But in those nine years, few shows were as challenging to the audiences of the 1970s as All in the Family was. (Perhaps only M*A*S*H came close!) Over the seasons, there were a plethora of iconic episodes for the Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton led show. “Edith’s Problem” from season two still sticks out in the memories of many.

Changing Television Forever

As one of the most game-changing shows of its time, All in the Family was constantly pushing the envelope on television by concocting story lines that were never done before. Many of the plot lines of the show were about topics that were widely-regarded as taboo! But the show was not afraid to engage with them.

“Edith’s Problem” is all about Edith Bunker going through the early stages of menopause. It was a big deal to see the topic out in the open on television, as menopause was kept hush hush in the public eye. But All in the Family took a sledgehammer to that social barrier and the episode will live on forever because of it.

Topping Menopause?

Likewise, “Edith’s Problem” was so influential for how it dealt with the topic of menopause in an open manner that few shows have ever dared to tread the ground covered by the installment. It remains television’s best ever menopause episode.

It is such an iconic installment of the show that many comedy writers have explored the richness in the other taboo topics broken open by All in the Family. They tend to leave menopause alone, though, because this episode is pitch perfect. Lucy and Ricky may have slept in two different beds, but two decades later, Archie and Edith had no qualms about their relationship.

Welcome Donald Duck

The menopause experienced by Edith comes at an unfortunate time for the Bunkers, as they were preparing for a vacation to Walt Disney World. Of course, it would never be so easy for the Bunkers to get what they’re aiming for.

To prepare for the trip, Archie procured a blue t-shirt that was labeled as being from Disney World. The shirt was accompanied with an autograph from who else but Donald Duck, too! However, the shirt is not seen in this episode. Eagle-eyed viewers will be able to catch its appearances in later installments, however.

What is particularly interesting about the Disney World connections in “Edith’s Problem” is how close the timing was of the two monumental aspects of American culture. (“Edith’s Problem” changed sitcom taboos just as much as Disney World changed the theme park culture.)

The episode first aired back on January 8, 1972. This means that Archie and Edith were preparing to visit Disney World just over three months after the Magic Kingdom first opened. The Orlando location opened its gates on October 1, 1971. Timing is everything as the world approaches the fiftieth anniversary of both landmarks.

Many of the most quoted lines from All in the Family consisted of just one word, as was the efficiently-speaking way of Archie Bunker. However, two of these one-word catchalls come from this episode, “Edith’s Problem”!With the mood changes of menopause, Archie becomes extremely frustrated and explodes at Edith, “Change, Edith, change! Right now! Change!” Of course, Edith has her own snapping when Archie tries to calm her down and she roars, “Stifle!” at her husband. “Change” and “stifle” remain two of the most quoted one-word lines from the show and they came from the same episode!