A loving mother and wife deals with situations and problems of a middle-class family in the late 1950s and the early 1960s.
Cast:Donna Reed , Paul Petersen , Carl Betz , Shelley Fabares , Patty Petersen , Ann McCrea , Bob Crane , Darryl Richard , Jimmy Hawkins , C. Lindsay Workman , Janet Landgard , Candy Moore , Stephen Pearson , Allan Hunt , Gary Waynesmith , Jan Stine , Reba Waters , Tommy Ivo
Donna wants the family to go away on a long overdue vacation. But will Dr. Stone's patients let them get away for even a weekend?
Donna is vying for a role in an amateur stage production and doesn't get along so well with the director. Things get worse when Jeff comes home with a black eye, given to him by the director's son.
An emergency forces Dr. Stone to pull out of an overnight camping trip with Jeff and his friends. Donna volunteers to take over and, once in the woods, comes up with an ingenious solution to her inexperience.
Mary gives a speech on motherhood that has everyone praising Donna. Alex stars feeling inferior to Donna.
Jeff has his heart set on getting a football uniform. Alex and Donna tell him he must save his money to pay for it. But when they discover his picture will be in the newspaper will they give in and buy it for him anyway?
Someone leaves a baby on the front doorstep. Alex, who thinks the baby should be turned over to the authorities, fears the family is becoming too attached to it.
In the series' pilot, Donna has a bit of a problem: how can she attend Jeff's basketball game, Mary's initiation into her girl's club and her husband's speech - all at the same time?
Mary has a crush on another student but he doesn't notice her. Donna suggests she invite him home, which Mary does, but it's Donna that gets all of his attention.
Donna's plan for a fund raiser goes awry until Jeff agrees to have dinner with a girl.
A young runaway boy spends Thanksgiving with the Stone family.
Donna gets stuck with organizing a baby beauty contest. And who would be a better judge of a baby contest than a pediatrician?
It's Donna's birthday and she claims there's nothing she wants as a present. Alex isn't so sure she telling the truth.
Uncle Fred, Donna's uncle, swoops in for an unexpected visit and immediately gets into everybody's business, with unexpected results.
Donna is frantically making last-minute preparations for Christmas and is vexed when no one seems to care for the fruitcakes she is giving for Christmas presents. Her Christmas spirit is rejuvenated when she learns that no one has planned a Christmas party for the children who cannot leave their ward and return home for the holiday. With the help of the hospital handyman, she tries to rectify the oversight.
Mary has three potential dates to the prom. She can't decide if she should go with the left tackle, or the right tackle, or just plain ole Charlie.
When Jeff hurts his arm when he was someplace he shouldn't have been at, he tries to avoid telling his parents by going to the other pediatrician in town.
David Barker, who had previously spent Thanksgiving with the Stones, decides he would like to visit them again. He tells them that it's his birthday even though it's actually not for several more months.
Mr. Popkin doesn't have the money to pay for his son's expensive treatment and he won't allow Alex to do it for free. Donna figures she can hire him for household chores instead.
Mary thinks her first date with Herbie was a disaster until she hears how her parents' first date went.
Donna decides that bachelor Burt Boland needs to meet her friend Ceil. The date goes well until Ceil's old boyfriend shows up.
Alex & Donna help friends celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. Celia and Wilbur have been arguing all day over Wilbur's secretary because Celia thinks he pays too much attention to her. Celia leaves Wilbur after the party.
Jeff's report card is less than his parents expect and they make him stay home to study. But Jeff finds a way around being grounded.
Young David Barker returns to the Stones' home for another visit. He has a secret and the stress of hiding it leads him to a very odd dream.
Donna comes to the conclusion that she's too nice for her own good. She decides to be more assertive to see what people think then.
Mary is running to be the vice-president of her class, but Donna doesn't like the way she, or rather her campaign manager, is running her campaign.
After visiting a newlywed couple Donna begins to wonder if her marriage is in a rut.
Buzz Berry, Mary's favorite rock singer, is coming to town for a show. On the night of the show, however, Buzz comes down with a bad case of the measles, and is taken to the Stones' house to be treated by Alex, and is forced to stay there for a few days to recuperate. When word leaks out that he is staying there, the Stones' house is besieged by his adoring fans.
Mary's friend Babs is upset because she thinks her parents are breaking up. Donna & Alex decide to help the Keppler's save their marriage. However, Bab's was wrong - her parents are not breaking up, so the Stone's effort to help backfires.
Biff, Alex's old college roommate, comes to visit. Everyone's opinion of Biff is based upon his past glory and Biff is tired of living in the past.
Donna adopts the belief that children are capable of making good decisions on their own. Her beliefs are tested when Mary starts dating an annoying boy Donna doesn't like.
When the Stones get the chance to triple their money in a land deal, Donna and the kids start planning on how they'll spend the windfall. Alex urges caution to no avail.
