All in the Family: Season 3
Season 3 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of All in the Family Season 2.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 3 Progress Shield
Archie and the Editorial
Sep 16, 1972
After he rails against gun control in a TV editorial. Archie meets his two biggest supporters -a pair of stickup artist who rob him at gunpoint.
Archie's Fraud
Sep 23, 1972
Archie is audited by the IRS after he fails to report income he made driving Munson's taxicab.
The Threat
Sep 30, 1972
Archie can barely contain himself when the attractive young wife of an old army buddy spends an eventful night in the Bunker's household.
Gloria and the Riddle
Oct 7, 1972
Gloria tests Mike and Archie's male chauvinism with a riddle that stumps the men but is easily answer by Edith.
Lionel Steps Out
Oct 14, 1972
Archie is aghast to find out that his visiting niece plans to go out dancing with Lionel Jefferson.
Edith Flips Her Wig
Oct 21, 1972
Edith is worried she may be a kleptomaniac after she absent-mindedly takes a wig from a department store.
The Bunkers and the Swingers
Oct 28, 1972
Edith unwillingly invites a pair of wife-swapping swingers to dinner when she responds to a newspaper ad for pen pals.
Mike Comes Into Money
Nov 4, 1972
Mike sparks the latest family feud when he donates two hundred dollars to George McGovern's presidential campaign instead of paying Archie for room and board.
Flashback: Mike and Gloria's Wedding (1)
Nov 11, 1972
On the Stivics' second anniversary, the family recalls the comedy of errors that transpired on their wedding day.
Flashback: Mike and Gloria's Wedding (2)
Nov 18, 1972
The Stivics' wedding is jeopardized when Michael's uncle insists, over Archie's virulent objections, that the marriage be performed by a Catholic priest.
Mike's Appendix
Dec 2, 1972
Mike's emergency appendectomy precipitates an argument between Archie and Gloria regarding the proficiency of women doctors.
Edith's Winning Ticket
Dec 9, 1972
When Edith finds some old lottery tickets that she has totally forgotten about, Archie hits the roof, claiming she was wasting money. However, Archie's attitude quickly changes whe
Archie and the Bowling Team
Dec 16, 1972
Archie is ecstatic when, after waiting six years, there finally is an opening on the most prestigious bowling team, the Cannonballers, and he is asked to try out.
The Locket
Dec 23, 1972
Edith's antique locket is missing and Archie sees it as a way to collect from the insurance company to buy a new television set. Confident of getting the insurance money, Archie or
Archie in the Hospital (aka Archie Goes to the Hospital)
Jan 6, 1973
Archie befriends the other patient in his semiprivate room, unaware that he's black.
Oh Say Can You See
Jan 20, 1973
Middle-aged Archie can only envy the eternally youthful outlook of his friend and contemporary Bill Mulholern. He is especially impressed that the toupeed, flashily garbed Bill has
Archie Goes Too Far
Jan 27, 1973
Edith and Gloria end the latest family brawl when they storm out of the house to spend the night on their own.
Class Reunion
Feb 10, 1973
Archie refuses to tag along to Edith's thirtieth high school reunion-- until he finds out that one of her beaus will be attending.
Hot Watch
Feb 17, 1973
Archie buys an expensive watch of dubious pedigree and soon becomes paranoid that it's stolen. When it breaks, he has to find a jeweler who'll fix it with no questions asked.
Archie is Branded
Feb 24, 1973
Archie wakes up to find a swastika painted on his front door.
Everybody Tells the Truth
Mar 3, 1973
It's -Rashomon-Bunker-style when the family recounts vastly different versions of the same disastrous encounter with a pair of handyman in the Bunker kitchen.
Archie Learns His Lesson
Mar 10, 1973
Archie attends night-school classes to qualify for a high school diploma
Gloria, the Victim
Mar 17, 1973
After an attempted sexual assault. Gloria turns to the family for guidance as she suffers through the legal aftermath of reporting the crime.
The Battle of the Month
Mar 24, 1973
In a foul mood, Gloria lambastes Edith for her constant acquiescence to Archie's whims.