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Rhoda Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
24 Episodes 1974 - 1975
Episode 1
Joe
Mon, Sep 9, 197430 mins
Thirty-three year old Rhoda Morgenstern, who has been living in Minneapolis for close to ten years, decides to take a short trip to her hometown of New York City, where she hasn't been in quite some time. There, she will stay with her younger sister, Brenda Morgenstern, who suffers from self-esteem issues. Rhoda will also visit with her parents, which includes her overbearing mother, Ida Morgenstern, although Ida would rather Rhoda was out dating during her stay in New York. Beyond the blind date Ida does set up for her, Rhoda is immediately attracted to Joe Gerard, the divorced father of the pre-teen that Brenda babysits. Rhoda and Joe, who owns his own wrecking company, hit it off during Rhoda's short stay. As such, Rhoda does whatever she can to extend that visit. But beyond Rhoda and Joe living in two different cities, a Rhoda/Joe coupledom may not be in the cards based on their differing priorities concerning Rhoda's extended visit.
Episode 2
You Can Go Home Again
Mon, Sep 16, 197430 mins
Rhoda has made the decision to move back to New York City, but yet with no job and no apartment. However, the trunk that Mary has sent with all Rhoda's possessions is the first indication that she and Brenda can't go on living together in Brenda's small apartment anymore. The small apartment size is highlighted when Brenda has a date with the possibility of an over night stay, and when Joe, Rhoda and Brenda each try to provide the other two with privacy when they need to talk alone. But without a job or money, and with every available suitable apartment costing an arm and a leg, Rhoda does something she thought she would never do: she takes Ida up on the offer to move back home. As Rhoda's stay at her parents' gets longer, it has a surprising effect on both mother and daughter.
Episode 3
I'll Be Loving You, Sometimes
Mon, Sep 23, 1974
Rhoda's day outing with Joe and Donnie - her first quality time with the latter - is truncated, and her and Joe's date that evening is postponed when Joe is reminded that it is his ex-wife Marian's birthday. Joe has to get Donnie back to Tarrytown, and stay for the birthday gathering. This course of events makes Rhoda believe the worst about what Joe is doing with Marian, especially when she hears from Joe that he is overnighting it in Tarrytown. Reality ends up being worse than what Rhoda imagines: Joe and Marian had such a bad fight that Joe has made the decision that he never wants to get married again. That news is only one part of what affects a Rhoda/Joe future, the other part being Joe also thinking that he and Rhoda should take a step back in their relationship in light of that decision never to get married. Despite it not being what she wants, Rhoda agrees to Joe's proposition that they see other people. Rhoda's first date following her and Joe's now open relationship leads to a mutual decision by the two on their future as a couple.
Episode 4
Parents' Day
Mon, Sep 30, 197430 mins
Ida drops by Brenda and Rhoda's apartment on the strong possibility that Joe will be there - based on intel from a reluctant Brenda - Joe who Ida has not yet met. Rhoda, who isn't quite ready for Joe to meet her parents, thwarts Ida's plan of attack as she and Joe are meeting elsewhere for their date. Rhoda later learns the true extent to which Ida will go to meet Joe. When Rhoda and Joe discuss the issue, Joe suggests they make a day out of each meeting the other's parents, they having lunch with Joe's parents, and having dinner with Rhoda's parents that same day. Rhoda agrees, but she urges Ida not to make a fuss. Although nervous about meeting Joe's parents, it's something that they tell her about their own relationship that surprises her. Rhoda is equally as surprised by the Ida who shows up to dinner.
Episode 5
The Lady in Red
Mon, Oct 7, 1974
Because she refused a job, Rhoda has been cut off from unemployment insurance. Her jobless state and not having that safety net makes Rhoda depressed, but she doesn't want to show that depression especially to Martin as she doesn't want to feel like a little girl dependent upon her father. However, among the stacks of rejection letters, Rhoda receives a surprising acceptance letter. Against Rhoda's wishes, Brenda sent Rhoda's comic manuscript about life as an overweight person to a publisher, who wants to speak to Rhoda about it. Louise Shattner, the firm's representative, tells Rhoda that despite loving the manuscript, she can't publish it, but she is thinking about hiring Rhoda for a job at the firm. Rhoda's meeting with Louise coincides with Louise finding out that her star author has just passed away. So that they can talk about the job, Rhoda accompanies Louise to the funeral, which directly and indirectly affects whether Rhoda gets or doesn't get the job.