When Donna finds out a favorite doctor plans to retire, she decides he should have a retirement dinner with testimonials from his patients and peers. As plans progress, Donna finds out Dr Jason does not want to retire regardless of his age.
Donna's work in a charity campaign leaves her with no time for housework. When they decide to hire a maid, they discover the woman they hire isn't really able to cook or clean.
After Donna and Alex finally manage to arrange a weekend alone for just the two of them, Donna spends the whole time pining for the kids.
Mary has boy problems when she and her girlfriends try to make one boy jealous of another. Mary thinks the plan backfires and gives up on all boys. Donna gives advice on how to straighten everything out.
Jeff borrowed money. Alex wants Jeff to learn the value of money and pay it back. When Donna tries to get Alex to forgive the debt, they discuss the patients who still owe Alex for his services. Donna decides to collect on those bills.
Mary is excited to be included in a school play. Kenny is a classmate who also was accepted, but he dropped out since he stutters. Mary convinces him to remain in the play. Kenny stays, and is paired with Mary for a dance routine.
Donna & Alex fly to New York where Alex will give a speech at a medical convention. Donna is so excited for Alex that she cannot sleep. After going on excitement for a full day, Alex gives her a tranquilizer to help her get some rest.
After completing a newspaper quiz Donna learns she gets a perfect score for being thrifty, which impels her to become a spendthrift.
Doug is a new friend of Jeff's. Doug's mother praises Donna for having such a wonderful, perfect child when her child is noisy and impolite. Donna knows otherwise, so she invites the mother over to see Doug is the same as Jeff.
After a nervous couple have their first baby, Alex can hardly get any sleep or spend any time with the family because of their constant cries for help.
Mary wants Jeff to be more friendly with a girl so that she will have an excuse to meet her older brother. Jeff might be willing to do so - if the price is right.
New neighbors move in next to the Stones, and Jeff finds the man interesting. He tells his father all the great things the man can do, and Alex finds himself getting jealous.
A neighbor invites the Stones to dinner with a group of friends. She spends the evening bragging about the intellectual books she reads. Donna gets talked into joining a book club and has one week to read War and Peace.
Jeff complains the teacher at school does not like any of the students because she is so strict. Donna visits the teacher and finds she is actually afraid of the students as it is her first teaching experience. Donna finds a way to fix it.
Jeff's friend Phillip changes at Jeff's home after the football practices. Donna finds out and realizes Phillip's mother does not know he is playing football. The mother is afraid her boy will get hurt. Donna talks to the mother.
A new kid in town follows Jeff around all the time, no matter how many times Jeff tries to lose him. Donna wants Jeff to be nice to Walter. When Jeff & Walter try to join a club, the group denies Jeff since he is a friend of Walter.
Donna is upset with Mary and Jeff arrive home late and reprimands them. Alex comes home and it is all smiles for dad. Donna & Alex try to work out a plan for punishing Mary and Jeff without either of them seeming like the bad parent.
Donna is forced to accept a dinner invitation with a couple that neither she nor Alex enjoy. This causes an argument between them whether to go or not go, and they try to hide their fight from Mary and Jeff.
Mary is invited to a dance at a nearby college with a blind date, and she would have to stay overnight in the dormitory. The Stones agree, but only because they are going to drive her to and from. Jeff gets to go camping with a friend.
It seems as if all Donna's friends are complimenting her on having such a wonderful husband, and that she is such a lucky girl. Donna wonders if they think she is not good enough for Alex and that it was just pure luck she got such a guy.
Jeff's been causing problems lately, so Alex has a talk with him about behaving. Jeff's attitude changes, and everyone thinks it is because of the talk. However, Jeff causes a problem with a neighbor and is actually just feeling guilty.
Mary's friend Carol is engaged to Matthew, but does not want her family to know. Carol asks Mary to hide the ring and have her boyfriend's letters sent to the Stone residence. Donna and Alex start to wonder about Mary's secret and the mail.
David Barker has run away from his boarding school and returns again to the Stone family. David's father is getting remarried, and David is afraid he will have to stay in the boarding school instead of being with his father and new mother.
Stopped for an interview by a gimmicky showman at a grocery store, Donna makes a stand for women who often say they are just a housewife. Stay at home mothers are more than just stay at home people.
Dan, a friend of Alex's father visits the Stones and tells the family of his exciting travels. Jeff gets caught up in the excitement and wants to travel the world with Dan.
Friends of Alex and Donna's, who have only been married a few years, have their first quarrel. Donna helps Alice understand how to handle a quarrel. Alex tells Donna she should try to keep out of the situation, but then he helps Jim.
Donna's woman club is looking for a project. When they find the neighborhood children are playing in an abandoned building, the women decide to build a proper gathering place for the children.
Mary discovers poetry, and then worries that her mother and father lost their passion for life and things are boring for them. For a change of pace, Donna and Alex decide to go on a trip during a school night. It does not go as planned.
Jeff is promoted to editor of his school newspaper. His first editorial is to speak out against too much homework. It is a good piece, but the teachers do not think it should be published.
