Ep 13. Operation: Lou

The Mary Tyler Moore Show season 3 episode 13, titled "Operation: Lou," follows the newsroom of WJM-TV as they work on a special project to honor their beloved Anchorman, Lou Grant. After learning that Lou is going to be honored with a prestigious award, Mary and the gang decide to create a tribute segment to play during his ceremony. However, things take a turn for the worse when Lou gets wind of their plan and becomes determined to put a stop to it.

As the newsroom scrambles to make their tribute segment a reality, Lou becomes increasingly agitated at the idea of being the center of attention. He adamantly refuses to participate, and the newsroom is faced with the challenge of creating a tribute segment without his input or approval. Mary, ever the optimist, teams up with news writer Murray to try and convince Lou to participate in their project. However, their attempts only seem to make Lou more determined to put a stop to their plans.

In the midst of all this chaos, the newsroom is also tasked with covering a political scandal involving a local politician. As they work on breaking the story, tensions run high between the news team and their competition at a rival station. Through it all, Mary and her colleagues continue to plan their tribute segment, determined to honor Lou in their own way.

As the episode progresses, we see the different characters in the newsroom struggling with their own personal issues. Mary, ever the dependable friend, tries to support her co-workers as they navigate their own challenges. Whether it's Murray's fear of a layoff or Ted's insecurity about his role at the station, Mary is always there to lend a listening ear.

Overall, "Operation: Lou" is a classic episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show that highlights the dynamic between the characters in the newsroom. As they work to honor their friend, we see the bonds between them grow stronger. With its trademark humor and heartfelt moments, this episode is a must-watch for fans of the series.