Episode 6
Pop Goes the Question
Mon, Oct 14, 1974
On one of her freelance window dressing jobs, Rhoda is approached by NHL goalie Vic Rhodes, who she is attracted to and who asks her out. Her flat refusal to his invitation makes Rhoda realize that she feels like she is in romantic limbo with Joe. Although they have both said "I love you" to the other, there has been no mention of commitment. After deliberating about the issue, Rhoda decides to take the direct approach and broach the subject with Joe. His proposal: that they live together. Rhoda discusses what to do with Brenda, the major negative against going through with it being her parents, especially her mother. What Rhoda ends up deciding to do, regardless of her parents, is a manifestation of what is in her heart.
Episode 7
The Shower
Mon, Oct 21, 1974
Despite the fact that Rhoda doesn't really want one, Brenda convinces Rhoda to let her throw a bridal shower for her. Part of the issue is that all Rhoda's closest friends live in Minneapolis and not New York. So it isn't until the first guest arrives that Brenda tells her who is coming: five of the forty-eight invitees, who were those that wrote anything nice in Rhoda's high school yearbook. Of those five, Rhoda is really looking forward to seeing four of them. The one exception is Linda Monroe, who always purposefully tried to make Rhoda feel inferior, and always succeeded. Rhoda is truly happy to see her first four guests, three of whom have not fundamentally changed since graduation fifteen years ago, but who are at a different point in their life path than when she last saw them. Will Rhoda feel the same about Linda, the last of the guests to arrive?
Episode 8
Rhoda's Wedding
Mon, Oct 28, 197460 mins
It's two days before Rhoda and Joe's wedding. One item still of contention between Rhoda and Ida is the wedding itself. Ida wants a larger wedding than Rhoda has planned, and takes steps to ensure she gets what she wants without Rhoda being able to do anything about it. Regardless of whether Rhoda or Ida gets her way on this item, the wedding may end up being just slightly larger than Rhoda planned if only because beyond Mary and Georgette being invited and coming in from Minneapolis for the festivities, three additional people decide to come from Minneapolis as well: Lou, Murray and Phyllis. There are logistical items to work out with these last minute arrivals. In addition, Rhoda is in excited anticipation about what her two favorite people in world, Joe and Mary, will think about each other. With many of the wedding guests convening at Ida and Martin's place for dinner, there are two conspicuously absent people, namely Rhoda and Joe, who have to do something important on this their final night as singletons.
Episode 10
The Honeymoon
Mon, Nov 4, 1974
It's the day after Rhoda and Joe's wedding. Brenda has just started dating the wedding accordionist, Nick Lobo. Rhoda and Joe are at home, they who have decided to have a stay at home honeymoon. So they are surprised when they learn that in addition to paying for the wedding, Rhoda's parents are giving them passage on a ten day Caribbean cruise for their honeymoon. After initially declining the gift, Rhoda and Joe are convinced to accept, if only because they figure what they can do at home - wink, wink - they can do on the cruise. However, the cruise is nothing that they expect. In addition to the cramped quarters which includes separate bunks for beds, they are the only passengers on board who are under seventy years of age. Can Rhoda and Joe make the best of a bad situation on board?
Episode 11
9-E Is Available
Mon, Nov 11, 1974
Feeling like Joe's place isn't really "theirs", after one of Joe's ex's stops by, Rhoda needs to talk to Joe about getting a whole new place. Her sister Brenda has been informed by Carlton The Doorman that Apt. 9-E in her building is available for only a few dollars more. When the two girls are on the phone to Joe's workplace, Brenda is hurt when Joe says he'd rather not live so close to her. Will Rhoda and Joe stay put... Or can things be worked out between Joe & Brenda and 9-E can be called home?
