'All in the Family' Had the Most DEPRESSING Christmas Episodes

[Brian Damage]

Let's review...

"Christmas Day at the Bunkers" December 18, 1971 (1971-12-18)
Archie's depressed at Christmas, particularly since he has to find a way to tell his family he didn't get the bonus he expected because his team bungled a work order.


"Edith's Christmas Story" December 22, 1973 (1973-12-22)
Just in time for Christmas, Edith reveals to Gloria a devastating secret: She has a lump in her breast, and worries she may need a mastectomy

"The Draft Dodger" December 25, 1976 (1976-12-25)
Archie's friend Pinky Peterson, who had lost his only son in the Vietnam War, is invited to Christmas eve dinner. Mike's college-aged friend David Brewster also happens by, and is also invited to stay for dinner. Only Mike and Gloria know that David is a draft dodger from the war, living in Canada. He is visiting the United States in secret, and is a fugitive from the law. During dinner, the truth about David's status comes out. Archie explodes in a tirade, probably the most agitated scene in the entire series. He asks "gold star father" Pinky to join him in condemning David's actions. Instead, Pinky takes a conciliatory tone, saying that the difference between Steve (his son) and David is that "David's alive to share Christmas dinner with us. If Steve were here, he'd want to sit down with him, and that's what I want to do. Merry Christmas, David." All are reconciled at this point except Archie, who is so confused and distraught at the turn of events that he opens the front door and harasses a passing band of Christmas carolers.

"Edith's Crisis of Faith" December 25, 1977 (1977-12-25)
Edith witnesses Mike and female impersonator Beverly LaSalle getting robbed at knifepoint. Mike is slightly injured but will be OK, but Beverly is killed. Edith becomes distraught over what she witnessed and wonders how God could allow such a violent act to happen. When she can't get a satisfactory explanation, she decides to renounce her Christianity. This prompts Mike, of all people, to suggest that maybe God didn't want this brutal crime to happen – that it was just a bunch of thugs who were out to rob people and kill if need be. Edith soon realizes Mike is right and it isn't long before she is herself.

"California, Here We Are" December 17, 1978 (1978-12-17)
The Stivics' first Christmas in California may be their last together, the Bunkers learn. Gloria lets on that she and Mike are having serious marital problems and have separated. Archie is furious, assuming that Mike was to blame, but he really hits the roof when he finds out the truth. Mike's job as college professor requires him to spend a lot of time away from home, and a lonely Gloria responds by having an affair with a neighbor. As a stunned Mike watches, Archie - forgetting he once too nearly went astray - screams at Gloria about her unfaithfulness to her husband. Edith tries to get Archie to stop his verbal assault, but he tells her it's "God's business." Edith's retort: "Then you let God tend to it!" Then, in her own unique way, she asks her daughter and son-in-law whether there is anything left to rebuild their crumbling marriage. Mike and Gloria uneasily say they will try to rekindle their flickering marriage, and then put off the discussion long enough to invite Stephanie and Joey in to unwrap Christmas presents.

[comedyfreak]

Those should be put in a stand alone dvd release, it would make a great collection. Especially if Rob and Sally did interviews as part of the extras.

[lucyandethel]

But in the real world, for most people and most families, around the holidays, a little thing called life rears its ugly head.

[catlover79]

Good points all around!!

[TVFactFan]

I was actually entertained by the Draft Dodger-lol


Archie LOST it

[ThomasE]

Yep. Those were just really fun eps, huh? LOL. It would be great to have the Christmas boxsets of this show. It would be great if ABP was added as well.