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The Torkelsons Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
20 Episodes 1991 - 1992
Episode 1
Fence Neighbors
Sat, Sep 21, 1991
The Torkelsons are a typical Oklahoman family, until matriarch Millicent is left by her husband. To make ends meet, she is forced to take in a boarder. Her 14-year-old daughter Dorothy Jane isn't thrilled, already having trouble spending only little money. Things get worse when their boarder, Wesley Hodges, is especially interested in taking Dorothy Jane's room. Dorothy Jane stands up for her mother in a laundromat, thereby assuring her she isn't embarrassed for her. Meanwhile, Dorothy Jane becomes smitten with Riley Roberts, her new neighbor who recently moved from Cincinatti.
Episode 2
The Cotillion
Sat, Sep 28, 1991
Dorothy Jane, a freshman, looks forward to her first high school cotillion, despite not having a dress or a date. Hoping Riley will ask her out, she keeps rejecting all date offers. Millicent forces her to go out with the geeky Kirby Scroggins. She reluctantly buys a dress at the salvation army and goes to the dance. There, her snobby classmate Dreama reveals that she is wearing a dress from the salvation army. Riley, who is at the dance as well, notices that she feels humiliated and tries to help her by dancing with her. Meanwhile, Millicent's mother-in-law Bootsie tries to find out more on the letters Hodgers is receiving. He reveals that after the passing of his wife, he had a short-lived fling with Molly, who now refuses to answer his letters.
Episode 3
A Kiss Is Still a Kiss
Sat, Oct 5, 1991
Steven Floyd has a crush on Debra Jo, a girl he meets at church. Thinking that he might behave himself in front of her, Millicent gives him permission to accompany Debra Jo on Reverend Langley Wilson's hayride. He is later brought back by the pastor, who reveals that Steven Floyd has been caught giving Debra Jo a french kiss. This is much to Dorothy Jane's upset, who is saddened to hear her younger brother's was kissed before she was. Millicent gets mad at him, but he ends up throwing a tantrum in which he mentions he misses a male role model in his life. After she apologizes to him, Steven Floyd tries to bond with Hodges.
Episode 4
For Love or Money
Sat, Oct 12, 1991
When Millicent takes a job to earn more money, she leaves the running of the household to Dorothy Jane, who learns the pitfalls and joys of adult responsibilities. Meanwhile, Millicent realizes how much she misses being a part of things.
Episode 5
Poetry in Motion
Sat, Oct 19, 1991
When Dorothy Jane's racy poem about high school senior neighbor Riley Roberts is published throughout the school and the town, she gets invited to a party hosted by a senior boy.
Episode 6
An American Almost in Paris
Sat, Oct 26, 1991
Dorothy Jane tries to fulfill her lifelong dream of a trip to Paris by winning a French sponsorship. She unfortunately feels that her chances of winning are hindered by the poverty and backwardness of her family.
Episode 7
Men Don't Leave
Sat, Nov 2, 1991
The carnival is in town. Millicent's husband Randall suddenly shows up after a year and a half of absence.
Episode 8
Thanksgivingsomething
Sun, Nov 24, 1991
Millicent invites the new pastor and some other friends over for Thanksgiving Dinner. Dorothy Jane tries to get her to see the pastor as dating potential, but things do not necessarily go as planned.
Episode 9
Return to Sender
Sun, Nov 24, 1991
Boarder Hodges confides to Millicent that he has a granddaughter in Connecticut. Millicent flies his daughter and granddaughter to Pyramid Corners, Oklahoma. He and his daughter talk about the way things are.
Episode 10
I Fought the Law
Sun, Dec 1, 1991
The town's newest councilman, a grocery store owner, enters a new ordinance against selling home preserves without a permit, which sends Millicent to jail. Dorothy Jane must come up with a solution or have Kirby in her home every Saturday.
Episode 11
A Sigh Is Just a Sigh
Sun, Dec 8, 1991
Dorothy Jane is sick and Ruth Ann takes over talking to the man in the moon. Kirby makes unwelcome visits. Millicent grounds Steven Floyd for fighting at school. Chuckie Lee gets beaten up. Steven Floyd runs away.
Episode 12
Educating Millicent
Sun, Dec 22, 1991
Millicent finds Dorothy Jane's homework too tough for her. Dorothy Jane is working on the yearbook but is horrified to be partnered with Kirby. The kids discover that Millicent didn't graduate from high school.
Episode 13
Double Date
Thu, Jan 9, 1992
Dorothy Jane calls up radio host love expert Kitty Drysdale who shows up at the Torkelson home.
Episode 14
The Ice Princess
Sun, Jan 12, 1992
Dorothy Jane still pines for Riley Roberts. Dorothy Jane vows to be an ice princess like school hottie Callie Kimbro. Millicent is concerned about her cold mannerisms as she continues to change herself for the boys.
Episode 15
Swear Not by the Moon
Sun, Jan 19, 1992
Dorothy Jane has decided not to audition for her school's production of "Romeo and Juliet", because the director has decided, since they live in Oklahoma, to set the story in the American West. Even more important, the play is about love, and she feels inadequate in that department. She changes her mind in a heartbeat when she learns that her next-door neighbor, Riley Roberts - whom her mother often describes as 'that too-old-for-you boy next door' - has already landed the part of Romeo. Kirby Scroggins is Romeo's understudy. The audition to cast Juliet begins without Riley, who has Track practice at the same time, so Kirby eagerly takes over, anticipating the inevitable kissing scene. His hopes are dashed when Riley walks in, informing everyone that the coach let him out early, and takes over the acting - and kissing - duties himself. Later, Riley discusses with Dorothy Jane the details of their working together, including a bedroom scene which Dorothy Jane had not known about, and setting up some awkward moments on opening night.
Episode 16
Say Uncle
Sun, Feb 16, 1992
Kirby brings over his uncle Herbie Scroggins (Drew Carey) to mentor him in his pursuit of Dorothy Jane. It gets worst when Herbie sets his sights on Millicent.
Episode 17
The Long Goodbye
Sat, May 2, 1992
Daddy's back. It's their 15th wedding anniversary despite the fact that he signed the divorce papers during his last visit. Riley Roberts left without even saying goodbye to Dorothy Jane.
Episode 18
The Egg and I
Sat, May 23, 1992
It's the family unit course for Dorothy Jane and she has to take care of an egg. Fate insists on partnering her with Kirby. Millicent gets stuck babysitting.
Episode 19
It's My Party
Sat, May 30, 1992
Dorothy Jane is throwing a party and eager to befriend the popular Callie Kimbro. She doesn't invite study partner Willie who is hated by Callie. Willie lives in a trailer and her family is even poorer than the Torkelsons.
Episode 20
Aunt Poison
Sat, Jun 13, 1992
Millicent receives interesting news. Her aunt died. They have been estranged since her marriage to Randall. Her aunt wanted more for her and leaves her a ring and a dog and a riddle.