Top 10 Times All in the Family Tackled Serious Issues

#10: Homophobia & Masculinity

“Judging Books by Covers”
If you know anything about Archie Bunker, you know he’s got a lot of opinions about things he doesn’t necessarily understand. He’s certain that his son-in-law’s effusive and eccentric friend is gay. But the real gag is when he finds out that his good friend, a macho former athlete, is actually the one who’s gay. Needless to say, this revelation seems to upend Archie’s entire understanding of manhood. Though it’s not exactly clear if he has learned his lesson, the episode is pretty clear about one thing. There is no one way to be queer, and no one way to be a man.

#9: Anti-Semitism & Vigilantism

“Archie Is Branded”
In this season three episode, white supremacists paint a hateful symbol on the Bunkers’ front door after thinking theirs is the house of a liberal school board member. They only learn about the mix-up when Paul, a member of a Jewish vigilante group, shows up at their place. This unexpected visit pits Archie’s reactionary politics against his family’s nonviolent beliefs. An argument ensues about justice, racism, and vigilantism that feels just as pertinent now as it did over fifty years ago. The show’s stance becomes pretty clear at the end of the episode, when violence only begets more violence and Paul sadly loses his life.

#8: Homophobia & Discrimination

“Cousin Liz”
In this classic, boundary-pushing episode, Edith Bunker learns her late cousin Liz was in a long-term romantic relationship with a roommate, Veronica. When Edith gives Veronica an expensive heirloom tea set, Archie blows his top. He’s even prepared to get Veronica fired from her job as a schoolteacher if she doesn’t give it back, though he thankfully relents in the end. The episode put a human face on the discrimination LGBTQIA+ people faced, and unfortunately, still continue to face today. One thing is for sure, though. No matter how inexperienced or naive Edith Bunker may have been, she was wise enough to know right from wrong.

#7: The Second Amendment

“Archie and the Editorial”
Sensible gun laws? Not in Archie Bunker’s world. In Archie Bunker’s world, everyone needs a firearm. According to him, you need one. The 88-year-old lady down the street needs one. The passengers on a commercial airline need one. That’s him rambling, not us. His extreme views land him a spot on a TV news program, where he delivers an editorial that has to be heard to be believed. But in typical “All in the Family” fashion, Archie reaps what he sows. Indeed, his ideas are thrown right back in his face at the end. He and his family are held up by a fan of his editorial, showing the danger he didn’t initially believe in.

#6: Racism & Mistreatment

“Two’s a Crowd”
There’s no sugar-coating it. Archie Bunker was a bigot. Racism was one of his most consistent offenses. But in this episode, like many white Americans had to, Archie was forced to take a long look at himself and his beliefs. When he and his liberal son-in-law Mike are locked in a storeroom overnight, the topic of racism comes up. An inebriated Archie has one of his most sobering and heartbreaking moments, opening up about his racist father’s abuse. It’s not an excuse, by any means, but to see how twisted his sense of logic became as a result is hard to ignore.

#5: Menopause

“Edith’s Problem”
Edith Bunker is one of classic television’s sweetest characters. But even she has to draw a line somewhere. In the episode titled “Edith’s Problem,” menopause has the Bunker household in an uproar. The usually cheerful and agreeable Edith is suddenly not so sweet, experiencing things like sudden mood changes. The Emmy-winning script gave actress Jean Stapleton some amazing comedy to bite into. It also gave audiences one of her best moments when Edith turns Archie’s standard catchphrase right back at him. The roar of laughter that sweeps across the audience alone is worth the price of admission. A lot of it may be humorous, but it’s also pretty real. Plus, actually portraying and addressing menopause on TV in the ‘70s was no small feat.

#4: Vietnam

“The Draft Dodger”
Archie and his liberal son-in-law Mike disagreed on most things, including the Vietnam War. In this season seven episode, two guests at Christmas dinner promise to bring the realities of that war right to the Bunker family’s table. Mike’s friend is a draft dodger who fled to Canada rather than serve. Archie’s friend, meanwhile, lost his son in battle. “The Draft Dodger” has the makings to be a classic comedy of errors, and while the jokes are just as quick and cutting as usual, there’s a profound sadness that hangs over the proceedings. The unexpected resolution is a heartbreaking reminder of the true cost of war.

#3: Integration

“Lionel Moves Into the Neighborhood”
In typical fashion, Archie Bunker is upset when his neighbor sells his house to a Black family. His plan to buy the dwelling back from them misfires completely when he learns that the new homeowner is Lionel Jefferson and his family. Despite the jokes, it’s some pretty ugly subject matter. Of course, Archie’s quest to keep his neighborhood white is racist to its core. But the episode pokes holes in his logic until he eventually gives in. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to learn his lesson for long. He’d later try to keep a Puerto Rican family out of the neighborhood, and ironically, this time he’d have Henry Jefferson as an ally.

#2: Crimes Against the LGBTQIA+ Community

“Edith’s Crisis of Faith: Part 1” & “Edith's Crisis of Faith: Part 2”
Beverly LaSalle was a groundbreaking character for 1970s television. Although Archie’s confusion over Beverly’s career as a drag queen drives some of the comedy, it’s Edith Bunker’s genuine love for the character that really stands out. When Beverly is killed as the result of a hate crime, Edith becomes lost in her grief and questions her belief in God. It’s a very heavy pair of episodes. The entire cast, including trailblazing drag performer Lori Shannon, is firing on all cylinders. Once more, “All in the Family” is dealing with topics that are, sadly, just as relevant today as they were then.

#1: Edith’s Assault

“Edith’s 50th Birthday”
This two-parter finds Edith trapped in her house alone with a predator. It’s heartbreaking, and there’s an added realism that makes it almost unbearable to sit through. It’s not the first example of the sitcom tackling the subject of sexual assault, but this time, Edith is the target. Her goodness is a running theme throughout the series. When something bad happens to her, it really drives the point home, ensuring audiences will pay attention and care that much more. Although nothing overtly graphic occurs, the episode tiptoes right to the edge, while also dealing with the repercussions in a raw way. It’s an incredibly shocking, upsetting, and poignant story that, though horrifying, sheds light on a subject that, again, is still all too real.

Which “All in the Family” episode always gets you thinking? Let us know in the comments.