season of the classic American sitcom, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which aired on February 5, 1971. This episode revolves around Mary, who is forced to break the news to her colleague, Murray, that his play has been turned down by the theater in Minneapolis.

The episode starts with Murray asking Mary to read his play, which he hopes to get staged in the theater in Minneapolis. Mary reads the script and, while she thinks it is good, she knows that it is not strong enough to be performed at the theater. Meanwhile, Lou Grant, the station manager, is trying to convince Mary to take a vacation, as she has not taken one in a while.

After some internal debate, Mary decides to tell Murray that his play has been turned down, and the performance will not be happening in Minneapolis. Murray, who has high hopes for his play, is devastated upon hearing the news from Mary. The rest of the episode follows Murray as he tries to come to terms with his rejection and move on.

We Closed in Minneapolis is an episode that explores the disappointment of rejection and the importance of following one's passions. Murray's reaction to the rejection of his play is relatable, and the episode does a great job of portraying the emotions that come with rejection. The show also highlights the role of friends and colleagues in supporting those who experience rejection, showing how Mary and the rest of the team rally around Murray to offer support and encouragement.

One aspect of the episode that stands out is the way in which the show portrays the city of Minneapolis. The episode shows brief snippets of the city, including footage of the famous Mall of America, which at the time of filming was the largest mall in the world. The show also depicts the theater scene in Minneapolis, showing the different types of plays that are staged and the various challenges that writers and actors face in getting their work seen.

Overall, We Closed in Minneapolis is a well-written episode that explores themes of rejection, disappointment, and perseverance. The show does a great job of balancing humor with emotion, and the performances by the cast are excellent. The episode is a great example of why The Mary Tyler Moore Show has become such an enduring classic, with its witty writing, relatable characters, and timeless themes.