The Mary Tyler Moore Show: 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 Mary Tyler Moore Show 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
Will Mary Richards Go to Jail?
Sep 14, 1974
Mary refuses to reveal a news source for a story she produced and has to spend a night in jail.
Not Just Another Pretty Face
Sep 21, 1974
Mary dates a man with whom she has nothing in common and becomes concerned that their relationship is superficial.
You Sometimes Hurt the One You Hate
Sep 28, 1974
Lou finally loses his temper with Ted when he endorses a political candidate on The Six O'clock News and throws him through the office doors. Lou feels guilty, and Ted takes advant
Lou and That Woman
Oct 5, 1974
Lou begins seeing a cocktail lounge singer but becomes uncomfortable about her past.
The Outsider
Oct 12, 1974
WJM-TV hires a young business consultant, who demands certain changes for The Six O'clock News, offending every member of the news team.
I Love a Piano
Oct 19, 1974
Murray meets an attractive woman at one of Mary's parties and considers having an affair. On the pretext of buying her old piano, he goes to see her.
A New Sue Ann
Oct 26, 1974
A young fan, Gloria, persuades Sue Ann to hire her for The Happy Homemaker. Sue Ann is less than pleased when Gloria plays up to the station manager and gets a larger role on the s
Menage-a-Phyllis
Nov 2, 1974
Phyllis dates a man on a platonic basis, but he is attracted more to Mary and begins seeing her.
Not a Christmas Story
Nov 9, 1974
The entire newsroom staff is arguing with each other, and when they are trapped at the office due to bad weather, Sue Ann decides to serve her Christmas dinner early.
What Are Friends For?
Nov 16, 1974
Mary and Sue Ann go to a convention in Chicago and Mary finds out that Sue Ann leads a lonely life.
A Boy's Best Friend
Nov 23, 1974
Ted is shocked when he finds out his mother does not intend to marry her boyfriend, but will live with him.
A Son for Murray
Nov 30, 1974
Murray, who has three daughters, wants a son, but his wife Marie doesn't want to have another child. The couple decide to adopt instead.
Neighbors
Dec 7, 1974
Lou wants a smaller place and moves in to Rhoda's old apartment but can't help interfering in Mary's private life.
A Girl Like Mary
Dec 14, 1974
Lou wants to hire a female newscaster 'like Mary', so Mary decides to audition for the job herself.
An Affair to Forget
Dec 21, 1974
Now that Mary is producer, Ted thinks that he can make his move on her. He convinces the rest of the newsroom that they are having an affair.
Mary Richards: Producer
Jan 4, 1975
Mary doesn't feel she deserves the title of producer and asks Lou that she be given the chance to produce The Six O'clock News alone.
The System
Jan 11, 1975
When Ted's formula for betting on football games works, Lou goes into partnership with him. He winds up betting all of the season's winnings on the Super Bowl without telling Ted.
Phyllis Whips Inflation
Jan 18, 1975
Phyllis and Lars have a dispute and she finds her credit cards cut off. She looks for a job but finds that she has no relevant skills.
The Shame of the Cities
Jan 25, 1975
Lou wants to research his own news story now that Mary's producer and decides to launch a major investigation on a city councilor only to discover that he is completely honest.
Marriage Minneapolis Style
Feb 1, 1975
Ted pops the question to Georgette at Murray's 20th wedding anniversary party and then gets cold feet.
You Try To Be a Nice Guy
Feb 8, 1975
Mary agrees to help a troubled crime prone girl go straight and find a job.
You Can't Lose 'em All
Feb 15, 1975
Lou wins the Albert Mason Award, which he had once said was for broadcasting veterans who couldn't chew their own food.
Ted Baxter's Famous Broadcasters' School
Feb 22, 1975
A con-man tricks Ted into setting up a broadcasters' academy. When he finds out he's been had, he asks Lou, Mary and Murray to be the faculty and give the semester's opening lectur
Anyone Who Hates Kids and Dogs
Mar 8, 1975
Mary likes her new boyfriend but finds his son absolutely intolerable.