The Facts of Life: Season 5
Season 5 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 4.
- 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 5 Progress Shield
Brave New World (2)
Sep 21, 1983
Ms Garret decides to re-open an abandoned department store and turn it into her own.
Gamma Gamma or Bust
Sep 28, 1983
Blair is dying to join the sorority that's she pledging and she volunteers Mrs. Garrett to be the caterer for a rush party. However, when Mrs. Garrett begins making Mexican before
Just My Bill
Oct 12, 1983
Jo's been dating, Bill, a plain guy who attends the same college as she does, but when she learns that he's a rich kid, Jo becomes resentful and angry that he didn't tell her the w
What Price Glory?
Oct 19, 1983
Tootie's new boyfriend, Jeff, is the star football player on the football team at Eastland. However, she learns a startling secret that he's been keeping, he's illiterate. She no
The Halloween Show
Oct 26, 1983
A strange man tells the girls that years ago a murder occurred in the shop. Later, when the girls see Mrs. Garret with a knife they assume that she's possessed by the murderer's sp
Advance Placement
Nov 2, 1983
Natalie is allowed to enroll in a college course at Langley College and she quickly gets an overblown ego which quickly threatens her friendships with Blair, Jo and Tootie. Things
I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can
Nov 9, 1983
For a birthday surprise, the girls take Mrs. Garrett to a club featuring male exotic dancers, but the one who's in for the real surprise is Blair.
Small but Dangerous
Nov 16, 1983
Streetwise Kelly alleges that the vandalism of Edna's Edibles was the work of a local gang, but Jo decides to investigate.
Store Games
Nov 30, 1983
Mrs. Garrett is slowly losing business to a competitor, Pete Dawson. However, Natalie, with the help of her computer, breaks into his computer and alters his recipes.
The Second Time Around
Dec 14, 1983
Jo begins seeing sparks between her divorced parents and immediately hopes they get back together. However, her hopes quickly become dashed when she learns that her father is plan
The Christmas Show
Dec 21, 1983
The holidays bring joy to the girls when they all plan on going home for Christmas but when Jo's mother temporarily moves to Miami, Jo is stuck in Peekskill.
The Chain Letter
Dec 28, 1983
While Mrs. Garrett frets over an inspection by the Board of Health, the girls get involved with a chain letter and ignore their responsibilities.
Next Door
Jan 4, 1984
A young boy enters Edna's Edibles and Tootie befriends him and learns that he lives next door. She also learns that his mother works all day and leaves him home alone and tells hi
Crossing the Line
Jan 11, 1984
Natalie starts dating a black guy, and Tootie thinks that Natalie hates him because of his color.
All or Nothing
Jan 18, 1984
Newly elected board member Jo tackles the regents of Langley when they vote to cut academic scholarships in favor of a scoreboard nobody wants.
A Death in the Family
Feb 1, 1984
The girls are shaken by the sudden death of Natalie's father and wonder how to ease her pain.
Big Fish/Little Fish
Feb 8, 1984
Blair is distraught when she discovers that Jo has taken her place in popularity on campus. This leads to an argument between the two that ends with Jo refusing Blair's help for p
Star at Langley
Feb 15, 1984
Blair and her boyfriend, Cliff, are serious at least Cliff thinks so but Blair pushes him away. Meanwhile, a movie star, Heather Hunt, is visiting Peekskill and quickly Blair find
Dream Marriage
Feb 22, 1984
A marriage proposal from Blair's boyfriend prompts her to begin dreaming about the future for herself and her friends.
Mother and Daughter
Feb 29, 1984
Tootie's mother comes to Eastland for a visit, and the fact that Tootie doesn't communicate with her mother becomes apparent. Her mother quickly realizes there are many things she
All by Herself
Mar 14, 1984
Geri is in charge of organizing a charity auction but makes her first mistake by making Blair her assistant. Blair quickly takes over and begins doing things without consulting Ge
Seems Like Old Times
Mar 21, 1984
Jo is surprised when her ex-boyfriend, Eddie, who just got out of the Navy, makes a surprise visit. However, Jo isn't the only one who's in for a surprise when Tootie discovers a
Joint Custody
May 2, 1984
Mrs. Garrett's son, Raymond stops by Edna's Edibles for a visit and brings along his wife, Doris, whom he has been having marital problems with. This gets Mrs. Garrett and the gir
The Way We Were (1)
May 9, 1984
Another school year has come to an end and all the girls are preparing or their summer vacation. They each reminisce about the last six years they have spent together (via flashba
The Way We Were (2)
May 9, 1984
Flashbacks and memories of the past continue as the girls finish getting ready for their summer vacations. However, saying goodbye to one another appears to be easy for all them e