Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
24 Episodes 1976 - 1977
Episode 1
Mon, Sep 20, 1976
Joe doing whatever he can to get out of buying the house that Rhoda wants is just the latest issue in their marriage. Rhoda has known that something has been wrong for the last few months - before that being the last time they had sex - but she has been afraid to confront the issue whenever it looked like it would arise. When Rhoda and Joe finally have their much delayed talk, all Joe can express to Rhoda is that he still loves her, but he hasn't been as happy of late as he thinks he should be, and that some time on his own is what he needs. A heartbroken Rhoda doesn't know what to do to comfort herself, except not tell Ida of her problems. She makes Brenda swear that she will not tell their mother. But Ida does find out, and surprises Rhoda in being able to provide some motherly comfort.
Episode 2
Mon, Sep 27, 1976
Joe stops by the apartment for the first time since his and Rhoda's separation, if only to pick up some clothes. Rhoda isn't ready to see him, so leaves Brenda at the apartment to act as her spy to see how Joe is really doing. Missing the opportunity to see Joe, Rhoda later decides to manufacture an excuse to go over to Joe's new apartment if just to see him. Joe can see through Rhoda's obvious ploy, but he doesn't care as he is truly happy to see her. Rhoda and Joe's time together ends up being a bit awkward since they don't know if they are friends, lovers, enemies, or acquaintances in their new relationship status. They decide to go on a "date" if only to catch up, which too has some awkward moments, most specifically with regard to spending time with a couple out on a blind date. But ultimately, they know this one night will not solve any of their existing problems, so they have to decide if having sex, which will make the moment feel better but which may complicate matters, is a good idea.
Episode 3
Mon, Oct 4, 1976
While doing laundry in their apartment building laundry room, Rhoda and Brenda meet one of their neighbors, a wannabe Lothario of a man named Gary Levy who immediately hits on Rhoda. Rhoda, in return, wants nothing to do with Gary. Gary's resolve in pursuing Rhoda is only strengthened when Brenda tells him of Rhoda's marital situation. Later, Rhoda and Joe are meeting to discuss their marital financial issues. The biggest single issue is the apartment, which the two of them in combination were barely able to make rent on, and which Rhoda cannot manage on her own. As such, Rhoda wants to Joe to assist in rent for the apartment above and beyond what he is paying for his own apartment. Rhoda doesn't want to move, which is what Joe is quietly suggesting she do. Brenda thinks she has a solution to Rhoda's rent problem, one that would involve Rhoda's new favorite Lothario of a neighbor.
Episode 4
Mon, Oct 11, 1976
Rhoda and Joe have been separated for one week, and Rhoda still wants so much to see and speak to Joe, but doesn't want to call him herself as not to seem desperate. After Rhoda and Joe eventually do speak, each still has strong feelings for the other, but the conversation leads to Rhoda deciding to do something she probably would not have done otherwise. She received a brochure in the mail advertising a weekend single's retreat at a mountain resort, which she now plans to attend with Brenda. Brenda is somewhat determined to have a good time. However, Rhoda truly does want to hide out in their hotel room for the entire weekend rather than fight off the leches attending the retreat. She ends up having company in the form of one their two other roommates, thirty-nine year old divorced flight attendant, Sally Gallagher, who was forced to attend the retreat by her company, one the sponsors. Will anything happen to make either Rhoda and/or Sally change their mind about leaving the room and/or having a fun time?
Episode 5
Mon, Oct 18, 1976
After an extended period away in Las Vegas, Nick Lobo unexpectedly returns to New York to an excited Brenda and less than excited Rhoda and Sally, the latter who meets Nick for the first time. Nick wants to take Brenda out for a night on the town, but as she didn't know Nick was coming back, she already made plans for a movie with Rhoda. To get Rhoda out of the apartment and her thoughts away from Joe, Brenda suggests she and Nick take Rhoda out, to which Nick and a reluctant Rhoda agree. Rhoda's reluctance grows when at the last minute, Nick springs a blind date on her in the form of Johnny Venture, a flashy lounge singer from Las Vegas, he who believes he's God's gift to women. By the end of the evening, Rhoda, in spending time with Johnny, comes up with what she believes is a great insight into the process of getting over a marriage separation.
Episode 6
Mon, Oct 25, 1976
After the latest of what has been their weekly dates, Joe has spent the night with Rhoda. Outwardly, Brenda sees this situation as a good sign. Rhoda, on the other hand, sees it as a bad sign as Joe is too happy in their current situation of dating once a week. Both Brenda and Gary think that Rhoda has to do something professionally about the matter, namely go see a marriage counselor, something which Rhoda had already contemplated previously but was afraid of the outcome. She does believe now is the time, and she is able to convince Joe into going. Rhoda wants to go into the process not looking like the instigator of their problems, but as she and Joe meet with Dr. Fox, that meeting which starts off on a bad footing, they obviously both have issues, but obviously also still love each other and want to be together. But it isn't until near the end of this first session with Dr. Fox that the ultimate question is asked and answered which may be the root of their current situation.
