Ep 22. A Friend in Deed

In the season 1 finale of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, titled "A Friend in Deed," Mary Richards finds herself in a precarious position when her ex-boyfriend, Ed, suddenly shows up in town. Mary is torn between her loyalty to Ed as a friend and her desire to move on from their failed romantic relationship.

Meanwhile, Lou Grant enlists Mary's help in convincing a skeptical station owner to invest in a new happy-go-lucky children's show. Mary is hesitant at first, but she eventually throws her support behind the project despite her reservations.

As the episode progresses, Mary grapples with her conflicting feelings towards Ed. She is happy to see him and values their friendship, but she also recognizes that she needs to move forward and find new love. Ed, however, seems to have other ideas. He makes it clear that he still harbors feelings for Mary and wants to rekindle their romance.

Throughout the episode, Mary seeks advice and support from her colleagues. Rhoda encourages her to follow her heart, while Murray cautions her to be careful and not lead Ed on. Ted, ever the opportunist, sees Ed's arrival as a chance to boost his own career, but ultimately proves to be a loyal friend to Mary.

As tensions build between Mary and Ed, she realizes that she needs to be honest with him about her feelings. She confronts him and tells him that while she values their friendship, she cannot reciprocate his romantic feelings. Ed is understandably upset, but ultimately accepts Mary's decision.

In the end, Mary is left to reflect on her past relationship with Ed and look towards the future. Despite the awkwardness and tension that arose from Ed's visit, Mary remains grateful for his friendship and the support he has shown her over the years.

"A Friend in Deed" is a poignant and heartfelt season finale that explores the complexities of love, friendship, and moving on. Mary's struggle to navigate her feelings towards Ed is relatable and engaging, and the episode's resolution is satisfying and emotionally resonant. Overall, it's a strong end to a fantastic debut season of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.