Ep 8. Lou's First Date

Lou Grant, the crusty yet lovable newsroom boss, is the focus of Season 4, Episode 8 of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Titled "Lou's First Date," the episode finds Lou suddenly single and looking to get back in the dating scene. After being set up on a blind date by his barber who is convinced that his nephew is a great match for Lou, Lou begrudgingly agrees to go out with the young woman.

As Lou and his date, Mary Jo, head out on their date, Lou seems to struggle with the idea of dating someone so much younger than him. The age difference quickly becomes a point of contention as both Lou and Mary Jo struggle to find common ground. Despite the awkwardness of their date, Lou tries to make the best of it, impressing Mary Jo with his knowledge of architecture and history.

Meanwhile, back at the office, the news team is busy covering the story of a man who has been living on the streets for the past five years. While Lou is out on his date, Mary Richards and Murray Slaughter team up to try to offer the man some assistance. Their efforts to help the man provide an interesting contrast to Lou's struggles on his own date.

As the night wears on, Lou and Mary Jo's differences become more apparent. Lou wants to talk about his experiences in Korea while Mary Jo is more interested in discussing more modern topics like the Vietnam War. The couple finally decides to call it a night, and Lou heads back to the office to get back to work.

When Lou returns to the newsroom, he finds that his colleagues have been hard at work supporting the homeless man. Moved by their kindness, Lou agrees to help out their efforts by doing a news segment on the man and his story. In typical Lou Grant fashion, he is tough on the man during the interview, but ultimately manages to convey the man's humanity to viewers.

At the end of the episode, Lou is left to reflect on his unsuccessful date. Despite their differences, Lou has a newfound respect for Mary Jo and her intelligence. As he heads home alone, Lou seems to take a small step towards accepting his new life as a single man.

Overall, "Lou's First Date" is a touching and humorous episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show that highlights the struggles of dating while older. The episode's focus on Lou and his romantic endeavors is a refreshing change of pace from the usual workplace drama, and allows viewers to see a new side of one of the series' most beloved characters. With its sharp writing and compelling storytelling, this episode is a must-see for fans of the show.