Ep 3. He's No Heavy . . . He's My Brother

In the season 2 episode 3 of The Mary Tyler Moore Show titled "He's No Heavy...He's My Brother," Mary's brother Ben pays a visit to her at the office. Ben is a sweet-natured guy with a mild intellectual disability, and he has been living at a home for people with special needs. He wants to move out of the institution and live on his own, but doesn't know how to manage money or do other basic chores. Mary offers to help him get settled, but soon finds herself overwhelmed by all the responsibilities.

At the same time, Mary is trying to organize a tribute to Chuckles the Clown, a beloved children's entertainer who has recently passed away. The other newsroom staff are skeptical of the idea, seeing it as a fluffy human interest piece that doesn't belong on the hard news show. Mary persists, however, and eventually convinces her boss Lou to air the Chuckles tribute as a segment.

As Mary juggles helping Ben and planning the tribute, she starts to feel pulled in too many directions. Her co-workers complain that she's distracted and not pulling her weight, while Ben begins to take advantage of her kindness by showing up unannounced at the office and disrupting her work. Mary tries to set boundaries, but struggles with her desire to help her brother and her need to maintain her professionalism at work.

Mixed in with all of this is a subplot involving Murray's gambling habit. He's been trying to kick the habit, but keeps slipping back into it. When Lou finds out, he decides to confront Murray about it and offer to help him get treatment. Murray is initially resistant, but eventually agrees to go to Gamblers Anonymous meetings with Lou's support.

"He's No Heavy...He's My Brother" is a poignant episode that explores themes of family, responsibilities, and the challenges of working in a fast-paced newsroom. Mary's struggle to balance her personal and professional life is relatable, as is her desire to help someone she loves even when it puts her own well-being at risk. The Chuckles tribute adds a touch of humor to the episode, while Murray's storyline serves as a reminder that addiction is a serious issue that affects people from all walks of life. Overall, this episode is a classic example of The Mary Tyler Moore Show's blend of heart and wit.