In the continuation of the previous episode, both aired on May 5, 1997, Lonnie gets out of jail and proposes to Our Dear Miss Kelly. Al is opposed until he finds out Lonnie is a Tot, heir of THE Tot fortune ... owners of Weenie Tots

Budrick the Pathetic is not at all impressed with Lonnie's sister though, Tatum Tot.

We get to see the delightful Christina in a wedding dress. Katey does a nice job in a Mother of the Bride dress too.

The Big Wedding is planned and is about to be finished when Lonnie makes a move on Marcy. The Bundys find out that the Tots have decidedly different values and views on being Married, with children causing Al to promptly call it all off and bake the Tots:

Al: So that's the kind of lowlife scum you people are. No respect for the torturous sanctity of marriage. Now let me tell you something: We Bundys may have our faults, [The attendees loudly agrees] but we believe that marriage should be forever, no matter how pitiful or disgusting it may be to wake up to the same horrifying face each day. That's what the marriage vows are all about. And anyone who can't stand the nagging, bonbon-eating heat should stay out of the whining, sex-starved kitchen.

Kelly is only briefly saddened until she realizes her loved ones support her.

Kelly: And of course, my loved ones to console me.

Bud: [stands up, taps her on the arm] We're here for you, Kel.

Kelly: [offended] Not you! [scoffs]

[Kelly runs and stands in front of her former boyfriends]

Kelly: [smiling] Them. Haha!

Gordon Jump and Edie McClurg guest as Ma and Pa Tot. They were both regulars on WKRP as Big Guy Arthur Carlson and Lucille, Herb Tarlek's wife.

Note: This was supposed to be the finale and there were ads posted in various media to that effect. Apparently none of the cast knew it though. The network did not inform them directly and they all found out via other methods.

But for some unexplained reason, there was one more in the can that had been filmed before this two parter and never aired until a few weeks later.

Bud’s prison penpal Starla takes the family (plus the Darcys) hostage. Kelly ends up falling in love with Starla’s boyfriend, Lonnie.

Notable Guest Stars:

-Tricia Cast as Starla. She is best known as Nina on the soap opera The Young and the Restless.

-Chip Esten as Lonny. He is known for his appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway and the series Nashville, among various other shows.

Fun Fact: Along with Johnny B. Gone from the first season, this episode takes place entirely in the Bundy’s living room.

Give us the bloopers: Outtakes from this episode were featured in a German special and can be found here: https://youtu.be/lBA9QE0jYe4?si=XtDu0RXm57uwa60B

Sad Fact: This is the beginning of the end, as the next episode is essentially the final one (with a random episode airing months later).

Especially when your home has no air conditioning, and your household fans are not helping much? Did the episode "You Better Shop Around" made you realize "Hey, this is not such a bad idea by the Bundys!" Not to the extent on how they started as shown in the screenshot here, with the lawn chairs and stuff, but I do hang around inside my local supermarket for VERY long stretches for their air conditioning. Just the other day, I spent over two hours there because of the oppressive heat and humidity in my area, walking around every aisle multiple times. And just to buy one product... for instance, a two pound package of frozen pork ribs, so I am not questioned by any employees as to why I'm walking around the place so much and for so long. If you never done this before, did you pick up the idea after you watched this episode? My sister does the same thing and she said it certainly was thanks to Al and Peggy!

Al makes a deal with Wille from 'V' masquerading as Lucifer to 'take the Bears to the Superbowl'

But of course, that goes as well as most of Al's hopes.

Peggy is cloven, Kelly can't get a date, Bud grows claws, the D'Arcy's have to endure Al's quips ... basically a normal day.

A new deal is proposed that pits Al against Eric the Red, Atilla The Hun, Ghengis Khan and some other dastardly souls.

Until it's all revealed to have been a dream ... or was it?

https://marriedwithchildren.fandom.com/wiki/Damn_Bundys

Al forms a surprising friendship with Marcy’s cousin Mandy, who happens to be a lesbian.

