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24 Episodes 1975 - 1976
Episode 1
Mon, Sep 8, 1975
Carlton has been letting people into the building somewhat indiscriminately. This leads to a fight between two suitors for Brenda's affections. But worse, it leads to Rhoda and Joe's apartment being robbed. Carlton believed the three men's story that they were from Goodwill making a scheduled pickup. Beyond the less than satisfactory encounter she and Joe have with the investigating police detectives, Rhoda, in a fit of anger, states that this situation was the last straw in terms of screw ups by Carlton, she who plans to tell anyone of authority associated with the building about Carlton's actions. That results in Carlton getting fired. Although not apologetic about what she did, Rhoda does not feel as happy about Carlton being fired as she thought, especially after receiving a visit from his mother, from who Rhoda can see why Carlton turned out the way he did.
Episode 2
Mon, Sep 15, 1975
Joe having to change a business meeting time to accommodate a client causes a problem as he was supposed to pick up Donnie at that time for one of the few weekends he spends with his son. As she will be doing a job ten minutes away at that time, Rhoda volunteers to pick up Donnie for Joe. After making the suggestion, Rhoda doesn't regret it, but admits that she is nervous as she and Marian, Joe's ex, have never met. But Joe seems more worried, which may be how Rhoda is truly feeling. Needing to unburden herself about the issue, Rhoda talks to Brenda about it, as well as, albeit reluctantly, to Ida. Rhoda's arrival at Marian's house is awkward enough, but gets extended because Donnie is kept late at his previous appointment. Rhoda and Marian's extended time together becomes more awkward by circumstance outside of their control.
Episode 3
Mon, Sep 22, 1975
Ida discusses an issue important to her with Rhoda and reluctantly with Brenda, who she feels is too young to hear such news: she thinks she may be having an affair. When they all calm down from the initial shock, Rhoda and Brenda learn the person in question is Dr. Henry Gerber, the physician she went to see when she had chest pains two months ago, they meet once a week at his office, those meetings are now scheduled at the end of the day so that they can extend their visit if they want, he doesn't charge her for those visits, they just talk, and nothing sexual has happened... yet. All Ida wants from her daughters at this time is a little guilt trip to stop her from doing anything foolish, which Rhoda and Brenda are able to provide. But when Ida goes to see the doctor to break things off, they have a more candid talk about what they've been doing which leads to the doctor asking Ida out for cocktails, to which she agrees. As she has never yet been able to say no to Henry, Ida uses what she hopes will be a foolproof technique for her to break things off with Henry, despite her feelings for him.
Episode 4
Mon, Sep 29, 1975
Rhoda and Joe are out for dinner celebrating the first anniversary of what has so far been a happy marriage. The anniversary dinner is anything but, which starts off badly then goes downhill. First, they are made to wait what they consider an unreasonable amount of time for a table. Second, while Joe goes to speak to the maître d' about the wait, an obnoxious man tries to pick up Rhoda, a situation which she is able to neutralize on her own. And third, Joe, who catches the end of Rhoda and the obnoxious man's encounter, feels the need to defend Rhoda's honor by going outside to fight the man, which in turn takes place instead of dinner. It's not so much the fact that Joe got the worst between the men in the fight that concerned Rhoda, it was that Rhoda felt she handled the situation to its conclusion before Joe even arrived on the scene, and thus he got into the fight more for himself, to show that he is a "man", than for her. This situation leaves both Rhoda and Joe angry at the other by the end of the evening. By early the next day, they have both cooled off and want to try to have a truly happy anniversary dinner that evening. But another incident at Joe's office leads to another fight about one sticking their nose in the other's business where it didn't belong, this time Joe accusing Rhoda of such, and another anniversary dinner that doesn't happen. Rhoda and Joe have different ways to resolve the situation with the other, Rhoda's which entails using Brenda's gag anniversary gift to them.
Episode 5
Mon, Oct 6, 197530 mins
The latest party Rhoda and Joe are hosting gets off to a bad start before it even begins as Rhoda and Joe have a fight before the first guest even arrives, since Joe, when he was married to Marian, was used to throwing formal gatherings, while Rhoda, who ordered pizza for this party, wants this one to be casual and informal. With no pizza in sight by the time the guests arrive, Rhoda tries her best to keep the mood light and relaxed, which she believes she is achieving, but which isn't the case. The party keeps getting worse and worse when Brenda's date, Nick, self appoints himself as the evening's entertainment by playing the accordion, then Susan's husband, psychiatrist Dr. Arthur Alborn, after being challenged as to the legitimacy of his profession, tries to prove his worth by conducting a party game masquerading as couples' therapy. The game does bring out some revelations, but it is the last which may set the ultimate tone of the party.
