S1 • E1
Phyllis' husband Lars has died. Broke, she and her daughter Bess move to San Francisco to live with Lars' mother and stepfather. Phyliss has trouble finding a job until she accepts one in a photographic studio with Lars' ex-girlfriend.
S1 • E2
Bess goes on a weekend ski trip. Phyllis calls her and a boy answers. Hysteria ensues when Phyllis assumes Bess has gone all the way.
S1 • E3
Jerome, an old friend of the family, comes to San Francisco to visit the recently widowed and now eligible Phyllis.
S1 • E4
At home, the Judge's mother comes for a visit and Phyllis considers moving out. At work, Leo is having a photography problem.
S1 • E5
Phyllis recaps to Mary via a letter her difficulties arising from her first day working at the Photography Studio.
S1 • E6
Phyllis tries to fulfill a childhood dream, but that means overcoming a dramatic childhood experience.
S1 • E7
Boxes and boxes Phyllis's stuff arrives from Minnesota. The clutter annoys the Judge.
S1 • E8
Phyllis contemplates going on her first date since becoming a widow.
S1 • E9
Phyllis believes she and Bess are growing apart so she decides to join her daughter in her activities. But visits to a new age therapy group and a disco make Phyllis even more conscious of the generation gap.
S1 • E10
Audrey and the Judge have marital issues. She moves out of their room and into Phyllis's room. The Judge tries to make amends.
S1 • E11
Phyllis can't mind her own business when she decides her boss needs assistance with his love life. Against everyone's advice she tries to fix things which only worsens the situation.
S1 • E12
Phyllis hasn't made many friends since moving to San Francisco. So she joins a singles group for lonely people and meets Shirley, who drives her nuts.
S1 • E13
Bess wants to marry her boyfriend Warren so Phyllis arranges to meet his parents in the hopes of talking them out of it. They meet at the house but Phyllis is unaware that they are below average height and repeatedly says the wrong thing.
S1 • E14
Julie's business is hanging on by a thread. Phyllis comes up with an idea to help fix things.
S1 • E15
Phyllis meets a medium at the photography studio. A seancé to try to talk to Lars is soon in the works. The Judge and his mother think that it is a bunch of hooey.
S1 • E16
Phyllis starts dating Harry Loomis, a wealthy man. Leo puts the idea in her head that Harry is spending all this money on her to get her in bed. Instead, he asks her to be his wife.
S1 • E17
Tired of Mother Dexter being an obstinate home-body, the Judge and Phyllis try to find her a job or a man.
S1 • E18
Phyllis is happy with Rex, the new man in her life. Trouble arises when she discovers he comes with a wife named Lana.
S1 • E19
Bess keeps trying to rehearse a play with her acting partner, but things keep interrupting them. So she decides to move out on her own at age 17. Phyllis overreacts.
S1 • E20
Jerome returns for a visit. Phyllis is looking forward to rekindling their relationship. However, he brings his new, and very young wife with him.
S1 • E21
The Judge is getting an award. Once his party, including Phyllis, hears that Leo may attempt suicide, they all go to his houseboat to try to stop him. Are they too late?
S1 • E22
The Judge's brother Julius comes for a visit. Mother Dexter is overjoyed by his visit. Julius needs money to start a new business, however, the Judge won't give him the money. Mother Dexter becomes mad.
S1 • E23
Audrey's niece Margaret, a recent widow, comes for a visit. Phyllis tries to bond over their mutual widowhood.
S1 • E24
Ralph wants to go steady with Bess. Bess doesn't, and turns Ralph down on a date. So Ralph then asks Phyllis to go to the play instead. Further dates are planned. Bess gets jealous.
Phyllis Lindstrom
Judge Jonathan Dexter
Audrey Dexter
Dan Valenti
Leonard Marsh
Bess Lindstrom
Harriet Hastings
Leo Heatherton
Sally 'Mother' Dexter
Julie Erskine