User Reviews

This was what was on TV in 1971, and it was much-loved. The first season of All in the Family won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. It may not be as funny as it was then (due to dated cultural references and later shows that topped it), but it still holds up well today. One of the biggest surprises is that these episodes are 26 minutes long- they only had four minutes of commercials! Edith Has Jury Duty is an exemplary episode of the season, not only in its length but in its quality.

There are a number of good jokes in this episode, particularly in its first half- goosebumps, Archie's train story, the Black Panthers. This may be the show's funniest episode so far. The storyline is also interesting. The housewife Edith has jury duty, and she's thrilled. It's interesting to see this positive attitude because usually characters on TV hate doing jury duty. However, Archie does resent the experience, and he talks about how the justice system should use professional jurors. Mike says that's a crazy idea, but doesn't elaborate. I'd like to hear what's so crazy about it.

This is the first episode in which Jean Stapleton played the Edith Bunker viewers loved: prior to this, she appeared to be slow, dull, and joyless. Suddenly she became full of life, a force of positivity and understanding. During the first season, we saw Gloria evolve into a women's libber (and Mike reveal that he was a chauvinist at heart), and Archie showed a softer side when Gloria suffered a miscarriage (a turning point for the show), but Edith's personality transformation was the most drastic evolution, and for the better.

I have to write 600 characters? This is also the first episode in which Archie tells someone (Mike) to get out of his chair; previously, he had only said, "Dogs off the table, Meathead."

This episode was an early example of how Edith was not what she appeared to be. When picked for jury duty, Edith boldly stands up to Archie's objections. She also holds her own against a snobby, arrogant fellow juror. Doris Singleton was excellent as Mrs Stonehurst. This was the only place in the series where we saw a female bigot. This was a nice-looking, well-spoken, classy lady with views that were very similar to Archie's. Interesting. The episode contains some obvious references to the landmark film, 12 Angry Men. Absolutely great, thoroughly entertaining episode. Unlike another reviewer, I don't think Gloria's dancing was the best part. At least, not with that long dress she was wearing. One of her mini skirts would have worked much better.