It's a Living: Season 5
Season 5 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 4.
- 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 5 Progress Shield
Till Death Do Us Part
Sep 26, 1987
Sonny's in love and plans to marry if his fiancee can get to the church on time. Meanwhile, Howard prepares for a visit from his high-school sweetheart.
Her Back to the Future
Oct 3, 1987
As the staff prepares for a wedding reception, Nancy dozes off and has a bizarre dream about her own marriage, ten years in the future to Sonny.
No, My Darling Daughter
Oct 10, 1987
When Ellen, Jan's daughter, has a date with a senior, all the waitresses worry. Meanwhile, Howard asks Nancy for $900 to pay back a loan shark.
Sweet Charity
Oct 17, 1987
Dot's in charge of a children's play ""Little Red Riding Hood"" but when the cast is quarentined with the chicken pox, the restaurant staff is asked to fill the roles.
Killing of Sister Dot
Oct 24, 1987
Dot is thrilled about her new part on a soap opera until she realizes her character is in imminent danger of being killed off.
The Date Show
Oct 31, 1987
Nancy has just the solution to Howard's mid-life crisis: she invites him to a square dance, and she won't take no for an answer.
Search and Strike
Nov 7, 1987
Nancy is having a bad week: hotel management wants her to search the waitresses' lockers, and Howard wants her to back off.
The Vegas Show (1)
Nov 14, 1987
When singer Jack Jones checks into the hotel for a few days, he strikes up a friendship with Nancy and invites her to Las Vegas for a long weekend.
The Vegas Show (2)
Nov 21, 1987
When a jealous Howard follows Nancy to Las Vegas, he's horrified to find her gambling at a blackjack table with a lounge lizard named Chick.
The Sonny's Mother Show
Nov 28, 1987
Sonny's dreading an impending visit from his mother: she's never forgivin him for becoming a lounge singer instead of a classical pianist.
Strictly Personal
Dec 12, 1987
Dot doesn't get quite the response she had hoped for after placing an ad in the personals column.
A Pen Pal for Your Thoughts
Dec 19, 1987
The prison pen pal whom Amy has been writing too has surprising news for her, he's getting out of prison. The even bigger news is that he wants to spend the rest of his life with
Twelve Angry Women
Dec 26, 1987
Sonny manages to infuriate an entire table of feminists while Dot starts dating one of Amy's ex-boyfriends.
Skin Deep
Jan 2, 1988
After seeing Howard flirting with a much younger woman, Nancy begins considering having a face lift.
Everyone's a Critic
Jan 16, 1988
Dot has a monumental case of jitters on the opening night of her new play on account of her journalist boyfriend is assigned to review her performance.
Take Back Your Mink
Jan 23, 1988
Richie hits the big money which lands Jan in a mink coat. However, is his sudden success short lived?
The One About the Tattooed Lady
Jan 30, 1988
Nancy's cousin, Grace, stops by for a visit but that's not the only surprise for Nancy, her cousin is covered from head to toe in tatoos.
Daddy's Little Girl
Feb 6, 1988
Jan has hopes of reuniting her divorced parents but there is one hitch in her plan, her father is newly engaged.
Ginger's Grandmother Show
Feb 13, 1988
Ginger's grandmother shows up on Ginger's doorstep, complaining that her son won't let her drive anymore. Meanwhile, Sonny decides to make a music video in the restaurant.
Dot's Hope
Feb 20, 1988
When Dot's friend comes to Hollywood seeking fame and fortune, Dot gets her a job in the restaurant washing dishes.
The Amy and Louie Show
Feb 27, 1988
Sonny sees red when Amy finally agrees to go on a date, but not with him but with his friend Louie. Meanwhile, Ginger is dreading her blind date with an egg salesman named Wilbur.
Ginger and the Senator
Apr 23, 1988
Ginger's efforts to campaign for her favorite senator makes front-page news when she's photographed sitting on his lap.
Healings, Nothing More Than Healings
Apr 30, 1988
Sonny becomes an instant hero after saving a choking victim by administering the Heimlich maneuver. Meanwhile, Nancy and Howard contemplate taking seperate vacations.
The No Guys Show
May 7, 1988
Ginger's in quandry: her perfect boyfriend wants to tie the knot, but she's not ready to settle down.
The Waiting Game
May 14, 1988
The waitresses wax philosophic when a journalist interviews them about the pros and cons of their careers.
Tune In, Tune Out
May 28, 1988
Jan feels that her relationship with Richie is in a rut, so to spice it up, she borrows a blond wig from Dot. However, the results are not exactly what she intended. Meanwhile, a