Ep 12. Ted's Tax Refund

The Mary Tyler Moore Show season 6 episode 12 is titled "Ted's Tax Refund." This classic sitcom follows the adventures and misadventures of Mary Richards, a single woman working as a news producer in a Minneapolis television station. In this episode, the focus shifts to one of Mary's less competent colleagues: Ted Baxter, the vain and pompous anchorman of the station.

Ted receives a surprise windfall when he finds out that he is eligible for a large tax refund. Excited at the prospect of getting a big payday, he immediately starts splurging on all sorts of luxuries. He buys a new sports car, fancy clothes, and even hires a personal chef to cook for him at his apartment.

As Ted revels in his newfound wealth, Mary starts to worry that he might be getting in over his head. She knows that Ted is not exactly the most financially astute person around, and she is concerned that he might be squandering his money on frivolous purchases.

Her fears are soon realized when Ted receives a letter from the IRS informing him that he has made a mistake on his tax return. Instead of receiving a refund, he actually owes the government a significant amount of money - money that he does not have.

Desperate to avoid getting into trouble with the IRS, Ted turns to Mary for help. Despite her reservations about getting involved, she agrees to assist him with his tax problems. Together, they go through his finances and try to figure out where he went wrong.

As they delve deeper into Ted's finances, Mary starts to uncover some troubling information. It turns out that Ted has been living beyond his means for years, using credit cards to fund his extravagant lifestyle. He has accumulated a mountain of debt that he has no hope of paying off anytime soon.

Mary tries to gently confront Ted about his financial situation, but he refuses to listen. He is convinced that he will be able to find a way out of his predicament, even as the IRS deadline looms.

To make matters worse, Ted's tax issues start to affect his work. He becomes increasingly distracted and anxious, causing his on-air performances to suffer. Mary does her best to cover for him, but it's clear that something needs to be done.

In the end, Ted is forced to face the consequences of his actions. He must come up with a plan to pay off his debts and work out a payment plan with the IRS. Though the situation is difficult, Ted learns an important lesson about the dangers of living beyond one's means.

Overall, "Ted's Tax Refund" is a classic episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. It showcases the show's signature blend of humor and heart, with a strong message about personal responsibility and financial management. Fans of the show will appreciate the nuanced performances by the talented cast, as well as the timeless themes that the episode explores.