Charles in Charge: Season 3
Season 3 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 Charles in Charge Season 2.
- 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 3 Progress Shield
Yule Laff
Dec 26, 1987 · 30 min
Charles suggests the family spend the Christmas holidays in the mountains, but a storm leaves everyone but Walter stranded in a cabin.
Piece of Cake
Jan 2, 1988 · 30 min
News of the sudden arrival of Commander Powell throws the household into chaos.
Dorm Warnings
Jan 9, 1988 · 30 min
When Charles is named Student of the Year, local newspaper reporter Pat Walker (Barbara Rhoades) arrives at the house to interview him.
Speechless
Jan 16, 1988 · 30 min
When Charles' and Buddy's history teacher changes their team assignment from a written to an oral report, Charles insists that Buddy deliver the speech.
Infatuation
Jan 23, 1988 · 30 min
Charles becomes infatuated with Trish (Susannah Woodside), a beautiful fashion model and the daughter of Walter's friend.
Role Model
Jan 30, 1988 · 30 min
When Jamie enrolls in a modeling school, a suspicious Charles decides to investigate. He and Buddy enroll in order to expose the school as a fraud.
The Extremely Odd Couple
Feb 6, 1988 · 30 min
Charles tries to end a feud between Walter and Lillian by giving them each a ticket to a swing music concert.
Poppa, the Sailor Man
Feb 13, 1988 · 30 min
The death of a lifelong friend causes Walter to have visions of mortality, so Charles summons Walter's father, Buzz (Dabbs Greer), for a visit in order to show him his son has many
Bottle Baby
Feb 20, 1988 · 30 min
When Buddy receives word that his shy sister Bunny (Mindy Cohn) is arriving for a visit, he pleads with Charles to help entertain her.
Dear Charles
Feb 27, 1988 · 30 min
Charles asks editor Gayle Landis for a job on her newspaper, but acting as a fill—in for "‘Dear Amy" is not what he had in mind.
The Pickle Plot
Mar 5, 1988 · 30 min
Unable to decide on a college major and faced with a tuition increase, is determined to convince his Uncle Joe (John Astin) that he should be made the heir to his business.
The Buddy System
Mar 12, 1988 · 30 min
When Buddy's new girlfriend unceremoniously dumps him, he sinks into a bout of depression. Under the circumstances, Charles requests that everyone be especially nice to Buddy.
Sarah Steps Out
Mar 19, 1988 · 30 min
Charles convinces Ellen to allow Adam to stay up and watch television all night, let Jamie streak her hair, and allow Sarah to go on her first unchaperoned date.
Trading Papers
Mar 26, 1988 · 30 min
Charles is ecstatic when he scores an A on his English assignment, until he turns past the cover page and discovers Sarah's poem there by mistake.
Five Easy Pizzas
Apr 2, 1988 · 30 min
Charles calms Lillian's fears about an upcoming trip out of town, saying that he's more than able to manage the pizza parlor himself, even though she's just hired a new chef, Dine
Getting In
Apr 9, 1988 · 30 min
Charles and Buddy decide to pledge a fraternity, and must put up with a series of humiliating tests and activities during "Hell Week."
Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow
Apr 16, 1988 · 30 min
When Charles and Buddy foil an attempted holdup at the pizza parlor, their names appear in the local newspaper. They can't resist capitalizing on their new-found popularity with th
Dutiful Dreamer
Apr 23, 1988 · 30 min
When the Powells learn their house is to be sold and Ellen loses her job, Charles takes to bed with a sneezing fit and falls asleep.
Berkling Up Is Hard to Do
Apr 30, 1988 · 30 min
This is just not Charles' day. He's trying to prepare for the new school year, but Buddy needs his help in planning their end of summer party.
Runaround Charles
May 7, 1988 · 30 min
Charles becomes frantic when he makes too many commitments for one evening.
Where the Auction Is
May 14, 1988 · 30 min
Charles is outraged when he learns his mother is hosting a sorority slave auction. Outraged, that is, until he finds out that attractive new transfer student Jeanie intends to bid
The Boy Who Loved Women
May 21, 1988 · 30 min
Confused by the instructions that came with a new stereo component rack, Charles is frustrated trying to assemble the unit.
Barbelles
May 28, 1988 · 30 min
After Charles is devastated at being dumped by his girlfriend, Buddy fixes him up with Beth (Brenda Swanson), a female bodybuilder at his health club.
The Blackboard Bungle
Jun 4, 1988 · 30 min
Charles seems to be the only one excited about his new post as teacher's aide. Jamie resents his sitting in on her class, and the teacher can't understand why anyone would want to
The Heart Burgler
Jun 11, 1988 · 30 min
When Sarah tries to get closer to a boy that she likes by inviting him over to study, she is upset when he pays more attention to Charles than her.
May the Best Man Lose
Jun 18, 1988 · 30 min
The kids each must find a gladiator to represent their class in the school's stunt-filled quiz contest complete with pies in the face and a dunk tank.