Episode 6
Mon, Oct 13, 1975
Brenda's new life of being unemployed is making her look at her day-to-day routine differently in a good way, she figuring that she can do whatever she wants. She doesn't plan to look for a replacement job for a while, since she figures that money given to her by her father almost ten years ago and which has been in the bank since then, will keep her going for a while. However, she soon learns that that money has not earned nearly as much interest as she thought, meaning that she probably has enough to last for less than a month and that she'll have to start looking for a job immediately. She is confidant at the start of her job search, but quickly gives up on trying to find a job and as such gives up on life. Several people try to help Brenda manage her life, but it's one offer, one that Brenda probably would not even have considered if she was in a better state, that has Rhoda worried about how it will affect her long term future if she indeed does go through with it. But through the process, Rhoda and Brenda's relationship may be forever changed.
Episode 7
Mon, Oct 20, 1975
Rhoda has to make the latest business deposit because Myrna, whose job it is to do such, is slacking off, she who seems only concerned about getting dates. This situation is not only affecting Rhoda's business, but also her personal life as she needs to do all Myrna's work in her off time to keep up. As Myrna is a friend, it may be difficult for Rhoda to address the issue with Myrna. The other problem for Rhoda is when she can confront Myrna as Myrna is never in the office. Rhoda doing the deposit is the first that Rhoda learns that Brenda is up for an important promotion to operations officer at the bank, and the first that Rhoda meets Brenda's best friend, Sandy Franks, a fellow teller. Brenda believes she gave a great interview, with a clever and witty response to a difficult question. She also believes she has the job in the bag as the bank manager also spoke to two of her best friends on staff, including Sandy, as references. The result of the promotion leads to problems between Brenda and Sandy, the two who may have to resolve their resulting issues much the same as Rhoda and Myrna.
Episode 8
Mon, Oct 27, 1975
Rhoda is trying to be more secure in her marriage to Joe, but breaking those years long insecurities is difficult for her. Meanwhile, Brenda's rent is being increased by $50/month, which means she either has to move to an even more dumpy apartment, or find a roommate. She opts for the latter. Not knowing of any friend who could be that roommate, Brenda advertises for one. Who she ends up choosing is a beautiful statuesque blonde named Heather Andrews, who Brenda eventually finds out knows she's beautiful. To prove to herself that she is meeting her insecurities head on, Rhoda invites Heather to dinner. The invitation is before Heather meets Joe, to who she is immediately attracted, and who she wants to pursue despite he being married. Heather tells Brenda as much, who tells Rhoda. Further to prove she is secure with her marriage, Rhoda decides still to go through with the dinner. The questions become what Heather will do in Rhoda's presence, and how much Rhoda will tolerate of a beautiful woman flirting with her husband, regardless of how open or not Heather is about it.
Episode 9
Mon, Nov 3, 197530 mins
While Ida and Martin sit with Donny one evening as Rhoda and Joe are out, Ida comes to the conclusion that she wants to be a grandmother. Upon hearing this news, Rhoda emphatically tells her that she and Joe are not at the stage of even contemplating having children. Ida is not perturbed by this news as it comes from stubborn Rhoda, and she has one other daughter who is more malleable upon who she can focus, namely Brenda. Brenda somewhat appreciates her mother's efforts to set her up in theory, but doesn't like that Ida seems to think that she knows better than Brenda who she should date and ultimately marry. In Brenda's estimation, Ida seems to be scraping the bottom of the man pool in finding her dates. So Brenda decides to stand up for herself and tell Ida no more set-ups, which leads to mother and daughter not speaking to each other. Brenda meets a client at the bank who she would like to date, and to her amazement and a little help from Rhoda, Brenda and "Paul" do end up dating. The question becomes when and if Brenda allows Paul to ever meet Ida whether Ida will believe she could have done any better in finding a man for Brenda.