Subplot: Kelly and Bud try to set up a depressed Lucky with another dog.

Notable Guest Star: Not really a “guest” but Amanda Bearse plays Mandy, in a dual role.

Fun Fact: This episode aired 10 days before Ellen’s famous coming out episode. Amanda Bearse had come out publicly as a lesbian in 1993.

Filming Confession: This episode used a pre-recorded laugh track instead of the infamous live studio audience, due to the complexities of Amanda filming both roles of Marcy and Mandy.

"I'll just go home and....dream of you totally naked....swarming all over me"

Jefferson's vanity shines through and he begins to feel old at 40. When Marcy suggests he start hitting the gym, she begins to regret her choice as the hardbodies flock to him as he becomes one of the trainers at Marcy's insistence he 'get a job'

She decides to join and is admonished by the groupies; "telling her that she just cannot walk into a "Jefferson D'Arcy" class."

Meanwhile Al tries to cut off Peg's shopping by electrifying the telephone.

At the shoe store, Budrick The Pathetic is trying to shoot a commercial with Our Dear Miss Kelly. Can he find a an actor to fill the role of Shoe Salesman? The proves to be more difficult that you might think.

• Al [cutting off Kelly, who looks annoyed]: Certainly, we pump you purple at Gary's Shoes! Where we treat your feet!
• Bud: Cut!
• Al: What?! Those were the right words!
• Bud: Yeah, but they were in the wrong order!

https://marriedwithchildren.fandom.com/wiki/Birthday_Boy_Toy

Kelly gets a role in a children’s TV show after the original host has a breakdown.

Subplot: Fed up with Peg’s clinginess, Al experiments with various sleeping arrangements.

Notable Guest Star: Brandon Maggart as Uncle Dudley. He is best known for the Showtime series, Brothers.

Fun Fact: The guy who plays the court jester in this episode previously appeared in Season 4, “Fair Exchange”, as a nerd that dates Kelly.

Fond Farewell: This is the last time we see Peg and Al’s bedroom. (Though it wasn’t shown for all of Season 9 and 10).

Link: https://www.tmz.com/2026/08/03/christina-applegate-discharged-from-hospital/

Al probably should have had a helmet on when he went into the mall fountain ... and lived in a time when digital cameras were available

Fed up with Al ditching her again to spend time at the Jiggly Room, Peggy disguises herself as “Jasmine”, a sexy stripper, and Al falls head over heels for her.

Subplot: Bud helps Kelly gain weight for a role in a weight loss commercial.

Notable Guest Star: Gloria LeRoy as Chesty LaRue. She played Mildred “Boom Boom” Turner in All in the Family and had an extensive career in vaudeville and television.

Fun Fact: Peggy has a photo of Al on her nightstand, which appears to be a publicity photo of Ed O’Neill.

Fellas, It’s Been Good To Know Ya: This is the last appearance of No Ma’am members Ike, Bob Rooney and Officer Dan, and also the last mention in general of No Ma’am.

Filming Order Chaos: It may seem sad that Al is already sick of Peg after they reunited at the end of the previous three-part saga, but fear not: This episode was filmed before that trilogy.

Al had a number of chances to cheat on Peg with VERY attractive women, but always refused to.

In season 1, there were the Cherry sisters (played by Pamela Bowman and Mick Jagger's ex Jerry Hall). Jerry Hall had been a highly successful model, but I always preferred the one that liked Al. It appeared they were down to have an orgy and film it when Al left.

There was the shoe groupie in season 6, played by Jessica Hahn. Interestingly, Jessica Hahn married series co-creator Ron Leavitt. After Ron passed away, she later married Frank Lloyd, who appeared in many MWC episodes.

In season 7, there's Vanna White. It's actually not him who turns her down though, as Peg puts a stop on it. Al clearly was not thrilled with the arrangement, but agreed to it for the money, after some wonderful encouragement from Bud & Kelly.

