It's a Living: Season 4
Season 4 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 3.
- 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 4 Progress Shield
The Roof Show
Sep 27, 1986
On a night when everyone wants to leave early, the majority of the staff systematically becomes trapped on the roof, leaving Amy, Nancy and Howard to deal with a mob of customers.
The Bar
Oct 4, 1986
Amy is feeling lonely so to pick up her spirits, the girls take her out to a singles bar. However, each one of the girls encounter a man who is far from Mr. Right.
The Reunion Show
Oct 11, 1986
Newly married Jan is set to attend her high school reunion and is thrilled that she will get to see her old boyfriend, one who still holds a torch for her and her for him. Meanwhi
Surprise
Oct 18, 1986
Jan's birthday is coming up but Amy has not such a nice surprise for Jan, after she becomes convinced that Richie is having an affair with Ginger.
Nancy's Sister
Oct 25, 1986
Nancy is not to pleased with a visit from her sister, Gloria, and things don't improve when Nancy becomes convinced that Gloria is trying to take Howard away from her.
Night at the Iguana
Nov 1, 1986
After their car breaks down, while on a trip to Las Vegas, Sonny and the girls check into a hotel. A hotel that is run by a mysterious man and his unseen mother.
Family Feud
Nov 8, 1986
Divorcees are coming out of the wood work when Dot's mother and Jan's father come for a visit and hit it off.
The Dot and Howard Show
Nov 15, 1986
After going out one evening to a social event, Dot and Howard begin a series of dates that everyone becomes convinced that Dot and Howard's relationship has turned into something o
Farewell, My Sonny
Nov 22, 1986
The hotel hosts a murder mystery but things turn surprisingly real when Sonny becomes the prime suspect in a murder.
Critic's Choice
Dec 6, 1986
A long time rival and food critic of Howard's visits the hotel which puts Howard's job and relationship with Nancy in jeopardy.
Richie's Sculpture
Dec 20, 1986
Richie's new sculpture is a smash success and agrees to let it be displayed in the restaurant. His success crumbles, however, when Jan allows the sculpture to be sold to a tourist
Sonny's Oil (a.k.a.) The Oil Show
Jan 3, 1987
Sonny strikes oil and with the help from a shady investor, tries to convince the girls to go in on an oil investment.
Nancy's Birthday Party
Jan 10, 1987
Nancy drops heavy hints about her upcoming birthday and expects a party to be thrown. Meanwhile, Jan and Richie fight and Sonny pleads to join Dot's car pool.
The Evictables
Jan 17, 1987
Thanks to Jan's advice, Ginger is evicted from her apartment after withholding the rent to force the landlord to repaint it. Ginger then moves in with Amy, who lives in a ""No Men
Ginger's Baby
Jan 24, 1987
Ginger babysits for a friend who later strands Ginger with the baby who takes him to work. Meanwhile, Sonny car-sits for a friend, but picks up the wrong the wrong car, one that b
Bachelor Party
Jan 31, 1987
Howard's naive niece visits and begins dating Sonny. Something Howard is determind to put an end to.
Amy's Rusty
Feb 7, 1987
Amy feels guilty for being unwed so she decides to reunite with an old flame. Meanwhile, Dot sells skin care products.
Dot's Priest
Feb 14, 1987
Dot is slightly unnerved by an old boyfriend who's becoming a priest and is questioning his commitment.
The Dickie Doodle Show
Feb 21, 1987
Jan Murray plays a former children's show host whose fan club dinner clashes with Nancy's meeting with a vice president from the restaurant chain.
The Howie Show
Feb 28, 1987
South Pacific natives arrive to worship the person they consider a supreme being, Howard. Meanwhile, Nancy challenges the waitresses to a contest.
The Dot Quits Show
Mar 7, 1987
Dot quits to become a full-time unemployed actress. Meanwhile, Sonny writes a musical based on Attila the Hun and Ginger's footwear fetish spreads to Amy.
The Two Guys Show
May 2, 1987
Ginger weighs the merits of two boyfriends while Howard weighs offers from other restaurants.
A Romantic Comedy
May 9, 1987
A romantic evening alone in the hotel is anything but for Jan and Richie, who weather interruptions from the restaurant staff.
Manhandling
May 16, 1987
Fur flies after Ginger buys Jan's car and Amy asks Dot to act as a go-between with a handsome new employee.
Nancy's Shrink
May 23, 1987
Nancy reviews her relationships with her employees during a visit to her psychiatrist.