Episode 10
Mon, Nov 10, 1975
Rhoda is feeling great about her life as she comes to the realization that her business is doing extremely well. She wants to extend her happiness to both Brenda and Joe, the latter who she wants to give the best night of his life. But that night is interrupted by a telephone call from Myrna, who implies that the latest client she has just nabbed for them was done all through her sex appeal and not Rhoda's talent, as the client never even looked at Rhoda's sketches. When Rhoda confronts Myrna the next morning at the office, Myrna admits that she is dating all fourteen of their customers, she stating that her "friendliness" is what sets them apart from other window dressing companies. Appalled, Rhoda wants to prove to herself that they can still get business the old fashioned way of hard work and talent. So Rhoda decides to take the next business meeting herself. Will totally business-oriented Rhoda be able to land the account just like Myrna, especially when the client was expecting that special Myrna touch?
Episode 11
Mon, Nov 17, 1975
Accordion gigs have been few and far between for Nick. And even when Joe gives him a job playing at a retirement dinner for one of Joe's long time employees, an incident at the party gives Nick a good indication that he may not be able to make a living playing the accordion in New York City. As such, he contemplates making a move to Buffalo to work in a pizza joint... making pizza. Brenda is so heartbroken by Nick's impending move that Rhoda, somewhat on Brenda's urging despite believing Nick to be a no good lazy bum, asks Joe to hire him, which he does. But Nick, who has a unique view of himself and his position in life, may not be well suited to manual labor, or for that matter work. The question then becomes if Joe and by association Rhoda will keep Nick on just to keep Brenda happy. Someone else may answer that question for them.
Episode 12
Mon, Nov 24, 1975
The Gerards and Brenda begin a friendship with the Cummings - Maggie and Ted - a couple who have just moved to New York City and into the building. The core of the group friendship is Rhoda and Maggie, who works as an advertising creative. Rhoda considers Maggie as close and as good a friend as any. When Ida and Martin meet the Cummings for the first time, Ida becomes jealous of Rhoda and Maggie's friendship. The reason?: the Cummings are around the same age as Ida and Martin. Ida wishes she had a similar "girlfriends" type relationship with Rhoda that Rhoda and Maggie have, and that Rhoda can obviously have with a woman her age. As such, Ida invites Rhoda, Joe, Maggie and Ted to a dinner party. The method of the invitation and a hint from Brenda makes Rhoda come to some idea of the reason for the party, which is for Ida to show Rhoda that she too can be a better girlfriend than Maggie, who doesn't even realize that she is in a competition for Rhoda's friendship with of all people Rhoda's mother.
Episode 13
Mon, Dec 1, 1975
Rhoda has been trying to organize regular girls' nights with Myrna and Susan, those nights which never happen quite as envisioned. The latest get-together, a dinner at Rhoda's, has Myrna bowing out at the last minute because she just met a man, and Susan, after finding out about Myrna, figuring that there are issues with her kids which need attention instead. Perturbed, Rhoda makes them both vow that nothing will get in the way of their next girls' night out. They reluctantly agree. However, Rhoda may have a problem as Joe himself becomes irked when the night Rhoda chooses is the regular night they set aside for each other. Rhoda specifically chose that night since she and Joe never do anything on those nights. Despite that setback which Rhoda somewhat dismisses, the girls' night out has a plan. As that night out progresses, the three come to certain realizations about their friendship, and Rhoda comes to a realization about her marriage, at least a realization borne out of her overactive imagination.
Episode 14
Mon, Dec 8, 1975
Rhoda and Brenda have just returned home from the airport where they dropped Joe off to catch a flight to Florida for his week long fishing trip with his father. While getting out of the taxi in front of their building, Rhoda bumped into a man who was rushing to grab the taxi. In the process, the man ripped the handle off her purse. Rhoda later learns in quick succession three items: that her wallet also fell out at that time, the wallet which is now gone; that Carlton found the wallet, but gave it to the man in the taxi; and that the jewelry store down the street was robbed just as they were coming home. Rhoda comes to the conclusion that the man in the taxi was the jewelry store thief, he who now has her wallet, therefore knows where she lives, and knows that she got a good look at him and thus can identify him to the police. As Joe is away for the week, Rhoda turns to Brenda and their parents for moral support to allay her fears about the thief coming to get her, but she gets a little more than just moral support. But can the collective four - which ends up being five with the addition of an unexpected person - protect themselves when the man telephones and says he wants to return the wallet?