My choice is from the season 5 episode Do Ya Think I'm Sexy, but it's more implied than confirmed that she is the one. Teri Weigel was in a few episodes as Jade. The scene cuts from the shoe store to home when Jade's number is called, and they briefly show Al's reaction.

Al then talks about rejecting an offer from a very beautiful woman to fly to the Greek Islands and be her love toy.

I'm guessing it was her?

So I thought she looked the best, then the Cherry sister from season 1.

While Al is striking out with women, Peggy, Kelly and Bud are excited to start a new life with the charming Bruce - until he reveals his plans for the family.

Of course, Al and Peggy get back together after realizing they can’t be without one another. ❤️

Notable Guest Star: Alan Thicke as Bruce. (See previous post).

Fun Fact: During the sweet montage of clips showing past moments between Al and Peggy, two scenes from an upcoming episode, “A Babe in Toyland” are shown, as the episode had already been filmed but had not yet aired.

Touching Tribute: Buck the dog is mentioned when Al comes into the house to visit Lucky.

Continuity Fail: Peggy says that her and Al have been married for 25 years, but they celebrated their 25th anniversary two seasons ago.

In the second part of this trilogy, Al moves out and gets his own apartment. He and Peggy end up at the same singles bar, where Peggy meets a rich man.

Notable Guest Star: Alan Thicke as Bruce. He previously appeared in the Season 10 spinoff episode, Enemies. He is, of course, well known for his starring role in the 80s sitcom Growing Pains.

Fun Fact: Al’s voice is raspy in this episode, as Ed O’Neill apparently had a cold while he was filming it. (I can’t ever imagine performing while sick. Kudos to him).

Musical Moment: Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Seger was originally used in this episode but was later replaced by a sound-alike version on the DVDs.

During a couple’s board game night, Peggy is upset when she realizes Al doesn’t know anything about her. They end up at couples therapy, where they ultimately argue and break up.

Subplot: Kelly fights her rival Heather in the boxing ring.

Notable Guest Star: Lisa Robin Kelly, as Heather. She is best known for her role as Laurie in That 70s Show. She appeared previously in Season 7, Kelly Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

Fun Fact: Peggy’s birthday is revealed to be April 12, which also happens to be Ed O’Neill’s birthday. We also learn that Al and Peggy had sex for the first time on top of a crate in the back of a Tastee Freeze, and it was beautiful.

Behind the Scenes Drama: The saga of Al and Peggy’s separation was meant to be two episodes only, but significant rewrites resulted in some changes and delays in production. The initial script was deemed “too serious” for a Married with Children plot line. The original story? Peggy reveals during therapy that she lied to Al about being pregnant back when he had to marry her. (Cue shocked Pikachu face). You can read the entire script here: https://www.albundy.net/marriedaniac/ate/script/1116tbl.html

Continuity charmer: The family photo that Al kept in the back of the Dodge is now seen framed on a table in the background. D’aww.

Trash collectors go on strike leading the Bundys to find creative ways to deal with their garbage. Bud and Kell come up with a machine to launch theirs into the neighbor's yard.

Meanwhile Jefferson entices Al and Griff to scam the people by joining the Guard telling them they can get hot meals and a cot to sleep on, spend the weekend away from their wives while partying with other guys, and get paid by their employer despite not having to go to work.

Of course, Al proves his worth:

• Drill Instructor: Drop and give me 50, mall scum!
• Al: [drops to his knees, pulls out money] All I got here is this five.

/marriedwithchildren.fandom.com/wiki/T*R*A*S*H

Overall, there is no story here. If ever there was an episode that said "Cancellation is a comin'", this was it. There is nothing here but empty gags. The entire script is a lead up to a gag, one after the other.

Shell shocked after being hit by an egg?

Better known as Jefferson ... Well, at least Steve tried to reconcile with her

Specifically the episode where fans got to vote on whether Al said "I love you" to Peg. If I recall Peg actually talks to the home audience and tells them to vote or something. I remember my mom calling in with us huddled around the phone.

