The Best Episodes of thirtysomething Season 1

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.4/10(112 votes)

   #1 - Pilot

   S1:E19/29/1987

   Hope and Michael Steadman are still adjusting to parenthood while struggling with money problems and best-friend crises.

   Director:Marshall Herskovitz

   Writers:Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick

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   Director:Marshall Herskovitz

   Writers:Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick
2. 

   8.6/10(97 votes)

   #2 - The Parents Are Coming, the Parents Are Coming

   S1:E210/6/1987

   Hope's anxiety over her parents' impending visit taxes everyone's patience.

   Director:Edward Zwick

   Writers:Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick

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   Director:Edward Zwick

   Writers:Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick
3. 

   8.8/10(91 votes)

   #3 - Housewarming

   S1:E310/13/1987

   Michael and Hope race to renovate their crumbling mansion for a huge housewarming party.

   Director:John Pasquin

   Writers:Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick

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   Director:John Pasquin

   Writers:Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick
4. 

   8.7/10(84 votes)

   #4 - Couples

   S1:E410/27/1987

   A night out with friends degenerates as Nancy and Elliot's marital woes become apparent.

   Director:Marshall Herskovitz

   Writers:Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick

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   Director:Marshall Herskovitz

   Writers:Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick
5. 

   8.4/10(93 votes)

   #5 - But Not for Me

   S1:E511/3/1987

   Gary and Melissa rekindle their affair; Michael and Hope's first date in months is a disaster.

   Director:Tom Moore

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Tom Moore

   Writer:Unknown
6. 

   8.3/10(88 votes)

   #6 - We Gather Together

   S1:E611/17/1987

   Hope and Michael plan a quiet Thanksgiving but learn friends are counting on being invited.

   Director:Mark Cullingham

   Writer:Edward Zwick

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   Director:Mark Cullingham

   Writer:Edward Zwick
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The 20 BEST Episodes of thirtysomething
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7. 

   8.8/10(85 votes)

   #7 - Nice Work If You Can Get It

   S1:E712/1/1987

   Before a deadline, Michael and Elliot wrestle with a creativity block; Ellyn develops a crush on an associate.

   Director:Claudia Weill

   Writer:Paul Haggis

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   Director:Claudia Weill

   Writer:Paul Haggis
8. 

   8.9/10(83 votes)

   #8 - Weaning

   S1:E812/8/1987

   Sensing baby Janey's decreasing dependency on her, depressed Hope decides to go back to work.

   Director:John Pasquin

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:John Pasquin

   Writer:Unknown
9. 

   8.8/10(95 votes)

   #9 - I'll Be Home for Christmas

   S1:E912/15/1987

   Michael and Hope argue about whether their infant's first holiday should be Christmas or Hanukkah. A famous photographer shows interest in Melissa's work.

   Director:Rob Lieberman

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Rob Lieberman

   Writer:Unknown
10. 

    8.7/10(87 votes)

    #10 - South by Southeast

    S1:E101/5/1988

    It's a Hitchcockian nightmare as Gary falls in love; as the romance progresses, he begins receiving a series of threats against his life.

    Director:Dan Lerner

    Writer:Paul Haggis

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    Director:Dan Lerner

    Writer:Paul Haggis
11. 

    9.0/10(86 votes)

    #11 - Therapy

    S1:E111/12/1988

    Elliot and Nancy seek professional help for their troubled marriage; Michael finds it hard to keep it a secret.

    Director:Marshall Herskovitz

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Marshall Herskovitz

    Writer:Unknown
12. 

    8.8/10(73 votes)

    #12 - Competition

    S1:E121/19/1988

    Michael's jealousy is aroused when an important client make it clear he prefers Elliot. Meanwhile, Hope and Nancy try to come to terms with computers.

    Director:Rob Cohen

    Writer:Joseph Dougherty

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    Director:Rob Cohen

    Writer:Joseph Dougherty
13. 

    8.9/10(81 votes)

    #13 - Separation

    S1:E131/26/1988

    Elliot temporarily moves in with Michael and Hope after separating from Nancy.

    Director:Peter Horton

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Peter Horton

    Writer:Unknown
14. 

    8.8/10(71 votes)

    #14 - I'm in Love, I'm in Love, I'm in Love with a Wonderful Gynecologist

    S1:E142/2/1988

    Competing for the attention of the same man jeopardizes the new found friendship between Ellyn and Melissa.

    Director:Scott Winant

    Writer:Ann Lewis Hamilton

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    Director:Scott Winant

    Writer:Ann Lewis Hamilton
15. 

    8.6/10(87 votes)

    #15 - Business as Usual

    S1:E152/9/1988

    Michael's hopes for a joyous reunion with his father are destroyed when he discovers the real reason for the visit.

    Director:Claudia Weill

    Writers:Marshall Herskovitz, Paul Haggis

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    Director:Claudia Weill

    Writers:Marshall Herskovitz, Paul Haggis
16. 

    8.9/10(89 votes)

    #16 - Accounts Receivable

    S1:E163/1/1988

    A rocky relationship between Michael and his brother Brad is further strained when Michael learns the family business is almost bankrupt.

    Director:Edward Zwick

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Edward Zwick

    Writer:Unknown
17. 

    8.9/10(84 votes)

    #17 - Whose Forest Is This?

    S1:E173/15/1988

    Nancy and Elliot's separation takes its toll on their son; Elliot prepares for a blind date with a chiropractor.

    Director:Peter Horton

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Peter Horton

    Writer:Unknown
18. 

    8.8/10(85 votes)

    #18 - Nancy's First Date

    S1:E183/22/1988

    Melissa's burgeoning romance slows when she learns he doesn't want any more kids. Nancy has her first date since the separation.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
19. 

    8.9/10(78 votes)

    #19 - Undone

    S1:E194/12/1988

    Michael's old girlfriend from college pays a visit.

    Director:Dan Lerner

    Writer:Joseph Dougherty

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    Director:Dan Lerner

    Writer:Joseph Dougherty
20. 

    9.1/10(82 votes)

    #20 - Tenure

    S1:E205/3/1988

    Gary evaluates the fate of his academic career as he undergoes tenure review at the college. Ellyn learns her building is going co-op, leaving her to decide whether to buy her apartment.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Ann Lewis Hamilton

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Ann Lewis Hamilton
21. 

    9.0/10(70 votes)

    #21 - Born to Be Mild

    S1:E215/10/1988

    Ellyn and Woodman's weekend is ruined when they are forced to babysit Janey.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Jerry Stahl

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Jerry Stahl