These Fair Shores: The Commonwealth of New England
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Mitsubishi Group - Founded in 1870, the Mitsubishi Group is the largest company in the world, being focused on nearly every economic activity in the Empire of Japan. Finance, banking, energy, machinery, chemicals, food, automotives, locomotives, aerospace, logisical work, it does it all. Has been the largest company in the world since the 1960s.
YKG - "United Kovshutin Group" Founded in 1922 by Dmitry Kovshutin, YKG is the Russian Empire's largest company, primarily focused on light manufacturing across the northern industrial belt. The company is heavily vertically integrated and has holdings from Siberia to the Congo. It is the primary supplier for most household smaller durable goods.
TRS - "Central Workers Council" One of the Russian Empire’s many worker-owned industries. Formed gradually between the 1940s and 1960s, TRS exists due to a law that requires owners of the factories to sell their factories to the workers once they could compensate over 150% of the fair market value of the building and its contents.
Russo-Vagony - The largest automotive company in the world. There is no car like a Russo-Vagony Car. It has its history in the 1890s with earlier groups and entered its current form in 1919 when its premier St. Petersburg factory was opened. It started as a luxury car brand, but rapidly expanded as more and more Russians were able to afford their own car. They were notable at the time for paying employees enough money to purchase one of the cars they made.
Grupo Económico Sudamericano The company focuses on the production of durable goods for Argentinians, and it does branch out into infrastructure projects as well – building trams, trains, electrical distribution towers, ect. It also has significant foreign holdings, with its low employee to revenue ratio coming from its controlling or plurality stake in one fourth of Brazil’s industrial base. In Brazil it focuses on critical infrastructure and consumer goods.
AFCC - "American Federal Construction Company" aka “ЧFKK” is an American monopoly that coordinates the construction of any project in the United States. Formed in the 1940s as part of the economic nationalisation programmes, it was once run by the construction unions that were prevalent across the country. Falling revenues and cash flow problems has caused a constant reduction in the number of employees. It has just half the workers it had in 1998.
Grupo ExU - "United Export Group" - Argentina’s second largest corporation, and one that was “encouraged” to become the largest by the economic reforms undertaken by President Santiago Gajarado in the early 1980s. Several state-owned commodity corporations were all privatised on the condition they joined this new group. Its extremely high value comes from its sale of precious minerals, as well as its (dubiously legal) mining operations in Antarctica and on the moon.
State Bank of the Russian Empire - Russia’s Central Bank, providing a stable financial system to all of Russia’s banks and the country itself. Widely regarded as the “world’s second-best bank” (second only to the Bank of England), it provides commercial operations to Russians themselves. One of its branches, the Bank of Siberia, was spun off as an independent company. The State Bank is also notable for being one of the few central banks to lend money to developing economies around the world, with appropriate fiscal measures.
SysLink - A big name. The biggest in the Information Technology field overall. Founded in the Pioneer Valley in New England, the headquarters was moved to London in 2012 to better integrate itself into the British and European market. The company offers web services and is one of the contractors for the British Government to manage the internet connections of the British public. It is a producer of business-grade software and hardware. Oddly enough has an online steaming service for foreign content to be rebroadcast in the British Empire.
Mitsui Group - Formed in 1876, but with origins back in the early 1600s, the group is the second largest zaibatsu in Japan. While it is heavily integrated within the economy, it does have a large maritime shipping component, along with shipbuilding. The company is also Asia’s largest tobacco and drug distributor, having a large share of the Chinese and Indian Union markets. Mitsui has a durable goods division, along with an automotive division that primarily supplies trucks and vehicles for the Imperial Japanese Army. It also has significant financial holdings, primarily outside of the Home Islands.
