EPISODE GUIDES: Rhoda Season Two

On Thursdays, I go through classic series with a critical look at each season. Today I am looking at Season Two of Rhoda!

RHODA: SEASON TWO
1975-1976
24 episodes

Rhoda and Joe have been married for nearly a season and already the show hits a rut at times in its second season. Famously, the attention given to Brenda and Ida stories this season is a reason that the writers split up Rhoda and Joe in season three. Rhoda, and especially Joe, sometimes feel like afterthoughts in this season as the show starts to kick up the obnoxious side characters with episodes devoted to such unnecessary characters as Myrna Morgenstein and Nick Lobo. There are some really, really strong episodes in this season but also some pretty rough ones to sit through. It's a step down from Season 1 but sadly it's better than any season that follows.

Starring
Valerie Harper as Rhoda Gerard (24 episodes)
Julie Kavner as Brenda Morgenstern (24 episodes)
David Groh as Joe Gerard (23 episodes)
Nancy Walker as Ida Morgenstern (9 episodes)
Lorenzo Music as Carlton the Doorman (21 episodes)

Harold Gould as Martin Morgenstern (5 episodes)
Barbara Sharma as Myrna Morgenstein (5 episodes)
Scoey Mitchell as Justin Culp (4 episodes)
Richard Masur as Nick Lobo (3 episodes)
Beverly Sanders as Susan Alborn (3 episodes)
Wes Stern as Lenny (3 episodes)

26. Kiss Your Epaulets Goodbye (9/8/75)
Rhoda gets Carlton fired after he mistakenly lets burglars into Joe and Rhoda's apartment and then has to deal with Carlton's mother.

Season two kicks off with the first and only episode that directly involves Carlton in a major way. I didn't talk too much about Carlton during season one but this might be a good spot. As a kid, I loved Carlton. I thought he was one of the funniest parts of the show. As an adult, I find him less funny but he's still capable of good moments and this is a pretty funny episode thanks in large part to a stellar guest appearance by Ruth Gordon. Gordon was a legend by this point and nominated for an Emmy for this episode. She is an absolute hoot as Carlton's very nutty mother and Valerie Harper plays well off of her. She single-handedly makes this a great episode even with an unnecessary side story involving Lenny and Nick.
RATING: 8/10

27. Rhoda Meets the Ex-Wife (9/15/75)
Rhoda is nervous about meeting Joe's ex-wife when she has to go pick up Donny.

A new development in the Rhoda and Joe relationship, we finally get to meet Joe's much talked about ex-wife. One of the problems the writers supposedly had after marrying Rhoda and Joe was making Rhoda an underdog like she was on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. This episode is a good way to do that, but of course they can't use a premise like this on a regular basis. A pre-Knots Landing Joan Van Ark is well cast as the beautiful and nasty Marian. I don't think them getting drunk together was the best direction the episode could have taken, but there was still an interesting dynamic between Rhoda and Marian. I just wanted the episode to take off more than it did.
RATING: 5.5/10

28. Ida's Doctor (9/22/75)
Ida feels tempted to cheat on Martin with the doctor who treated her for chest pains.

This is a really interesting episode and one that explores an ugly truth that many marriages deal with at some point. Nancy Walker is very honest and real (while still comedic) as she deals with this temptation. She makes it easy to see why Ida would like the attention but also feel incredibly guilty. Brenda's reaction is funny too and very reminiscent of how Ida reacts to her daughters at times. There is also a funny sight gag when the doctor tries to get Ida's height and a great line from Rhoda about Jewish doctors. It's interesting that this episode happens here and there is actual trouble in the Morgenstern marriage later on in the series. This is also the second Ida-Doctor themed episode that doesn't include Joe.
RATING: 7/10

29. Mucho, Macho (9/29/75)
Rhoda and Joe fight after Joe and Rhoda both try to defend each other in public in different situations.

I wonder how "tension in the marriage" episodes would play in hindsight if Rhoda and Joe weren't less than a season from separating. But with that, the episode seems to take on extra weight. It seems like they fight over some pretty trivial things here and are quick to strike out at each other. This episode plays a little bit on stereotypes of husbands and wives but it doesn't have as much to say on the topic as the previous episode did on infidelity. It also features Ron Silver in a guest starring role before he becomes a regular as a different character in season three. He's funnier here than he often is as Gary Levy. I will say that, despite the real fighting, the fake fighting at the end of the episode is one of the best moments of the whole Rhoda and Joe marriage.
RATING: 7/10

30. The Party (10/6/75)
Rhoda and Joe have a party and it turns into a therapy session with Susie's psychologist husband.