Episode 12
I'm a Little Late, Folks
Mon, Nov 18, 1974
As she feels it's a little early in their marriage, Rhoda doesn't yet want to tell Joe that she's thinks she may be pregnant as she's two weeks late. Needing to tell someone, she unburdens her thoughts on Brenda, who can understand Rhoda's anxiety but who also selfishly wants to be an aunt. Eventually, Rhoda decides to tell Joe. Joe, in turn, also wants to be honest and tells Rhoda his news: that his business is going through a rough patch financially. Thus their news in combination may not be good timing. Regardless, they want to be true in their feelings about Rhoda's news, which they find is difficult as a baby is only currently a hypothetical. But an unexpected visit from Rhoda's perpetually pregnant friend, Susan Alborn, not only provides Rhoda with some information about what it's like to be pregnant and a mother, but also a quick appointment with her own doctor. The results from Rhoda's visit can turn her and Joe's discussion from a "hypothetical" to a "for certain".
Episode 13
Anything Wrong?
Mon, Nov 25, 1974
Rhoda is waiting for the sofa that she purchased to be delivered. Despite the "between 8am and 5pm" delivery time mentioned by the store and the ultimate problems provided by the two delivery men themselves, this delivery is the positive part of Rhoda and Joe's move into their new apartment. The negative is Joe himself, as Rhoda can tell that there is something not quite right with him. She continually asks him if there is anything wrong, he who continually responds pleasantly that there is nothing wrong. Rhoda's suspicions are heightened when Joe agrees to a night out on a double date with Brenda and her blind date, and then reneges. Rhoda knows for sure that there is something wrong specifically with their marriage when two things happen: they don't have sex for the first time before going to sleep for the night, and Joe mentions that he is going to have a chat with his father. Rhoda fears for her marriage if only because twice divorced Paul Gerard may not be the best provider of marriage advice.
Episode 14
'S Wonderful
Mon, Dec 2, 1974
Brenda's heart is all aflutter as she is preparing to go on her third date with her new boyfriend, Jimmy Klein. Brenda stops short of saying that she's in love. Rhoda is happy for her until she hears more about postman Jimmy: that he lives in Brooklyn but that he and Brenda always meet at an unusual location like the bus depot, they always have their dates in New Jersey, and that they can only meet once a week on Thursdays. In Rhoda's mind, this information means he's hiding something, namely that he's already married. This thought is solidified in Rhoda's mind when she learns that Jimmy currently has a bandage on what would be his wedding ring finger. Rhoda asks Joe for his advice, he who thinks that Brenda is old enough to make her own mistakes. In other words, he tells Rhoda to mind her own business. But will Rhoda be able not to speak her mind when she and Joe double date with Brenda and Jimmy?
Episode 15
Good-Bye Charlie
Mon, Dec 9, 1974
Rhoda and Joe are in the midst of hosting their first party as a couple. Although each knows the situation deep in his/her heart as the party progresses, they confirm with the other during their post-party debrief that the party ended up being an unmitigated disaster. Joe feels that the party would have benefited from the presence of his oldest and dearest friend, Charlie Burke, who Rhoda has not yet met. As such, they decide to invite Charlie over for dinner so that Joe's two favorite people can meet each other. Unlike the group party, there ends up being a disconnect between Joe and Rhoda's perspective on the dinner with Charlie after the fact. Joe felt Charlie and Rhoda hit it off, whereas Rhoda admits she didn't like Charlie, and she's pretty sure Charlie didn't like her, which is true. Charlie, a man's type of man, heaped one empty platitude to Rhoda after another, as he has done with all women friends of his buddies, and as he does to women he is trying to pick up. But Rhoda could see the emptiness of the praise, and didn't lap up that praise as most women have. Rhoda truly wants to have Charlie as a friend if only because of Joe, and as such suggests she go out with Charlie alone so that they can clear the air and get to that point of really being friends. While staying true to themselves as people, is there anything Rhoda and/or Charlie can do in their one on one to become friends?
Episode 16
Guess What I Got You for the Holidays
Mon, Dec 16, 1974
It's the December holiday season and Rhoda's life is better than it ever has been. She's happily married, her window dressing business is going well, and for the first time in her life she has money in the bank in the amount of $2,000. The only negative in her life is Joe, whose business is not going so well, which is affecting his mood. He doesn't want to bother her about what he sees as his problem, but Rhoda wants to help him in any way she can. That's why she gives him an early Christmas present to the tune of $2,000, money which he would normally refuse but can't because of the way Rhoda gives it to him. However, even with that money, Joe is only able to pay of a small portion of his bills. Beyond Joe deciding if he should make the implied bribe for a job that would set the business for a year, Rhoda tries to make him come to terms with his feelings about what is happening with his business, those feelings which he has thus far kept bottled up inside himself.
