Cousin Liz

Plot

Archie and Edith Bunker go out of town for the funeral of Edith’s cousin, Liz. Archie wonders what Edith might inherit as Liz’s closest living relative. Edith explains that Liz taught school for 25 years, didn’t earn much, and shared an apartment with a friend and fellow teacher, Veronica Cartwright, to keep costs down. After the service, the Bunkers go to the apartment for the repast.

Archie starts guessing which household items Edith will get. She tells him the only thing coming to her is a sterling silver tea and coffee set, a family heirloom worth at least $2,000. Archie scoffs at first, then changes his tune when he hears the price. Veronica overhears this and pulls Edith into the bedroom.

She asks if she can keep the tea service, explaining that for 25 years she and Liz had tea together every afternoon. Then Veronica reveals that she and Liz were more than roommates: they had been in a committed lesbian relationship for the entire time. Edith is confused and shocked at first, but quickly accepts the truth and gives Veronica the tea set. When the Bunkers get ready to leave, Archie tells Edith to grab the tea service.

Edith says she already gave it to Veronica and explains why. Archie blows up and demands the set back. When Veronica refuses, he threatens to sue her, which would out her relationship with Liz and could cost her job. Edith begs Archie to back down, saying Veronica can’t help how she feels and that it would be cruel to ruin her career.

Archie gives in and lets Veronica keep the tea service, but tells her she ought to go straight. Veronica gives Archie a quick kiss on the cheek and says goodbye. Edith also kisses Archie for doing the right thing.

Critical response and cultural impact

The writing team of Bob Schiller, Bob Weiskopf, Harve Brosten, and Barry Harman won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the episode "Cousin Liz." The Christian Science Monitor praised the episode as "compassionate" and called Veronica's revelation to Edith "one of the most delicately handled sequences of the entire series." This episode aired while Anita Bryant's Save Our Children coalition pushed ballot measures to overturn gay anti-discrimination laws. Writer Barry Harman noted that series creator Norman Lear wanted the episode to address the topic of gay teachers. Harman linked the defeat of the Briggs Initiative to the episode's message.