The So-Called Episodes

This is a small attempt at providing a short episode guide for reference. Guest star appearances have been omitted for the sake of space-saving. A much more in-depth look at the series can be found within Angela's World.

Except where noted, MSCL aired on ABC Thursdays 8pm ET/PT, 7pm CT.

* WRITERS

WH - Winnie Holzman; JT - Justin Tanner; BT - Betsy Thomas; JK - Jason Katims; LG - Liberty Godshall; JG - Jill Gordon; RK - Richard Kramer; EH - Ellen Herman; EG - Elizabeth Gill; AD - Adam Dooley.

* DIRECTORS

SW - Scott Winant; MH - Marshall Herskovitz; MR - Mark Rosner; VD - Victor DuBois; ESP - Ellen S. Pressman; MP - Piznarski; RL - Ron Lagomarsino; CW - Claudia Weill; TH - Todd Holland; ME - Michael Engler; JP - Jeff Perry; PRN - Patrick R. Norris; EK - Elodie Keene.

*NOTES

1. In some areas of the country, MSCL was preempted due to coverage of an airplane crash outside of Pittsburgh. The episode was subsequently broadcast on a "special night" -- Tuesday, 4 October, 1994, at 10 p.m. (normally the spot for "NYPD Blue"). Incidentally, this Tuesday showing earned MSCL its highest ratings.

 

2. This episode is the first episode with end credits deviating from the usual white credits on black. Instead, we get footage of Angela, Rayanne, and Rickie clowning around with Patty's dress.

 

3. This episode was supposed to air on 13 October, 1994, but at the last minute was unexpectedly preempted for the 2-hour season premiere of "Matlock."

 

4. This is the first of the episodes shot months after the first batch. Note Jared's changed hairdo and Danielle's growth spurt.

 

5. This episode is sometimes called "Other People's Mother's". The executive producer end credits are black on white for this one.

 

6. First episode narrated by a character other than Angela.

 

7. Preempted on Thanksgiving Thursday (25 November, 1994) for a two-hour MacGyver movie called "Trail to Doomsday."

 

8. Preempted on 15 December, 1994 for a special tribute to Elvis (thank you, thank you very much). This "special episode" has no opening theme song, no voice-over, and no b&w executive end-credits.

 

9. Preempted on 29 December, 1994 for a special tribute to Lassie, that b- er, lovable mutt we all supposedly grew up with.

• 1.1 Welcome to Angela Chase's so-called life. Angela dyes her hair a shade of "Crimson Glow", upsetting the status quo of her seemingly picture-perfect teenage existence.
• 1.2 Rayanne arranges for Jordan to sell Angela a fake ID, while Patty and Graham stumble through ballroom-dancing lessons meant to re-spice their marriage.
• 1.3 A gunshot in the hallway and a rumor about Angela and Jordan send ripples through the Liberty High School community.
• 1.4 Angela gives Graham the "silent contempt" treatment while Patty must deal with her own father when both the Grateful Dead and the IRS come to town.
• 1.5 In this episode on image and self-image, Angela's zit, Patty's face, Sharon's hooters, and Rayanne's slut potential are all under scrutiny when a sophomoric list on the sophomore girls coincides with the Annual Mother-Daughter Fashion Show.
• 1.6 An unconventional substitute teacher temporarily turns Angela's English class into a Dead Poets Society and causes a stir when he takes over the school's literary magazine.
• 1.7 Angela and Jordan get close when she learns of his reading problem, and closer when she hears his new song. Back on the ranch, Patty and Graham cope with possible pregnancy.
• 1.8 Angela's relationship with Sharon and Graham's job dissatisfaction both hit critical levels when Sharon's father has a heart attack.
• 1.9 Halloween rolls into Three Rivers, blurring the line between facades and realities.
• 1.10 Angela is entranced by Rayanne's hip hippy mom, while Patty gets the daughter treatment from her own mother.
• 1.11 Everyone's love life gets screwed up by the school World Happiness Dance.
• 1.12 Jordan won't acknowledge his new relationship with Angela, Graham starts his cooking classes, and a new teacher invites Rickie to join the drama club.
• 1.13 Angela considers sleeping with Jordan, while Graham considers starting his own restaurant.
• 1.14 Feeling left out of Angela's life, Rayanne becomes lead singer of the Frozen Embryos. Meanwhile, Patty thinks Rayanne has started drinking again, and can't decide if she should meddle with Amber's mothering.
• 1.15 Christmas in Three Rivers finds Rickie out on the street after a fight with his abusive uncle. Angela, aided by a mysterious homeless girl with an angelic voice and a guitar (Juliana Hatfield), tries to help him, putting her at odds with Patty. Meanwhile, Brian faces Christmas alone, and Sharon and Rayanne (wo)man the phones at a teen hotline.
• 1.16 The new year begins, and everybody makes their resolutions without resolving to keep them. Rickie's "home" situation puts him on his own odyssey, Brian and Jordan do some mutual tutoring, Graham considers Hallie's proposition(s), and Sharon watches a Brad Pitt movie.
• 1.17 Rayanne wins the starring role in the school play, but loses Angela's friendship after she and Jordan get drunk and umm... in his car. Meanwhile, Angela tries to get over Jordan by turning her attentions to Cory.
• 1.18 The MSCL crew pulls together when Rayanne accidentally handcuffs herself to Patty and Graham's bed when Angela's parents go out of town for a weekend.
• 1.19 Everybody in Three Rivers is having weird dreams lately. Jordan, hoping to win Angela back, enlists Brian to help him say the right words, resulting in The Letter. Elsewhere, Delia has a crush on Rickie (yes, our Rickie), Patty dreams about her old beau, Graham cooks for the investors, and Rickie's odyssey comes to an end.