Maude, a woman who believes in fighting city hall -- or anything else in her path -- tangles with a psychiatrist who is treating her daughter. When Maude learns that Carol is being psychoanalyzed, she feels this is direct attack on her image as a model mother. Getting no help from Walter, Maude pays an unexpected call on the psychiatrist, determined to put an end to the analysis sessions.

When Maude's grandson and Arthur's granddaughter are discovered playing "doctor" behind the garage, war is declared between Maude and Arthur over what punishment -- if any -- the boy should be given.

Maude hires a black housekeeper to prove her liberalism and insists that they become close personal friends. Esther Rolle is introduced as Florida Evans, a conscientious housekeeper who wants to be left alone to do her work. But Maude, determined to prove their equality, insists on "helping" Florida and treating her like one of the family regardless of comfort, convenience, or choice.

Carol learns all about the "wrath of a woman scorned" when she starts dating a man who jilted her mother before she married Walter. Refusing to admit she is still suffering the pangs of a ten-year-old rejection, Maude pulls out all the stops to ruin the romance. Walter feels a few pans of rejection himself, as Maude recalls the intimate details of her previous affair.

Guess who's coming to Maude's fund-raising party for a black militant? Well, it's almost time for the guests to arrive and even Maude doesn't know who is coming and who isn't. When the black guests Maude has invited call to cancel and the guest of honor is late, Maude panics and insists Florida change clothes and act the role.

Maude is given a speeding ticket by an eager young traffic cop who insists she was doing 34 miles per hour in a 30 miles per hour zone. In performing his duty he gets the argument of his life. When young Officer Cosgrove follows Maude home to give her a ticket for exceeding the speed limit, she tries threats, charm, and even milk and cookies to talk him out of it but to no avail. Then, Arthur offers to have the ticket "fixed," but Maude will not hear of it and insists on a full court trial.