Ranking Episodes

[Lorimar Television]

I just recently rewatched season 1 and thought I would rank the season. I might do more seasons as well. Going from worst episode to best:

13. The Return of Mr. Garrett- This wasn't my favorite episode, its nice to see Mrs G's ex but it was just sort of boring. The girls didn't have much of a big role.
12. Rough Housing- The acting was really rough (no pun intended) in this episode. It just feels weird seeing the DS cast on FOL. Mrs G. seemed to be overacting everything. The main plot was fine but the acting left a lot to be desired besides Julie Anne's and Lisa's.
11. Adoption- It's weird, Natalie's ONLY main plot in season 1 and it just is sort of boring. Blair's sublet wasn't that great either, the most memorable part is Tootie's line "Instructions?!"
10. Overachieving- This wasn't a bad episode but it doesn't really stick out much. Nice to see Tootie's father but he was kinda judgmental of Mrs. G. Also since when did Tootie wanna go to beauty school?
9. Like Mother, Like Daughter- I actually liked this episode, most of the girls had memorable lines and funny moments. It was interesting seeing Blair's (original) mother
8. Emily Dickinson- Blair and Tootie are the stars of this episode which is fine, but the others didn't do much of anything.
7. The Facts of Love- I liked the plot of this episode and the bouncing off of the different girls views on sex.
6. Flash Flood- A very good episode, sort of hilarious seeing Blair suddenly crush on Bradley.
5. Dieting- A Sue Ann storyline will always be great to me, and this was one of the more dramatic s1 episodes. It was a serious storyline that I think was pretty well done, with some good comedic moments. I liked Natalie's subplot much more than her main plot episode.
4. Molly's Holiday- This was actually a really good ep, Molly is a good character and it was interesting to learn about her family life. The thing I didn't like was that Nancy and Cindy leave 9 minutes into the ep. I know they were cutting the cast but I liked the ensemble of season 1. It would've been nice to see them more.
3. Running- I liked how this episode exploring Sue Ann and Cindy's friendship. Bradley was a total douche trying to turn them against each other
2. Dope- The finale, and a great one at that. Definitely the most serious episode of the season. I love Sue Ann storylines, and her "essay" she wrote stoned was hilarious. Tootie is also very funny in this episode.
1. IQ- My favorite episode of season 1 and the final one with the entire cast (Miss Mahoney). I really liked that every character had a shining moment in the episode, Nancy finally had a plot on the main series. Tootie was hilarious and Mrs. G and Mr Bradley taking the quiz was quite hilarious to watch.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

I just recently rewatched season 1 and thought I would rank the season. I might do more seasons as well. Going from worst episode to best:

13. The Return of Mr. Garrett- This wasn't my favorite episode, its nice to see Mrs G's ex but it was just sort of boring. The girls didn't have much of a big role.
12. Rough Housing- The acting was really rough (no pun intended) in this episode. It just feels weird seeing the DS cast on FOL. Mrs G. seemed to be overacting everything. The main plot was fine but the acting left a lot to be desired besides Julie Anne's and Lisa's.
11. Adoption- It's weird, Natalie's ONLY main plot in season 1 and it just is sort of boring. Blair's sublet wasn't that great either, the most memorable part is Tootie's line "Instructions?!"
10. Overachieving- This wasn't a bad episode but it doesn't really stick out much. Nice to see Tootie's father but he was kinda judgmental of Mrs. G. Also since when did Tootie wanna go to beauty school?
9. Like Mother, Like Daughter- I actually liked this episode, most of the girls had memorable lines and funny moments. It was interesting seeing Blair's (original) mother
8. Emily Dickinson- Blair and Tootie are the stars of this episode which is fine, but the others didn't do much of anything.
7. The Facts of Love- I liked the plot of this episode and the bouncing off of the different girls views on sex.
6. Flash Flood- A very good episode, sort of hilarious seeing Blair suddenly crush on Bradley.
5. Dieting- A Sue Ann storyline will always be great to me, and this was one of the more dramatic s1 episodes. It was a serious storyline that I think was pretty well done, with some good comedic moments. I liked Natalie's subplot much more than her main plot episode.
4. Molly's Holiday- This was actually a really good ep, Molly is a good character and it was interesting to learn about her family life. The thing I didn't like was that Nancy and Cindy leave 9 minutes into the ep. I know they were cutting the cast but I liked the ensemble of season 1. It would've been nice to see them more.
3. Running- I liked how this episode exploring Sue Ann and Cindy's friendship. Bradley was a total douche trying to turn them against each other
2. Dope- The finale, and a great one at that. Definitely the most serious episode of the season. I love Sue Ann storylines, and her "essay" she wrote stoned was hilarious. Tootie is also very funny in this episode.
1. IQ- My favorite episode of season 1 and the final one with the entire cast (Miss Mahoney). I really liked that every character had a shining moment in the episode, Nancy finally had a plot on the main series. Tootie was hilarious and Mrs. G and Mr Bradley taking the quiz was quite hilarious to watch.

Thanks for posting this, Lorimar!

