Archie hits the roof when he learns Gloria is pregnant and unemployed college student Mike has no means to support his soon-to-be child. But just as he's changing his tune, Archie learns that Gloria became suddenly ill and suffered a miscarriage.
Archie and several neighbors learn that a black family is moving into the neighborhood, unaware that it is the Jeffersons. Lionel finds out about the effort to purchase the Jeffersons' new house and gets Archie to reveal his plans.
Archie's spirit soars on Mike's graduation day, until he discovers that his meat-head son-in-law has accepted a fellowship and won't be moving out for another year.
Teary farewells turn into fireworks when Mike hits Archie with five years of repressed rage, only to discover that he and Gloria can't move out for another week after Mike reveals he forgot to turn on the gas and electricity of his new home.
Thanksgiving dinner becomes a family battleground when Archie discovers that Mike and Gloria don't want to impose the family's religious beliefs on their baby.