1x1 - Pilot

September 20, 1986

Ellen Burstyn stars as a writer at a Baltimore college who lives in a brownstone with her mother, 25-year-old daughter and 5-year-old grandson. In the pilot, Nick's dog is about to have puppies. Ellen faces a troublesome student who never fulfills assignments.

1x3 - Where There's a Will

October 4, 1986

Ellen decides to prepare her last will and testament, but she gains disapproval from her family when she suggests that a poverty-stricken student live in her home rent-free.

1x4 - The Guest Lecturer

October 18, 1986

Ellen is disillusioned when she meets an award-winning writer she has always admired.

1x5 - Crime and Punishment

October 25, 1986

Ellen must deal with a grouchy store owner when 6-year-old Nick steals an expensive toy.

1x6 - Sydney's Night Out

November 1, 1986

Sydney's swept off her feet by a married man.

1x7 - Reading Between the Lines

November 8, 1986

Ellen learns that her friend, a best-selling author, is illiterate.

1x8 - Family Affair

November 15, 1986

Molly has second thoughts about reconciling with her estranged husband.

1x9 - Molly Sings the Blues

August 8, 1987

1x10 - Writer, Wronger

August 15, 1987

An ex-convict enrolls in Ellen's writing class.

1x11 - The Box

August 22, 1987

Ellen finds a mysterious shoe box in a telephone booth. The box is labeled and she calls the owner only to be warned about opening the shoe box. The family becomes intrigued.

1x12 - Writes of Passage

September 5, 1987

1x13 - I'm Dancing Faster Than I Can

After undergoing severe sleeplessness, Ellen goes to a physician. The medic prescribes her some vitamin pills. Ellen follows the treatment but its side effects soon show up, and she starts doing things faster than usual. Finally Sidney finds out that the medic was in fact a quack who gave Ellen amphetamines instead of vitamins.