I think my favorite episodes of Season One could be ranked thusly:

1. Running - for all the reasons you note; possibly my favorite Facts episode of all time, as The Julies face off! The drama of the torn photo, the anger of the girls... it's just perfect!
2. Dope - so many great, funny lines! Julie and Lisa are great here, too, and as you say, Tootie has very funny lines.
3. Dieting - ooh! drama!
4. Rough Housing - the very first heart-to-heart on the series itself!
5. The Facts of Love - this episode is just fun, in a very '70s sort of way.
6. Flash Flood - moar drama!
7. IQ
Bonus: The Slumber Party
8. Like Mother, Like Daughter
9. Emily Dickinson
Bonus: The Girls' School
10. Molly's Holiday - As you say, Felice and Julie Anne exit nine minutes into the episode. Sad!
11. Overachieving
12. Adoption
13. The Return of Mr. Garrett - least favorite of my favorite season

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I think my favorite episodes of Season One could be ranked thusly:

Be sure you state in your post that you are ranking them best to worst, because Lorimar in his original post sets the precedent in the opposite order.

(I'm like Nancy right now; trying to organize and keep things neat 'n tidy )

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Be sure you state in your post that you are ranking them best to worst, because Lorimar in his original post sets the precedent in the opposite order.

(I'm like Nancy right now; trying to organize and keep things neat 'n tidy )

Where is your list, '80s?

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Where is your list, '80s?

I don't think I'll be doing a list. It's always seemed like such an undertaking to me to rank favorite/best-of lists; especially when you see lists of the "50 most whatever" or the "100 best whatever"---I'm like, "Really? How can you honestly rank 50 or 100 things in a true individualized order of worth??"

Now granted, TV seasons aren't that long, but still, 22-26 shows is an awful lot of shows to actually rank in a descending or ascending order.

Now, that said, it can be really fun reading such lists! I just don't see how folks can do it, lol. If I were gonna rank any FOL seasons though, I'm sure season 1 would be the least stressful since it's merely 13 shows. But, still. I would have to really scrutinize my thoughts. I have my favorites, and my not-so-favorites, but I've never organized them into an honest ranking.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

13. The Return of Mr. Garrett- This wasn't my favorite episode

Correct, as obviously it is your least favorite episode!

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

its nice to see Mrs G's ex but it was just sort of boring. The girls didn't have much of a big role.

I think it's interesting because it's the only time we ever see Mrs. Garrett's ex-husband, and it's cute watching the girls become innocent gamblers, lol.

Plus, it's the one time we see Mr. Bradley and Miss Mahoney come bursting into Mrs. Garrett's room from her "bathroom"!

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

12. Rough Housing- The acting was really rough (no pun intended) in this episode. It just feels weird seeing the DS cast on FOL. Mrs G. seemed to be overacting everything. The main plot was fine but the acting left a lot to be desired besides Julie Anne's and Lisa's.

Well, luckily, since Julie Anne and Lisa had the bulk of the show, most of the acting we saw was good. I don't get the sense of Mrs. Garrett "overacting", though; I'm not saying you're wrong or not validated, it's just now how I see it.

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

11. Adoption- It's weird, Natalie's ONLY main plot in season 1 and it just is sort of boring.

Really? I found it so dramatic as a kid; I vividly recall Natalie standing there in front of that ringing phone, with her birth mother (well, her name, anyway) right on the other end of that receiver!*

*(kids, that's a part of telephones which were used "back in the day", haha)

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Also since when did Tootie wanna go to beauty school?

Well, Mrs. Garrett does explain that young girls are fickle and always changing their minds.

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

9. Like Mother, Like Daughter- I actually liked this episode, most of the girls had memorable lines and funny moments.

My Cindy didn't. Some of the girls, such as her, were barely in this. Also, this episode has the distinction of being the most awkward episode taped in front of a live audience; the audience is barely responsive! The laughs are sparse, and soft, and it sounds like hardly anyone is in the seats out there. It is very odd (focus on this the next time you watch it).

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

8. Emily Dickinson- Blair and Tootie are the stars of this episode which is fine, but the others didn't do much of anything.

Yup, the writers really needed to balance so many scripts out more.

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

4. Molly's Holiday- The thing I didn't like was that Nancy and Cindy leave 9 minutes into the ep.

Right?? UGH, I hate that too---I like Molly, and I want her friend Cindy to be there with her! At least she did get to be there for her up in her room, but still, I hate that she (and Nancy) leave the entire campus, indeed, even the town!

Also: Nancy and Cindy are left out of the sensitive girl group scene in "Adoption" when the other girls are comforting Natalie up in her room. Why?? They are her friends, they should be up there too! That really bothers me. I would rather see them up there with 0 lines than not having them there at all.

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

3. Running- Bradley was a total douche trying to turn them against each other

Hahaha He really was! Yet, you don't hate him (at least, I don't, lol); it's a different interesting look at his character, for sure.

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

2. Dope- Tootie is also very funny in this episode.

Just her visual reaction alone when Tumpy stone-edly says, "You don't hit it, it hits youuuuu!" and Tootie leans back with that judging look on her face,

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

1. IQ- My favorite episode of season 1 and the final one with the entire cast (Miss Mahoney). I really liked that every character had a shining moment in the episode, Nancy finally had a plot on the main series. Tootie was hilarious and Mrs. G and Mr Bradley taking the quiz was quite hilarious to watch.

