Why is a centrist party like RA so ostracized?
What is the "southern" element of Ligue du Sud regionalism?
These Fair Shores: The Commonwealth of New England
- Thread starter CosmicAsh
- Start date
What is the "southern" element of Ligue du Sud regionalism?
Nice. It's the little things like this which make TLs so vibrant... it really feels like a real world, for all the radical differences, a world where actual people live and pay attention to ordinary things like timezones. So bravo. Now a couple questions:
I see Chia China hasn't linked its whole empire to Beijing time ITTL. IIRC, the Communists did so in OTL to maximise control over the western provinces... does this denote a more lassiez-faire approach in the Chinese west?
Why is Yekaterinburg linked with alt-Afghanistan and Russian Central Asia, instead of the neighbouring steppe? Are its connections with these areas far greater than with the rest of Siberia? This would make sense, given that in OTL it's one of Russia's greatest commercial centres.
I'm actually a little surprised to see the United States sharing a timezone with parts of Canada and Mexico. I assumed that like North Korea, they'd operate under an offset to maximise differences with neighbours. Now, will this "American interim government" you mentioned previously operate under New England Time, or...? As an aside, speaking as a resident of NY the idea of Manhattan and Brooklyn being two hours apart is... odd. But it makes sense ITTL!
Great stuff as always.
In Hispaniola you go east and set your clock BACK an hour... is there anything that stupid in OTL's time zones?
You'd have to turn it back half an hour if you go from St Pierre and Miquelon to Newfoundland, so...
Nepal has a 3/4 time zone.
An eastern bit of Greenland is in GMT despite the sea east of it being -1.
Bits of European Russia are unconnected pockets of +4 (like Yekaterinburg in this map).
All of China being one timezone in OTL is kinda wack.
All of Malaysia is one timezone. This is pretty understandable. Except that timezone is +8. So while much of western Indonesia (including Java which is east of Malaya and pretty much at same longitude with Sarawak) is in +7.
There is a +13 timezone.
For China, de jure that is true. De facto it's a bit more complicated with Xinjiang, with what amounts to a +6 timezone in scheduling.
+14 exists in addition to +13.
And then you have Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, all of which switched to UTC+1 because of Nazi Germany.
I'm wondering why those countries haven't switched back to their pre-Nazi time zones.
Why does a relatively small country like Prussia have a split time zone, is there a specific reason behind it?
Was TTL Germany unified as a republic or under a monarchy with a subsequent change in form of government? If the latter is the correct answer, was it unified under Habsburgs, Wittelsbachs or another dynasty and how did it turn into a republic?
Was TTL Germany unified as a republic or under a monarchy with a subsequent change in form of government? If the latter is the correct answer, was it unified under Habsburgs, Wittelsbachs or another dynasty and how did it turn into a republic?
Culture: For Better, For Worse (by Thomas Paine)
I decided to repost this as I did some soul searching about it.
Credit To: Peter H. Dreyer | Wikimedia Commons
For Better, For Worse is a New English sitcom created by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin that aired on BBC New England from January 13, 1971 to October 15, 1979 for 6 series comprising 50 episodes. It was based on the BBC sitcom Till Death Us Do Part created by Johnny Speight. The show was considered revolutionary for its time because it brought to light issues considered taboo for New England television, including Homosexuality, Racism, Miscarriages, and Abortion. The sitcom tells the story of Alfred Williams, a dock worker in Boston Harbor and his struggles to understand the changing world he is in. Much of the show’s humor comes from Alfred’s hypocrisies and bigotry as well as from the fights between Alfred and Michael.
Main Characters:
Alfred Williams (Carroll O’Connor) is a longshoreman on the docks in Boston Harbor. He is a vehement supporter of the Conservative Party of New England. He is extremely reactionary and bigoted towards minorities and people who have a different religion. He is also traditional in his views on gender roles. In the later series Alfred softens up and becomes more accepting towards minorities and people of other religions, even though he still has a reactionary slant.
Elsie Williams (Jean Stapleton) is Alfred’s long-suffering wife. She is committed to her husband, but sometimes stands up to his tirades. She is also gullible. She may also be regarded as the voice of reason in the Williams family.
