According to Jim: Season 3
Season 3 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of According to Jim Season 2.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 3 Progress Shield
The Errand
Sep 23, 2003 · 23 min
When Jim finds out that Cheryl has been paying 7 dollars to have the groceries delivered to their house, he insists that he does the shopping himself in order to save that incredib
The Packer Ball
Sep 30, 2003 · 23 min
Jim is horrified when he sees his son Kyle with a green Packers ball. He tries by all means to change it for a Bears one, but the kid just can't let go of the green ball. Jim has n
We Have a Bingo
Oct 7, 2003 · 21 min
Jim wrestles with his conscience after he cheats at a church fundraiser bingo game.
Getting to Know You
Oct 14, 2003 · 23 min
Cheryl says a friend of hers got jewelry for his wife for no reason and Jim says he's probably cheating on her. After Cheryl takes it offensively that Jim won't buy her jewelry bec
The Lemonade Stand
Oct 21, 2003 · 23 min
Jim and Cheryl encourage the girls to make a lemonade stand and raise money for their scooters. What was supposed to be a lesson about the value of the dollar turns into a racy com
ABC's and 123's
Oct 21, 2003 · 23 min
Trying to lighten Ruby's homework load – and therefore look like he's helping her – Jim tells Ruby's teacher that Cheryl can't read.
Dana Dates Jim
Oct 28, 2003 · 23 min
It's Halloween and Cheryl is trying to host "the" party so she can own Halloween in the neighborhood. Dana brings in her newest date, Hank, who carries an awful lot of similarities
Scary Movie
Nov 4, 2003 · 23 min
Gracie and Ruby have nightmares after Jim secretly takes them to see a scary movie. (ABC)
The Imaginary Friend
Nov 11, 2003 · 22 min
Jim creates an imaginary friend to avoid going to a couple's baby shower with Cheryl.
Paintball
Nov 18, 2003 · 23 min
Cheryl cajoles Jim into attending a couples cooking class, which turns into a disaster, so she lets Jim pick out the next couples activity – paintball.
The Empty Gesture
Nov 25, 2003 · 23 min
Cheryl starts to feel taken for granted as she prepares Thanksgiving dinner. She suffers the ultimate insult when she gets stuck on the roof after retrieving her tablecloth that Ji
Rules of Engagement
Dec 2, 2003 · 23 min
Cheryl caters to Jim's every whim to make amends for a big fight they had the night before-except Jim doesn't remember the fight at all.
Secret Santa
Dec 9, 2003 · 23 min
Dana admits to Cheryl that she can't afford to buy Jim a Christmas present, so Cheryl lets Dana put her name on one of the presents she bought for him. Dana innocently picks out Ch
House for Sale
Jan 6, 2004 · 23 min
The Devlins place a bid on the house across the street from Jim and Cheryl, to their dismay.
Dana Dates the Reverend
Jan 27, 2004 · 22 min
Dana and Jim both covet their reverend - she for romance, he for the pastor's prowess at bowling.
The Best Man
Feb 10, 2004 · 23 min
Cheryl forbids Jim from throwing his cop friend Danny a bachelor party with beer and strippers. She fears that Danny will show up at his own wedding with a hangover – as Jim did at
Cheryl Sings
Feb 17, 2004 · 22 min
Cheryl tries to impress her boastful cousin Mindy by posing as the lead singer of Jim's band – even though she has a terrible voice. Jim agrees to perform at Mindy's engagement par
When You Wish to Be a Star (1)
Feb 24, 2004 · 23 min
Dana's first task at the ad agency is to cast the perfect TV family for a Disney cruise commercial. Cheryl and the kids get the job, but Dana's boss replaces Jim with a handsome ac
When You Wish to Be a Star (2)
Mar 2, 2004 · 22 min
Jim takes umbrage at being replaced as the father in a promotional shoot for a cruise line.
No Crime, But Punishment
Mar 9, 2004 · 23 min
Gracie's recent misbehavior makes Jim think she is lying about a friend giving her a new video game.
The Baby
Mar 16, 2004 · 22 min
Jim's sister, Roxanne, shows up on his doorstep, pregnant, and lets Andy believe he's the father.
Who's The Boss?
Mar 30, 2004 · 23 min
Andy resents a wealthy client, but then decides to date her.
The Truck
Apr 6, 2004 · 23 min
Cheryl ask Jim to use his truck to transport a giant paper-mâché grizzly bear the girls made for "spirit week" to their school – except Jim just lost his truck in an arm wrestling
The Toilet
Apr 27, 2004 · 23 min
Cheryl promises to take Jim's opinions seriously when she decides to remodel the bathroom, until Jim insists it include a hideous high-tech stainless steel toilet – that talks.
Trashed
May 4, 2004 · 23 min
Pack rat Cheryl asks Jim to rent a storage unit to house seven years' worth of the kids' art projects, but Jim refuses to pay the fee, so he tosses everything out, thinking Cheryl
The Marriage Bank
May 11, 2004 · 23 min
Thinking it might get Cheryl to let him go on a fishing trip with Andy, Jim makes a "deposit" in the "marriage bank" by agreeing to go to a couples seminar with her. Jim's plans ar
Everyone Gets Dumped
May 18, 2004 · 23 min
Jim develops a friendship with Dana's new boyfriend, despite the fact that the guy dumped Cheryl years ago.
The Swimming Pool (1)
May 25, 2004 · 22 min
Cheryl protests when a heat wave sends the family sneaking into a vacationing neighbor's pool -- until she starts sneaking over on her own.
The Vast Difference (2)
May 25, 2004 · 22 min
Jim chickens out of having a vasectomy, but Cheryl is so effusive in her praise that he's unable to admit he didn't go through with it.