Episode 17
Whattaya Think It's There For?
Mon, Jan 6, 1975
Joe's business is in such a dire financial situation that they are cutting Mae to part-time, with Rhoda filling in for Mae's cut time for free. On Rhoda's first day, Joe and Justin learn that the business will go bankrupt unless there is an immediate $7,000 infusion of cash. Rhoda convinces a reluctant Joe to ask her father for a $7,000 loan as Ida, who sensed something was wrong with Rhoda and was so relieved to learn that it was not something "bedroom" related in Rhoda and Joe's marriage, stated explicitly that she and Martin would help them financially in any way they could. Joe still has a difficult time asking Martin for the loan, as much as an embarrassed Martin has a difficult time having to say no, if only because he cannot yet liquidate his assets, which is where that $7,000 would currently reside. Beyond Ida being relieved in her own right to learn that Martin saying no to Joe's request does not mean they themselves are in the poor house, Joe will have to declare bankruptcy unless there is another source for the money of which he and Rhoda are unaware. But even if there was another source for the loan, would Rhoda and Joe agree to taking money from just anybody?
Episode 18
Not Made for Each Other
Mon, Jan 13, 1975
Timid Myrna Morgenstein, Rhoda's high school classmate with who she recently reconnected at Rhoda's bridal shower, stops by for an unexpected visit in order to break out of her mousy shell. Beyond Myrna's job as a high school English teacher, she has been unsuccessful in life and love. Wanting to provide whatever little assistance she can to Myrna in this new direction she is trying to forge, Rhoda decides to invite Myrna to a small dinner party, which will also include at Joe's behest his best friend, Charlie, although both Charlie and Myrna being there does not make it officially a "set-up" between the two. But Myrna's take charge attitude in eking out this new life for herself has some unintended consequences at the party, the resulting issues which both Rhoda and Joe will have to try and rectify.
Episode 19
Strained Interlude
Mon, Jan 20, 1975
Rhoda is nervous about what she wants to tell Joe, which she is eventually able to get out. After not hearing from him in seven years, Rhoda via Ida was contacted by an old boyfriend, David Bloom, who wants to meet with her. She, in turn, wants to see David, obviously platonically, although she was in love with him for the three years when they were dating. She will only see David if it's OK with Joe. After Rhoda and Joe's discussion in which Joe admits his true feeling of not feeling totally comfortable with it, Rhoda decides to see David as Joe wants to be mature about it. As time goes on in the lead up to Rhoda and David's date, Joe settles into a more comfortable mind set about what his wife will be doing, especially as he learns Brenda will also be there. And even after Rhoda returns from their date and hears from her about the nature of what happened on it, Joe wants to come to grips with his true feelings about it. On the flip side, Rhoda learns the reason behind David's want to see her, which factored in that he knew that she was married.
Episode 20
Everything I Have Is Yours, Almost
Mon, Jan 27, 1975
Rhoda has noticed that Joe still has certain parts of his life that he wants to remain private, such as anytime time he uses the bathroom for whatever reason, and how he organizes his sock drawer. Those items Rhoda can somewhat respect, although she would prefer if he did open up to her even about these items. But one thing Joe has not even mentioned is that he has been seeing a doctor, the only reason she knowing being the arrival in the mail of a doctor's bill addressed to him. After much thought on the matter, Rhoda decides to open that specific piece of mail, which doesn't state much beyond Joe owing a Dr. Wexler for services rendered. After she reseals the envelope, she plans to tell Joe what she did. She changes her mind when Joe, seeing the piece of mail, quickly hides it in his pocket like he doesn't want Rhoda to even see it. Rhoda still wants to ensure that Joe isn't hiding anything serious from her, and as such does whatever she can to find out why Joe is going to see a doctor... everything that is except ask him directly.
