Portlandia: 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 Portlandia 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
Winter in Portlandia
Dec 14, 2012
It's wintertime in Portlandia and Peter and Nance struggle to keep off winter weight by cutting pasta from their diets; Candace's son visits Women and Women First bookstore for the
Take Back MTV
Jan 4, 2013
Spyke and Iris join forces with a gang of former MTV stars to take back MTV from the Tweens; a group of frustrated college grads stage a protest on the dance floor; Sandra has a cr
Missionaries
Jan 4, 2013
The Mayor sends Fred and Carrie on a door-to-door mission in Seattle to recruit new citizens for Portland. A pedicab driver hustles for clients. Peter and Nance prepare for the ope
Nina's Birthday
Jan 11, 2013
The Mayor sends Fred and Carrie on a door-to-door mission to Seattle to recruit new citizens for Portland; pedicab driver hustles for clients; Peter and Nance prepare for the openi
Squiggleman
Jan 18, 2013
Concerned parents Brendan and Michelle start a band that makes kids music; The Portland Nerd Council issues a Public Service Announcement; Malcom and Kris have an uncomfortable lun
Off the Grid
Jan 25, 2013
Following an environmental scandal, The Mayor steps down from office and moves off the grid; a dolphin discovers that plastic bags have been banned in Portland; musicians compete i
The Temp
Feb 1, 2013
A temp worker hopes to turn her stint as Interim Mayor of Portland into a full-time job with Fred and Carrie's help; a wedding is interrupted; local baristas draft a coffee shop ma
Soft Opening
Feb 8, 2013
Peter and Nance practice hosting friends at the soft opening of their bed and breakfast; a magazine features a local furniture maker in their Man Issue; steampunks attend a convent
Alexandra
Feb 15, 2013
The City of Portland is overrun with art projects; Fred and Carrie's relationship is complicated by their roommate Alexandra; a movie theater sells artisanal concessions. Kath and
No-Fo-O-Fo-Bridge
Feb 22, 2013
The Rats decide to move out of their newly-gentrified neighborhood; first-time parents read various child-rearing books; Gahvin and his girlfriend go to the movies; Carrie and Alex
Blackout
Mar 1, 2013
Electricity is shut off for the entire City of Portland due to unpaid bills at the Mayor's Office. Peter and Nance have a mysterious guest at their bed and breakfast. Kath and Dave