This was one of the poorest episodes and is a good example of what was wrong in ABP 2nd season, which was the worst. There were too many older characters on the show, which was partly recitifed when Murray left after season 2 and Veronica after season 3. The writing was horrible (the loan shark/bone breaker was a horrible stereotype, there was too much time spent watching the basketball game). Also, I don't think Archie and Murray would have loaned Barney the money without some collateral (as in a deed on his house, for example).

Also, we know Barney had a granddaughter from the AITF episode where her and Joey were both entered in the beautiful baby contest. This usually implies that he had a son or daughter(who were never mentioned, but since we know they exist where were they when Barney needed help?) Murray's daughter made a guest appearance, so Barney's son or daughter or his obvious estrangement from them would have made a good episode.

I thought that episode would've been so much better.

However, I did like the second episode they showed today. I thought that one was pretty funny

The second episode Wednesday was the first time that Archie was placed in a "dating" situation after Edith's death and it showed what a diffucult problem the writers had. They had to try to make the show funny while balancing that Archie is still in mourning. I thought Murray just looked foolish being tied up (no wonder Martin Balsam left after the season). In the third season I remember there was another episode that handled the situation better, with Archie about to kiss another woman but stopping, saying that he still needed more time.

I thought that the "Barney, The Gambler" episode was funny. Especially the part when Barney calls the bar to tell the gang he's going to kill himself, I cracked up when Veronica screamed and Archie said "Will You Shut Up!!"