When it seems Mary and Jeff are not always doing their homework or chores, Alex decides to lay down the rules and make sure everyone sticks to them. Donna thinks the rules are a bit harsh.
Alex is invited to a wedding of his former college roommate who had some wild nights and lots of dates. Alex is also invited to the bachelor party. Donna is worried about what might happen.
Jeff is excited to try out for the track team and even plans to practice to get in shape for the tryouts. But then Donna finds out he has perfect pitch in music and thinks he should take music lessons and learn the trumpet.
The Woman's Medical Auxiliary host a dance event. While the dance was a success, raising funds was not. The Auxiliary decides to hold another event to raise money to pay for the dance. Donna decides to sell homemade pickles.
Mary's ski trip with friends gets canceled and she is disappointed. However, when an intern from the hospital visits Alex at his home, her mood lightens up immediately.
Jeff visits his uncle and aunt on their farm by himself. Donna is worried and misses Jeff so much, she goes to the farm as well. Alex and Mary have to take care of the house and meals while she is gone.
An old friend of Donna's comes to visit. She is now a well-known fashion designer, and about to marry a doctor. She wants to know what it is like to be married to a doctor. Donna thinks the life of a career woman is exciting.
Jeff wants an advance on his allowance to buy items for his latest project. When that fails, he tries borrowing from everyone. Alex finds out he owes a lot of people money, and puts Jeff on a strict budget until he pays everyone back.
Mary's friend Ellen is very smart at school, but plain looking. No one asks her out. Mary decides to give Ellen a makeover to show the boys in school that Ellen is just as pretty as she is smart.
Donna & Alex have different memories of how they originally met.
Donna's friend Kay tells her that she is pregnant, but to keep it a secret. Donna only tells one other friend, who tells another, who tells another, etc. Kay is upset because she might lose her job if her boss finds out she is pregnant.
A neighbor's child returns home for a visit while on break from military school. Since Petie was a favorite friend of Mary and Jeff, he visits the Stones. Petie is smitten by Mary's grown-up looks.
Donna purchases an expensive art object and is to tell Alex about it, so it gets hidden. When Alex's Aunt Lettie calls to say she is visiting, Alex says they have to put out her wedding gift. Alex finds the statue and puts it out.
A seemingly stray cat follows Jeff home, and the family votes to allow him to stay. Turns out the cat is female, and slowly brings her family of kittens into the house. Jeff & Mary give the kittens away just as Alex finds they are pedigree.
The Stones decide to go away to somewhere different for an extended weekend, but the actual accommodation are nothing like what they saw in the brochure.
While eating lunch with Mary at a restaurant, a woman approaches Donna as a long-lost friend and invites Donna and Alex to dinner the next day at her home. Donna cannot remember who the woman is.
Donna has her kitchen remodeled and new appliances installed. Then she needs to refinish an arm chair which leads to the other furniture look drab. Also, Alex's birthday is the next day, and no one can think of a gift to get him.
The Stones hire a handyman to do repairs around the house. The handyman asks Jeff to help him write a love letter to his girlfriend. Donna finds Jeff's practice letter laying around, and thinks Jeff is in love with a classmate.
Mary returns home from a weekend visit with a friend and just raves about how wonderful her friend's home is. Donna begins to feel their own home is a shack compared to the other home.
Mary meets a boy at school that reminds her of her father. She thinks Elroy looks like what her father might have looked like at that age. Donna and Alex cannot wait to see Elroy and how much he must look like Alex.
Mary is going out with Scotty in a car he built himself. When Donna and Alex find the parts of the car are from cars that have been in wrecks, they are worried.
The school issues an intelligence test to the students, and Jeff gets a score that ranks him as a genius. Alex and Donna have to decide to send him to a special school. Jeff fails the entrance exam for the school.
When Les has trouble paying his baby's doctor bill Donna let's him do some work on the house in exchange. When $20.00 suddenly disappears everyone wonders if Les could have taken it.
Alex proves the old adage that doctors make the worst patients when he goes into the hospital for an appendectomy. Donna helps another patient who doesn't want to leave the hospital.
Mary decides she wants to be a model. She wins a scholarship to a modeling school, but finds it expensive to live the life of a model.
Mary has a bad case of indecisiveness and asks Donna for advice on clothes, errands, boys, and more. She ends up having a date with two boys.
Donna is looking forward to attending her college reunion. When Alex hears about a former boyfriend, he decides to go with her. The women decide to reenact their cheer-leading cheer and Donna gets a black eye the day of the dance.
While Jeff's friend Gordie is showing off his new scooter he accidentally hits a tree and pretends his leg is hurt much worse than it is so that he can stay at the Stones' house. Donna finds out why he does not really want to go home.
Mary wants Jeff to pay her back from a loan so she can buy a new sweater. Since there was no due date given, he decides to drag it out. Donna goes on a diet to lose a few pounds.