Thompson - The largest employer in the United Kingdom. It has its history in Britain's industrial revolution, with J. William Thompson of Lancashire rising to dominate the steel manufacturing industry in the region. The company today accounts for 98% of the steel production in the United Kingdom, with mills in Ireland, England, Wales, and Hong Kong. The company has expanded rapidly over the years, and primarily operates in steel production, metal fabrication, transportation of raw materials and finish goods, aerospace manufacturing, and automotive parts production. It is the primary supplier of materials and parts for the Vauxhall corporation.
HSBC - "The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation" is the largest privately held banking company in the world. With a headquarters in Hong Kong, the bank is the largest in Asia. It controls nearly 55% of the Chinese banking sector, 80% of the Hong Kong banking sector, 65% of the Darwin banking sector, and holds and impressive 35% of the British banking sector in London. The bank also has the highest loan balance sheet on the planet - £95,750,000,000 - roughly equivalent to the gross economic output of Mexico in a year.
Agüero Pirozzi - A merger of Groupo Agüero and Alberto Pirozzi, the company acts as the largest high-tech industrial firm in South America. Alberto Pirozzi was Argentina's third largest aerospace and high-tech electronics manufacturer, while Groupo Agüero focused on mining, metal refining, fine machining, and metal stamping. The merger of the two saw a heavier integration of the aerospace supply chain. In the last thirty years it has massive expanded its footprint by becoming one of the primary contractors for the Argentinian Space Agency. The company has built most of the components for Argentina's lunar outpost.
Sumitomo Group - The final of the "Big Three" zaibatsus of Japan, the Sumitomo group was formed in 1615 and today is the largest mine operator in Japan. Unlike the two larger zaibatsus, the group has a large number of holdings in northeastern China, Vietnam, Siam, and in the Indian Union. These foreign holdings account for the majority of the group's revenue. These holdings are primarily mines or factories that produce goods to be sold in Japan, or exported abroad. The company maintains an insurance division, an automobile company, as well as several heavy industrial factories in Japan that can produce items from rifles to ships to planes. It also has an investments division that has offered competition to British financial groups in Southeast Asia.
Sunergy - Founded in the 1980s, Sunergy has primarily focused on the manufacture of solar panels, geothermal plants, wind turbines, and tidal turbines. It is one of the most international of British companies, having manufacturing plants from Canada to Russia, Sweden to the Cape of Good Hope. It accounts for 75% of the world's renewable energy generation plants on the market. It has long-term contracts with most of the world's largest economies to supply their countries with enough of these generation plants to phase out all current fossil fuel sources.
Vauxhall - Founded in the 1850s the company that once produced pumps, marine engines, and cranes. Today it is one of the largest car companies on the planet. It serves the British, North American, and African market with automobiles. Manufacture of the cars are primarily done in Canada and England. With the exception of two models that are due to be phased out in 2025, all of the cars have an electric propulsion system, and is the first company to transition to an all electric fleet. It also produces the iconic city busses across Britain and Ireland.
Putilov - Founded in 1789 (or the 1860s based on who you ask), Putilov is Russia's largest defence contractor. Beyond working with the Russian government for supply munitions, tanks, trucks, and other war material the company produces rolling stock for Russia's railway system. The company also makes agricultural equipment, focusing on the warming climate in Siberia. In recent years it has begun to expand operations in Ukraine, Central Russia, and Southern Russia to compete with TRS. Putilov also has a financial division, operating numerous banks and firms in the Moscow area.
Microgroupo - South America's largest phone, computer, microchip, and high-tech medical equipment producer. While its headquarters is in Argentina, most factories are located in Brazil. Only the medical equipment division is located in Argentina. The company was formed in 1950 to get into the booming electronics industry making telephones. Its factories have moved to Brazil for low cost labour. The company produces the majority of cellphones and computers sold in South America and Africa.
Poblizosti Group - The largest retail firm in the world, which has been in close competition with its main rival, Lewis & Zayre. The company is mostly focused on the Russian, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European market. Unlike its rivals, the firm has no physical stores at all. All shopping is done online and is shipped to the customer's door. It has contracts with numerous companies to supply it with bulk, low cost goods - often beating the prices of physical stores. They sell everything from bulk food products to toasters to clothes.
