Helen's snooty sister Ethel Armbrewster (Dena Dietrich) is the first of the family to arrive to see the Roper's new apartment. Meanwhile at the Brookes, David returns home after school with black eyes, having been beaten up by a girl. Jeffrey works to teach his young son how to fight. Helen's scatterbrained mother (Lucille Benson, "Bosom Buddies") arrives for the week, adding to Stanley's aggravation. At the end of the week, she informs Helen and Stanley that she's sold her house and intends to stay with them. Helen calls a meeting with Ethel and their other sister, the heavily pregnant Hilda (Lucy Lee Flippin, "Little House on the Prairie"), hoping each will keep their mother part of the time. "Mama" has a plan of her own, however, with comical complications.
In the episode are two plots- a storyline with the Ropers and a completely unrelated one with the Brookes. Unlike a show such as "Seinfeld" where the different storylines ingeniously connect, the ones presented here exist well apart from one another. Seeing Helen's family is interesting and her mother is a fun character. The Brooke's plot is vague, limited and weak in contrast.
In the episode are two plots- a storyline with the Ropers and a completely unrelated one with the Brookes. Unlike a show such as "Seinfeld" where the different storylines ingeniously connect, the ones presented here exist well apart from one another. Seeing Helen's family is interesting and her mother is a fun character. The Brooke's plot is vague, limited and weak in contrast.