Carol Williams-Dabrowski (Sally Struthers) is Alfred’s and Elsie’s daughter. She is often caught in the middle between her husband’s and father’s arguments. Usually she sides with her husband, but on rare occasions sides with her father.
Michael Dabrowski (Rob Reiner) is Alfred’s left wing Polish son-in-law who is currently in college studying to be an academic. He is a strong supporter of the Labour Party of New England. He and Alfred disagree on everything and often get into bickering arguments regarding sex, religion, and politics.
Michael Alfred Dabrowski Jr (Albert Johns). is Carol’s and Michael’s son who was born in Series 4, Episode 8.
Albert Willis (Arthur Lange) is Elsie’s 8 year grand-nephew who becomes the foster son of Alfred and Elsie
Recurring Characters:
John Alexander (Mike Evans) is a young Black New Englander man whose ancestors emigrated from the United States. He often does repairs around Alfred’s house. Alfred is condescending towards him and gives him cheap tips. John always puts up with Alfred’s condescension and responds with sarcasm.
Mikolaj Dabrowski (Michael Conrad) is Michael’s Uncle who raised Michael after his parents died in a car accident. He owns a florist shop in Albany and is a former officer in the New England Armed Forces.
Series 1:
Series 1, Episode 1 “Meet the Williams”
Air Date: January 13, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol and Michael prepare a surprise anniversary brunch while Alfred and Elsie are at church. Alfred and Elsie arrive home early from church while Carol and Michael are doing “business” and consequently arguments start to surface.
Series 1, Episode 2 “Walk a Mile in their Shoes”
Air Date: January 20, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael and Carol go to an event that is about relieving homelessness. Upon learning about this, Alfred goes into a rant about how the homeless are just lazy and makes disparaging remarks about them consequently an argument ensues. Later, while coming home from the pub, Alfred runs into a friend that was once a successful businessman who has only recently become homeless.
Series 1, Episode 3 “Writing the Prime Minister”
Air Date: January 27, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear, Lennie Weinrib, and Paul Harrison
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael writes the Prime Minister a letter in which he expresses his dissatisfaction with how the government is handling certain issues. Alfred finds out about the letter and confiscates it. He only agrees to return the letter after he writes his own praiseworthy letter to the Prime Minister.
Series 1, Episode 4 “Ignorance is Bliss”
Air Date: February 3, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael and Alfred go to a hockey game and Alfred’s ignorance and bigotry gets him into trouble with other spectators, one of whom gives him a black eye.
Series 1, Episode 5 “The By-Election”
Air Date: February 10, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: A local by-election occurs which causes Alfred and Michael to argue about who the better candidate is.
Series 1, Episode 6 “Carol Becomes Pregnant”
Air Date: February 10, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear and Jerry Mayer
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol becomes pregnant by Michael which leads to Alfred and Michael having an argument about how Michael will be able to support the child. Alfred later warms up to becoming a grandfather, only to find out that Carol has a miscarriage.
Series 1, Episode 7 “Unequal Pay for Unequal Work”
Air Date: February 17, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol is in for a shock at work when she finds out another clerk is being paid more money for less work and accuses her employers of sexism.
Series 1, Episode 8 “All that Glitters is not Gold”
Air Date: February 24, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear and Burt Styler
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred is annoyed Michael’s effeminate friend is going to come over for a visit. Alfred believes the friend is gay due to the behavior and clothes he is wearing. Alfred is in for a shock when he finds out that his best friend, a former hockey player, turns out to be the one who is gay.
Series 2:
Series 2, Episode 1 “Chasing an Ambulance”
Air Date: March 15, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael gets involved in an accident at his college and a shady attorney comes by to get him to sue the other person.
Series 2, Episode 2 “ Trapped in the Cellar”
Air Date: March 22, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear and Don Nicholl
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred accidentally locks himself in the cellar and as a result goes into a drunken stupor.
Series 2, Episode 3 “Wild Party”
Air Date: March 29, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: While Alfred and Elsie are away for the week, Michael and Carol decide to hold a wild party at the Williams residence with disastrous results.
Series 2, Episode 4, “Alfred Gets Marked”
Air Date: April 5, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear and Vin Bogert
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: When somebody paints a racist symbol on Alfred’s door, Alfred immediately dismisses it as a prank by some kids, but Michael believes that something more serious is going on.