Episode 7
Mon, Nov 1, 1976
Both Gary and Brenda are trying to get Rhoda out to prevent her from lamenting about Joe and falling into old bad habits. Gary wants to set her up on a date with another tenant in the building, Eric Jurgenson. As she is not ready to date, Rhoda opts for Brenda's suggestion: accompany her to her latest Weight Control Center meeting, that group which Rhoda herself used to belong to. At the meeting, Brenda gets some unexpected news: she has met her weight loss goal, and thus is kicked out of the group. Brenda takes this news hard as she sees this as yet another rejection, and she has always used her weight as a crutch on which to blame all her life's problems. Brenda also has a hard time giving up what she has done all her life, and that is to hide herself physically and emotionally as not to show what she considered her ugly self to others. Regardless, others do notice, among them being Eric who asks her out. As attracted as Brenda is to Eric, she has to decide if a past encounter, one that Eric probably doesn't remember, will affect her present.
Episode 8
Mon, Nov 8, 1976
Rhoda doesn't quite understand Joe's latest complaint about their marriage: that it was too comfortable. The more she thinks about it though, she finally does understand that the marriage was dull, which she didn't really realize, and more so that she herself is dull and not spontaneous. To get herself out of her rut, she wants to do something crazy, but can't figure out what that crazy but also doable thing will be. She draws Brenda into her scheme, the two who will each write three three things down on pieces of paper, and each randomly draw one of those pieces of paper, having to do whatever is written on it. Brenda's task ends up being to telephone Woody Allen whose telephone number she got from the bank and who she has wanted to call since. Rhoda's task ends up being a little more expensive: take a weekend trip to Paris. Although many people, like Sally and Brenda, encourage Rhoda to go through with the trip, many little voices, mostly inside of her and a louder external voice from Joe, who tells her that this trip isn't her, tell her not to go. To who will Rhoda ultimate listen?
Episode 9
Mon, Nov 15, 1976
Brenda agrees to go out on a date with Gary. She has second thoughts when she finds out the real reason he asked her: it is to accompany him to his parents' place for dinner as he has told them that they have been dating for the last six months. He chose Brenda specifically because she is the type of girl his parents would like, despite she being nowhere near Gary's type. Brenda still decides to go along with the ruse. Shortly before they would be heading off to the dinner, Brenda comes down with the flu. Gary can't tell his parents the truth about Brenda's illness as that's the excuse he's used every other time they have suggested getting together. Brenda still decides to go if only to help Gary. If only to keep Brenda in bed where she truly belongs, Rhoda reluctantly agrees to be Brenda for the evening in front of Gary's parents. Beyond Rhoda trying to remember all those made up things Gary has told his parents about Brenda, many of those things which Rhoda doesn't even know, Rhoda has to pretend to be the sweet, accommodating girl that Brenda really is, which may be the more difficult task. Rhoda forgets one important item, which ultimately places her in survival mode in the Levy home.
Episode 10
Mon, Nov 29, 197630 mins
Rhoda goes out with Sally... top a single bar. Jury when they count be the worst, whilst Sally's walking around the bar, she sees a good-looking man, and tells Rhoda he's heading towards her. When he's close, Rhoda sees him; it's Joe - and he's there with another (younger) women?
Episode 11
Mon, Dec 13, 1976
While Rhoda is in the bank waiting in Brenda's teller line, a man gets in the long line behind her, he telling her that he wants specifically to be in this line as he is attracted to Brenda. Rhoda does whatever she can to get this man and Brenda together, which does not take much encouragement on either side. They both eventually learn that he is Marty Davidson, a successful businessman who owns three McDonald's franchises. After their first date, Brenda is totally enamored with him, as he's sweet, and treats her like she's the most special person in the world. Brenda is however unprepared for his marriage proposal, which he asks in front of Rhoda only after a few dates. Regardless, Brenda accepts. As Brenda thinks more about the proposal, she comes to the realization that although she loves Marty more than any man she has ever been with, she is not in love with him. She has to decide if that is enough to stay engaged to him, and indeed to continue dating him.
Episode 12
Mon, Dec 20, 1976
Sally is staying temporarily with Rhoda while work is being done on her own apartment. During this stay, Sally receives a visit at Rhoda's from her airline pilot ex-husband, Lloyd Zimmer, the two who got divorced because of his philandering despite the fact that Sally sees him as a descent guy otherwise. Lloyd, who philandered in part to overcome his insecurity of being short, comes bearing news: he is getting remarried, and he wants Sally's blessing... to reduce his alimony to her on fiancée Cissy's wants. In discussing the issue with Rhoda and Brenda, Sally has mixed emotions about the situation. She can screw Lloyd by not giving in to his request. But if she does agree, she will never have to deal with Lloyd ever again. Sally decides what she is going to do, but, as a gesture, decides to have a dinner with Lloyd and Cissy together. After meeting Cissy, Sally changes her mind about what she is going to do, which affects Lloyd in more ways than one.