Donna gets upset with Mary and Jeff starting projects and never finishing them, losing track of items they used last, and more. Donna decides to make them mend their ways.
Jeff seems to be in a slump by causing things to happen without realizing what is going on. The rest of the family start to praise him for anything he does and he starts to feel better. Jeff decides to try out for the school play.
Donna is tired of everyone using the piano as a drop area for their belongings. Alex suggests selling it. Donna arranges for a pick up, but then Mary puts up a fight to save it. Donna learns the reason why Mary really wants to save it.
When Donna, Mary, and Jeff find that Alex is going to Hollywood for a doctor's conference, they insist on going with him. They plan on two fast days of sight seeing and star gazing, but they mostly sit in the hotel due to heavy rains.
Mary and her classmates are rehearsing for a school play, but the director steps out at the last minute. Donna steps in to be the director.
When a friend of Jeff's brags about going on a camping trip with his father, Jeff says Alex is taking him camping also. Since Alex is unavailable, Donna decides to take him. Before the trip, Jeff finds out his friend is not going camping.
Donna meets the wife of a new doctor at the hospital. Since she is Japaneses, Donna decides she needs to learn some American customs and way of life.
When Donna finds her and Alex's friends stay busy with music lessons and dance lessons, she decides she and Alex have to take some kind of lesson's together. Donna signs them up for painting lessons so they can spend more time together.
Donna gets a parking ticket and does not think she is in the wrong. She decides to fight it in traffic court. While there, singer Tony Martin is also in court fighting a ticket. He decides to fight his ticket because Donna is fighting hers.
Donna wants to go to the Founders Ball but Alex does not. Alex is struggling with Mr Greevy for financing of a new clinic. Greevy wants more money. Donna's Aunt Bell visits. Turns out, Bell and Greevy know each other from years past.
Donna and her friend Madeline decide to open a poodle parlor in town, and the husbands think it is funny because they do not know how to run a business. The women are determined, but find out there are only seven poodles in town.
While Mary is babysitting a young child, the older brother comes home and tells Mary he left college. The Stones try to help him determine which career path he wants to follow.
The Board of Health Director retires, and Donna campaigns to have Alex nominated. It would mean he could have regular office hours. Alex enjoys his job as a pediatrician.
Alex realizes it is the day before income taxes are due, and he rushes to prepare the papers.
While putting on a puppet show, Jeff accidentally breaks a treasured gift that Donna purchased for Alex - a musical tobacco jar. Alex is glad it is broken because he did not like the music.
Mary is upset when she learns that two boys tossed a coin to see who would take her out. Mary does not want to be considered a pawn and decides to give up on boys.
Alex and his friends plan a fishing trip, and the others say they have to ask permission from their wives to go. Alex says he does not have to ask for permission - until he tells her he is going.
Jeff is elected class treasurer and brings home all the money in the class fund. Alex and Donna warn him to be careful, but of course Jeff misplaces the money and has to find it before the next class meeting.
Donna & Alex encourage Jeff to join the church choir. He does, but then he is teased by his classmates. Jeff takes up weight lifting to muscle up in case of a fight.
Herbie's friend who is in the military visits. Herbie suggests that Mary and he take the friend with them to the school dance. Mary does not want to, but when she sees the handsome friend, she changes her mind.
Mary asks Scotty to teach her how to drive. He starts out by telling her all about how cars work, what types of cars there are, what is great about cars, etc. Mary just wants to learn how to drive.
Alex returns from a hunting trip with a mustache and beard. He decides to keep the mustache which receives mixed reviews from the family. Mary has a crush with a new boy at school who has different views from all her friends.
While Donna is out of town, Mary takes over the house in a negative way. Alex allows her to have a teen party, and on Saturday to open the house to a baby-sitting service.
Mary's careless driving leads to an unexpected romantic evening with a young pop singer, followed by heartbreak when he leaves for the army.
Jeff turned in a terrible paper to his English class that has his teacher and parents upset at his grammar. He is told he has to redo the assignment - on the same day as the father/son baseball game.
Jeff starts to grow facial hair and buys every type of shaving and grooming supplies available. He also decided he is grown enough to use Mother and Father instead of Mom and Dad. He wants to contribute to the household income and get a job
Donna's friend is upset because her husband never notices anything new. Donna realizes Alex can also sometimes be unobservant. While Alex is away at a medical convention, Donna changes her hair color to see if he notices when he returns.
The discovery of mysterious animal prints in the backyard leads to a harrowing night for Donna, her children, and a temporary addition to the family.
Mary offers to pay Jeff's way to a movie if he takes a new girl in the neighborhood to the movie with him. Her interest is in the new guy in the neighborhood.
Alex has a frustrating day where everything goes wrong and decides to go home. Donna convinces him that they should go on a picnic to relax, but even the relaxing trip has problems.
Donna & Alex have dinner with their friends Millie & Jack, but the evening turns into an argument between their friends. When the friends decide to split up, Donna suggests they adopt a child to love and heal the family.
