In the fictional town of Fernwood, Ohio, suburban housewife Mary Hartman seeks the kind of domestic perfection promised by Reader’s Digest and TV commercials. Instead she finds herself suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune: mass murders, low-flying airplanes and waxy yellow buildup on her kitchen floor.
In the fictional town of Fernwood, Ohio, suburban housewife Mary Hartman seeks the kind of domestic perfection promised by Reader’s Digest and TV commercials. Instead she finds herself suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune: mass murders, low-flying airplanes and waxy yellow buildup on her kitchen floor.
Season 1 episodes
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Loretta delivers word that a neighborhood family was murdered; Mary and Tom have a disagreement about making love; Charlie announces he almost has enough money to get Loretta's record demo made; The Fernwood Flasher is finally captured.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim Drake, Joan DarlingGuest stars Bruce Solomon, Archie Hahn
Mary brings her grandfather home from the police station; Kathy falls for a blue-eyed Armenian bartender; a reporter interviews Loretta about the murders; and Mary feels ashamed when Tom rejects her sexual advances (or lack thereof).
Episode credits
Directed by Jim Drake, Joan DarlingGuest stars Bruce Solomon, Archie Hahn
Mary is interviewed by a reporter; Young Heather Hartman displays suspicious behavior when asked about the recent murders; Grampa Larkin is arrested again.
Episode credits
Directed by Joan DarlingGuest stars Bruce Solomon, Archie Hahn
Word begins to spread that Heather knows more about the Lombardi murders than she's telling; Cathy gets fired; Mary receives a threatening phone call about Heather.
Episode credits
Directed by Joan DarlingGuest stars Iris Korn, Reva Rose
Tom is furious with Mary after finding her sex books; Grampa Larkin's social worker admits that she's in love with him; Heather's story makes the evening news.
Episode credits
Directed by Joan DarlingGuest stars Ron Feinberg, Samantha Harper
Immediately after recording her demo, Loretta begins suffering from fainting spells; Mary becomes jealous of one of Tom's coworkers; Heather escapes police protection.
Episode credits
Directed by Joan DarlingGuest stars Salome Jens, Ron Feinberg, Harry Basch
Charlie tries talking sense into Tom, but Tom feels something is missing in his life. Cathy prepares for her date with Chuck. Charlie and Loretta go to the Doctor's office. Raymond goes to see Roberta and meets Fanny. Tom chats up Mae at the bar.
Episode credits
Directed by Joan DarlingGuest stars Salome Jens, Ron Feinberg, Oliver Clark, Samantha Harper
Tom and Heather both go missing on the same night, and so Mary can only hope that Heather is safe and that Tom was kidnapped by the mass murderer. She'd rather worry about a kidnapping than what she is really worried about.
Episode credits
Directed by Joan DarlingGuest stars Salome Jens, Bruce Solomon, Reva Rose
Loretta considers not going to Nashville since Heather is missing. Mary finds out the truth about Tom. Loretta gets some good news. Cathy admits she's in love with Steve. Tom tries to finish things with Mae. Mary and Martha have a fight, while Heather returns home with disturbing news.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Salome Jens, Bruce Solomon
Cathy brings Steve over to meet her parents. Fanny is too much for Raymond. The mass murderer is revealed and Heather, Trudy, and Mary's lives are in danger.
Episode credits
Directed by Joan DarlingGuest stars Salome Jens, Ron Feinberg, Ed Begley Jr.
Mary is served with a summons by Sergeant Foley, along with a much more personal invitation. Blanche and Leroy discuss the Hartman's problems. Grandpa has his day in court.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Norman Alden, Bruce Solomon, Samantha Harper, Reva Rose
Mary is served with a summons by Sergeant Foley, along with a much more personal invitation. Blanche and Leroy discuss the Hartman's problems. Grandpa has his day in court.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Dabney Coleman, Salome Jens, Oliver Clark
George says no to Cathy and Steve, but his words fall on deaf ears. Charlie and Loretta swap exciting news. The Shumway house is a battleground. Tom cooks his way back into Mary's heart.
