One Day at a Time: 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 One Day at a Time 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
The Older Man (1)
Sep 27, 1977
After Julie plows into a car, its dashing driver offers her a job. First of four parts.
The Older Man (2)
Oct 4, 1977
Julie's boss invites her on an out-of-town trip. Second of four parts.
The Older Man (3)
Oct 11, 1977
Julie is startled by her boss's proposal. Third of four parts.
The Older Man (4)
Oct 18, 1977
Julie is implored by her father not to marry her 42-year-old boss. Conclusion.
Ann's Out-of-Town Client
Oct 25, 1977
A lecherous client has more than business on his mind.
Bob Loves Barbara
Nov 1, 1977
An insecure boy interested in dating Barbara bolsters his confidence by taking out a notorious classmate first.
The Second Mrs. Cooper
Nov 8, 1977
After Julie and Barbara return home from a weekend visit with their dad complaining that Dad's new wife is trying to cut them out of his life, Ann initiates her first face to face
The Ghost Writer
Nov 22, 1977
When Barbara hands in Julie's verse as her own for a class, a school counselor takes her for a poetic genius.
Barbara's Friend (1)
Nov 29, 1977
While agonizes over whether Cliff Randall will invite her to the Grateful Dead concert, she has to contend with a over-eager girl trying to be her friend. When reality sinks in,
Barbara's Friend (2)
Dec 6, 1977
Barbara's classmate phones to say she's taken a drug overdose. Conclusion.
Schneider's Kid
Dec 13, 1977
Julie runs into an attractive young man in the lobby who is looking for Schneider. However, his visit to see Schneider is anything but a social call when he reveals that he is Sch
Ann's Crisis
Dec 27, 1977
Ann sees her 36th birthday as a crisis, not a cause for celebration.
The Race Driver (1)
Jan 3, 1978
Schneider makes the grand announcement that a celebrity has just moved into the building, a race car driver named Cam Randolph. Meanwhile, Julie and Barbara have devised a meeting
The Race Driver (2)
Jan 10, 1978
Ann begins to question her relationship with a dashing race driver. Second of two parts.
Ann's Secretary
Jan 17, 1978
Ann learns that a secretary she just hired is a reputed drug user.
Barbara's Rebellion
Jan 30, 1978
Frustrated over not getting enough attention at home, Barbara rebells by running away to a Chicago motel room with Bob Morton.
The New Owner
Feb 6, 1978
Determined to keep his job, Schneider woos the building's new owner, who falls for him.
The Dress Designer
Feb 27, 1978
Aspiring designer Julie tries to enter a fashion show after the entry deadline.
Take the Money
Mar 6, 1978
Barbara and Julie are excited about getting a new stereo and decide to buy Schneider's old one for $200. However, as they are scrounging up the money, Julie checks her balance in
Barbara the Fink
Mar 13, 1978
Barbara is an eyewitness to a vandalism at the school and soon finds herself between a rock and a hard place, over whether or not to do the honest thing and tell the truth and fink
Julie's Big Move (1)
Mar 20, 1978
Julie plans to move out, but Ann doubts her daughter can make it financially. First of two parts.
Julie's Big Move (2)
Mar 27, 1978
Conclusion. Ann thinks Julie's new roommate is a bad influence on her.
Ann, the Father
Apr 3, 1978
Ann's career advice to Barbara's friend leads to hard feelings between the boy and his father.