Series 2, Episode 5 “Carol the Victim”
Air Date: April 12, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear, Austin Kalish, and Irma Kalish
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol is victim of an attempted sexual assault and is conflicted about whether or not she should inform the police.
Series 2, Episode 6 “John Goes Out”
Air Date: April 19, 1972
Written: Norman Lear, Michael Ross, and Bernard West
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred is infuriated when his niece whom he hasn’t seen in years is going out with their errand boy John Alexander.
Series 2, Episode 7 “The Gambling Problem”
Air Date: April 26, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear, Michael Ross, and Bernard West
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael begins to develop a gambling problem and as a result goes into debt with a loan shark which leads to Alfred having to bail him out of debt.
Series 2, Episode 8 “Roach Infestation”
Air Date: May 3, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: The Williams Family is in turmoil when the house gets infested with roaches.
Series 3
Series 3, Episode 1 “Workplace Accident”
Air Date: July 3, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred and his other colleagues start to make callous jokes when a fellow worker dies in a freak vending machine accident.
Series 3, Episode 2 “Marriage Counseling”
Air Date: July 10, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: After a massive argument about some meaningless issue Carol decides that she and Michael need to attend marriage counseling.
Series 3, Episode 3 “Painting the House”
Air Date: July 17, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred decides to try and paint his home, but unfortunately for him mishaps happen and hilarity ensues.
Series 3, Episode 4 “Provocative Dancing”
Air Date: July 24, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear, Michael Ross, and Bernard West
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol learns a new dance which Alfred considers to be too provocative, and as a result Michael and Alfred get into an argument about decency.
Series 3, Episode 5 "Taking Drugs"
Air Date: July 31, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael soon becomes addicted to cocaine and Alfred must help him get clean and sober.
Series 3, Episode 6 “First Meeting”
Air Date: August 7, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Elsie reminisces about the first time she and Alfred met and how they had their first date.
Series 3, Episode 7 “Income Inequities”
Air Date: August 14, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: After hearing a lecture on income inequality, Michael decides to organize a protest in order to promote awareness for income inequality, which Alfred is deeply opposed to hearing about.
Series 3, Episode 8 “The Art Gallery”
Air Date: August 21, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: The Williams goes to the Boston Museum of Art for an exhibition which Alfred finds to be too obscene.
Series 4
Series 4, Episode 1 “Michael’s Graduation
Air Date: October 7, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael is worried about his graduating from college and his ability to find a job. Later it turns out that he is offered a job as a social worker.
Series 4, Episode 2“Michael’s Uncle”
Air Date: October 14, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael’s Uncle from Albany comes to visit and he and Alfred get into a fight about Catholicism
Series 4, Episode 3 “Carol’s Sickness”
Air Date: October 21, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol gets sick at work and worries everyone, but it later turns out that she is pregnant with Michael’s child.
Series 4, Episode 4 “House Hunting”
Air Date: October 28, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: In order to have some space for them and their child, Michael decides that it is time for him and Carol to move out. They later find a house that is right across the street from Alfred and Elsie’s house.
Series 4, Episode 5 “Moving Day”
Air Date: November 4, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael and Alfred have difficulties moving the furniture into Michael and Carol’s new house.
Series 4, Episode 6 “Elsie’s Problem”
Air Date: November 11, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear, Burt Styler, and Steve Zacharias
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Elsie starts to go through menopause which interferes with her and Alfred’s trip to Adirondack.
Series 4, Episode 7 “Carol’s Delivery Pt.1”
Air Date: November 18, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear, Lou Derman, Bill Davenport, Larry Rhine & Mel Tolkin
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol starts to have contractions and needs to get to the hospital. Alfred unfortunately is stuck at work and his boss won’t let him leave his job.
Series 4, Episode 8 “Carol’s Delivery Pt.2”
Air Date: November 25, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear, Milt Josefsberg and Ben Starr
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred finally is able to leave work after convincing his boss. On his way to the hospital he gets stuck in traffic.
Series 4. Episode 9 “Christmas Bonus”
Air Date: December 23, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear and Don Nicholl
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred is not having a good Christmas because of losing his Christmas bonus as a result of an accident at the docks
Series 5
Series 5, Episode 1 “Alfred’s Lawsuit”
Air Date: July 7, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred gets injured at work and files a lawsuit that earns him 15,000 pounds.