Episode 13
Mon, Dec 27, 1976
Rhoda has done some freelance work for Rick, the owner of the singles bar/restaurant she and Joe frequented. She designed some invitations for him announcing the third anniversary of his place, for which he is having a big party. Despite being slightly repulsed by the thought of Rick, Sally nonetheless agrees to be his date for the evening. He also invites Rhoda and Brenda. Brenda accepts, but it takes much convincing for Rhoda eventually to accept, which she does in part on Gary's plea to be his date so that he can crash the party. Despite Rick's vow that he didn't invite Joe, Joe does show up, as the date of his neighbor, Jan. Rhoda doesn't know what to think about seeing Joe with another woman. All she does know is that she doesn't like the feeling. Regardless, she believes it was somewhat of an inevitability. It isn't until she and Joe can talk about the situation can they come to their true feelings about this aspect of their separated lives.
Episode 14
Mon, Jan 3, 197725 mins
It's New Year's Eve. Sally is working. Gary has what he hopes will be a romantic date which is to culminate with a horse drawn carriage ride through Central Park when midnight rolls around. Brenda as of yet has no plans, which she expects will be the case until she calls Lenny for their annual sad sack evening together. Most importantly, Rhoda, who, with Joe, never really believed in whooping it up to mark the occasion, plans on staying at home and being in bed at the stroke of midnight, that is until she finds out that Joe has plans to spend it with Charlie and a group of his friends in Connecticut. Not wanting to look or feel like she isn't moving on with her life without Joe, Rhoda, at the last minute, decides to throw a New Year's Eve bash at her place. Despite it being the last minute, the party looks like it will be a rousing occasion, especially since Sally and her flight crew are planning on attending as their flight was grounded. Rhoda feels she has to have a good time and does whatever to make it a fun party. It may end up being fun for Rhoda but not for anything she planned for the party.
Episode 15
Mon, Jan 10, 1977
Gary is facing a business crisis. His jeans store is doing poorly largely in part to what were in hindsight bad merchandising decisions. To get himself out of his hole, he has let go all of his staff and plans on having a clearance sale, which if it goes poorly means the final sale for the store. He recruits Rhoda, Brenda and his medical school sister Allison to help him at the sale. By the end of the day and the end of the sale, Gary breathes a sigh of relief as it was a complete success, with one minor exception of something that happened to Rhoda. A further result of the emotions of the day is that Gary and Brenda fall into each others arms romantically. The two have to figure out if they are just caught up in the moment or if there is perhaps a long term future for them as being more than just friends.
Episode 16
Sun, Jan 16, 197730 mins
Brenda is certain that Nick, who she has not seen in some time, has asked to see her now only to borrow money. Despite knowing that Rhoda does not like Nick, Brenda asks for Rhoda's advice regardless, Rhoda who advises her not to lend money to a deadbeat like Nick. In a roundabout way, Nick does ask Brenda for a favor to assist him in his cash flow issue, making the request sound like he is doing her a favor. Brenda sees through his scam, and flatly denies his request. Nick is certain that Rhoda had something to do with Brenda's denial of his request, so he decides to ask Rhoda point blank what she has against him. Nick and Rhoda's encounter extends both in time and circumstance, that circumstance which may provide Brenda with a clearer picture of the Nick Lobo she seems not to be able to get out of her mind and therefore her life.
Episode 17
Sun, Jan 23, 197725 mins
Gary has some dirt on the beautiful woman who has just moved into the building across the hall from Rhoda. Although she lists on her mailbox that she is an interior designer, Gary has it on first hand knowledge that she is a lady of the evening as he invited her to his place, and she replied that it would cost him $100. This news is old to Rhoda, as a constant parade of men have come knocking on her door in error. Rhoda has some exciting news of her own: she may get the contract to do the window for an exclusive store. Trying to get the contract becomes a problem for Rhoda when the store's representative, Ernie Joyce, seems like he is more interested in getting to know Rhoda in the biblical sense than in her sketches. Rhoda ends up being most concerned about how she can get just treatment from Ernie for his actions against her in the form of a simple and sincere "I'm sorry". Rhoda may have an unexpected ally in the matter. Meanwhile, Brenda is going on a blind date with her first ever jock.