Episode 21
Chest Pains
Mon, Feb 3, 1975
Ida wants to convene a family meeting. Rhoda, the first to be informed, knows the news must be big since they have only had three family meetings in their lives, all around big news. Ida refuses to divulge the topic of the meeting until the actual get together. Rhoda passes the news to Brenda, who was incapacitated at the time Ida called. She was on a date with her current boyfriend Vince, who wants to take their relationship to the consummated stage, which Brenda is not sure she wants. When Rhoda and Brenda attend the meeting, they are worried since their father is not there. Ida tells them it's because she doesn't want him to hear her news: that she has not been feeling well, most specifically that she has been having chest pains. Ida has not been to a doctor, as she has always been scared about visiting doctors. Rhoda and Brenda convince her to do so as they will go along with her and be with her every step of the way, for good or bad. Regardless of the results, the process ends up affecting Ida's relationship with her daughters, especially in how Brenda deals with Vince.
Episode 22
Windows by Rhoda
Mon, Feb 10, 1975
Rhoda is preparing a presentation for a potential window dressing contract, which if she gets it would be her biggest job since she moved back to New York. The problem is that she can't come up with an idea for the presentation, which isn't helped by having to work from home and all the disruptions that come along with that. Her thought process is interrupted in quick succession by a door-to-door salesperson, Joe, Brenda and Myrna. But through these disruptions comes an idea from an unexpected source. That idea spawns Rhoda's presentation, which does get her the job over the twenty other applicants. With her window dressing contracts now flourishing, she decides to move her business into her own office. Running a business isn't as easy as Rhoda thought, but again she gets assistance from an unexpected source.
Episode 23
A Nice Warm Rut
Mon, Feb 24, 1975
Brenda giving up a date with a man she just met to spend her birthday with Rhoda and Joe on Joe's urging - time with family being admittedly a more comfortable situation for Brenda - ends up being a bone of contention between Rhoda and Joe. Joe believes Brenda should be able to make her own decisions, while Rhoda believes Brenda should not use her and Joe and the rest of their family as a crutch to hide from life. The process of Rhoda and Joe's argument may also be a bone of contention, the two items which place a strain in their marriage. Regardless of what Brenda decides to do about her birthday, Rhoda still wants to encourage Brenda to not be afraid of life, and to get out and experience it without them. Brenda tries to take Rhoda's advice to heart, which results in Brenda making a life altering decision. The question becomes will Rhoda be able to abide by that decision despite she not agreeing with it?
Episode 24
Ida, the Elf
Mon, Mar 3, 1975
Rhoda and Joe are both so busy that what ends up not happening consistently is housework. Neither of them mind as they fit in the cooking and cleaning as need be when it works for one or the other. In seeing what is happening, Ida becomes worried that Rhoda not being the perfect housewife will eventually lead to Joe divorcing her. To satisfy her own need for Rhoda and Joe's apartment to be clean in an effort to "save their marriage", Ida comes in one day and cleans their apartment and cooks them dinner, doing the same for Brenda while she's there anyway. Joe doesn't mind what Ida has done, but he also assures her that the state of his and Rhoda's marriage is no way in trouble because of the housework not being done. Rhoda on the other hand does not want her mother interfering by doing the housework, especially when not asked. An off handed comment by Joe to the group changes the mind of one side, but in turn causes a greater rift between mother and daughters, which can only be resolved by understanding the reason for that change. On an associated topic, Rhoda, to free up her time, needs Myrna to take more hands on responsibility at the office, especially in meeting with clients. Rhoda, however, isn't sure if she likes the way Myrna goes about it.
Episode 25
Along Comes Mary
Mon, Mar 10, 1975
Rhoda has just had the worst work day ever and needs some emotional support from Joe. Joe, on the other hand, has just had the best work day and wants to celebrate. Joe devises a plan that will meet both his and Rhoda's needs: that they take a romantic weekend vacation to a location of Rhoda's choosing. Rhoda loves the idea. Both Rhoda and Joe have to make some major adjustments to their respective schedules to make the weekend work. Just as they are about to leave for the weekend, they receive an unexpected visit from Mary from Minneapolis, she who was in town on a convention and who was able to free up her weekend to spend it with her best friend and her best friend's husband. Rhoda refuses to tell Mary that her unexpected arrival is interfering with her and Joe's planned weekend, despite Joe wanting Rhoda to do so, he who is obviously peeved at this last minute change in plans. Although Mary's arrival causes friction between Rhoda and Joe, it also has an unexpected result when Mary finds out the truth.