Jeff is suspended from school when he and his friends pull a prank that causes pandemonium during class. Alex and Donna suspect something's wrong but wait until Jeff is ready to come to them.
Jeff starts a paper route and realizes it is not as easy as it seems.
Mary is excited about an upcoming dance party and hopes the new boy in school will invite her. Donna says she cannot go until her grade improves. Mary's new tutor is the new boy in school.
Donna talks Alex into being a speaker for a woman's group about child psychology. Alex gives the speech and then decides he is going to put his theories in practice with Mary and Jeff.
Alex's patient lives with his grandfather. Mr O'Hara thinks Alex is undercharging and says he should charge more for his services. Jeff decides to use that fact and become his father's agent.
Scotty breaks a skiing date with Mary. Donna see Mary's disappointment and asks Alex to take her on a trip to Chicago. Special arrangements are made Scotty comes into the picture and tells Mary he can go on the skiing trip.
Johnny Crawford stars as the son of Donna's college roommate who arrives to spend a few days with the Stones. Due to his mother's poor handwriting, they expect him to have a below average IQ when in fact he's a genius.
Alex and Mary want Jeff to help the new kid in school get acquainted with school and friends. Jeff finds him annoying as the kid tries to prove he is better and tougher than others.
Alex is excited over his new car - an antique 1910 car. He drives it around town, causing people to talk.
Jeff tries to match a rich boy's gift of a Cashmere sweater to Angie who he is sweet on. He also sings "She Can't Find her Keys."
When the daughter of a family friend is paralyzed in a surfing accident, Alex is asked to fly to Hawaii to assist in her treatment. Alex and Donna get to know the Doctors and Nurses of the Pacific View Clinic.
Mary considers skipping college to pursue a singing career. Donna is skeptical until she hears her sing "Johnny Angel."
After listening to a talk on space travel, Jeff and his Explorer friends decide to raise money to buy a telescope. Once they have the money, Jeff thinks there's a better way to use it.
Alex considers moving his practice out of the house and into an office downtown. Everyone is excited about the idea at first but then start to get second thoughts.
Mary is confident she can handle Jeff and the house when her parents go out of town. But then the water heater goes on the fritz and all of her friends drop in for an impromptu party.
After Donna sends a telegram complaining about an airline's service directly to its president, the airline gives her and Alex two free tickets. Unfortunately, they come with several strings attached.
This episode was a back door pilot that introduced the Stones' neighbors, the Adams, whom Donna and Dr. Alex Stone pay a visit after the family moved from Hilldale to a farm in the country to escape the rigors of living in the city. The episode stars William Windom ("The Farmer's Daughter") as David Adams and Patricia Breslin ("I Saw What You Did") as Millie Adams, David's long suffering wife who loathed life on a farm. Two juvenile brothers from Canada, Steve Barringer and his little brother Leslie, starred as the couple's two sons. The new series was to be a fish-out-of-water situation comedy to replace The Donna Reed Show after Reed had announced her intentions to retire from television. The new series was produced by Reed's then husband, Tony Owen, who also produced The Donna Reed Show. The episodes was not picked up as a series after Reed decided to not to retire and The Donna Reed Show continued to air for four additional seasons. The concept of city folk moving to the country was used again by rival studio Filmways as "Green Acres".
As Jeff and Angie rehearse their lines for a school play, they reminisce about the way they first met. They both get angry with each other and wonder if they can continue their participation in the play.
When Alex's watch seems to be shot, Donna buys an antique one to replace it. After they discover an inscription on it Donna decides to track down the original owner, with surprising results.
Jeff is interested in entering go-cart races. He does not have the money to do it, nor does he have his mother's approval.
Jeff and his friend Moose enjoy playing school baseball, but Moose's father keeps pushing Moose to do more on the field. Alex decides to talk to the overbearing father about teens and sports.
A friend sets Mary up on a blind date, and she is looking forward to it. When she learns the boy is not attractive, she wants to cancel the date.
Donna is coaxed into being a fortune teller at the town's bazaar. Not knowing what to do, she ends up creating fortunes to tell people. Later, it turns out some of her predictions start to come true.
Jeff and his friend Smitty seem to have Smitty's little brother tagging along with them. They convince Donna to watch him while they go to visit their girlfriends.
A friend tells Alex a woman is selling her house cheap, but in another year the house value will rise and Alex should consider buying it. Donna meets the woman, a mother like her with children to care for.
A trip across the country in a recreational trailer turns out to be more work and problems than the enjoyable vacation it started out to be.
Jeff and Smitty find new girls in town to take to the prom. The two couples attend and have a nice time, but when they switch dates, the evening is magical. Paul Peterson sings Keep Your Love Locked.
Jeff gets a job at a bicycle shop to earn spending money. He wants a special gift for his girlfriend. Donna wants him to clean his room before going out so he might lose his job.
