When the elusive Checker Trading Stamp Company announced its impending close, the boys and girls battled it out to see who'd inherit the Brady family fortune of stamps (#15). Logically enough, these stamps could be redeemed for sewing machines (what the girls wanted), row boats (for the boys), or color television sets (what the family settled on). This place was so popular, and so inexplicably lucrative, that it even had its own store (We must remember that the Bradys never enjoyed Amazon.com).
To determine the winner of these bountiful documents, the Sensational Six engage in a nail-biting game of Russian roulette. No, wait, wrong episode. They build a house of cards. Whoever is responsible for the physical destruction of this house is to blame for the symbolic destruction of the team. He or she will be sent off to live with the Kellys or Dittmeyers next door.
Ultimately, after losing a round of When Tiger Attacks, Johnny Bravo is to blame for the girl's victory. They race off to the store, which is about to close forever.
The girls are momentarily distracted by a beauty parlor set, but Carol reminds them they came for a sewing machine and not even the Second Coming will deter them. And besides, as Marcia points out, "We can make some groovy dresses!"
A debate as to which sewing machine ultimately gives way to the harmonious decision to redeem the stamps for a color television set. No more black and white reruns of Hazel for this happy family. Shirley Booth will be in color!
Thus we have the beginning of the Brady give-and-take. Whether it was admitting to breaking mom's favorite vase (#37) or a similar act of selflessness, the Bradys knew how to compromise for the greater sake of the family. Even after an intense battle such as the house-of-cards, they all came back to one another.
Thus, the trading stamps weren't the only thing redeemed in this episode.
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