It seems as though Rhoda learned a thing or two from Mary Richards' terrible parties as a bad party is the center of this episode. Once again, it involves Rhoda and Joe fighting. This time it's almost right off the bat and Joe again comes across as kind of a jerk. But the episode, despite featuring a myriad of obnoxious recurring characters, is actually a pretty interesting one. Nick Lobo, who I normally can't stand, has some funny moments here and Julie Kavner is a particular standout as she runs into problems with Nick during the party/therapy session. The scene between Susie and her husband is a little sad and doesn't really resolve but is a passing glance at what many stay at home moms were (are?) feeling.
RATING: 8.5/10

31. Brenda's Unemployment (10/13/75)
Brenda is unemployed and heading down a downward spiral that leads to her binging on food and hanging out with Carlton.

This episode is actually out of order story-wise. Despite airing a week before it, the events happen after the episode that follows. I'm not sure why that happened because with some Rhoda episodes it wouldn't matter much, but with this one it really does. Despite that, it's a strong episode thanks to a great performance by Julie Kavner, who's quickly becoming the MVP of the season (and show). Brenda is pretty funny to watch in a downward spiral and also a fascinating character in terms of self-confidence or lack thereof. Her scene with Rhoda in the laundry room is a pretty good look at her psyche.
RATING: 8/10

32. With Friends Like These (10/20/75)
After being passed over for a promotion by her friend, Brenda quits her job at the bank.

As I already mentioned, this episode takes place before the previous episode and it continues to make no sense to me that it aired after. This is an episode with a good plot and a bad plot. The good plot is the Brenda Bank plot, which has some funny scenes at the bank. Brenda's best friend Sandy (guest star Melanie Mayron) is a good guest character and I don't know why they didn't make her a more common recurring character compared to some of the bad ones they have (she only appears twice more). Speaking of which, the side plot with Rhoda getting upset with Myrna for never being in the office is an obnoxious one because Myrna just continues to be so obnoxious.
RATING: 6/10

33. Somebody Down There Likes Him (10/27/75)
Brenda's new roommate takes an instant liking to Joe and Rhoda worries she's trying to steal him.

This is a perfect example of a Rhoda-Joe episode that works. There's a good bit of tension and drama between Rhoda and Heather (guest star Denise Galik) and there's some excellent moments from Brenda and Ida as well yet Joe remains fully in the plot. He's the center of the plot without having to do an awful lot and that seems to be a really good way to use an actor with limited ability (I like David Groh but he's not nearly as strong an actor as Valerie Harper, Julie Kavner and Nancy Walker). Some real highlights are Brenda talking about how moms name their babies at the hospitals and Rhoda telling Ida to stay put when she is spying on Joe and Heather.
RATING: 8/10

34. Call Me Grandma (11/3/75)
Brenda and Ida have a falling out after Brenda wants Ida to stop fixing her up with loser dates.

"Call Me Grandma" is an odd title for this episode because most of it deals with tension between Brenda and Ida and only a little bit about Ida wanting to be a grandmother. Even though this specific plot has not been done, it feels a little tired because it's about Ida meddling. Nancy Walker is great as always, but this episode never really pops. It's also weird that Paul is played up as this blossoming romance, but we never see him again. There is a great cameo by David L. Lander, shortly before he became Squiggy on Laverne & Shirley, as another loser date of Brenda's.
RATING: 4.5/10

35. Myrna's Story (11/10/75)
Rhoda is upset with Myrna when she finds out that Myrna has been using less than appropriate methods to landing clients.

I have made my dislike for Myrna pretty clear in any episode that she appears in but this is probably the worst, fittingly called "Myrna's Story." Not only is Myrna obnoxious here as always, but the whole premise is a little bit gross with Myrna basically whoring herself out for the clients and being matter of fact and okay with it. The episode perks up a little bit when Rhoda goes to try to make a sale and deals with #MeToo issues 40+ years before that phrase entered the lexicon. It's another great example of how MTM shows dealt with issues. It was always creative and organic. If this episode didn't have the Myrna part, it would score higher.
RATING: 5.5/10

36. Love Songs of J. Nicholas Lobo (11/17/75)
Nick Lobo is down on his luck and Brenda asks Rhoda to try to convince Joe to get Nick a job.

First we get an episode centered on Myrna, followed by one about Nick Lobo. Yikes. I know Nick is supposed to be an obnoxious character but boy, he is just so annoying. It's hard to feel anything for him or Brenda even when they make him or their relationship a little bit sympathetic. It is satisfying to see Nick get his comeuppance when he goes to work for Joe and it's nice that it comes from Brenda, who starts to see the light (temporarily). This episode suffers from being pretty predictable. Obviously we know how Nick is going to be when he works for Joe so there's no real intrigue in the plot.
RATING: 2.5/10

37. Friends and Mothers (11/24/75)
Ida gets jealous when Rhoda starts spending time with a much older woman.

An absolute classic and probably my favorite episode of Rhoda that isn't "Rhoda's Wedding." This episode features a standout performance from the iconic Vivian Vance. Lucy's longtime foil wasn't really acting much by this point and passed away a few years after this episode. But boy, did this make me wish that she was a recurring character (I think I heard that the writers wanted that to happen but Vance wasn't interested). In addition to Vance's excellence (and an appearance from Larry Tate himself, David White, as her husband), this also a delightful showcase for Nancy Walker. Ida's attempts to be both hip and Rhoda's friend are hilarious and one of my favorite Ida moments in the entire series. I could watch this episode over and over.
RATING: 10/10

38. A Night with the Girls (12/1/75)
Rhoda plans a night with the girls, but is alarmed when she comes home at 2am and Joe is not there.