Lewis & Zayre - The largest British retail chain. Unique in that it spans two continents. Historically this company was two stores, John Lewis and Zayre. The former was formed in Britain itself, while the later was formed in New England. The two quickly began to dominate their respective markets, becoming the largest department store chain in each. Zayre and John Lewis expanded into Canada, competing against each other, and the Hudson Bay Company. In 1972, the two chains agreed to a merger, forming Lewis & Zayre. Today it offers clothing, cosmetics, furniture, gardening, hardware, home appliances, housewares, paints, sporting goods, groceries, toys, and other items. Most stores are branded "Lewis & Zayre," with the grocery chains being branded as "Daily Harvest." The discount stores are branded simply "Zayre's."
Neftegaz Rossiya - One the world’s largest oil and natural gas producer, Neftegaz Rossiya has for decades now been making the transition towards renewable energy, primarily focusing on the installation and operation of solar panel arrays and wind farms. In recent years they’ve become a government contractor for fighting wildfires in Siberia, duties which range from controlled burnings to fire firefighting. Due to several laws passed by the Duma, the company also maintains and mitigates old oil and natural gas wells across the Empire. Its expertise in this field allows it to be a valuable consultant for other former oil companies, which makes up a large amount of its revenue stream.
Quiroga - Argentina’s most famous motor car company, specialising in high-end luxury cars. Despite this focus on luxury, the company also has a consumer brand for the “everyday driver.” Since 2009, the company only produces electric cars for the domestic market, but still exports ICE-based cars for foreign markets. The company has a significant holding in the country’s lunar outpost, primarily for the acquisition of materials needed in high-capacity battery construction.
V Shekalade - The largest solo retail chain in the Russian Empire, V Shekalade is a convenience store chain that doubles as a grocery store for many of its locations. The company gained prominence as being the first in the Russian Empire to outfit every location with electric vehicle chargers, as well as being one of the few companies that always stocked its shelves with imported foodstuffs. For many Russians, their introduction to British, Italian, or Japanese cuisine comes from an aisle in V Shekalade. Unsurprisingly given its name, the company is famous for giving a free chocolate bar for every purchase over 5 roubles.
Zworykin - Founded by Vladimir Zworykin in the 1940s, the company was an early pioneer in the Russian electronics industry. He had invented a method of transmitting a television signal, which formed the basis for the world’s current network. During the boom times in post-war Russia, houses could signal their wealth with larger and larger Zworykin model televisions, broadcasting increasingly numerous channels. In the 1970s, the company diversified by first expanding its markets to the rest of Europe and Asia. In recent years, they produce mobile telephones, tablets, electrical components for computers and cars, as well as space-grade control electronics.
Strakhovaniye Rodiny - One of the few insurance companies in the Russian Empire, Strakhovaniye Rodiny specialises in offering an extra layer of protection for any aspect of a Russian’s daily life. From medical insurance to house insurance to mobile phone insurance, they offer a plan for it. The company operates exclusively within the Russian Empire, and in several rural regions it is supposed by tax revenue by providing government services via a contract. The company’s fastest growing division is its fire insurance division, combined with its flooding division.
NC&T - Northern Communications and Telegraph is the largest telecommunications provider in both Britain and the world. It provides the mobile service for the vast majority of the Empire’s residents in Europe, North America, and Asia. The company began in the north of England in the 1840s, escaping bankruptcy twice with an investment strategy that focused on durable and critical infrastructure that they could only service. Today it is under heavy supervision of Imperial media and telecommunications regulations and has seen falling revenue for years as the Board of Trade strengthens consumer protection.