Loretta and Charlie wheel their way home. Grandpa helps Roberta, who insults her way into a sale. Tom and Mary learn the wonders of Dorelda Doremus! Then the truth.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Samantha Harper, Reva Rose, Joe Bratcher
Tom and Mary owe Heather an explanation. Loretta is still looking up. The Friendly Loan Company drops in on the Haggers. Mae stops by the Hartmans' house.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Salome Jens, Oliver Clark
Mary keeps Mae from suicide, for the sake of her bathroom. Charlie and Loretta get a not so friendly letter. Mary and Mae have a nice woman to husband's former mistress talk.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Norman Alden, Salome Jens, Reva Rose, Joe Bratcher, Ed Begley Jr., Arny Freeman
Mae's reunion is a big headache for Tom and it's all Mary's fault. Loretta and Charlie get some not so friendly news. Loretta makes a spectacular comeback, in more ways than one
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeWritten by Peggy GoldmanGuest stars Salome Jens, Ray Colella, Arny Freeman
Charlie and Loretta face eviction at the hands of the Friendly Loan Co. Steve appears on the Johnny Tilson Show, where it's apparent that he's romancing starlet Kate Walters. Martha faints after seeing George's blackmail photos.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeWritten by Peggy GoldmanGuest stars Salome Jens, Kim O’Brien
Mary tells Tom that it'll be 23 years before their sexual desires are synchronized again. Tom is angered by Mary's need for "something else" that she can't explain. Mary seeks answers to happiness from Grandpa Larkin who surmises she doesn't quite fit in anywhere. Mary hides under the kitchen sink. Cathy worries that she's losing Steve. Loretta has inspiration for a new song, Ballad of a Legless Woman. Mary cries and shares a lunch meat sandwich with Grandpa.
Dr. Fermin tells Loretta that she's in spontaneous remission. Charlie devises a plan to come up with money to stall eviction by selling raffle tickets for a color TV he and Loretta don't have. Martha refuses to believe George's claim that he was framed by union officials in Milwaukee. Loretta and Mary decide that Mary's "thing" is communication. Tiny catches Charlie selling raffle tickets and orders him out. When Tom intervenes, Tiny tells him to shut up or he's fired, prompting Charlie to deck Tiny who falls to the floor unconscious.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeWritten by Peggy GoldmanGuest stars Hugh Gillin, Oliver Clark
Now that Mary knows her thing is communication, she has to decide what to do with it. Tom doesn't communicate well when he tells Loretta and Mary what happened between Charlie and Tiny at the plant. Mary wishes Tom could convert the energy of anger into something sexy. George is happy he and Martha made up at 2:15 a.m. Cathy fears she's no longer good enough for Steve, and George threatens to punch his heart out. Loretta's engineer Clyde Muncie visits with news that his brother in Chicago wants to release Loretta's song as a single.
Steve reassures Cathy that starlet Kate Walters was just for publicity. Tom has to explain to Heather that he broke the rules when he's sent home from the plant over the incident between Charlie and Tiny. George isn't sympathetic to Tom's situation. At the library, Mrs. Delorean introduces Mary to sex therapist Mona McKenzie from the Lackawanda Institute
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Iris Korn, Sallie Jones, Ed Begley Jr.
Cathy tells George and Martha that she and Steve are going to Hollywood to be married, just as Kate Walters arrives at Steve's apartment. Tom has it out with George and decides to run against him in the union election. Mary explains her problems to Mona McKenzie. Mary lies to Cathy that Mona is an old friend from high school who transferred away. Cathy discovers Steve in bed with Kate.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Sallie Jones, Kim O’Brien, Ed Begley Jr.
Mary, Martha, and Loretta plan Cathy's impromptu bridal shower while she's throwing her engagement ring back at Steve. A distraught Cathy arrives home, announces Steve's infidelity, and renounces men. Dennis drops by the Hartman kitchen and tells Mary that he still wants her and will wait for her, but when Cathy arrives, Dennis asks her to dinner.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Bruce Solomon, Kim O’Brien, Ed Begley Jr.