Jeff manages to get an interview with Don Drysdale, an all-star pitcher for the LA Dodgers, for the school newspaper.
Alex has a patient who needs constant care. Jeff wants his father to help him get his driver's license, and Mary wants him to help repair a pair of shoes she needs for her graduation ceremony.
After attending a friend's wedding, Mary seems anxious to get married herself. Alex jokes he'd rather Mary elope and save him the cost of a wedding. Alex and Donna pass it off as a passing fancy until they think she has run off and eloped.
Jeff suddenly starts being uncharacteristically nice to Mary. Mary wonders if he has some ulterior motive in mind and impatiently waits for the other shoe to drop.
Donna fills in as Alex's nurse while his nurse-receptionist, Alma, is getting married. However, Alex proves to be such a demanding boss that Donna is ready to quit. Things suddenly turn around when a small boy is brought into the office unconscious. Alex and Donna have to forget their differences in order to work together to save his life.
Jeff and Smitty plan not to go on dates so they can save their money to build a sail boat. Mary brings home a friend from college and Jeff forgets his plan.
Jeff's old girlfriend Angie is back in town but she says she prefers older boys now and is no longer interested in anyone her age. Jeff figures if he wears glasses he'll look older, but he has to talk his parents into paying for them.
Mary wants her privacy from the family and needs to be independent. She decides to move into a dorm on the college campus, but will she be happy there?
Alex & Jeff enter a father & son golf tournament. Alex is called away by a medical emergency. After several back and forth attempts to spend time together, it seems the day is lost. Jeff loves his father even if he is not always there.
Jeff rescues a bird and after making a couple of phone calls thinks it may be a rare and valuable bird. Unfortunately, he doesn't know the difference between a cockatoo and a cockatiel.
Donna resents being classified as just a typical housewife. When the newspaper editor offers her a chance to get a scoop for the paper, she goes undercover as a hotel maid to get a story for the paper.
Mary's new boyfriend has a great singing voice, but he is also very shy. Mary makes it her personal project that she will get him to sing for a talent agent. Mary sings the song "Big Star".
Alex is pleased when Jeff & Smitty talk him into going camping. Alex thinks it is the perfect for bonding time. It turns out the campsite is near the campsite where Jeff & Smitty's girlfriends are camping.
Donna wants to help obstetrician Harriet Robey receive recognition for all her years of service to the town. Donna talks the bank into purchasing a car as a gift for Harriet and has it presented at a testimonial dinner.
Mary goes on a date with a guy that is rude and unmannerly, but she decides she is just the person to change him. Every day, Mary works on another part of his personality until he is the way she wants. However, he is no longer himself.
Jeff enters a raffle where the winning prize is a car. While his ticket did not win, he finds the winning ticket on the ground and claims the car. Now he has to decide whether to keep the car or find the rightful owner.
Jeff is learning how hard it is to ask friends to pay back money he loaned them. Dr Stone has to learn how to collect payments from his patients.
After Dr. Stone scolds Jeff for being lazy, Jeff talks to a telephone lineman who tells him he has no idea what it's like to have live on his own. Jeff spends the weekend alone in the big city of Farrington to see for himself.
The Stones are planning a simple wedding for Mary's friend Marcia. When Marcia's mother shows up, everything becomes a big production.
After Donna is asked to run for city council the household suffers from her absence. Alex dreams what it might be like if Donna becomes President of the U.S.
Donna attends an auction of unclaimed freight and an unknown woman asks Donna to bid on a Chinese horse. Donna wins the auction but the woman disappears. Donna brings the item home, but then strange things begin to happen.
Mary returns from a date feeling a bit miffed when her boyfriend calls her wholesome. She decides to change her looks to be more exciting.
A young girl follows the Stones home after a family outing. When the Stones find out her parents are dead, they adopt Trisha. With this episode, Paul Peterson's real life sister joins the cast.
Trisha is now part of the family and fits in easily. Jeff enjoys playing with her, and Donna likes having another child to care for. Mary realizes she is the one stuck with babysitting Trisha instead of going on dates.
Jeff is upset that his girlfriend plans a pajama party on the same night as his sixteenth birthday party.
Alex and Jeff wake up early to go camping with their friend Red. As Donna sees them out the door, Red comments that women cannot go camping because they are too soft. Donna tells Mary they are going camping with the guys to prove Red wrong.
Donna and the woman club are raising money for the children's clinic. Out of ideas for donations, Donna says she will visit an elderly woman in what is reported to be a haunted house.
Mary wants to vacation with her friends on spring break to a resort. Donna & Alex reluctantly agree, but decide to secretly spy on her to make sure she is OK.
Alex tells Donna that they should get away for the weekend, but Donna is hesitant to leave the children. Donna thinks Trish is coming down with a cold, but it turns out Jeff is the one who gets sick.
Mary's attempt to help her friend Vinnie at Emerson College is complicated by constant attention of a country bumpkin and a high school student who won't leave her alone.