Episode 15
Mon, Dec 29, 1975
Brenda's friend Sandy has finally found another job, working for a rental car agency. The one thing that Sandy doesn't like about it is that it is too far away from her mother's place in the Bronx, where she is living, especially as she often has to work late. As such, she asks Brenda if she can move in with her. Brenda agrees. With the exception of Sandy's excessive telephone use - all those calls with her mother - Brenda and Sandy end up being compatible roommates, that is until Sandy invites another of her co-workers, Patty Pappas, a non-stop talker and recent transplant from California who has no other place to go, to stay with them albeit temporarily. As much as Brenda wants to tell Patty that she can't stay, especially since the apartment is cramped even for two people, she doesn't have the backbone to do so. Brenda's space problem is a little longer than anticipated and has a spillover effect on Rhoda and Joe. Will the chain of Joe telling Rhoda to tell Brenda to tell Sandy to tell Patty be complete, and if so will Patty actually move out?
Episode 16
Mon, Jan 5, 1976
Rhoda is having pangs of self-doubt about her professional abilities, those doubts which are in turn affecting Joe's life. These doubts are because she can't come up with an idea for what has the potential to be the largest contract on which she's ever worked, that for a chain of twenty tuxedo rental stores. Even when she does come up with an idea, she isn't sure she likes it. However, by the time she has her meeting with the tuxedo store owner, Mr. Guthrie, Rhoda is totally sold on her concept. She is quickly and decisively shot down by the gruff and simple minded Mr. Guthrie, who knows exactly what he wants for his windows: two tall mannequins, two short mannequins, all four in tuxedos. Rhoda hates his idea, which can be accomplished by any window dresser. As Rhoda contemplates whether to take the job or not, her doubts once again affect her marriage to Joe, who has his own idea of what she should do and how she should behave in such a situation.
Episode 17
Mon, Jan 12, 1976
Brenda is attracted to Jerry Blocker, a new employee at her bank. To her amazement, he asks her out. Rhoda meets him at the bank, and her first impression of him is that he is smug, conceited, egotistical and much too sure of himself. That impression is strengthened when he cancels the date with Brenda and tells her the reason why. Despite he treating her like a doormat, Brenda still wants him. When Rhoda tells Brenda that it's easy to get guys like Jerry, Brenda wants to know how. Rhoda will only oblige her sister on the condition that after she gets him, she dumps him. Although not quite what she wants, Brenda agrees as she feels there will be some satisfaction in being a dumper as opposed to always being the dumpee. If Rhoda's plan works, will Brenda be able to go through with her vow to dump Jerry?
Episode 18
Mon, Jan 19, 197630 mins
The Gerards and Alborns are going out for a dinner together. Before Joe and Arthur arrive, Susan, who is currently between pregnancies, confides in Rhoda that she is feeling dissatisfied in her twelve year marriage to Arthur, primarily in that he is too controlled in his emotions, which is probably a fact of being a psychiatrist. An act by Arthur at that dinner shows the other three that he really doesn't easily let go of those emotions. A discussion between the Alborns results in Arthur suggesting that Susan take a couple of weeks for herself by moving from their Scarsdale home to stay in town at the Plaza, during which time she is not to contact him. Once at the Plaza, Susan finds that she is miserable, and surmises that perhaps this plan was Arthur's way of getting a formal separation from her. As such, she asks Rhoda to intervene. Even if Rhoda can get Arthur and Susan talking to each other earlier than the end of the two weeks, can Rhoda do anything about the core issue of Arthur's controlled emotions?
Episode 19
Mon, Jan 26, 1976
At her office, Rhoda receives a visit from an elderly gentleman named Billy Glass who she doesn't know. He is however an old but estranged friend of her father's. That estrangement, which has now been for thirty-five years, is because he was also in love with Ida. Billy wants to reconcile with Martin. Rhoda decides to play her small part in that reconciliation by inviting Billy to a dinner she and Joe are hosting for Martin anyway, that dinner since Ida is out of town for a few weeks leaving Martin to fend for himself. To everyone's amazement, Martin is overjoyed to see Billy, who he has thought about getting in touch with over the years. But Martin's joy at seeing Billy is tempered by a never married Billy seemingly still pining for Ida. Martin has to decide what to do about the situation, as he still wants to keep in touch with Billy but isn't sure if he can trust Billy with Ida.