"I.Q." is your favorite, interesting...I'm sure it's Felice's favorite, too! lol

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

11. Adoption- It's weird, Natalie's ONLY main plot in season 1 and it just is sort of boring. Blair's sublet wasn't that great either, the most memorable part is Tootie's line "Instructions?!"

I agree that this episode is missing a lot of the oomph of other earlier episodes. And Mindy wasn't yet ready for a dramatic role.

10. Overachieving- This wasn't a bad episode but it doesn't really stick out much. Nice to see Tootie's father but he was kinda judgmental of Mrs. G. Also since when did Tootie wanna go to beauty school?

I wish we had seen Mr. Ramsey in later episodes. It feels weird to see Tootie for nine years and only once, very early on, do we see her father. Here he seems like an attentive father. But we do not get that impression from later episodes.

The Facts of Love- I liked the plot of this episode and the bouncing off of the different girls views on sex.

Me too! Although they really didn't cover much actual sex education in this sex education class, to be honest.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

1. Running - for all the reasons you note; possibly my favorite Facts episode of all time, as The Julies face off! The drama of the torn photo, the anger of the girls... it's just perfect!

Haha, definitely one of my all-time top faves!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

4. Rough Housing - the very first heart-to-
heart on the series itself!

And it took up 2 scenes! 2 scenes! I LOVE that! Cindy gets one of the most in-depth Mrs. Garrett heart-to-hearts ever!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

5. The Facts of Love - this episode is just fun, in a very '70s sort of way.

Hahaha...don't forget those 8-tracks when you wanna impress the ladies!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

10. Molly's Holiday - As you say, Felice and Julie Anne exit nine minutes into the episode. Sad!

A betrayal!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

13. The Return of Mr. Garrett - least favorite of my favorite season

Wow, so far this is the least favorite episode in this thread...very interesting...

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Also, this episode has the distinction of being the most awkward episode taped in front of a live audience; the audience is barely responsive! The laughs are sparse, and soft, and it sounds like hardly anyone is in the seats out there. It is very odd (focus on this the next time you watch it).

Hmmmm.... Is it possible that this was the notorious episode that was re-taped? And maybe they didn't re-tape it in front of a full audience? Maybe just some of the crew, seated in the seats?

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I agree that this episode is missing a lot of the oomph of other earlier episodes. And Mindy wasn't yet ready for a dramatic role.

Aww, I like some of Mindy's dramatic moments. When she yells at her friends to "Stop it! It's not funny!" and gets upset and runs out of the room, I feel for her. And her slowly walking to the phone and standing there staring at the key to all her answers...what courage to walk away!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I wish we had seen Mr. Ramsey in later episodes.

Me too! Where was he at least for her graduation??

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

It feels weird to see Tootie for nine years and only once, very early on, do we see her father.

It's always seemed just as odd to me that we never meet Tootie's mother until after the golden age of the show has passed...after four years! She never got to be in the cafeteria.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Here he seems like an attentive father. But we do not get that impression from later episodes.

I dunno, in "Let's Party" you feel very glad you are not her brother Marshal having to call their dad! lol

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Me too! Although they really didn't cover much actual sex education in this sex education class, to be honest.

Haha Kind of like on The Facts of Life, it took them about 9 years to finally broach---the facts of life!

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Hmmmm.... Is it possible that this was the notorious episode that was re-taped? And maybe they didn't re-tape it in front of a full audience? Maybe just some of the crew, seated in the seats?

Oooo, what's the story behind that? Why was one show "notorious" for getting re-taped? lol

But yes, it sure sounds like it from beyond the 4th wall!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

And it took up 2 scenes! 2 scenes! I LOVE that! Cindy gets one of the most in-depth Mrs. Garrett heart-to-hearts ever!

That's a great point! It's a very thorough heart-to-heart.

Hahaha...don't forget those 8-tracks when you wanna impress the ladies!

Hahaha! The 8-tracks, the orange van, Steve's haircut, the pink shag carpet in the van...

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

That's a great point! It's a very thorough heart-to-heart.

The "thoroughest!" lol...Cindy and Mrs. Garrett have such a heavy heart-to-heart that they have to be interrupted by a commercial break! Such an honor!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Hahaha! The 8-tracks, the orange van, Steve's haircut, the pink shag carpet in the van...

OMG you're right! The van is orange! I went back to the season 1 props/sets/decor thread share a pic here because I was certain it was white! But it's orange! Boy, am I glad I checked, rechecked, and checked again!

-

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Oooo, what's the story behind that? Why was one show "notorious" for getting re-taped? lol

But yes, it sure sounds like it from beyond the 4th wall!

In one of the documentaries, they mention that one of the first season shows had to be completely re-taped. (They use this as a rationale for reducing the cast).

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

In one of the documentaries, they mention that one of the first season shows had to be completely re-taped. (They use this as a rationale for reducing the cast).

Hmm, interesting...