I found this show intriguing. It reminded me of a lady I knew when I was in the Air Force at Kadena AFB Okinawa. She was (without questions) the most physcially attractive human I have ever encountered. Most men were uncomfortable around her and most women were irritated by her. I suppose she assumed growing up that this behavior indicated she was unattractive.She grew up believing she was truly ugly (due in part I'm sure to some idiot parent). She covered all mirrors in her dorm room, was phobic around cameras and was self abasingly jealous of all other women (every one she believed to be more beautiful than she). Her boyfriend, whom all of us wanted destroyed, knew he had the most beautiful woman in the far east and would play on her insecurities to keep her, saying things like "You know if I left you you wouldn't be able to get another boyfriend." Attempts by secure men and women around her to tell her she wasn't ugly were taken by her as feeble, well meaning lies. She was one of the saddest and most lonely people I have ever met. I have been unable to forget her my entire life.It was amazing. How insecurity can make a person utterly blind to their true reflection. I learned a valuable lesson from Sherry in those days....

I remember when this show aired in 1972. The writing and dialog were top class for a show of the period. To watch Rhoda's character grow as the image of herself changed makes it a classic for the time. So many people inherit the image of themselves from their family of origin, Rhoda's self-image in the series of affirmations she received from those she trusted, enable her to change and reach a wholeness that the writers used to transition her to her move to New York and her own series.

i never understood why rhoda was always the "ugly" one or the "fat" one...she is absolutely gorgeous and just as attractive--if not more attractive--than mary. this episode seems ridiculous, being that rhoda is essentially the same size as she always was, so to say she lost 20 pounds is laughable at best. they just put her in different clothing!!! ahh, silly tv.