Mary secretly phones Mona but can't talk. After her date with Dennis, Cathy's over Steve. Loretta has a new tune about Cathy's relationship with Steve called How Can You Say You Don't Love Me When You Never Could Talk At All? Clyde calls the Haggers with news that a royalty check is in the mail. Tom and George spar over union ideals at the plant. After hearing Baby Boy on the radio, Tiny offers to help Charlie get re-hired. Tom accuses Mary of meddling, and she accuses him of using sex to intimidate her into being a good girl. Mona phones Mary to arrange a meeting about sex therapy.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeWritten by Peggy GoldmanGuest stars Hugh Gillin, Sallie Jones
Mary is too busy preparing food products without food to care about Cathy's relationship with Dennis. Loretta receives a phone call from another Mrs. Haggers. Mona arrives at the Hartman house to carry out Mary's plan. Loretta confronts Charlie about his past.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Bruce Solomon, Sallie Jones
Mrs. Haggers meets Mrs. Haggers. Sergeant Foley waits with Mary. Mary is shaking - and it's not from the cold. Charlie and Muriel remember things differently.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Bruce Solomon, Elsie Downey
The Shumways are warned about Sergeant Foley from the one he loves. Mary tells of the meaning of STET and loses more than her arm. Muriel talks of Charlie's "base instincts."
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Elsie Downey, Samantha Harper
Mary wonders about international conspiracy and makes the morning meal. Cathy and Dennis play games. Mary gets a gift from Dennis, but has nothing to give him, except maybe one thing.
Modern medicine triumphs. Mary thinks she feels great. Charlie and Loretta share another announcement. Muriel wants sympathy - and five thousand dollars.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeWritten by Peggy GoldmanGuest stars Bruce Solomon, Hugh Gillin, Elsie Downey
The Haggers say "hooray for Hollywood." Mary denies her sister's wedding day wish for the sake of cholesterol. Charlie makes plans for a VIP tour. Mary wonders if Loretta will forget.
Loretta's TV coverage is more complete than expected. Mary really needs her doctor - so she gets put on hold. Martha makes a confession. Tom gets an unexpected escort.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Michael Lembeck, Elsie Downey, Laurence Haddon, Samantha Harper
Mary urges Tom to read bumper stickers - for the sake of his family. Dennis invites Roberta to an open marriage. Mary calls the police, but doesn't want to get involved.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Bruce Solomon, Elsie Downey, Samantha Harper, Harry Basch
Mary returns home from the Italian cinema. Charlie explains the joys of parenthood. Tom gets an explosion out of "Pop." Sergeant Foley anticipates another undercover(s) assignment.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Bruce Solomon, Laurence Haddon, Richard Venture
Dennis maneuvers himself into one more week. The Hartmans and Shumways find conflict in the kitchen. Charlie and Loretta find themselves at rock bottom.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Bruce Solomon, Samantha Harper
Cathy discovers Mary's true interest in her marriage. Dennis wants Mary to be more honest. Mary tries to save herself with a story of vertical lifesaving.
Cathy meets a new neighbor and plays cards to see her future. Loretta starts knocking on doors for the Lord. Tom comes to state his case - and takes a backseat to a Bicentennial bumpersticker.
Episode credits
Directed by Jim DrakeGuest stars Vivian Blaine, Robert Ridgely
Mary vows to put an end to something. Tom bowls alone and makes a friend. Charlie's good news waits for the "good news." Dennis complicates a "no" with the truth.
Episode credits
Guest stars Dabney Coleman, Bruce Solomon, Laurence Haddon
Tom is out of the overflow, but Mary is getting more than her share. Mary has someone new to trade troubles with. Tom and Dennis argue the needs of a wounded bird.
Episode credits
Guest stars Bruce Solomon, Beeson Carroll, Vivian Blaine
Mary makes a confession, which Dennis is awake to hear. Cathy and Tom find the evidence (you don't need bandages for a heart attack). Mary gets help in return for the truth.
Mary has the hard truth for Heather. Heather has the hard questions for Mary. Sergeant Foley gets put in traction and straightens things out with Cathy. Tom's refuge is the scene for more fighting.
Episode credits
Guest stars Bruce Solomon, Laurence Haddon, Beeson Carroll, Vivian Blaine
Mary vows to compose her thoughts, while Loretta cleans house for the Lord. Mary makes some important decisions and talks to Dennis of flexible straws and love.
Mary admits to a beautiful moment in one of the seven positions. Cathy's application to nunhood is rejected. Tom goes for a walk and gets some timely advice.
Episode credits
Guest stars Bruce Solomon, Oliver Clark, Vincent Baggetta, Laurence Haddon, Tom Troupe
Charlie and Loretta turn on Fernwood 2 Night. Mary makes plans to cut out the middleman. Jimmy Joe Jeeter is on his father's knees. Mary goes to the clergy for comfort and ends up playing softball.
