This is a sad episode. Murray Slaughter is at a mid-life moment, wondering what is ahead. He has had a crush on Mary since the day she walked into the newsroom. Now he needs to know whether to express his love for her or to keep it to himself. Whenever he talks about his marriage, there seems to be some unhappiness there. His wife seems controlling and he seems generally dissatisfied. He's a pretty typical 45 year old husband. Anyway, he shares with Lou that he loves Mary, and Lou tries to talk him out of telling her. So that's what this episode is all about. The kicker is that Lou informs Mary ahead of time that Murray cares about her. Ted is pretty funny in peripheral plot line.
5 Reviews
Another personal crisis for Murray
Rrrobert16 January 2020
Well done episode. Murray reveals to Lou that he is in love with Mary - something that has been hinted-at a few times in earlier episodes.
In the subplot Ted feels left out as no one ever comes to him for help. A sympathetic Mary dredges up a problem she has (an annoying drop-in neighbour at her new apartment) and gives it to Ted to solve.
The neighbour issue is a real one. Mary Kay Place plays the chirpy problem neighbour and Penny Marshall is funny as her deadpan flatmate.
Ted is still dim and annoying but not so obnoxious these days.
In the subplot Ted feels left out as no one ever comes to him for help. A sympathetic Mary dredges up a problem she has (an annoying drop-in neighbour at her new apartment) and gives it to Ted to solve.
The neighbour issue is a real one. Mary Kay Place plays the chirpy problem neighbour and Penny Marshall is funny as her deadpan flatmate.
Ted is still dim and annoying but not so obnoxious these days.
Murray Like-Likes Mary. Whaaaat?
dogeatdog721 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
It's a huge challenge to come up with good ideas and scripts for a weekly sitcom . . . And this episode demonstrates that even a great sitcom can lay an egg.
The episode is about Murray being driven to distraction by some mystery problem, so much so that he has difficulty telling anyone. His problem? He has fallen hopelessly and deeply in love with Mary. Aside from a brief moment at the end of the second act, when he finally tells Mary how he feels, that's the lion's share of the episode, barring an unfunny subplot about Mary's meddling new neighbor.
The entire premise is ridiculous and unbelievable. Has Murray fallen out of love with his wife? We never find out because it's never mentioned. Even more unbelievable is that Murray and Mary's relationship returns to the way it was before Murray professes his undying love for her, and it's never referenced again, which, of course, would never happen in the real world.
Gavin MacLeod and Mary Tyler Moore struggle to stay in character while reciting lines that are completely out of character. Maybe if the writers set it up as a dream, it would've worked. Better yet, maybe the producers and cast should've rejected it after the first table read.
The episode is about Murray being driven to distraction by some mystery problem, so much so that he has difficulty telling anyone. His problem? He has fallen hopelessly and deeply in love with Mary. Aside from a brief moment at the end of the second act, when he finally tells Mary how he feels, that's the lion's share of the episode, barring an unfunny subplot about Mary's meddling new neighbor.
The entire premise is ridiculous and unbelievable. Has Murray fallen out of love with his wife? We never find out because it's never mentioned. Even more unbelievable is that Murray and Mary's relationship returns to the way it was before Murray professes his undying love for her, and it's never referenced again, which, of course, would never happen in the real world.
Gavin MacLeod and Mary Tyler Moore struggle to stay in character while reciting lines that are completely out of character. Maybe if the writers set it up as a dream, it would've worked. Better yet, maybe the producers and cast should've rejected it after the first table read.
Divorce is Funny??
dranthonykstevens12 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Only in Hollywood is it so funny that a man that has a great 20 year marriage decides to leave his wife for another woman. And the woman being a person that he works with. Well it does not work so he just naturally goes back to his wife and everything is OK. Again, why are we suppose to think that is so naturally funny.
What was the point?
kellielulu29 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not sure how to feel about this one. I don't actually think it's meant to be funny. I'm not sure what it's supposed to be. In the previous episode Murray tells a guest character how he used to rush home because he was in love with his wife now twenty years later he rushed home so his wife doesn't give his dinner to the cat! Yikes. I think they also felt like every man had to fall for Mary . The previous episode had a counterbalance to that notion.
Murray is sometimes unsatisfied with his personal and professional life. I don't know if it was supposed to be just a phase as that's what they blew it off as but it doesn't explain some of his comments about his marriage or personal life.
The subplot is better but Mary's new neighbors are not a good replacement for Rhoda and Phyllis.
Murray is sometimes unsatisfied with his personal and professional life. I don't know if it was supposed to be just a phase as that's what they blew it off as but it doesn't explain some of his comments about his marriage or personal life.
The subplot is better but Mary's new neighbors are not a good replacement for Rhoda and Phyllis.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