Series 5, Episode 2 “Alfred’s Fish & Chips”
Air Date: July 14, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred uses part of the settlement from the accident to purchase a rundown Fish & Chips restaurant that he hopes will help him make more money.
Series 5, Episode 3 “The Interview”
Air Date: July 21, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred hopes that an interview he gives will help give him publicity that will bring in more customers.
Series 5, Episode 4 “Job Offer”
Air Date: July 28, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael gets a job offer from a social services department in Australia but is conflicted on whether or not to leave Alfred and Elsie behind.
Series 5, Episode 5 “Managing the Restaurant”
Air Date: August 4, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred struggles to find a person that can help keep the books on the restaurant.
Series 5, Episode 6 “Finding Out”
Air Date: August 11, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael finds out about Alfred’s not so easy childhood while helping out Alfred at the restaurant.
Series 5, Episode 7 “Babysitting Michael Jr.”
Air Date: August 18, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear, Lou Derman, and Bill Davenport
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Archie offers to babysit Michael Jr. while he and his buddies play poker.
Series 5, Episode 8 “The Dabrowski’s Go Down Under”
Air Date: August 25, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear, Bob Weiskopf, and Bob Schiller
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: The Dabrowski's leave for Australia leaving Alfred and Elsie alone.
Series 6
Series 6, Episode 1 “Foster Parents”
Air Date: June 14, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear, Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Alfred and Elsie become the foster parents to Edith’s 10 year old grand-nephew Albert Mills.
Series 6, Episode 2 “PTA Meeting”
Air Date: June 21, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear, Larry Rhine and Mel Tolkin
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Alfred and Elsie must attend a PTA meeting at Albert’s School, where Alfred gets into a conflict with the PTA President.
Series 6, Episode 3 “The Williams Go To Australia”
Air Date: June 28, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear, Milt Josefsberg, Phil Sharp, Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: The Williams go to Australia to visit Carol, Michael, and Michael Jr. only to find the house empty.
Series 6, Episode 4 “Celebration”
Air Date: July 5, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Alfred celebrates having his 1000th customer with disastrous results
Series 6, Episode 5 “Adirondack Here We Come”
Air Date: July 12, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Alfred gets into trouble while on vacation in Adirondack.
Series 6, Episode 6 “Alfred’s Gambit”
Air Date: July 19, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Alfred decides to try and start franchising out his restaurant.
Series 6, Episode 7 “The Abortion”
Air Date: July 26, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: One of Elsie’s friends becomes pregnant and decides to have the child aborted, which Alfred overhears and is dead set against.
Series 6, Episode 8 “Elsie has Jury Duty”
Air Date: August 2, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear, Susan Harris, Don Nicholl and Bryan Joseph
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Elsie gets called for Jury Duty, much to Alfred’s chagrin.
Series 6, Episode 9 “Christmas at Alfred’s”
Air Date: December 19, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Alfred decides to do things differently for Christmas this year and decides to cook a fish.
Credit To: Peter H. Dreyer | Wikimedia Commons
For Better, For Worse is a New English sitcom created by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin that aired on BBC New England from January 13, 1971 to October 15, 1979 for 6 series comprising 50 episodes. It was based on the BBC sitcom Till Death Us Do Part created by Johnny Speight. The show was considered revolutionary for its time because it brought to light issues considered taboo for New England television, including Homosexuality, Racism, Miscarriages, and Abortion. The sitcom tells the story of Alfred Williams, a dock worker in Boston Harbor and his struggles to understand the changing world he is in. Much of the show’s humor comes from Alfred’s hypocrisies and bigotry as well as from the fights between Alfred and Michael.
Main Characters:
Alfred Williams (Carroll O’Connor) is a longshoreman on the docks in Boston Harbor. He is a vehement supporter of the Conservative Party of New England. He is extremely reactionary and bigoted towards minorities and people who have a different religion. He is also traditional in his views on gender roles. In the later series Alfred softens up and becomes more accepting towards minorities and people of other religions, even though he still has a reactionary slant.
Elsie Williams (Jean Stapleton) is Alfred’s long-suffering wife. She is committed to her husband, but sometimes stands up to his tirades. She is also gullible. She may also be regarded as the voice of reason in the Williams family.