Kolco - A “warehouse chain” of sorts across the United Kingdom and western Europe, Kolco removes as many employees as possible and focuses on turning a profit on the margins of the sale of bulk goods. All stores are in warehouses that operate as any other, and a consumer can buy anything from food to motor vehicles from their locations. The company’s roots rest in the 1940s, offering a low-cost alternative to other stores at a time when Britain was sill reeling from the impact of the war. Several politicians have often quipped that “The Empire and Kolco rebuilt Britain.”
Coster - A general purpose store, with roots in the old general store/corner store fashion. Notably one of the few major retail chains that does not carry a wide array of food products. It was one of the early adopters of online shopping and presenting an online marketplace of goods from across the Empire. For many years, importing something from Asia or Africa was done through Coster, as its massive logistics network made it affordable for the average Briton.
Amxports - With ownership of all civilian shipping ports, airports, and border crossing facilities, Amxports operates as the country’s primary aegis with the outside world. The massive company provides logistics and transportation of goods from inside the United States to its destination outside the country. Despite the country’s relative lack of an export economy, its monopoly of the trade affords it significant international sway. All profits are channel back to the U.S. Government, acting as the country’s custom house.
Bank of the United States - One of the oldest institutions in the country besides the country itself, the Bank of the United States controls all monetary transactions that take place in the country. All citizens have an account with the Bank, and it provides low to no interest loans to the people. The Bank also holds ownership of the country’s recently established stock markets. As the United States has moved to liberalise its banking sector, the Bank of the United States has been losing market share and influence in favour of newer state and local banks that no longer need strict government approval for their actions.
Couche-Tard - Couche-Tard (meaning Night Owl in Quebecois) is Canada's largest corporation. It is primarily known for being a late-night convenience store, but since the 1990s has operated a series of supermarkets and electric charging stations. The company now operates the Commonweath's largest number of electric vehicle charging centres, and its convenience stores are popular for the “Shilling Section” in their stores, offering a wide array of items for just one shilling. In recent years, the supermarket chain has electrified its fleet of vehicles, becoming Canada’s first all-electric company.
Binns - Once Britain’s largest chain of department stores, Binns now occupies a relatively small footprint across the United Kingdom, instead much of its revenue comes from its expansion into Southern and Eastern Africa, specialising in the sale of low-cost British-made goods to these markets. It was founded in 1807 as a wool and linen drapery store, and gradually expanded to encompass more and more household items. Just prior to the Great Continental War, most households had Binns items. The war devastated the business, losing 90% of its retail locations, and all its warehouse space to either bombings or government sequestration. The company re-opened a quarter of the British stores by 1964, but has not opened any new locations in the British Isles since 1989.
APOC - Founded as the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, it is one of the world’s leading sustainable energy firms. It’s history comes from the extraction of oil in Iran, but since the 2003 Sustainability Directive, the company’s portfolio of energy has diversified so that both oil and natural gas only make up a third of its energy production. The company rebranded itself as just “APOC” in 2016 in a measure to distance themselves from fossil fuel production. The company provides household electricity to Iran, Afghanistan, Balochistan, Iraq, the Ottoman Empire, and parts of southern Russia. Most electricity generated comes from solar and wind farms in both Iran and Afghanistan, which is protected by the APOC Asset Defence Team.
Emaye - From its foundations as a small grocery chain in the 1990s, Emaye has taken advantage of Ethiopia’s accelerating growth rates to first integrate the supply chain vertically, before branching out into residential banking for their stores. In 2006, they acquired a chain of furniture stores and sold them in their stores. Their holdings continued to expand until it encompassed mining, forestry, agriculture, food processing, mineral processing, manufacturing, retail, and banking. A popular campaign launched across Africa in 2020 was to market it as a “one stop shop,” for most household goods. It is the largest employer in most East African countries.
Imperial Mining Company- The Imperial Mining Company was founded by British businessman Cecil Rhodes, who used the imperial backing of the British Empire to engage in mining operations across southern Africa. The company became specialised in finding precious metals and diamonds, until it acquired several African firms that expanded it to copper and other more general metals. In 1917, the first mining operations were set up in Westralia. The company has a long history of engaging in wars against the host countries its mines are in, and most recently has lost significant holdings in internationally recognized Niassan territory, which has caused its valuation to tumble.