Episode 18
Sun, Jan 30, 197725 mins
Rhoda is totally stressed out about a job, which isn't helped by the fact that she has to interrupt her work to go see the marriage counselor, Dr. Fox, who she doesn't think has been providing any help of late in getting her and Joe back together, especially since the counseling sessions have been as individuals and not as a couple to discuss their issues together. Rhoda is going to break off her professional relationship with Dr. Fox after this next appointment. She changes her mind when she learns from Dr. Fox about Joe's counseling sessions, and receives some insight into the matter from Dr. Fox. On Dr. Fox's advice, Rhoda plans on confronting Joe with her feelings, which ends up being an ultimatum of sorts. Rhoda is somewhat surprised and hurt by Joe's response to that ultimatum, which ends up involving Dr. Fox in a non-professional sense, he who may not be able to take off his psychologist hat in the situation.
Episode 19
Sun, Feb 6, 197725 mins
Rhoda's received a bunch of gifts from a secret admirer; long-stemmed red roses, a box of chocolates, and jewelry. Gifts usually reserved from a serious date or boyfriend. The situation becomes more serious when Rhoda finds out the jewel is a real diamond, and her secret admirer makes reference to meeting the following night, at midnight. Rhoda has no idea who her mystery man is, but, with Brenda and Gary as backup, Rhoda decides to complete the extravagant date to the end, to prove her mystery man wrong, while getting a nice dinner in the process.
Episode 20
Sun, Feb 13, 197725 mins
A despondent Nick, who wants to be alone, kicks Brenda out of her apartment. As Brenda takes refuge with Rhoda, Rhoda in turn demands that Brenda stand up to Nick at least to find out why he kicked her out of her own apartment. Brenda finds out it's because the five year deal he made with his father - make good in the entertainment business or else join him in his work as a trash collector - is up in exactly three days. Brenda tries her best to encourage Nick along his three day journey to stardom. But she also asks for Rhoda's help and advice directly to Nick, which may be difficult not only because Rhoda has never been the biggest Nick Lobo fan, but because she is facing her own problems, namely her skin breaking out all over of which her dermatologist can't figure the cause.
Episode 21
Sun, Feb 20, 197725 mins
Brenda has been dating Benny Goodwin, who has fallen in love with her... after their first date. In talking about their future children, Benny admits to Brenda that he had his ears done when he was a child. This admission makes Brenda think about the one part of her body that she would most like to change, namely her nose. Against Rhoda's advice, Brenda decides at least to go for a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon. After the consultation with Dr. Dreiser, who supports the notion of cosmetic surgery in general, an easily swayed Brenda decides to proceed with the expensive surgery, for which she will require a loan to do. Despite Rhoda being against the surgery in principle, Rhoda can't argue with Brenda's primary reason for getting it done, namely to feel better about herself. So can Rhoda or anyone else make Brenda feel that she's beautiful just the way she is?
Episode 22
Sun, Feb 27, 1977
As they do every year, Brenda's bank coworkers throw her a surprise party. Unfortunately, they do it on their boss' desk. When Rhoda makes a mess, instead of him getting mad, he invites Brenda and Rhoda to dinner. He then asks Rhoda out on a date.
Episode 23
Sun, Mar 6, 197725 mins
Carlton and Brenda have made big changes in their lives, Carlton who has now vowed sobriety, and Brenda who has a radical new hairdo. Brenda's change is only the first radical change she will be making, one every week to her appearance until she comes up with a complete look she likes. In the meantime, some things remain the same. Rhoda has invited her old friend from high school, Susan Alborn, over for an old fashioned slumber party. Susan has just found out that she is pregnant for the seventh time. Brenda reluctantly stays for the party, the reason she wouldn't being that she is somewhat mad at Rhoda for openly criticizing her new hairdo. Brenda uses the opportunity of a truth party game to rail against Rhoda for always treating her like a baby, Rhoda who in turn justifies her behavior as Brenda always asks her advice and opinion. Brenda, who storms out, is madder than she has ever been against her older sister. Can anything be said on either side to mend the rift?
Episode 24
Sun, Mar 13, 197724 mins
Rhoda receives a special delivery letter, with the return addressee being "Mr. Magnetism" in Las Vegas. Before she opens it, she knows it's from Johnny Venture, who she has told time and time again in no uncertain terms that she is not interested in pursuing a relationship with him. His letter contains a round trip ticket each for her and Brenda to Las Vegas, and what he says is a sincere request for them to come view his act, which he feels needs a fresh pair of eyes to critique its look. Rhoda has no hesitation in accepting his offer no strings attached if only for a nice and free weekend in Las Vegas, which she is able to convince Brenda to accept as well. Although Johnny hits on Rhoda immediately upon her and Brenda's arrival in Las Vegas, Johnny wants to show Rhoda a good time regardless, as Vegas is his town and he feels he can get anything he wants - anything - for the asking. Despite Rhoda admittedly getting caught up in the weekend, the question still remains if either Rhoda or Johnny will be any closer to getting what each really wants out of the other by the end of the weekend.