The Draft Dodger

Season 7, Episode 15, Aired
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Episode Summary

The clash of two worlds explodes in this episode. Mike's friend is a Draft Dodger and he has come down from Canada for a visit and joins the Bunkers for Christmas dinner, unbeknownst to Archie. The guy is exactly everything Archie hates about Mike's generation. On top of this, Archie's joker friend is also spending Christmas dinner with the Bunkers and he lost his son to the war.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (3)

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  • Brilliant!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By WildstarV, Sep 17, 2011 Report Abuse
    Amazing performance by O'Connor. He actually says "God Damn War" although it was later censored and overdubbed so we hear "Rotten war.." but you can clearly read Archie's lips as O'Connor says "I don't want to talk about that God Damn war no more!"
    You can actually feel the astonishment of the stunned audience. O'Connor's most brilliant moment of the series by far.
    Too bad the censored version is still the only one we see, although I hope the DVD version gets it right.moreless

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  • This show dealt with how the conservative Archie Bunker handles having a draft dodger in his midst.Archie's friend is also there,and his son did go to Vietnam but he never made it home.See how the father handles the situation as compared to Archie.moreless

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    By SilverCharms, Dec 26, 2007 Report Abuse
    This television show really faced a lot of serious matters during its run, and it did an excellent job of dealing with the Vietnam issue. I have to say that it was very eerie to listen to this today because if it weren't for the part about the draft, the scene could have been written for today's time, if you know what I'm talking about. It was great to see how Archie didn't know how to handle having to face somebody who was on the complete opposite end of the spectrum in his beliefs and who was not afraid to stand up to Archie.moreless

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  • Archie celebrates Christmas with a draft dodger, as well as a Gold Star father.

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By millerem99, Jun 27, 2007 Report Abuse
    Again, tough to choose favorite episodes, but this one clearly deserves recognition among the best. All hell breaks loose when Archie discovers Mike's buddy David is a draft dodger, sneaking down for Christmas from Canada. One of my favorite moments is when Pinky Peterson (the Gold Star father) shakes hands with David and tells him his son would have wanted to sit down to dinner with him, and that's what he (Pinky) wants to do as well...you just see how tough it must be on him as a dad. Shortly thereafter, Archie still can't return to the table to face him, and Edith finally coaxes him by saying, "Please Archie...for me?" He looks at her, and slowly makes his way back to the table.

    Also, love in the final scene when Archie reluctantly thanks the Christmas carollers outside his door, then mildly threatens to call the cops on them. He then shuts the front door, which is adorned with a wreath that reads PEACE.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • During Archie's toast, he makes a toast to Joey "who's upstairs taking a nap.." and he goes on to say that that's why they are able to enjoy their Christmas in peace... Edit
    • This episode was among Norman Lear's favorites of the series. Edit

  • Notes

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    • This is Eugene Roche's second appearance as Pinky Peterson. He had previously appeared earlier in Season 7 in "Beverly Rides Again." Edit
    • Archie says he doesn't want to hear about "That God Damn war no more" ... they dub over "God" with "Rotten" Edit
    • I noticed that in this episode that Archie's speech (when he blows up after discovering that the guest is a draft dodger) is edited. If you watch closely to his lips, they "dubbed" a certain part of it because possible he said something that the network wanted "removed". Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Teresa: (to David) Here, come let me show you around! (takes him under the mistletoe and kisses him full on the lips) Archie: (protesting, then making a pained face) Aw, geez them people are so hot. Edit
    • Gloria: What's the matter, Daddy, doesn't God understand Spanish? Archie: Oh, sure...God understands four or five languages, it's just that Spanish isn't what you call His first. (Gloria makes a face) Archie: Aw, don't give me the constipated face! The Bible was started by Adam and Eve, not Desi and Charro! Edit
    • Edith: (trying to convince Archie to rejoin everyone at the table after the tense exchange) You heard what Pinkie said, Archie. Now you should do the same. (Archie resists) Edith: Please, Archie? For me? (He looks at her for a moment, then slowly turns back to the table) Edit

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