Finishing out S2, so of course I watched this episode. (I kind of built its legend up further because I was obsessed with the episode's title all along) Is anyone else a fan of it? Not only is it Rhoda-centered, not only do we see an early instance of Mary Frann joining the MTM family, and...MARYINASHORTTENNISSKIRT (if I say it quickly no one will notice me being a chauvinist ;-))...but really, it shows what set TMTMS apart. The show didn't really follow a formula for each episode, and it shows here. On certain other programs, for example, the Joanne Forbes character would have a bit of a nasty streak all along; when Mary found her out she'd do a passionate speech against bigotry; and it would end with Mary and Rhoda riding out the rest of their misunderstanding and hugging to canned sighs. Among other things, I'm sure. As it was, SOMBFAR was not preachy yet dealed with the issue it faced well.

I like this episode, too. On most other shows, it would've been a "Very Special" episode dealing with bigotry, but they don't hit you over the head with it or anything. It's just a regular episode that happens to deal with a certain theme. It's not my favorite episode or anything, but I do give the writers a lot of credit for handling it the way they did.

- Kristen

That was one of the very few "serious" episodes of MTM. It was very subtle...you wouldn't imagine someone as pleasant and friendly like Mary Frann's character being an anti-Semite, but I'm sure that's how it is with lots of people in real life. Kudos to everyone for a job well done in this episode.

I agree, this episode was very well done, not preachy at all.
I don't remember what prompted it, but there's almost an exact point where you can tell Mary, who gives everyone a chance, realizes that Joanne is prejudiced. That changes everything, and it's obvious their friendship soon will be over.
It was also fascinating when Mary starts socializing more with Joanne, that Rhoda, even though she knows she and Mary are best friends, gets a little jealous...a totally natural reaction any person would have. It wasn't a "cat-fight" type of jealousy, either, more of a "Gee, I hope I don't lose this treasured friendship" type of thing. Mary was never going to forsake Rhoda, and deep down Rhoda probably knew that, but Joanne's character flaw certainly enabled things to get back to normal between M and R a lot more quickly!

This episode is one of the episodes that made me tune in and really listen.
I watched this episode, for the first time, a few years ago.
It seems to me that we are still fighting the same fight, but with a different front.
Another proof that this show is a classic!

I enjoyed this episode because I thought that it was cool to show how Mary and Rhoda were the best of friends, but had differences, like religion. My mom is Catholic and my dad is Jewish, and that is why I like the friendship between Mary and Rhoda for another reason-not that I need another one! I thought it was great for that moment when Mary told Joann that she was Jewish. The lady was in shock and had no reason to be. I was really mad at her lol.:mad:
This show was a great example of how The MTM Show touched on all areas.

~LauraNamesake