Susie and Myrna share the spotlight with Rhoda in this episode so that is a problem off the bat. I just don't get why they write Myrna the way they do. Are we supposed to believe that Rhoda would keep giving chances to this extremely selfish character? Anyway, Myrna doesn't even last that long but the episode doesn't get better. Rhoda being concerned about Joe being out is fine, but it just drags on. Her imagined story of what happened is way too long despite Valerie Harper's best attempts to sell it. And the resolution is pretty lame too. All in all, the worst episode to date. And coming after one of the best!
RATING: 1/10

39. Bump in the Night (12/8/75)
While Joe is away, Rhoda worries that a jewelry thief has her wallet and is coming back to get her.

I'm a sucker for episodes that take place over the course of a night and there's something a little cozy about this episode where Rhoda and Brenda end up back at their parents, but it also keeps a suspenseful story line going.. Rhoda's phone call to her mother earlier in the episode is hilarious and there's also one of the funniest Carlton moments yet when Rhoda interrupts his usual introduction. There's also a fun glimpse into what Rhoda and Brenda's life was like in the 50s growing up in the Bronx (if this show aired now, we might get a spinoff called Young Rhoda).
RATING: 9/10

40. If You Don't Tell Her, I Will (12/29/75)
Rhoda is upset with Brenda for being a pushover when her friend moves in and starts to take over.

When the writers split Joe and Rhoda up in the following season, one thing they said was they felt like all their episodes were about Brenda or Ida. No disrespect to Julie Kavner, who is a great actress, but it's easy to see what they were talking about with episodes like this. The show is called Rhoda, not Brenda and Joe hasn't been a major part of an episode in quite awhile. Melanie Mayron is strong again in her second appearance on the show, but otherwise it's a pretty lackluster episode and we've already had episodes where Rhoda tried to convince Brenda to not be a pushover. So, yawn.
RATING: 3/10

41. Rhoda's Sellout (1/5/76)
Rhoda is upset when a client doesn't like her windows and she doesn't want to compromise her integrity, which leads to a fight with Joe.

We do get a Rhoda-centered episode here and there are some good moments, but I don't think it works as a whole. I wonder if her playing off a gruff boss (Lou Grant-style) was the inspiration to add the Jack character later on in the run? This episode and when Jack joins have similar problems in that it always feels a little too close to The Mary Tyler Moore Show. I also don't like how they shoehorn in a Rhoda and Joe argument to the story, which feels unnecessary and unearned. Once again, it's the writers not knowing how to write for Joe and their relationship so they just create another fight and it's a stretch.
RATING: 4.5/10

42. Attack on Mr. Right (1/12/76)
Rhoda agrees to help Brenda land a man she's interested in if she agrees to dump him immediately after.

John Ritter makes his second guest starring appearance on Rhoda just two months before the debut of Three's Company. He is great here as a smarmy, self-confident date of Brenda's and Brenda and Rhoda scheming is equally fun (I love the moment where Brenda compares them to Lucy and Ethel). Even Joe gets in on the fun with a purposely awkward attempt at making Ritter's character jealous. Although there are shades of Rhoda being frustrated with Brenda for being a pushover just like two episodes ago, this works out so much better and is so much funnier.
RATING: 8.5/10

43. If You Want to Shoot the Rapids, You Have to Get Wet (1/19/76)
Susie and Arthur take a break from each other and Rhoda intervenes to try to get them back together.

One of the great things about The Mary Tyler Moore Show is their great ensemble. They only have about six of them at a time (with Georgette/Sue Ann replacing Rhoda/Phyllis during the run) so we get to love them all. Rhoda on the other hand meanders through tons of supporting characters. Aside from Brenda and Rhoda's parents, none of them appear more than a handful of times in the first two seasons so episodes like this, that are almost exclusively focused on the Alborn marriage, have no stakes and give no reason for audiences to care. These characters, even if they were good (which they're not), have not earned an episode like this so it doesn't work at all.
RATING: 1.5/10

44. The Return of Billy Glass (1/26/76)
Martin reconnects with his old friend, Billy Glass, but then worries that Billy still has eyes for Ida.