Carol Williams-Dabrowski (Sally Struthers) is Alfred’s and Elsie’s daughter. She is often caught in the middle between her husband’s and father’s arguments. Usually she sides with her husband, but on rare occasions sides with her father.
Michael Dabrowski (Rob Reiner) is Alfred’s left wing Polish son-in-law who is currently in college studying to be an academic. He is a strong supporter of the Labour Party of New England. He and Alfred disagree on everything and often get into bickering arguments regarding sex, religion, and politics.
Michael Alfred Dabrowski Jr (Albert Johns). is Carol’s and Michael’s son who was born in Series 4, Episode 8.
Albert Willis (Arthur Lange) is Elsie’s 8 year grand-nephew who becomes the foster son of Alfred and Elsie
Recurring Characters:
John Alexander (Mike Evans) is a young Black New Englander man whose ancestors emigrated from the United States. He often does repairs around Alfred’s house. Alfred is condescending towards him and gives him cheap tips. John always puts up with Alfred’s condescension and responds with sarcasm.
Mikolaj Dabrowski (Michael Conrad) is Michael’s Uncle who raised Michael after his parents died in a car accident. He owns a florist shop in Albany and is a former officer in the New England Armed Forces.
Series 1:
Series 1, Episode 1 “Meet the Williams”
Air Date: January 13, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol and Michael prepare a surprise anniversary brunch while Alfred and Elsie are at church. Alfred and Elsie arrive home early from church while Carol and Michael are doing “business” and consequently arguments start to surface.
Series 1, Episode 2 “Walk a Mile in their Shoes”
Air Date: January 20, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael and Carol go to an event that is about relieving homelessness. Upon learning about this, Alfred goes into a rant about how the homeless are just lazy and makes disparaging remarks about them consequently an argument ensues. Later, while coming home from the pub, Alfred runs into a friend that was once a successful businessman who has only recently become homeless.
Series 1, Episode 3 “Writing the Prime Minister”
Air Date: January 27, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear, Lennie Weinrib, and Paul Harrison
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael writes the Prime Minister a letter in which he expresses his dissatisfaction with how the government is handling certain issues. Alfred finds out about the letter and confiscates it. He only agrees to return the letter after he writes his own praiseworthy letter to the Prime Minister.
Series 1, Episode 4 “Ignorance is Bliss”
Air Date: February 3, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael and Alfred go to a hockey game and Alfred’s ignorance and bigotry gets him into trouble with other spectators, one of whom gives him a black eye.
Series 1, Episode 5 “The By-Election”
Air Date: February 10, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: A local by-election occurs which causes Alfred and Michael to argue about who the better candidate is.
Series 1, Episode 6 “Carol Becomes Pregnant”
Air Date: February 10, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear and Jerry Mayer
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol becomes pregnant by Michael which leads to Alfred and Michael having an argument about how Michael will be able to support the child. Alfred later warms up to becoming a grandfather, only to find out that Carol has a miscarriage.
Series 1, Episode 7 “Unequal Pay for Unequal Work”
Air Date: February 17, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol is in for a shock at work when she finds out another clerk is being paid more money for less work and accuses her employers of sexism.
Series 1, Episode 8 “All that Glitters is not Gold”
Air Date: February 24, 1971
Written By: Norman Lear and Burt Styler
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred is annoyed Michael’s effeminate friend is going to come over for a visit. Alfred believes the friend is gay due to the behavior and clothes he is wearing. Alfred is in for a shock when he finds out that his best friend, a former hockey player, turns out to be the one who is gay.
Series 2:
Series 2, Episode 1 “Chasing an Ambulance”
Air Date: March 15, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael gets involved in an accident at his college and a shady attorney comes by to get him to sue the other person.
Series 2, Episode 2 “ Trapped in the Cellar”
Air Date: March 22, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear and Don Nicholl
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred accidentally locks himself in the cellar and as a result goes into a drunken stupor.
Series 2, Episode 3 “Wild Party”
Air Date: March 29, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: While Alfred and Elsie are away for the week, Michael and Carol decide to hold a wild party at the Williams residence with disastrous results.
