The Donna Reed Show: 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 The Donna Reed Show 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
One Starry Night
Sep 14, 1961 · 30 min
Mary dates a famous singer, not realizing who he is.
A Rose is a Rose
Sep 21, 1961 · 30 min
Jeff needs help with his poetry homework and Mary is there to help. Unfortunately, the poetry does not sound like Jeff wrote it.
The Close Shave
Sep 28, 1961 · 30 min
Jeff has discovered he is growing whiskers, and decides that since he is no longer a little boy that he needs to start acting like a man.
Mouse at Play
Oct 5, 1961 · 30 min
Iris advises Donna that it's up to the wife to keep the marriage going with surprises and changes every now and then. When Iris goes from blonde to black hair, Donna decides to go
The Monster
Oct 12, 1961 · 30 min
First some large animal has trampled Mary's flowers. Now when Alex is out of town, Donna and the kids keep hearing noises late at night.
New Girl in Town
Oct 19, 1961 · 30 min
Mary and Donna talk Jeff into taking out a new tomboy in town.
One of Those Days
Oct 26, 1961 · 30 min
Alex is in a foul mood, so Donna suggests they take the day off to give him some rest.
All is Forgiven
Nov 2, 1961 · 30 min
Donna and Alex get involved in their friends' marital problems.
The Electrical Storm
Nov 9, 1961 · 30 min
Trouble ensues when Jeff tampers with the school bell.
The Paper Tycoon
Nov 16, 1961 · 30 min
Newspaper-delivery boy Jeff decides to go into business.
Private Tutor
Nov 23, 1961 · 30 min
Mary gets tutoring in French from a handsome student.
Alex, the Professor
Nov 30, 1961 · 30 min
Alex applies his child psychology to his own offspring.
Way of a Woman
Dec 14, 1961 · 30 min
Donna coaxes Alex into different things, according to Mary’s moods.
A Very Bright Boy
Dec 21, 1961 · 30 min
The Stones try helping a boy overcome his laziness.
The Toughest Kid in School
Dec 28, 1961 · 30 min
A meek boy tries to prove he's the toughest kid in school.
For Angie With Love
Jan 18, 1962 · 30 min
Jeff sells his possessions to buy his girl a present.
Donna's Prima Donna
Feb 1, 1962 · 30 min
Mary decides to forsake college and embark on a singing career.
Explorer's Ten
Feb 8, 1962 · 30 min
Jeff and his friends try to raise money for a telescope. Coxey: Earle Hodgins. Earnshaw: Ken Niles. Paul Petersen, Carl Betz.
The New Office
Feb 15, 1962 · 30 min
Alex moves his pediatric practice out of the house and into a new office downtown.
The Golden Trap
Feb 22, 1962 · 30 min
While Donna and Alex are away, Mary's little get-together with a friend somehow turns into open house party.
Hilldale 500
Mar 29, 1962 · 30 min
Alex and Jeff build a cart for the Hilldale 500. Carl Betz, Paul Petersen. Gordie: Darryl Richard. Angie: Candy Moore.
Winner Takes All
Apr 5, 1962 · 30 min
Jeff's team-mate on the baseball team has an overbearing father who drives the son hard and constantly berates him, thinking this will help him be a star player someday. Alex trie
Man of Action
Apr 26, 1962 · 30 min
Jeff and his friend Smitty seem to have Smitty's little brother tagging along with them. They convince Donna to watch him while they go to visit their girlfriends.
Donna Meets Roberta
May 3, 1962 · 30 min
This was actually an unsold pilot episode of ""The Roberta Sherwood Show."" Roberta Sherwood and Gale Gordon star as a typical couple raising three children in a typical small town
On to Fairview
May 24, 1962 · 30 min
To earn money, Jeff sells an advertising scheme to a shop. Paul Petersen, Carl Betz, Varney: Paul Tripp.
The Father Image
Jun 7, 1962 · 30 min
Alex has a patient who needs constant care. Jeff wants his father to help him get his driver's license, and Mary wants him to help repair a pair of shoes she needs for her graduati
Dear Wife
Jun 14, 1962 · 30 min
Mary gets carried away by the romance of a friend's wedding. Shelley Fabares, Carl Betz.