30 Rock: Season 5
Season 5 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Picks up essential narrative continuity directly following the events of 30 Rock Season 4.
- Character alliances, factions, and personal loyalties undergo significant shifts under escalating stakes.
- Addresses unresolved cliffhangers and thematic mysteries introduced during previous seasons.
- Establishes the primary seasonal conflict that drives serialized character arcs toward the finale.
Episode Guide
Season 5 Progress Shield
The Fabian Strategy
Sep 23, 2010 · 21 min
Jack begins to meddle in Liz's new relationship with Carol.
When It Rains, It Pours
Sep 30, 2010 · 21 min
Liz uses her newfound confidence to solve Pete's problem with a difficult editor (Paul Giamatti); Jack tries to cheat mortality; Tracy vows to be present when his wife gives birth.
Let's Stay Together
Oct 7, 2010 · 21 min
Jack must appear before Congress to discuss NBC's merger with KableTown. He hopes that he will charm celebrity members, but one Congresswoman, Regina Bookman, demands more diversit
Live Show
Oct 14, 2010 · 23 min
On show night, Liz Lemon grows increasingly infuriated when no one seems to remember that it's her 40th birthday. Just before the taping, Tracy Jordan becomes convinced that nothin
Reaganing
Oct 21, 2010 · 21 min
Jack's determined to save Liz's relationship with Carol and Tracy shoots a commercial.
Gentleman's Intermission
Nov 4, 2010 · 21 min
Avery Jessup becomes suspicious of the relationship her fiancé Jack Donaghy has with his employee and friend Liz Lemon, so she orders Jack to set boundaries in their friendship. Th
Brooklyn Without Limits
Nov 11, 2010 · 21 min
Jack rocks the vote, manipulating a congressional election to help a particular candidate, thereby leveraging advantage for the network. Meanwhile, a perfect pair of new jeans give
College
Nov 18, 2010 · 21 min
Jack worries that GE's microwave sales have improved too much without his help and tries to find glitches in their newest design. Meanwhile, Liz partakes in a crew lottery despite
Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish
Dec 2, 2010 · 21 min
Jack recommends that Liz start seeing a therapist when she worries that Carol is getting bored with their relationship. In an attempt to take Jack's advice, Liz begins talking to K
Christmas Attack Zone
Dec 9, 2010 · 21 min
Liz and Avery try to persuade Jack to disclose two secrets he's been hiding from his mother, who visits for the holidays. Then, Liz tries to repair Jenna's relationship with Paul;
Mrs. Donaghy
Jan 20, 2011 · 21 min
Budget cuts at the company impact the "TGS" gang. Elsewhere, Liz's New Year's resolution adds a potential snarl to Jack's wedding; Jenna and Danny share a dressing room; and a heal
Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning
Jan 27, 2011 · 21 min
A reality TV series trails Tracy, which Liz tries to exploit for her own gain. Jack does his own exploiting: He attempts to make a fast buck off natural-disaster telethons. And Lut
¡Qué Sorpresa!
Feb 3, 2011 · 21 min
As Jack tries to cozy up to the owner of Kabletown, Liz fakes being pregnant to help Avery gain advantage over a competitive colleague. Elsewhere, Tracy and Jenna clash when trying
Double-Edged Sword
Feb 10, 2011 · 21 min
Jack and a very pregnant Avery take a romantic break in Canada. When Avery goes into labor, the power couple desperately scramble to not give birth to a Canadian. Meanwhile, Liz's
It's Never Too Late for Now
Feb 17, 2011 · 21 min
Jenna tries to help a lovelorn Liz rebound from a broken relationship. Elsewhere, sleep deprivation impacts new father Jack, who begins to lose his business savvy and negotiating p
TGS Hates Women
Feb 24, 2011 · 21 min
Liz hires a new female writer after a blog declares "TGS" misogynistic. Meanwhile, Jack plots his takeover of Kabletown by zeroing in on his main competition--the CEO's granddaught
Queen of Jordan
Mar 17, 2011 · 21 min
Angie's reality show visits "TGS", resulting in a red-faced situation for Jack, Jenna pining for attention, and Liz leading a scheme to lure Tracy back from Africa. Meanwhile, Fran
Plan B
Mar 24, 2011 · 21 min
"TGS" is forced into hiatus, spurring the show's staffers to seek backup jobs. Meanwhile, Jack tries to rescue a cable network by forging an unlikely alliance with his archenemy, D
I Heart Connecticut
Apr 14, 2011 · 21 min
As cancellation looms for "TGS", Liz snoops with Kenneth to find a missing Tracy. Meanwhile, Jack works his magic to ensure the financial success of Jenna's newest endeavor; and an
100 (1)
Apr 21, 2011 · 21 min
Chaos builds when bigwig Hank Hooper marks "TGS" for cancellation, yet Jack persuades him to let the staffers stage the show's 100th episode.
100 (2)
Apr 21, 2011 · 21 min
With their show targeted for cancellation, the "TGS" crew desperately scramble to mount a top-notch production for their 100th episode. Meanwhile, Jack reconsiders a vital decision
Everything Sunny All the Time Always
Apr 28, 2011 · 21 min
Liz tries to turn her personal life from drab to fab by revamping her dream apartment. Meanwhile, Avery is held hostage, and Tracy discovers that Kenneth, Dot Com and Grizz have fo
Respawn
May 5, 2011 · 22 min
The "TGS" crew anticipate their summer vacation. Liz lands in the Hamptons for some rest and relaxation, but she gets the summertime blues when Tracy moves in next door. Elsewhere,