EIBL - The East Indian Banking & Loan company is the largest banking firm in Nusantara, covering major transactions for corporations, governments, and personal accounts all the same. The company is managed out of Darwin, but has branches in nearly every country of Nusantara, as well as the Commonwealth of Australia, Siam, Vietnam, and China. Despite its prestigious history of performing large transactions for colonial governments and brokering large corporate deals, EIBL today mostly focuses in small-scale commercial banking, personal investment portfolios, and money managing accounts for Nursantaran military veterans.
ConMex - ConMex, also known as ConstructionMexico, is one of the largest employers in Mexico. The firm, while private, obtains over half of its annual revenue from the Mexican Government for infrastructure projects. It’s notability comes from its ability to produce all items inhouse, without needing to import from abroad, though ConMex does often outsource some production to the United States for reduced labour costs. The company’s name is carried on Mexico’s high speed railway line, as well as most of the skyscrapers in Mexico City. The company’s large workforce is also under a mandatory unionisation scheme, where a small portion of their pay is collected to disperse collective benefits to its employees and their families. Under this scheme, ConMex is indirectly responsible for benefits to nearly two million Mexicans, and its unionisation scheme is a template for many Mexican conglomerates.
Korov Dobycha Alliance - The Alliance, as its more commonly known, is the largest commodity trader in Siberia, and is responsible for purchasing agricultural, mineral, forestry, and fossil fuels across Siberia and transporting them to the wider global market. The Alliance operates one of the largest railroads in the world to facilitate this, and often runs lines that would otherwise be too unprofitable for any other company. The Russian Government further pays money to use some of its track for passenger trains. The Alliance also employs hundreds of thousands of small-plot farmers, and has been criticised by some in the country as “Colonialism, Inc.” for its small-plot settlements across its railway lines deep into Siberia.
Yasuda Group - Formed in the 1860s as a tax-farming business, the Yasuda Group has since expanded to becoming a banking conglomerate. It is the smallest of the major zaibatsus in Japan, it never having branched out beyond its primary sector of banking. The company has faded over time, as it primarily focuses on intergovernmental transactions and lending. The residential and commercial-facing part of the business was sold in the mid 2010s amid struggling revenues, and the company has fallen in the rankings each year since then.
DomaTsekh - Beloved by Russians across the country, DomaTsekh is the largest home improvement store in the world, which sells everything from construction supplies to furniture. DomaTsekh is known for “Selling you the kitchen sink and the plumbing to go with it.” It has stores across the Russian Empire, as well as several in other countries in Europe where customers flock to buy high-quality and inexpensive furniture made in Russia, as well as sample Russian cuisine at its famous food court. The company also offers in-home services for home improvement, such as roofing replacements, carpet laying, window and door repair, ect. Sometimes the company is known as “The Dacha Stroitel,” for how often middle-income Russians use it to both build and repair their second (or first) homes.
Renault - Founded in France in the late 1890s, Renault has historically been headquartered in Flanders since the late 1930s. Following the passage of a law that allowed multinational corporations to operate within France, Renault moved its headquarters to Paris, France. The company is known for its motor vehicles, which are ubiquitous across Europe, and their armoured weapons division has been the sole contractor for French tanks since 1986. The bulk of Renault’s income comes from motor vehicle sales, and is one of the world’s largest car battery producers, with the Renault Batteries & Powertrains division producing batteries for the company and for other car manufacturing firms globally.
Bank of Siberia - Previously a branch of the State Bank of the Russian Empire, the Bank of Siberia was sold off to private investors for what at the time was the largest sale of a company in 1967. The Bank is the largest landholder in Siberia, and provides banking and loans for all residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the territory. The company operates branches in nearly every municipality, and holds the distinction for many Russians in far north Siberia as being a kind of general store, as those locations offer basic supplies during the winter months.
