Having been a drop gag girl other than her introductory episode, the character of Florida Evans gets the chance to shine here, and the affection between her and Maude begins to really take shape. She's been practically ordered by husband John Amos (Henry here, not James) to quit her job, making her come in to work in a horrible mood. She tells Maude that if she makes her cry, she'll never forgive her, and the next thing you know, she's crying in Maude's arms. Maude's intro to Henry isn't exactly what creates peace, and yet, the laughs are still fast and furious.
Maude may sometimes be a pain in the rear-end for Florida, but it's obvious that she sees Maude's big heart. Thanks to confidence that Florida has gained during her short time as Maude's employee, she's able to stand up for herself. The racial differences are overshadowed by gender differences as Henry and Walter join forces against Maude and Florida, but the real reason is deeper than just chauvenism and racism, and that makes this a remarkably complex issue. In spite of his arrogance, Henry is understandable, and it's a great intro to his character.
Maude may sometimes be a pain in the rear-end for Florida, but it's obvious that she sees Maude's big heart. Thanks to confidence that Florida has gained during her short time as Maude's employee, she's able to stand up for herself. The racial differences are overshadowed by gender differences as Henry and Walter join forces against Maude and Florida, but the real reason is deeper than just chauvenism and racism, and that makes this a remarkably complex issue. In spite of his arrogance, Henry is understandable, and it's a great intro to his character.