Episode credits
Guest stars Dabney Coleman, Sid Haig, Sparky Marcus, Oliver Clark, Laurence Haddon, Beeson Carroll, Vivian Blaine, James Cromwell
Loretta visits Mary with absolution and a new brand of floor cleaner. Howard and Ed disagree over plans for the future. Mary comes face-to-waist with the Reverend Jimmy Joe Jeeter.
Loretta entertains a dinner guest and gets a direct line to the Lord. Cathy has some church dealings of her own. Mary talks to Howard about the only sensible thing to do, then takes a journey through his childhood.
Mary can't see eye-to-eye with Loretta's child minister. Tom makes a dinner date for his 100th chicken fried steak. The Haggers have a surprise for the Hartmans.
Episode credits
Guest stars Dabney Coleman, Sparky Marcus, Bruce Solomon, Tom Troupe
Mary makes a phone call in search of a terrific answer. Cathy answers a call from "TV land." Loretta has a holy supper at the International House of Pancakes.
Mary gets a Help Line of her own. Cathy may become Fernwood's kitchen cookie. Martha begins her search for identity. Howard tries his hand at counseling Tom.
Episode credits
Guest stars Bruce Solomon, Michael Lembeck, Beeson Carroll, Vivian Blaine, Beverly Sanders
Mary finds out about the classics and some information about Howard and Ed. Cathy's conversion plans go up in holy smoke. Mary finally tells Dennis what he wants to hear.
Episode credits
Guest stars Bruce Solomon, Vincent Baggetta, Beeson Carroll
Tom agrees to some moral support. Mary practices some perfect discipline, but gets no good reasons from Dennis. Loretta's blessed recording session has one visitor too many.
Episode credits
Guest stars Dabney Coleman, Sparky Marcus, Bruce Solomon
Mary takes the day off from the Help Line. Sergeant Foley finds a spot with no poison ivy. Cathy gets some sunshine and goes out for just dinner. Dennis, Heather and Mary sing for their supper.
Episode credits
Guest stars Bruce Solomon, Michael Lembeck, Laurence Haddon
Merle Jeeter offers a solo spot to Loretta. Cathy holds no grudges and announces her new career. Tom asks Grandpa for the meaning of life. Howard gets some good news, then bad news, from Mary.
Episode credits
Guest stars Dabney Coleman, Bruce Solomon, Beeson Carroll
Mary and Dennis talk of past, present, and future. Ed talks to Tom about being a jerk. Mary and Howard have sympathetic vibrations. Heather worries about being in the way of her mother's affairs.
Episode credits
Guest stars Sparky Marcus, Bruce Solomon, Beeson Carroll
Jimmy Joe Jeeter looks to Loretta for guidance. Clete talks about his favorite subject - himself. Mary is ravaged by Gasid indigestion of the head. Loretta must answer the call and meet Merle in his motel room.
Episode credits
Guest stars Dabney Coleman, Sparky Marcus, Michael Lembeck
Loretta makes a misprint in Billboard and is worried about her iffy chances. Tom has some good news, but Mary has to cancel. Mary interviews for the typical American consumer.
Episode credits
Guest stars Bruce Solomon, Michael Lembeck, Laurence Haddon, John Pleshette
Mary has a perfectly normal, ordinary, typical morning for national TV. Loretty saves a sinful soul and gets second billing. Mary's kitchen is out of sync.
Episode credits
Guest stars Dabney Coleman, Beeson Carroll, John Verros, John Pleshette
Betty talks about straightening Howard out. One of Martha's left feet is Native American. Mary feels guilty about "helping" Tom. Jimmy Joe Jeeter is promised a new mother.
Episode credits
Guest stars Dabney Coleman, Sparky Marcus, Vivian Blaine, John Verros, John Pleshette
Betty wants Mary to open doors for the truth. Mary has water in her eighth house and may have Howard there, too. Cathy goes to be converted, but Father DeMarco can't do the job.
Episode credits
Guest stars Michael Lembeck, Vincent Baggetta, Beeson Carroll, Vivian Blaine, John Pleshette
Mary gets a non-obscene call from David Susskind. Cathy tells Clete to have is own children. Ed takes a walk. The Help Line gets cut off and it's all Mary's fault.
Episode credits
Guest stars Michael Lembeck, Laurence Haddon, Beeson Carroll, Vivian Blaine
Tom slurs "good luck" to Mary. Mary browses with an eye to buy. Frank visits Cathy with something he just has to tell her. Martha returns to a tragedy with a tragedy.