National Steel - Founded in 1923, National Steel is the United States’ only steel manufacturing company. It was formed from the elements of private companies that were nationalised following the American Revolution. It is directed by the Office of American Policy, and is considered to be one of the keystones of America’s industrial power. In 2020, it produced 356.3 million tons of steel, which was primarily used for domestic consumption, or exported to Mexico for further sale abroad.
Imperial Electric - Imperial Electric is the nationalised electricity service provider for the British Empire. Throughout the Empire, Imperial Electric has a government-mandated monopoly on power distribution, but not production. The British government offers significant subsidies to the company to ensure costs for customers remain low, a measure that was undertaken to decarbonise the Empire’s electric grid with, at the time, more expensive renewables. Electric rates have declined yearly since 2018, and the Empire boasts one of the cheapest sources of power globally.
YTZD - The Eurasian Transportation Railway is a private railway company which focuses on shipping logistics and goods traffic in both the Russian Empire and China. By volume it is the largest shipping company in the world, moving 41.7 billion tons of freight across Europe and Asia in 2020 alone, with a goal of increasing that number to 60 billion tons by 2040. The company employs workers in sixteen countries, and has an exclusive freight contract with the Chinese government to transport goods to Europe on the High Speed Siberian Corridor. The company also deals with international letter and parcel transfers.
C&M - Córdoba & Maidana is a construction firm that is focused on urban development in both Argentina and Brazil. The firm mostly deals in residential buildings, but it has a division for commercial office space. The bulk of its employees work for the homebuilding sector of the company, which also pulls in the least revenue. C&M is the primary contractor for the majority of luxury housing developments in Argentina and Brazil. The tallest building in South America, C903 Avenue San Nicolás, was built by C&M.
Vkusnyy! - Vkusnyy was founded as a chocolatier company in 1932 in the city of Kazan, and remained a local phenomenon for several decades, until it expanded to Nizhny Novgorod in the 1960s. The 1970s saw its popularity explode across western Russia, and locations started to offer drinks along with chocolates and candies. In 1979, it was purchased by famous chef Vladimir S. Putin, who transformed the simple candy and drinks company into a fully-fledged food establishment that offered quick meals for a fair price. The 80s and 90s saw it rapidly expand across the Russian Empire, entering petrol stations as a quick snack option and leasing space within retail stores across the country. The company remains owned by the Putin family, and in 2022 the company announced plans to expand into the rest of Europe.
Siberian Development Bank - In spite of its name, the Siberian Development Bank has been headquartered in Baku since 1978. The company used to operate within Siberia, but those assets had been sold to the Bank of Siberia shortly after its move to Baku. Instead, the bank primarily focuses on serving banking needs within Northern and Western Africa, oftentimes being one of the only major banking establishments that offers loans and banking options to residents in lands without formally recognised governments. The Siberian Development Bank is the only Bank with its own recognised air force, which it uses to support its ground soldiers in protecting branches across Africa.
ObeLyud - ObeLyud is an electronics producer that focuses primarily on small, handheld devices and portable computers. It operates on a contract basis, having no actual products it sells without being contracted specifically to produce it. It has business in every continent, and is one of the few international companies that has plans for investment into the United States. The vast majority of devices sold in the Russian Empire use components made by ObeLyud, and increasingly it has been taking over market share from other firms in Europe.
Tsely Telo - Tsely Telo is a pharmaceutical company that focuses on developing groundbreaking drugs. It is a controversial company, founded with the goal of profiting off their discoveries, and have pulled out of several countries over their attempts to nationalise the pharmaceuticals that they have created. The company also makes life-saving medical devices that are used globally.
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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Arabia lore update from the Discord server (shameless plug to join the server because there is a _lot_ of lore there that isn't in the thread)
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