Melissa & Joey: 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 Melissa & Joey 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
Works for Me
May 29, 2013
Mel tries to convince Joe of his importance to her and the family after she learns that he has been looking for another job.
Toxic Parents
Jun 5, 2013
Melissa and Joe are both happy in their new relationships, until they discover they are dating a divorced couple. Meanwhile, Lennox decides to get a tattoo after her boyfriend Zand
Inside Job
Jun 12, 2013
Joe paints Mel into a corner, forcing her to get him a job at City Hall with fellow City Council member Paul. Once there, Joe gets wrapped up in another potential financial scandal
Can't Hardly Wait
Jun 12, 2013
Joe dates his chiropractor following a back injury, and he doesn't want to rush their new romance. Elsewhere, Ryder and Zander team up to work on a graphic novel, but the project h
Oh Brother
Jun 19, 2013
Mel's childhood friend, Austin, moves back to Toledo, and he and Mel quickly take their old friendship to a new level. But Joe starts to think that Mel and Austin may in fact be re
The Truth Hurts
Jun 26, 2013
Joe accidentally injures Mel's boyfriend, Austin, during a competitive game of pool. Mel accuses Joe of doing it on purpose to ruin her romantic weekend getaway. Meanwhile, Joe inv
The Unkindest Cut
Jul 10, 2013
Mel is taken aback when she finds out that Austin may not share her vision of their future and is resolute in his belief he never wants children. Meanwhile, Joe's new girlfriend is
The Unfriending
Jul 17, 2013
After Joe convinces Mel to dump her needy friend Anita, he secretly starts dating her. Meanwhile, Lennox gets super competitive and becomes determined to beat Zander’s test scores.
Something Happened
Jul 24, 2013
Mel desperately wants to be the cool aunt after she discovers that Lennox has taken her relationship with Zander to the next level, but Joe just wants to kill Zander. Meanwhile, Ry
Family Feud
Jul 31, 2013
Mel and Joe are invited to co-host a week of “Good Morning Toledo” which Mel thinks will help her earn voters. Their constant bickering on air garners rave reviews with the audienc
Fast Times
Aug 7, 2013
When his apartment needs to undergo emergency renovations, Mel invites her new boyfriend Noah to temporarily move in with her, accelerating their relationship.
Bad Influence
Aug 14, 2013
When Joe and Ryder sell Mel's old belongings, they inadvertently sell a very personal item of hers. Desperate to reclaim her property, Mel and Joe turn to crime to get it back. Mea
Teach Your Children
Aug 21, 2013
Joe works out an alternative payment plan when he begins dating the mom of one of his students, which unintentionally earns him a reputation among the other mothers in the neighbor
What Happens in Jersey... (1)
Aug 28, 2013
In failing health, Joe's grandmother Sofia begs him to come visit her one last time for her birthday, and to bring his beautiful wife Tiffany along. Since Joe never got around to t
A New Kind of Christmas
Dec 11, 2013
Mel's sister, Meredith (Jaime Pressly), comes home from prison on furlough to celebrate Christmas with the kids and Mel, and seems unruffled by Joe's obvious animosity towards her.
A Decent Proposal
Jan 15, 2014
Mel's sister Meredith comes home from prison on furlough to celebrate Christmas with the kids and Mel, and seems unruffled by Joe's obvious animosity towards her.
Independence Day
Jan 22, 2014
Joe rushes home to tell Mel that he has feelings for her after their romantic night together in New Jersey. When he arrives, he's shocked to find Austin has shown up and wants to g
The New Deal
Jan 29, 2014
Mel insists on Joe "courting" her, but soon becomes frustrated at their lack of time together. Desperate to spend time with him, Mel sneaks over to his new digs, where he works as
Feel the Burn
Feb 5, 2014
Mel joins an exercise boot camp to lose weight before an eight-course meal; Joe clashes with a celebrity chef; Lennox and Zander try to sell their Internet series.
Plus One
Feb 12, 2014
Mel takes Joe to a work dinner. Upon meeting the press, Joe starts to spout his—and Mel’s—opinions on issues, which garners Mel bad press. Meanwhile, Ryder musters up the courage t
House Broken
Feb 26, 2014
Mel adopts a dog despite knowing that Joe doesn't want one, then feels ignored when he forms a bond with the pooch; Ryder spends time with Stella's daughter.
Couples Therapy
Mar 5, 2014
Mel gets a reluctant Joe to agree to couple’s therapy to work on their constant arguing. But she’s completely caught off guard when the therapist turns out to be Joe’s ex-girlfrien
To Tell the Truth
Mar 12, 2014
Mel and Joe have a fun game night with married couple Nate and Gillian, whom they hope to remain good friends with. But then Nate tells Joey a big secret…that Joe in turn tells Mel
My Roof, My Rules
Mar 19, 2014
Lennox moves out after Mel forbids her from dating her teaching assistant; Ryder is stuck at the Canadian border when he can't find his passport.
Chaperones
Mar 26, 2014
Mel and Joe serve as chaperones at Ryder's school dance, then get kicked out of the event; Ryder changes his mind about breaking up with Stella.
I'll Cut You
Apr 2, 2014
Mel is completely on Joe’s side when he’s involved in a hit and run, until she discovers the other driver is her beloved hairdresser Calista. Meanwhile, Ryder tries to win Stella b
Catch & Release
Apr 9, 2014
Joe gets into hot water when he tries to help a recently divorced friend get back into the dating game; Zander's decision to move in with two female coeds does not sit well with Le
Born to Run
Apr 16, 2014
Mel's wild father sends out an inappropriate photograph that could harm her run for the state senate; Ryder tries to come up with a winning idea for a business club.
More Than Roommates
Apr 23, 2014
Mel wants to get rid of the ugly chair that Joe inherited from his late grandmother; Ryder pretends to be a college student to get close to one of Zander's roommates.
Accidents Will Happen
Apr 30, 2014
Mel gets surprising news from her doctor, but is not sure if the timing is right to share it with Joe; Ryder forms a study group with an attractive student and the class genius.
Right Time, Right Place
May 7, 2014
Mel has everything she needs for the perfect wedding after a close friend unexpectedly calls off her nuptials; Lennox helps Ryder construct an untruthful resume.
Don't Look Back in Anger
May 14, 2014
Mel and Joe recall the years they have spent together as they try to convince a counselor that they have the perfect relationship.
Uninvited
May 28, 2014
Mel is less than thrilled when Joe’s mom drops by, but it’s Joe who hits the roof when his estranged brother Tony turns up unannounced. Meanwhile, Lennox insists on helping Ryder g
You're the One That I Want
Jun 4, 2014
It’s Mel and Joe’s wedding weekend, but things aren’t running as smoothly as they’d hoped. Before they can even make it down the aisle, Joe sees her in her dress, prompting Mel to
Maybe I'm Amazed
Jun 11, 2014
Joe is forced to make a quick decision when Mel drops a bombshell on him during their wedding; Lennox is caught between Marco and Zander; Ryder tries to find the perfect time to re
At Last
Jun 18, 2014
Mel considers breaking things off with Joe after he invites his family to move into the house; Zander attempts to win Lennox back from Marco; an online course earns Ryder an unusua