Ep 5. A Girl's Best Mother Is Not Her Friend

Mary Tyler Moore Show season 2 episode 5 is entitled "A Girl's Best Mother Is Not Her Friend." In this episode, Mary's mother, Marge, comes to visit and stays with her. Initially, Mary is excited about Marge's visit because she hasn't seen her in a while, but as the visit wears on, Mary begins to feel smothered by her mother's overbearing presence.

Marge goes out of her way to try to be Mary's friend, but her constant need for attention and validation becomes a burden for Mary. Meanwhile, Rhoda's mother, Ida, is also in town and staying with Rhoda. Unlike Marge, Ida is abrasive and critical of Rhoda, which causes tension between the two of them.

Throughout the episode, Mary and Rhoda share their frustrations about their respective mothers and try to find ways to deal with their behavior. Mary tries to be honest with Marge about how she's feeling, but Marge takes it as a personal affront and becomes even more insistent on spending time with Mary.

Rhoda, on the other hand, tries to ignore Ida's insults and criticism, but eventually snaps when Ida suggests that Rhoda should diet and lose weight. Rhoda tells her mother off and insists that she won't let Ida control her life anymore.

As the episode concludes, Mary and Rhoda commiserate over their difficult relationships with their mothers and realize that, despite their flaws, they still love and appreciate them. The episode ends on a positive note, with Mary and Marge sharing a touching moment before Marge leaves to go back home.

Overall, "A Girl's Best Mother Is Not Her Friend" is a relatable and heartwarming episode that deals with the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. It showcases the wonderful chemistry between Mary and Rhoda and their ability to support each other through life's ups and downs.