A pediatrician friend of Alex's moves into the house next to the Stones. Dave & Midge are new to setting up a house.
Both Mary and Jeff are looking forward to the upcoming dance. Mary has plans with Scotty, and Jeff has plans with Joanne. But when they get to the dance, it seems Scotty and Joanne only have eyes for each other.
Donna and Jeff accompany Alex to Chicago where he has a medical conference. They plan to attend the baseball game on the weekend because Don Drysdale is playing. Jeff is unable to get in touch with Don and is disappointed.
Some girls at school compete with each other to see whom Jeff will ask to a school dance.
Jeff buys an old school bus and intends to make money by driving his friends wherever they want to go.
Jeff invites two girls to the school prom and does not know how to un-ask one of them.
Trisha's friend Nancy is being spoiled by her grandfather with too many presents so her parents forbid her getting anymore. But the grandfather decides to involve the Stones by sending the gifts for Nancy to their house.
The Stones are excited when Mary returns home after a long absence but she seems to only have time for her friends. After one social engagement too many Jeff explains to his how disappointed their parents are.
Smitty (Darryl Richard! rebels against being used by Jeff (Paul Peterson).
Jeff and his friends start a club using their walkie talkies to communicate. One day, another voice intrudes on their conversations, a girl who won't give her name. This drives him to find out who she might be, anxiously looking around at school, but no luck. Eventually, Jeff and Smitty use a radio wave locator to find her.
Dave and Midge have a minor disagreement and decide to reminisce about how they met. Donna's part in setting them up and the months before their wedding are relived.
Trisha is used to being a tomboy and hanging out with the neighborhood guys. Suddenly her pals decide to exclude her from their boy's club and Donna must console her while explaining things to the young girl.
Donna and Midge are both nervous about taking their driving tests.
When Dave Kelsey finds a fawn on the roadside and gives it to Trish as a gift. She quickly becomes attached to it which makes it hard for Donna and Alex to tell her she must give it up.
Dave causes himself a huge problem on the home front when he tells Midge he likes Donna's cooking better. Donna becomes part of a rivalry she wants no part of.
Dr. Dave isn't getting around to the little chores around the house, frustrating Midge. Trisha and her friends decide take on the jobs but Trisha notices Dave just wants to golf with his free time. She has an idea to make Midge happy.
Donna makes a loan to Midge of $13.26 but Midge doesn't seem to be in a hurry to pay it back. Donna drops hints and reminders but fears ruining the friendship if she asks for it back directly.
Alex and Donna have a differing opinion about a financial matter. Donna wants to replace the old washing machine and Alex desires a set of golf clubs. Neither is willing to budge to break the impasse.
As Jeff's graduation approaches Donna looks back fondly on her son's early year and escapades.
Nancy, an old girlfriend of Dave's, decides to write a book based on his love letters. Midge isn't happy and Dave tries to change his former flame's mind.
The Stones and Kelseys decide separately they are spending too much time together. But in trying to develop separate interests the couple's are miserable avoiding each other.
Jeff plays an outstanding baseball game and is soon approached by scouts. The family advises him on his to respond to the pressure.
Donna and Midge decide to take up golf so they can spend more time with their husbands. Alex and Dave are less then thrilled with the idea, so they try to discourage them.
Jeff wants to make his parent's anniversary special with a dinner. Unfortunately things don't go well despite his careful planning.
While Doctor Stone is called away for a few days, his colorful father visits. He's driving his prized 1928 Deusenberg, which runs into a fender-bender with Midge. Donna and Jeff decide to prove the accident was actually his fault, due to his erratic driving by secretly filming him on a drive through town.
Alex helps to organize a charity baseball game to benefit the hospital. When Willie Mays, Don Drysdale, and Leo Durocher show up it's no longer a game involving amateurs.
Donna's routine takes her out of the city and driving down an isolated rural road. Her car breaks down where an escaped prisoner is thought to be, leaving Donna to think fast in unusual circumstances.
Mary arrives home from college where she just received an honor in a psychology class she's taking. She starts noticing every quirk and habit of her family and decides to share her textbook analysis to their dismay.
Midge and Dave agree to watch the Stone kids while their parents are out of town. Things start off smoothly but then things things go awry.
Jeff's exasperation at teaching girlfriend Karen to drive has Mary recalling her own similar experience with Scotty.
Alex and Dave try to throw a surprise party for Midge. But their wives are aware of the plan and they try to outwit the men.
A taxi driver delivers an expectant mother to Alex's office, and the doctor delivers the babies. But the unusual quadruplets create bedlam.
After bragging to husband Alex how well she handles money Donna learns she's overdrawn. Donna tries to cover the problem before Alex finds out.
Midge claims to be able to tell the future by reading cards. Alex scoffs at the idea but can't explain when her predictions start coming true.
Mary comes home from college and expects to pick up with Scotty after so much time. Mary is indignant and a little hurt when she finds out Scotty has a new girlfriend.