Series 2, Episode 4, “Alfred Gets Marked”
Air Date: April 5, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear and Vin Bogert
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: When somebody paints a racist symbol on Alfred’s door, Alfred immediately dismisses it as a prank by some kids, but Michael believes that something more serious is going on.
Series 2, Episode 5 “Carol the Victim”
Air Date: April 12, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear, Austin Kalish, and Irma Kalish
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol is victim of an attempted sexual assault and is conflicted about whether or not she should inform the police.
Series 2, Episode 6 “John Goes Out”
Air Date: April 19, 1972
Written: Norman Lear, Michael Ross, and Bernard West
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred is infuriated when his niece whom he hasn’t seen in years is going out with their errand boy John Alexander.
Series 2, Episode 7 “The Gambling Problem”
Air Date: April 26, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear, Michael Ross, and Bernard West
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael begins to develop a gambling problem and as a result goes into debt with a loan shark which leads to Alfred having to bail him out of debt.
Series 2, Episode 8 “Roach Infestation”
Air Date: May 3, 1972
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: The Williams Family is in turmoil when the house gets infested with roaches.
Series 3
Series 3, Episode 1 “Workplace Accident”
Air Date: July 3, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred and his other colleagues start to make callous jokes when a fellow worker dies in a freak vending machine accident.
Series 3, Episode 2 “Marriage Counseling”
Air Date: July 10, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: After a massive argument about some meaningless issue Carol decides that she and Michael need to attend marriage counseling.
Series 3, Episode 3 “Painting the House”
Air Date: July 17, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred decides to try and paint his home, but unfortunately for him mishaps happen and hilarity ensues.
Series 3, Episode 4 “Provocative Dancing”
Air Date: July 24, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear, Michael Ross, and Bernard West
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol learns a new dance which Alfred considers to be too provocative, and as a result Michael and Alfred get into an argument about decency.
Series 3, Episode 5 "Taking Drugs"
Air Date: July 31, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael soon becomes addicted to cocaine and Alfred must help him get clean and sober.
Series 3, Episode 6 “First Meeting”
Air Date: August 7, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Elsie reminisces about the first time she and Alfred met and how they had their first date.
Series 3, Episode 7 “Income Inequities”
Air Date: August 14, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: After hearing a lecture on income inequality, Michael decides to organize a protest in order to promote awareness for income inequality, which Alfred is deeply opposed to hearing about.
Series 3, Episode 8 “The Art Gallery”
Air Date: August 21, 1973
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: The Williams goes to the Boston Museum of Art for an exhibition which Alfred finds to be too obscene.
Series 4
Series 4, Episode 1 “Michael’s Graduation
Air Date: October 7, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael is worried about his graduating from college and his ability to find a job. Later it turns out that he is offered a job as a social worker.
Series 4, Episode 2“Michael’s Uncle”
Air Date: October 14, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael’s Uncle from Albany comes to visit and he and Alfred get into a fight about Catholicism
Series 4, Episode 3 “Carol’s Sickness”
Air Date: October 21, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol gets sick at work and worries everyone, but it later turns out that she is pregnant with Michael’s child.
Series 4, Episode 4 “House Hunting”
Air Date: October 28, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: In order to have some space for them and their child, Michael decides that it is time for him and Carol to move out. They later find a house that is right across the street from Alfred and Elsie’s house.
Series 4, Episode 5 “Moving Day”
Air Date: November 4, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael and Alfred have difficulties moving the furniture into Michael and Carol’s new house.
Series 4, Episode 6 “Elsie’s Problem”
Air Date: November 11, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear, Burt Styler, and Steve Zacharias
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Elsie starts to go through menopause which interferes with her and Alfred’s trip to Adirondack.
Series 4, Episode 7 “Carol’s Delivery Pt.1”
Air Date: November 18, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear, Lou Derman, Bill Davenport, Larry Rhine & Mel Tolkin
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Carol starts to have contractions and needs to get to the hospital. Alfred unfortunately is stuck at work and his boss won’t let him leave his job.
Series 4, Episode 8 “Carol’s Delivery Pt.2”
Air Date: November 25, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear, Milt Josefsberg and Ben Starr
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred finally is able to leave work after convincing his boss. On his way to the hospital he gets stuck in traffic.
