The 5 Mrs. Buchanans
Four completely different women in fictional Mercy, Indiana have only two connections to one another: each is married to a Buchanan boy; and none can stand their mother-in-law. Alex, married to Roy, is a Jewish feminist from New York City. Vivian, married to Ed, is an uptight wannabe-socialite with twin sons from hell, P.J. and Lyndon. Delilah, married to preacher Charles, is a ditzy former stripper from Corpus Christi, Texas. Bree, newly married to Jesse, is a perky Californian who used to work at Disneyland. They are constantly trading barbs with the cruel but hilarious Mother Buchanan, who tries her hardest to make their lives a living hell through her two specialties: meddling and manipulating.
- 1994-1995
- 1 season
- CBS
- Comedy
Four completely different women in fictional Mercy, Indiana have only two connections to one another: each is married to a Buchanan boy; and none can stand their mother-in-law. Alex, married to Roy, is a Jewish feminist from New York City. Vivian, married to Ed, is an uptight wannabe-socialite with twin sons from hell, P.J. and Lyndon. Delilah, married to preacher Charles, is a ditzy former stripper from Corpus Christi, Texas. Bree, newly married to Jesse, is a perky Californian who used to work at Disneyland. They are constantly trading barbs with the cruel but hilarious Mother Buchanan, who tries her hardest to make their lives a living hell through her two specialties: meddling and manipulating.
Season 1 Episode Guide
17 Episodes 1994 - 1995
Episode 1
Pilot
Sat, Sep 24, 1994
Emma Buchanan's youngest son, Jesse decides to get married to Bree after only knowing her for six weeks. Unfortunately, when Emma wants Bree to wear her wedding dress, like the other daughters-in-law did, she refuses and has her first fight with Jesse about it. Alex explains to Bree the family dynamics and she and Jesse reconcile. At their wedding, Bree wears her own wedding dress and her new mother-in-law's veil.
Episode 2
The Other Woman
Sat, Oct 1, 1994
Soon after Bree and Jessie movie in with Alex, Bree suspects her new husband is having an affair.
Episode 3
Clyde and Vivian and Ed and Malice
Sat, Oct 8, 1994
Mother Buchanan catches married Vivian with another man; Bree takes a job at Alex's store.
Episode 4
A Ring of Truth
Sat, Oct 15, 1994
The Buchanan sisters-in-law discover that each of their wedding rings have fake gems.
Episode 5
Nothing on Delilah
Sat, Oct 22, 1994
When Delilah's past comes back to haunt her, Mother Buchanan is forced to intervene; Vivian schemes to become Vice President of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Episode 6
The Mothers-in-Law
Sat, Oct 29, 1994
Mother Buchanan butts heads with Bree's seemingly ditsy mother; Vivian reluctantly works for Alex to earn some extra cash.
Episode 7
Alex, Then and N.O.W.
Mon, Oct 31, 1994
Alex feels like a failure when she's reunited with two former college friends, so she sets out to do something meaningful.
Episode 8
Spare the Rod, Spoil the Buchanans
Wed, Nov 16, 1994
Vivian finally decides that she will no longer be bullied by her tyrannical twins, but their punishment lands her in jail for child abuse.
Episode 9
Five Buchanans and a Baby
Sat, Nov 26, 1994
A barren Delilah tries to coerce one of her sisters-in-law into being a surrogate mother; Mother Buchanan tries to coerce Bree into having a baby of her own.
Episode 10
Emma in Love
Sat, Dec 3, 1994
Mother Buchanan falls for the town's new baker -- completely oblivious to the fact that he's married.
Episode 11
What Child Is This?
Sat, Dec 10, 1994
Alex accidentally breaks Mother Buchanan's baby Jesus heirloom; Bree decorates Alex's house for Christmas.
Episode 12
The Incredible Journey
Sat, Dec 17, 1994
Years after his disappearance in the Grand Canyon, Alex's beloved dog wanders home to die, and she subsequently learns the shocking truth about how he escaped.
Episode 13
All About Bree
Sat, Jan 7, 1995 30 mins
Delilah sets her sights on playing Maria in the local stage version of "The Sound of Music," but Bree lands the role. Meanwhile, Mother Buchanan agrees to play the Mother Superior, but has reservations about appearing with one of her costars.
Episode 14
The Heart of the Matter
Sat, Jan 14, 1995 30 mins
Alex encourages her husband, Roy, to drop out of an alumni football game, but at Mother Buchanan's request, he refuses -- and has a heart attack during the game. This leads to an interesting revelation from Mother Buchanan that threatens to completely destroy her relationship with Alex. Meanwhile, Bree performs as the cheerleader for the home team.
Episode 15
Becoming a Buchanan
Sat, Jan 21, 1995 30 mins
Emma Buchanan decides to have her sons and daughters-in-law pose with her for a family portrait. After Bree has another disagreement with Emma, her sisters-in-law take turns telling her about the first time they first met Emma. Delilah has the worst story of all, because she was engaged to Charles, the preacher and Emma was highly offended by her Texas manners and overly-provocative clothing. Afterward, everyone gets together to pose for the family portrait.
Episode 16
Never on the Road Again
Sat, Mar 11, 1995 30 mins
When Mother Buchanan forces her daughters-in-law to attend a funeral for a distant relative, it quickly becomes the road trip from Hell.
Episode 17
Viv'acious
Sat, Mar 25, 1995 30 mins
Vivian's sisters-in-law throw a "naughty nighties" party so she can obtain items to spice up her sex life; Bree tries to convince everyone that she's prettier than Delilah.
