When Archie decides to buy the business next to his and turn Archie's Place into a bar and grille, Harry gets cold feet and decides to sell his share of the business.
When Edith begins looking for another job, she must overcome both Archie's objections and her own insecurities about possibly being rejected (due to her having been fired from the Sunshine Home).
Archie can only complain when the height of the 1979 energy crisis prompts Murray to take severe conservation measures. Surely, Archie would find some peace and warmth at home, right? Not with Edith minding the thermostat!
Mike and Gloria (don't forget little Joey) come back to New York to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Bunkers. But Mike's got some devastating secrets to hide: He's been fired from his professor's job in Santa Barbara for participating in a nude protest of a nuclear power plant. This has put a further strain on the Stivics' already faltering marriage.
The Stivics wonder how they will cope with Mike being jobless. Mike goes to Archie to air his grievances, and in a show of sympathy and support, he decides to loan him some money until he can find another job.
When Murray's daughter comes to town to take possession of a family inheritance, Archie gets the two to make peace after years of estrangement. Murray's daughter in this episode is played by Martin Balsam's real-life daughter, Talia.
One of Archie's lodge brothers pays a visit to the restaurant and berates Fred the waiter. Archie then tries to "convert" Fred by fixing him up with Linda from the local laundry service. His plan backfires, but they are even more shocked when Fred confesses to them exactly what the lodge brother had against him.
Stephanie wants Archie to sing with her in a school father/daughter competition. Archie refuses but then sees Murray volunteer to play piano for her. Seeing this, Archie gets jealous so Stephanie persuades him to join them.
Murray's childhood friend, Vinnie Mulvaney, drops by the bar for a visit. The two share old times, but Murray is unaware that Vinnie (now a mob boss) is setting him up to initiate a gangland-style murder of a rival mobster.
