Thirtysomething
Hope and Michael are a married couple in their thirties, living in Philadelphia and struggling with everyday adult angst. Michael runs an ad agency with his friend Elliot, whose marriage to Nancy is beginning to show the cracks of age, as is the friendship between Hope and her best friend Ellyn. Michael's best friend Gary is trying to get over his mutually-destructive affair with Michael's cousin Melissa and get on with his womanizing life. It sounds like just another soap, but is given a unique atmosphere by the production team (the Bedford Falls company, also responsible for "My So-Called Life") whose intelligent scripts, believable characters, and frequent dips into the slightly-surreal world of the characters' minds places the series as one of the highlights of the late 1980s.
- 1987-1991
- 4 seasons
- ABC
- Drama
- TV-14
Hope and Michael are a married couple in their thirties, living in Philadelphia and struggling with everyday adult angst. Michael runs an ad agency with his friend Elliot, whose marriage to Nancy is beginning to show the cracks of age, as is the friendship between Hope and her best friend Ellyn. Michael's best friend Gary is trying to get over his mutually-destructive affair with Michael's cousin Melissa and get on with his womanizing life. It sounds like just another soap, but is given a unique atmosphere by the production team (the Bedford Falls company, also responsible for "My So-Called Life") whose intelligent scripts, believable characters, and frequent dips into the slightly-surreal world of the characters' minds places the series as one of the highlights of the late 1980s.
Season 3 Episode Guide
24 Episodes 1989 - 1990
Episode 1
Nancy's Mom
Tue, Sep 19, 1989 47 mins
When Nancy's mom visits, she and Elliot compete for Nancy's time, affection, and future.
Episode 2
Love and Sex
Tue, Oct 3, 1989 48 mins
Michael and Hope temporarily lose sexual attraction for each other, but their romance is rekindled after a series of circumstances.
Episode 3
Mr. Right
Tue, Oct 10, 1989 48 mins
When Melissa uses a video-dating service to find the ideal date, she learns that the not-so-ideal date is the one she really wants.
Episode 4
New Baby
Tue, Oct 24, 1989 48 mins
After struggling with many fears, Susannah gives birth to a daughter.
Episode 5
Legacy
Tue, Oct 24, 1989 48 mins
Elliot and Nancy get back together; Michael plans a dinner party for his boss but it doesn't have the anticipated effect.
Episode 6
Strangers
Tue, Nov 7, 1989 48 mins
Melissa struggles with her love for a younger man and her embarassment over their age difference.
Episode 7
Pilgrims
Tue, Nov 21, 1989 47 mins
When Elliot moves back home, Ethan is afraid that he will leave again.
Episode 8
The Burning Bush
Thu, Dec 28, 1989 47 mins
The long-time friendship Hope and Ellyn share withstands the present conflict between them when Ellyn gets involved with a married man.
Episode 9
New Parents
Tue, Dec 5, 1989 47 mins
Gary and Susannah confront issues surrounding her return to work; Gary decides to stay home to take care of their new baby; Gary's mom visits.
Episode 10
Michael's Campaign
Tue, Dec 12, 1989 48 mins
Michael and Elliot are working on a new account at DAA; Hope is working with a group to protest plans for an incinerator being built in the area.
Episode 11
Pulling Away
Tue, Jan 9, 1990 48 mins
When Michael is promoted to Creative Director, he doesn't know how to handle his new position and creates tension between himself and Elliot.
Episode 12
Another Country
Sat, Jan 6, 1990 47 mins
Nancy finds out that she has ovarian cancer.
Episode 13
Post-Op
Tue, Jan 23, 1990 47 mins
After Nancy's surgery, her family is united in their desire to see her conquer cancer, yet they struggle with fear.
Episode 14
Once a Mermaid
Tue, Feb 6, 1990 48 mins
Ellyn restarts her affair with Jeffrey, this time in earnest.
Episode 15
Fathers and Lovers
Tue, Feb 13, 1990 48 mins
While Melissa persuades Lee to take a job at the DAA, she resists her father's pressure to make a real-estate investment.
Episode 16
Her Cup Runneth Over
Tue, Feb 20, 1990 48 mins
Jeffrey and his daughter move in with Ellyn after his marriage breaks up, and all three of them face rough times.
Episode 17
Good Sex, Bad Sex, What Sex, No Sex
Tue, Feb 27, 1990 48 mins
Melissa and Lee are experiencing a high point in their relationship--then things start to unravel.
Episode 18
The Other Shoe
Tue, Mar 20, 1990 48 mins
Nancy gets involved with some new friends who also have cancer and unintentionally ostracizes her family.
Episode 19
Three-Year Itch
Tue, Apr 3, 1990 48 mins
Michael is so consumed with his career that he is not aware that Hope feels drawn towards John Dunaway.
Episode 20
I'm Nobody, Who Are You?
Tue, Apr 10, 1990 48 mins
Gary takes a teaching job and both he and Susannah contend with resentment towards their affluent friends Michael and Hope.
Episode 21
Arizona
Tue, Apr 17, 1990 47 mins
When Michael and Hope visit her parents, they are inspired to come to grips with their drifting relationship.
Episode 22
Going Limp
Tue, May 1, 1990 48 mins
Elliot must overcome self-doubt and the skepticism of others when he directs a television commercial.
Episode 23
The Go-Between
Tue, May 15, 1990 48 mins
Michael fails as a mediator for a company in their attempt to buy out Miles, and he fires Elliot as part of a new plan to take over the agency.
Episode 24
Samurai Ad Man
Tue, May 22, 1990 47 mins
Elliot and Michael secretly help Minnesota Brands take over DAA; Miles fights the move.
