Ep 16. Lou's Place

In the season 3 episode 16 of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, titled "Lou's Place," Mary Richards and the WJM news team find themselves in the middle of a controversy when Lou Grant decides to open a bar called "Lou's Place."

The episode begins with Lou excitedly announcing his plans for the bar to Mary, Murray, and Ted. He shows them a model of the bar and explains his vision for the establishment, which includes live music and a menu featuring buffalo burgers and hot dogs.

Initially, Mary is supportive of Lou's new venture, but her opinion quickly changes when she learns that the location of the bar is in a residential neighborhood. Concerned about the effects the bar will have on the community, Mary decides to investigate further. She talks to some of the residents and discovers that they are worried about the noise and disruption that the bar will bring.

Meanwhile, Lou is busy dealing with the practicalities of opening a bar. He hires a bartender, buys supplies, and prepares for the grand opening. However, his excitement is short-lived when he receives a visit from a city inspector. The inspector informs him that he needs to make several changes to the bar to comply with city regulations, including installing new ventilation and fire alarms.

As the day of the opening approaches, tensions rise between Lou and the news team. Mary is determined to stop the bar from opening, while Murray and Ted are more supportive of Lou's venture.

When the day of the opening arrives, Mary shows up at the bar to protest. She sets up a table outside the bar and hands out flyers to the neighbors, urging them to join her in opposing the bar. However, her protest is cut short when Lou shows up with a surprise.

The surprise turns out to be a live band, which begins playing on a stage set up in the bar. As the band plays, Lou invites Mary onto the stage to sing a song. Mary reluctantly accepts, and the two of them sing a duet of "You Are My Sunshine."

The episode ends on a bittersweet note. While the bar is a success and the neighbors seem to have warmed up to it, Mary is left feeling conflicted. She is happy that Lou's Place is a hit, but she can't help but feel that her concerns about the community have been ignored.

Overall, "Lou's Place" is a funny and heartwarming episode that explores the themes of community, friendship, and compromise. The relationship between Mary and Lou is particularly well-developed, as they struggle to reconcile their conflicting views on the bar.