by Hal Erickson
synopsis
This episode was originally seen in most markets on a Saturday night, rather than the customary Sunday-evening Alice timeslot. The plot finds the irascible Mel (Vic Tayback) suddenly and inexplicably demonstrating warmth and affection towards Alice (Linda Lavin) and Tommy (Philip McKeon). Such is Mel's curious behavior that Alice suspects the worst when he invites her to have dinner with his "family".
