Ep 6. Rhoda the Beautiful

In the third season of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, episode 6 takes center stage, titled Rhoda the Beautiful. This episode sees Mary and Rhoda participating in a beauty contest, with Rhoda being the one who enters the contest.

The episode revolves around Mary and Rhoda's friendship as Rhoda enters the "Miss Hempstead" beauty contest. Rhoda is hesitant to enter the contest, seeing it as a betrayal of her feminist values. Despite her initial reservations, Rhoda enters the contest wearing a dress that Mary had made for her, and sees success as she is selected to become a semi-finalist.

The episode is full of humor as Rhoda comes to terms with being in a beauty contest while struggling to remain true to her feminist ideals. Mary offers constant support to her friend as she prepares to compete, even going so far as to become Rhoda's "beauty coach."

Throughout the episode, Rhoda's insecurities are brought to the forefront, as she worries about her looks, her weight, and whether she will even make it past the first round. The show does an excellent job of highlighting the way beauty standards can impact an individual's self-esteem, and how these insecurities can also serve as a motivating factor.

As the day of the competition arrives, Rhoda's fears are quelled as she receives a standing ovation from the crowd. The episode ends with Rhoda feeling more confident in herself, and Mary as proud of her friend as ever.

Overall, The Mary Tyler Moore Show's Rhoda the Beautiful is an enjoyable look at the way societal expectations can be oppressive, especially when it comes to beauty standards. The show does an excellent job of highlighting the pressure society places on individuals to conform to certain norms, while also highlighting the importance of friendship and support in overcoming these pressures.