Welcome Home: Part 2 was the second part and conclusion of a two-episode story arc which was the fifth episode of the 11th season of Happy Days, and also the 238th episode in the series overall. Co-written by Fred Fox, Jr. and Brian Levant, the episode, which was directed by Jerry Paris, originally aired on ABC-TV on November 1, 1983. This episode marks the final appearance of Donny Most as Ralph Malph.
Synopsis[]
Richie struggles with his emotions as everyone - particularly his parents, Howard & Marion - rejects his dream of being a Hollywood screenwriter.
Storyline[]
Irritated at his parents' disapproval of his wanting to move to California so soon; Richie bottles up his emotions as he continues to hold his day job as a reporter at the Milwaukee Journal. Eventually, his emotions boil over at the dinner table. After a baseball game & being annoyed by his mother hating his mustache and such, he storms out of the house. Fonzie is called by Chachi of the situation and goes after his friend to try to calm him down, and eventually tracks him down to the tavern.
Richie visits the local bar in search of solace, which he finds in a little too much to drink that makes him lose control, as he refuses to buy into the "talk to Fonzie and it will be all better" routine, and slugs the Fonz for the first time in his life. Fonzie keeps his cool, however and tries to get him back to his senses. They have a huge & calm talk after that, as Richie shares how he now hates the Milwaukee life he had now due to being under his parents’ roof. Fonzie would then encourage him to follow his own life now, and his wife would still support him in whatever he does. But he needs to share his plans with them the right way without fear.
After he's had a good night's sleep and a long talk with Lori Beth, as he and Fonzie leave the tavern happily side by side again, Richie shares his feelings with his family and convinces them that he's ready to make whatever sacrifices he needs to for his new dream to come true. Howard, who's forgotten that lesson on where his kids' gifts would take them, finally supports Richie pursuing what appears to be a difficult dream, but accepts the fact that Richie's future is in screenwriting. Marion accepts too along with Richie's mustache, and after a couple of weeks, everyone shares an emotional farewell.
Guest starring[]
- Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham
- Don Most (billed as Donald Most) as Ralph Malph
- Lynda Goodfriend as Lori Beth Allen-Cunningham
- Bo Sharon as Richie Cunningham Jr.
- Walter Van as Dean McGrath
