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The Best Episodes of thirtysomething Season 1

Every episode of thirtysomething Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of thirtysomething Season 1!

Binge this in 21h 0m•Peaking at 9.1/10

thirtysomething is an American television drama about a group of baby boomers in their late thirties.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 20 - Tenure
    9.1/10(51 votes)

    S1:E20

    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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  2. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 11 - Therapy
    9.0/10(56 votes)

    S1:E11

    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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  3. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 16 - Accounts Receivable
    9.0/10(60 votes)

    S1:E16

    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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  4. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 21 - Born to Be Mild
    9.0/10(39 votes)

    S1:E21

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Jerry Stahl

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  5. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 8 - Weaning
    8.9/10(52 votes)

    S1:E8

    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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  6. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 13 - Separation
    8.9/10(51 votes)

    S1:E13

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

    Director:Peter Horton
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 14 - I'm in Love, I'm in Love, I'm in Love with a Wonderful Gynecologist
    8.9/10(40 votes)

    S1:E14

    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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  8. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 17 - Whose Forest Is This?
    8.9/10(53 votes)

    S1:E17

    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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  9. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 19 - Undone
    8.9/10(48 votes)

    S1:E19

    Michael's old girlfriend from college pays a visit.

    Director:Dan Lerner
    Writer:Joseph Dougherty

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  10. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 3 - Housewarming
    8.8/10(59 votes)

    S1:E3

    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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  11. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 4 - Couples
    8.8/10(53 votes)

    S1:E4

    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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  12. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 7 - Nice Work If You Can Get It
    8.8/10(55 votes)

    S1:E7

    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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  13. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 9 - I'll Be Home for Christmas
    8.8/10(55 votes)

    S1:E9

    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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  14. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 12 - Competition
    8.8/10(42 votes)

    S1:E12

    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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  15. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 18 - Nancy's First Date
    8.8/10(54 votes)

    S1:E18

    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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  16. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 2 - The Parents Are Coming, the Parents Are Coming
    8.7/10(66 votes)

    S1:E2

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

    Director:Edward Zwick
    Writers:Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick

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  17. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 15 - Business as Usual
    8.7/10(47 votes)

    S1:E15

    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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  18. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 10 - South by Southeast
    8.6/10(58 votes)

    S1:E10

    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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  19. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 5 - But Not for Me
    8.5/10(63 votes)

    S1:E5

    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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  20. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 6 - We Gather Together
    8.4/10(59 votes)

    S1:E6

    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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  21. thirtysomething Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.3/10(86 votes)

    S1:E1

    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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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Tenure" is the best rated episode of "thirtysomething" season 1. It scored 9.1/10 based on 51 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Ann Lewis Hamilton, it aired on 5/3/1988. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Therapy".