A Martin centered story, there's a lot of sweetness to this episode and a great guest turn from Jack Gilford as Martin's long-lost friend. The fact that he is actually still pining for Ida and it's not just Martin's wild imagination means the story goes in a little bit different direction than you might expect. There's also a great guest appearance from TV veteran Florida Friebus, who has a great moment when Martin claims she can identify the type of wine with her eyes closed. It's yet another episode not centered on Rhoda, but it's a good one.
RATING: 7.5/10

45. A Federal Case (2/2/76)
An FBI agent uses Brenda's apartment to collect information on an apartment across the street and Brenda falls in love with him.

The "stakeout" episode is always a good plot for a sitcom because it keeps the action going even though this one isn't as tied to a crime as some sitcom episodes with this type of plot are. A young Tim Matheson is a strong guest star here and has an easy chemistry with Julie Kavner. It's too bad that Brenda was not with a character like him instead of the loser parade of Lenny, Nick, and eventually Benny. I do think they could have done more scenes with Matheson and didn't need the unnecessary scene at the bar with Rhoda, Brenda and Sandy but oh well.
RATING: 6/10

46. The Marty Morgan Story (2/9/76)
Martin feels like life has past him by and is restless, but Ida suspects he is having an affair.

This is a great Ida and Martin story (though dare I mention that this is the fifth episode in a row with a plot not centered on Rhoda?) Even though the episode is a little bit predictable, it's a very sweet episode nonetheless. The ending is probably about as sentimental as Rhoda ever gets but Nancy Walker and Harold Gould play it perfectly. I found it interesting too that they did a shot from above at the piano at the end of Martin's song. That kind of unique camera work wasn't too often done with 1970s sitcoms. The final scene with Nancy Walker (a veteran Broadway actress) singing is a delight too. This episode is just charming from start to finish.
RATING: 9/10

47. Let's Call It Love (2/16/76)
Rhoda and Joe feel like they don't spend enough time together so they decide to take a few days off and shut out the rest of the world.

Remember Joe? He's been relegated to very minor roles several episodes in a row but we finally have another Rhoda and Joe storyline. However, even in an episode where Rhoda and Joe are the center of the plot, the show can't help but make it mostly featuring Ida, Brenda, Justin and, yes, Myrna quite a bit. Despite Justin's fun moment trying to convince Rhoda and Joe to go back to work, I find it a little disappointing that they do choose to do that. It's also interesting that they make Rhoda so paranoid about the marriage through the first two seasons only for her worst nightmare to come true in season three.
RATING: 5.5/10

48. It's Not My Fault, Is It? (2/23/76)
Brenda breaks up with Lenny and it causes a family crisis when Lenny has a breakdown.

Despite an interesting glimpse into the extended Morgenstern family and a guest appearance from the great Eileen Heckart, this episode suffers from being really icky. If you missed it as a passing mention back in season one, the fact that Brenda and Lenny are distant cousins is extremely imperative to the story of this episode. And the show never suggests that there is anything weird about it. Even if somehow you could get past that plot point (which I can't), the episode sort of meanders and deals an awful lot with the bland character of Lenny. It's too bad they couldn't find a better episode to do that involved the extended family.
RATING: 2/10

49. Don't Give Up the Office (3/1/76)
Rhoda is falling behind financially at work and worries she may have to give up her office.

This episode seems to try to be Rhoda's answer to the famous Mary Tyler Moore "hair bump" episode. But what worked in that episode, aside from superior writing, is it played against type for Mary who is always so perfect. That premise doesn't work as well for Rhoda, a character who is or feels down on her luck much more often. There are some sweet Rhoda and Joe moments in their last episode before the big split that kicks of season three (to think Rhoda thought she had a bad day here). This episode gets a little back to the season one feel of Rhoda (and Joe) navigating through a life event. We also get a very fun glimpse of slightly more than just Carlton's voice, although we still don't see his face of course.
RATING: 6/10

AVERAGE RATING FOR SEASON TWO:
6.0/10

The Best Episodes
1. "Friends and Mothers" (#37) - 10/10
2. "Bump in the Night" (#39) - 9/10
3. "The Marty Morgan Story" (#46) - 9/10
4. "Attack on Mr. Right" (#42) - 8.5/10
5. "The Party" (#30) - 8/10

The Worst Episodes
1. "A Night with the Girls" (#38) - 1/10
2. "If You Want to Shoot the Rapids, You Have to Get Wet" (#43) - 1.5/10
3. "It's Not My Fault, Is It?" (#48) - 2/10
4. "Love Songs of J. Nicholas Lobo" (#36) - 2.5/10
5. "If You Don't Tell Her, I Will" (#40) - 3/10

Tomorrow: The Friday Five - Top 5 TV News Stories of the Week!

Next Thursday: A look at the third season of Rhoda!