It's a Living: 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 It's a Living 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
Harassed
Sep 28, 1985 · 30 min
New to the big city, Amy begins receiving a series of threatening messages from a stalker, something she is totally unprepared for after living her life in the country.
Cassie's Cowboy
Oct 5, 1985 · 30 min
Cassie falls in love with a cowboy who is a millionaire and is shocked when she learns she also has to like him to be with him.
Amy Big Girl Now
Oct 12, 1985 · 30 min
Amy gets a surprise visit from her father who has come to California to take his little girl back to Texas and away from her new city life.
Desperate Hours
Oct 19, 1985 · 30 min
Terrorists from a Third World country take the restaurant hostage.
I Write the Songs
Oct 26, 1985 · 30 min
Sonny thinks he has struck gold with a record company and quits his job at the restaurant in a big way.
Jan's Engagment
Nov 2, 1985 · 30 min
Jan hits it off with a fan repair man who whisks her off her feet. Their relationship goes faster then she expected when he suddenly proposes.
From Russia with Love
Nov 9, 1985 · 30 min
A Russian, while visiting California, defects and locks himself in Cassie's locker, claiming he loves her.
The Prom Show
Nov 16, 1985 · 30 min
A prom is scheduled to take place at the restaurant but when the entertainment doesn't show up, Dot takes over as the entertainment committee. Meanwhile, Jan has second thoughts a
The Wedding Show
Nov 23, 1985 · 30 min
Jan and Richie's wedding may be postponed when the judge fails to appear and it seems that the honeymoon may be a threesome.
Hail to the Chef
Dec 21, 1985 · 30 min
The President may visit the restaurant and everyone passes the security check, that is except Howard.
Eleven Angry Men and Dot
Dec 28, 1985 · 30 min
Dot serves jury duty and becomes the hold out juror. Meanwhile, Nancy and the other waitresses must deal with Dot's absence from work.
Gender Gap
Jan 11, 1986 · 30 min
A sex discrimination suit is brought against the restaurant which forces Nancy to hire a obnoxious waiter.
Jealous Wife
Jan 18, 1986 · 30 min
Cassie's one night stand is a dream for her but it turns into a nightmare when she is publicly humiliated by the man's wife in the restaurant.
The Doctor Danny Show
Feb 1, 1986 · 30 min
During a date, Nancy suffers a hernia and when her physician discovers it, he insists that she have it operated on immediately. However, an old phobia about hospitals surfaces and
Jewel Heist
Feb 15, 1986 · 30 min
A visiting princess becomes the target of terrorists who plan to make off with her extravagant diamond necklace. However, Dot accidentally intercepts a drugged napkin intended for
The Jerks
Feb 22, 1986 · 30 min
The girls are forced to stay late and take inventory. This leads each girl to tell a story about the worst date they ever had.
Oddest Couple
Mar 1, 1986 · 30 min
Cassie, desperate for a new place to live, temporarily moves in with Sonny, and the rumors fly.
Dot's Puppy
Apr 12, 1986 · 30 min
Dot gets a noisy puppy after her cat dies and Sonny quits rather than miss a date with a roller derby queen.
Dinner with Deedee
May 3, 1986 · 30 min
Jan is not looking forward to a visit from an old friend who has always outclassed her in every aspect of life.
Jump
May 10, 1986 · 30 min
Cassie questions a man for the reason why he constantly refuses to leave her a tip only to discover he works for the IRS and serves her with an audit. Meanwhile, Dot's latest boyf
America's Sweetheart
May 17, 1986 · 30 min
Dot's relationship with a cartoonist makes the papers when he uses her as a model for a new character in his comic strip.
Mann Act
May 24, 1986 · 30 min
Sonny contemplates his final days after dating a mobster's moll. The mobster found out and has made an appointment to visit Sonny.