What is your Favorite Episode?
The Broken Punchbowl Episode form season 4 is probably my most Favorite Episode of the whole series. I love how everybody told their everybody side of the Story, And Maude crying into the garbage can was Hysterical among other things(Including Mrs Naugatuck breaking Maude Punch bowl in the end). It was a Funny Episode, It was very plain and natural(No politics or trying to send message) just sit back and laugh. If I had to introduce this show to someone this would probably be the episode I would show to them.

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CMQg5R66BM

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnVZWDujuYg&feature=related

Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDk-G2YyoK8&feature=related

I liked the episode when they go to see a game show for Viv's birthday, & Maude goes berserk when she wins a Mink Coat, Diamonds, trip, yacht .. too funny. Also liked the episode when Maude sees the U.F.O. ..."Let me make this perfectly clear, There are no flying saucers, NO flying saucers!" LOL. New Years Eve Party episode 1974, is hilarious, as well. The Facelift episodes: Vivian get a facelift, & Maude gets upset, then in subsequent episode she get a facelift. So many great episodes, too many to list.

I agree that the episodes that were non-issue ones, just straight comedy, play better all these years later.

My faves are:
The Game Show S5 - love Viv's temper tantrum and later when Maude is possessed by greed.

Maude Meets Florida S1 - not technically a pilot but it's usually shown first in syndication and establishes the characters and their relationships brilliantly.

The Household Feud S5 - Maude breaks the urn containing the ashes of Mrs. Naugatuck's late husband Cyril. Hysterically funny episode.

Maude's New Friends S5 - Maude discovers her new friends are into wife-swapping. One of Bea's best ever reaction shots.

Maude's Guilt Trip S6 - Maude goes on a guilt trip when her Aunt Tinkie dies in a plane crash (or so she thinks). Hilarious.

Maude's Revolt S2 - Maude locks herself in her bedroom during a party to prove a point.

The Tax Audit S2 - Maude slowly remembers the man auditing Walter's taxes tried to violate her as a teenager.