Episode 20
Mon, Feb 2, 1976
Washington, DC based FBI agent Michael Stearns makes what most consider an unreasonable request: to move into Brenda's apartment for an indefinite period of time (meaning that she would have to find other accommodation for that time) while he does some surveillance work on an apartment across the street. Brenda agrees if only because she is attracted to Michael. Insecure Brenda, who ends up staying with a cold plagued Rhoda and Joe upstairs, makes any excuse she can to go to her apartment just so that she can see Michael. He doesn't mind as he too is attracted to her. When both Michael and Brenda come to the point of declaring their mutual attraction for each other, Michael makes a confession: that he is already involved with someone else. Willing to risk getting hurt, Brenda still decides to get involved with him for however long he is in New York. But both Michael and Brenda have to decide what to do once his assignment is completed and he is ready to head back to Washington. For Brenda, what may factor into her decision is how painful the thought of saying goodbye to Michael forever ends up being.
Episode 21
Mon, Feb 9, 1976
At Rhoda's birthday party at her parent's house, everyone notices how on edge and confrontational Martin is, everyone that is except Ida, or so she says. In reality, Ida notices, as it is how he's been acting for several weeks. Afraid of hearing the news directly, Ida asks Rhoda to question her father about what's going on, Ida believing that Martin is having an affair, as he is gone every Wednesday evening. He says he's at work, but Ida knows that is not the case. When Rhoda speaks to her father, he is candid with her about what he is feeling: restless, as he feels he has not fulfilled all the promise he had as a young man, and admittedly that her mother does not fulfill all those needs. However, he does state that he is not having an affair, but he still wants Rhoda to be his "alibi" for his upcoming Wednesday night whereabouts if Ida asks. When Ida finds some evidence of where Martin goes on Wednesday nights, she wants to go there, with her daughters for support, to confront Martin and "the other woman", who ends up being a little bigger than any of them would have imagined.
Episode 22
Mon, Feb 16, 1976
Joe feels that there is a problem in his and Rhoda's marriage as other things prevent them from spending much meaningful time together. They are both busy at their respective jobs, and people, primarily Rhoda's family members, always seem to be around interrupting what little quality alone time they have. Although a stretch for both of them to be able to do so because of work pressures, they both decide to "play hooky" from work for four days, being up front with their respective business partners, Justin and Myrna, about the reason. They will also not allow family or friends to interrupt the time they need to get reacquainted. Ida and Brenda are able to manage having each other as their new best bud, but will Justin and/or Myrna be able to survive four days at work without Joe and Rhoda, especially on such short notice?
Episode 23
Mon, Feb 23, 197630 mins
As he has been on a lucky streak and knowing Brenda will say yes this time, Lenny asks Brenda to marry him again. For the seventh time, Brenda turns him down, she knowing that she will never marry him. She also tells him that she thinks it is a good idea if they don't see each other anymore. Later, what Brenda learns through the grapevine - that grapevine being Lenny's mother, their estranged Aunt Lillian, who tells Ida - is that Lenny has quit his CPA job and has moved home. In Rhoda's eyes, Lenny is not only in a depression, but has suffered a nervous breakdown. Brenda does not like feeling like she is causing Lenny any grief. Despite the entire family, who are keeping vigil over Lenny, being at Aunt Lillian's house, they who all blame Brenda for Lenny's condition, Brenda decides she needs to confront Lenny. Rhoda and Joe, who accompany Brenda to provide her support, end up having to break the ice with Aunt Lillian and the entire family. Regardless, Brenda will somehow have to make Lenny understand that she still cares for him while she will never be Mrs. Lenny Fiedler.
Episode 24
Mon, Mar 1, 1976
Rhoda is having the worst week of her entire life. Joe is housebound as he has thrown out his back again, and their apartment ceiling has a leak. But the worst issue is that her business is having a cash flow problem. She has lots of creditors who are clamoring to be paid, yet those clients that owe her money aren't paying. She hasn't even paid herself or Myrna in two months. She hasn't even told Joe her problems, but he suspects something is wrong as he has heard her cry, something she doesn't usually do. Rhoda goes to what she considers extremes of asking first Brenda for a loan, then upon Brenda's suggestion, second taking out a small business loan from the bank, which is declined if only because of Joe's income. Will Rhoda take what she considers the last resort, that being to ask Joe for money?