Jeff and Smitty decide to show how independent they are and get an apartment near college. They both quickly learn about adult responsibility and how much growing up they still have to do.
Alex's father visits and decided to enroll in college. Jeff in decidedly unhappy about being in the same class as his grandfather.
Donna hires a painter but he seems so do everything but what he was hired for.
Jeff suggests that Karen take over the running of the Kelsey household. The results are unexpected.
Jeff buys a supposedly empty suitcase and is surprised to find $500 inside. Jeff is in a quandary whether to quietly keep it or track down the owner.
Midge takes the family car and when she comes back it's missing it's dead fender. Midge has no idea where it went.
Jeff take a part time job at an old style curio store. At first frustrated by people's action the young man begins to appreciate a different generation's way of doing things.
Alex, who's been teasing Donna about her trading-stamp collection, starts saving stamps himself to get a special golf club.
Donna and the Kelseys become worried that Alex is overworked when he claims he saw a deer in the yard. He later states that a bear was in his waiting room leading to even more questions about his mental state.
Jeff is smitten by the Kelsey's attractive, but abrasive god-daughter from New York.
Jeff turns a simple story about his friend Walter into something more, making Walter into a celebrity. The boys then have to worry about the truth coming out.
Jeff is excited about going out with the attractive Lisa, but a mix-up happens and he has asked another girl; he tries to gracefully break the date.
The Stones and the Kelseys think that being good friends means they can survive going boating together.
A trip is planned by Stones but gets derailed when Trisha gets the measles. Donna decides to hold a different event.
Complications arise between the baby sitter, her father and Jeff.
Donna loses her wedding ring which is a family heirloom that's over 150 years old.
The dean wants Jeff to co-chair the "freshmen-sophomore get acquainted party at school"
Jeff gets his parents to agree on his buying his own car. Thinking he knows about autos he ignores the advice of the dealer and Scotty, buying a car that immediately breaks down. Jeff learns a valuable lesson in humility.
Donna applies for a credit card at a department store and is denied. It turns out that the Stone's have never charged anything and thus have no credit history.
Alex Stone spearheads a petition to reinstate a retiring college professor.
Jeff gives his parents and Midge career aptitude tests with Donna's results giving her literary aspirations. But she finds her everyday routine does not lend itself to writing a bestseller.
Donna decides to fight city hall when the city tries to cut down a tree in front of her house.
After only getting excellent grades in high school Bill Dayton finds college a rough adjustment. Jeff and his parents try to help the agitated young man to have more realistic expectations.
Both the Stones and the Kelseys must deal with visitors at the same time. Alex's father and Midge's mother prove to be disruptive until the plan is hatched to have them spend time with each other.
Jeff and Scotty run into some unexpected competition at a sports car road rally.
Jeff's rock band plays at a local party, and a cute girl asks them if they've ever thought about making a record. They decide they should, and set out to get enough money to buy recording equipment. They decide to sell shares of stock in their "record company" to all the kids at school. Howevever, things don't turn out exactly as planned.
Jeff needs a summer job and decides being a camp counselor would be perfect. But he is required to recruit two campers to get the position and finds it difficult to find anybody willing to sign up.
A friend of the Stone family generously offers them the use of his lake house. Jeff sees an opportunity to gain popularity by using it for a fraternity party. Things quickly get out of hand and Jeff panics.
Jeff decides males are the superior sex and gets his friends to join him in proving that to the girls. Donna disapproves and enjoys seeing the young women make the boys see the errors of their ways, Jeff most of all.
Jeff's friends try to get him nominated for city council.
Donna and Alex attempt to assemble a "do it yourself" stereo kit.
Donna snd Alex believe Jeff is eloping with Bebe when they misread several conversations and events. Believing they are too young to marry they frantically try to stop the wedding from happening.
Being baseball fans the Stone family are excited when Willie Mays leaves four tickets to one of his games. The problem arises when Alex, Jeff, and Donna all invite a guest to join them.
A former boyfriend of Donna's arrives back in Hilldale, wealthy and accomplished, which leads Alex to wonder how well he has provided for his family.
Donna and Alex's attempts to narrow down their plans for a vacation are complicated by too many well-wishers with too many ideas as to where they should go.
Donna and Alex have attended many parties; they decide to spend some time at home, enjoying their children and each other. Alex asks Donna to make an excuse for an invitation on Friday. Donna calls to state they can not attend. Later that day Midge asks to go with the Stones to an Anniversary party, however, they were not invited. Donna tries, to find out why they were not invited.
Midge urges Donna and Alex to take a quiz concerning how exciting their life is. After finding out they are considered boring they embark on going out every night. They soon realize that leading a humdrum existence is what they want.
A former resident of the Stones' house visits and wants to buy the house. Alex sets an unreasonably high price thinking they won't want to buy. The husband accepts the price and complications ensue.
Jeff and Smitty have written a song that could be a big break for them if only someone big in the music business would sing it. Enter Leslie Gore, playing herself.