Series 4. Episode 9 “Christmas Bonus”
Air Date: December 23, 1974
Written By: Norman Lear and Don Nicholl
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred is not having a good Christmas because of losing his Christmas bonus as a result of an accident at the docks
Series 5
Series 5, Episode 1 “Alfred’s Lawsuit”
Air Date: July 7, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred gets injured at work and files a lawsuit that earns him 15,000 pounds.
Series 5, Episode 2 “Alfred’s Fish & Chips”
Air Date: July 14, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred uses part of the settlement from the accident to purchase a rundown Fish & Chips restaurant that he hopes will help him make more money.
Series 5, Episode 3 “The Interview”
Air Date: July 21, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred hopes that an interview he gives will help give him publicity that will bring in more customers.
Series 5, Episode 4 “Job Offer”
Air Date: July 28, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael gets a job offer from a social services department in Australia but is conflicted on whether or not to leave Alfred and Elsie behind.
Series 5, Episode 5 “Managing the Restaurant”
Air Date: August 4, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Alfred struggles to find a person that can help keep the books on the restaurant.
Series 5, Episode 6 “Finding Out”
Air Date: August 11, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Michael finds out about Alfred’s not so easy childhood while helping out Alfred at the restaurant.
Series 5, Episode 7 “Babysitting Michael Jr.”
Air Date: August 18, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear, Lou Derman, and Bill Davenport
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: Archie offers to babysit Michael Jr. while he and his buddies play poker.
Series 5, Episode 8 “The Dabrowski’s Go Down Under”
Air Date: August 25, 1976
Written By: Norman Lear, Bob Weiskopf, and Bob Schiller
Directed By: John Rich
Synopsis: The Dabrowski's leave for Australia leaving Alfred and Elsie alone.
Series 6
Series 6, Episode 1 “Foster Parents”
Air Date: June 14, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear, Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Alfred and Elsie become the foster parents to Edith’s 10 year old grand-nephew Albert Mills.
Series 6, Episode 2 “PTA Meeting”
Air Date: June 21, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear, Larry Rhine and Mel Tolkin
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Alfred and Elsie must attend a PTA meeting at Albert’s School, where Alfred gets into a conflict with the PTA President.
Series 6, Episode 3 “The Williams Go To Australia”
Air Date: June 28, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear, Milt Josefsberg, Phil Sharp, Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: The Williams go to Australia to visit Carol, Michael, and Michael Jr. only to find the house empty.
Series 6, Episode 4 “Celebration”
Air Date: July 5, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Alfred celebrates having his 1000th customer with disastrous results
Series 6, Episode 5 “Adirondack Here We Come”
Air Date: July 12, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Alfred gets into trouble while on vacation in Adirondack.
Series 6, Episode 6 “Alfred’s Gambit”
Air Date: July 19, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Alfred decides to try and start franchising out his restaurant.
Series 6, Episode 7 “The Abortion”
Air Date: July 26, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: One of Elsie’s friends becomes pregnant and decides to have the child aborted, which Alfred overhears and is dead set against.
Series 6, Episode 8 “Elsie has Jury Duty”
Air Date: August 2, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear, Susan Harris, Don Nicholl and Bryan Joseph
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Elsie gets called for Jury Duty, much to Alfred’s chagrin.
Series 6, Episode 9 “Christmas at Alfred’s”
Air Date: December 19, 1977
Written By: Norman Lear
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Synopsis: Alfred decides to do things differently for Christmas this year and decides to cook a fish.
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I notice you have Alfred as a support we of the Conservative party. As a union man I think it'd make more sense for him to be a strong Labour man. Remember he could still have some very racist opinions while still being a hardcore supporter of the party of unions and blue collar workers. The Labour party appealing to more college educated professional class people would come later, though it would certainly be a developing undercurrent at the time of the show, largely mirroring the Democratic party of our timelines United States. Just my two cents.
It's actually quite organised & neat compared to OTL's time zones with Nepal having 15 mins difference or Minamitori Shima, British Indian Ocean Territory. etc being time zone exclaves.
It's in the French wiki page earlier. He lost a major battle, and Talleyrand basically overthrew him to preserve the Bonapartist regime.
interesting that Viet Nam at least as of the 1920s is not a French colony. Wonder if they ever were in this world or if Viet Nam history is much different