Ep 3. Mary's Father

Mary's Father is an episode from the six-season of the iconic sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which tells the story of Mary Richards, a thirty-something single woman who works as an associate producer at a news station.

In this episode, Mary's father, Walter Richards, pays her a visit after his retirement to spend some time with his daughter. However, Mary is not looking forward to his visit since she has always had a distant relationship with her father who was often absent during her upbringing. Mary tries to engage her father in conversation, but it becomes apparent that he is not interested in getting to know his daughter better. To make matters worse, Walter criticizes Mary for her lifestyle and career choices, making her feel like a disappointment.

Meanwhile, at the news station, Mary is also struggling to produce a story about a new restaurant in town that she finds uninteresting. She seeks advice from her boss, Lou Grant, and her colleagues, but no one can seem to help her come up with an angle for the story.

As the day progresses, Mary becomes increasingly frustrated with her father's lack of interest in her life and her career, which leads to a heated argument between the pair. However, later that night, Mary's father reveals the true reason for his visit, which brings the two of them closer together.

As the episode progresses, we get a glimpse into the complex relationship between Mary and her father, and the strained history that they share. It also explores the challenges of being a working woman and the pressure to please family members who do not always understand or support career choices.

Throughout the episode, the show's trademark humor and wit are on full display, with hilarious one-liners and comical situations that are sure to leave viewers laughing. However, the episode also showcases the series' knack for touching emotional moments and the exploration of complex relationships, making it a well-rounded episode that captures the essence of the show.

Overall, Mary's Father is an entertaining and heartwarming episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show that is bound to delight fans of the series and new viewers alike.