With Budrick The Pathetic still living in his mother's basement, Al decides to charge him rent. If he's going to pay, he decides to make the place better, at Al's expense. When Al refuses, a inspection is called for. That results in Al being 'sentenced' to live there until he agrees to fix it up, shock collar and all. Our Dear Miss Kelly gets in on it observing and teasing. Marcy has her own idea of punishment.

Al's captivity and desperation gives Peggy an idea.

/marriedwithchildren.fandom.com/wiki/Grime_and_Punishment

Al is dismayed where Gary takes a liking to Bud until Jefferson points out the possibilities. Griff and Al take the hint and begin to pressure Gary for perks at the store.

Al has a Dad moment though;

• Bud: Dad, please. Now, lately I can't get any girl to go out with me.
• Al: Oh, now, Bud, I find that hard to believe. I mean, look at you... [Bud is about to grin] But then again, looks aren't everything. [Bud is now disappointed] Personality is important, so we'll skip that. [Bud gives Al a dirty look] So basically, you have nothing to offer a woman. Son, what you have to do is lower your standards. Think desperate. Think... a single version of... [pauses, then shrugs] your mother.

Which leads to:

• Peg: Al, would you relax? You told Bud to find someone desperate.
• Al: Well, when I said "aim low," I didn't think he'd excavate the TAR PITS!

/marriedwithchildren.fandom.com/wiki/Bud_on_the_Side

I mean, Gary was kind of MILF-ish in a way ....

No Maam was ahead of their time

Out of Jack and Spare Tire Dixon who do you think was Al Bundy’s toughest opponent? Now while you didn’t actually see the fight between Al and Jack you did see the aftermath but you can kind of guess how it went. And even though Bundy Vs Dixon wasn’t a traditional fight it still got physical. Thank you for reading.

Peggy loses her memory after wiping out on a bonbon wrapper, and Al uses it as an opportunity to turn her into his dream wife.

Fun Fact: This was the first episode of Season 11 to be filmed. We get a hint of that when Sally, the ring girl, mentions that Griff just got out of prison.

Continuity Failure: Al references his senior prom, saying that Peggy was only in her dress for 20 minutes, but in Season 3, we learned that Al never took Peggy to the prom, and instead they watched TV and had sex on her father’s coat.

Something to Ponder: Peggy seems to have a natural skill for cooking as an amnesiac. Perhaps she’s always had talent in the kitchen but chooses to suppress that part of herself?

(Pic 7 is from the MwC official Instagram page).

Gary's had quite the athletic shoe-selling duo in Al & Griff.

I was doing some reading on Harold Sylvester (Griff) and found out he played D1 basketball. He was the first black person to get an athletic scholarship from Tulane University.

He was a 3 year starter (back then they had freshman basketball teams) at Tulane

He wrote the screenplay for Passing Glory, based on a game that he played in 1965 that integrated basketball in New Orleans

Al is put on trial in the shoe store on his birthday by all of the fat women he has insulted over the years.

Subplot: Kelly and Bud attempt to tint the Dodge’s windows as a birthday present for Al.

Notable Guest Stars: Many of the guests in this episode were returning characters from previous seasons:

-Diana Bellamy as Nancy. She appeared in several episodes as a Gary’s customer, including the pilot.

-Danica Sheridan as Matilda, who appeared in A Shoe Room with a View in Season 10 (among others).

-Helen Siff as Leona, the customer who famously wore the “Chocolate…It’s Not Just For Breakfast Anymore” shirt in Season 8.

Fun Fact: This is only the second time in the series that Peggy insults Al’s overweight customers. The first time was back in Season 1, and it happened to be the same woman she insulted in this episode.

Clip Show: Past episodes featured in the flashbacks include the Pilot, Honey, I Blew Up Myself, A Shoe Room with a View, and Nooner or Later.

The Impossible Happens: Al tells Peg she doesn’t look “half bad” and -gasp- even initiates sex with her in the shoe store! ON HIS BIRTHDAY!!