When Louise's Uncle Ward visits, George is armed with insults for him, a retiring butler whom George considers uppity and pandering to his white employer. But George shows his own passivity when he caters to a white client then proceeds to complain as soon as he's off the phone. Uncle Ward tries to explain to George who the real Uncle Tom was, showing George a piece of black history he was unaware of. And then he takes on Lionel with a lecture that shows how the differences in generations have guided history.
This episode introduces Ned Larimer as doorman Ralph, perhaps not as money grubbing as later episides, but definitely set up with an agenda. Albert Reed is excellent as Uncle Ward, showing a different side to civil rights that may seem dated but in some cases worked. The way he snaps Lionel out of his situation is quite commanding. There's also a bit of humor involving him and a conversation with the very flattered Mother Jefferson, showing Zara Cully in a very moving light.
Some things about this episode would create raised eyebrows today, but it is written in a very intelligent manner and has a very amusing conclusion in a conversation between George and Louise about black history, particularly a reference to George Washington Carver and President Ford.
This episode introduces Ned Larimer as doorman Ralph, perhaps not as money grubbing as later episides, but definitely set up with an agenda. Albert Reed is excellent as Uncle Ward, showing a different side to civil rights that may seem dated but in some cases worked. The way he snaps Lionel out of his situation is quite commanding. There's also a bit of humor involving him and a conversation with the very flattered Mother Jefferson, showing Zara Cully in a very moving light.
Some things about this episode would create raised eyebrows today, but it is written in a very intelligent manner and has a very amusing conclusion in a conversation between George and Louise about black history, particularly a reference to George Washington Carver and President Ford.
