The Facts of Life: 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 The Facts of Life 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
Growing Pains
Oct 28, 1981
When Blair, Natalie and Jo tease Tootie for being the youngest, she feels left out. This leads her to experiment with alcohol by downing an entire bottle of wine.
Fear Strikes Back
Nov 4, 1981
Natalie conjures up a fear of going outside after she is attacked while coming home from a party
A Baby in the House
Nov 11, 1981
An ex-Eastlander, Alison makes a visit to Eastland to see old friends, Blair, Natalie and Tootie. Coming back brings back memories of when life was a lot simpler, since now she is
A Friend in Deed
Nov 18, 1981
Blair's mother is scheduled to have plastic surgery but calls it off to make a visit to Eastland to see her daughter. However, a mistaken phone call leads Blair to discover the tr
Front Page
Nov 25, 1981
Burned by her journalism teacher's scathing criticism, Jo turns out a front-page story linking him to a drug bust.
Give and Take
Dec 2, 1981
Mrs. Garrett learns that the company that she worked for, for years has gone bankrupt thus canceling her pension fund. This prompts her to get a second job, one that pays more tha
Sweet Sorrow
Dec 9, 1981
When her ex-fiancee, Eddie, arrives in town for a visit, Jo learns that she's growing apart from him when she finds herself attracted to the man who's playing her husband in a simu
From Russia with Love
Dec 16, 1981
Natalie's planning a weekend of romance with her boyfriend, but when her Grandma Mona drops in unexpectedly, her romantic intentions are postponed.
Dear Me
Dec 23, 1981
The girls are all excited about a big camp-out due to the fact that it will give them a chance to be with their beaus. However, Tootie is anything but happy and tries to wriggle h
Cousin Geri Returns
Dec 30, 1981
Blair's cousin, Geri, makes another visit to Peekskill and Blair sets her up with her teacher, but later Blair feels that Geri is headed for a romantic fall.
Legacy
Jan 6, 1982
Blair is thrilled that her name is going to be part of Eastland, since a large amount of money from her grandfather's estate is being donated for the building of a new library. Ho
Green-Eyed Monster
Jan 13, 1982
Natalie wants the lead in the play, South Pacific, and she won't let anyone stand in her way of getting it. However, when Tootie is practically forced to audition and gets the lea
The Americanization of Miko
Jan 20, 1982
The new Japanese student, Miko, is excited about being the newest student at Eastland as well as being in America. However, her strict father doesn't think Eastland is a good infl
The Marriage Brokers
Jan 27, 1982
A visitor from Mrs. Garrett's past comes to Eastland and immediately appears to sweep Mrs. Garrett off her feet. It's apparent Mrs. Garrett and this mystery man are more than frie
Starstruck
Feb 3, 1982
Tootie is the president of the Jermaine Jackson fan club and her duties as president interfere with a promise to Jo. Later, she wins free tickets to one of his concerts and is det
The Four Musketeers
Feb 10, 1982
Constant squabbling between the girls prompt Mrs. Garrett to announce that the debt for wrecking the van has been paid off and they are all now free to move out and live in the dor
The Affair
Feb 17, 1982
Mrs. Garrett and the girls visit New York and have lunch in a Italian restaurant where Natalie discovers something she never expected, her father romancing someone other than her m
Runaway
Feb 24, 1982
Jo, Natalie and Blair are going to New York to see a Broadway play and a left out Tootie sneaks out to meet them in front of the theatre without Mrs. Garrett's knowledge. However,
New York, New York
Mar 3, 1982
Both Blair and Jo head to New York to meet two old friends. Blair discovers her old friend, Dina, is the same old snob she's always been and Jo discovers her friend, Jesse, is the
Kids Can Be Cruel
Mar 17, 1982
Natalie has a big crush on Tim and has filled Blair's slambook with words of praise. However, in Blair's slambook instead of signing your name you sign a number, Natalie's number
Mind Your Own Business
Mar 24, 1982
Wanting to give Natalie a gift for helping her with her chemistry, Blair takes a peek in Natalie's diary to see if she could get an idea on what to get. However, gifts are the las
The Academy
Mar 31, 1982
A friend of Jo's, Buzz, who attends a military academy, needs her to fix him up with a wealthy socialite, since he made a bet with some of his buddies. So Jo fixes him up with Bla
Jo's Cousin
Apr 14, 1982
Jo's cousin, a 14 year old tomboy, who is lovesick, calls for her help.
Read No Evil
May 5, 1982
Jo stands up for her rights. She protests that books which are believed to have a bad influence on people are being banned.