Family

- Season 3

(1977)

Willie discovers that his new girlfriend Lizzie is terminally ill; Nancy and Buddy plan a very belated 25th anniversary party for Doug and Kate.

As Lizzie's condition deteriorates, Willie proposes marriage.

Kate experiences the blues as she approaches her last birthday before the golden years. Buddy must decide whether or not to accept T.J.'s offer to go steady.

When Jeff introduces her to his new fiancée, Nancy realizes she still harbors deep feelings for him. T.J.'s interest in another girl sparks Buddy's jealousy.

While working on an important patent case, Doug meets formidable attorney Annie Laurie, who is interested in more than his briefs.

Buddy is fawning over her teacher Miss Jessup. When Kate goes to a PTA meeting, one of the parents reveals that Miss Jessup is a lesbian and that she reportedly had an affair with a student, so the parent wants to mount a campaign to have her removed. When she asks who among the parents agree and disagree with her, Kate chooses not to take sides until she can look into it more closely.

Willie invites Emmett, a homeless youth, to stay with the family, envisioning an easier life for him, but Emmett views the situation very differently. Meanwhile, Buddy researches the more colorful member of her family history while creating a family tree for school.

Buddy discovers that her old friend Laura Richardson, who has returned for a visit, is a teenage alcoholic.

Doug learns that his favorite protégé Carl Schuyler has a history of domestic violence; Nancy befriends a puppy.

Feeling neglected by T.J., Buddy attempts to make him jealous by exploiting the feelings of another classmate. Willie suspects his new job at an ad agency was earned because the boss finds him attractive.

The Lawrences need a Christmas miracle when Timmy develops a life-threatening illness, and Willie is unable to cope with the threat of another loss after Lizzy's death.

Nancy's relationship with Michael Kagan, Willie's writing teacher, is threatened when Kagan vilifies Willie's script.

Trapped overnight in a high-rise condo with a young pregnant woman, Kate is forced to help when the stranger goes into labor.

Unable to move past Lizzy's death, Willie seeks a relationship with her former roommate Ellen. Audrey is angry over her parents' impending divorce and Doug's decision to represent them.

Kate mentors an angry young man at the Braille institute. Buddy prepares for a skiing trip with T.J. and his family.

Nancy's friend from law school attempts suicide, and Nancy must find a way to keep her alive until help arrives.

When Nancy learns that she's pregnant with Jeff's baby, the two consider remarriage, but she isn't sure things will be any different the second time around.

A bad interview with a movie producer, drinks with Doug, and an amiable stripper are the highlights of Willie's 21st birthday.

Medical crises abound in the family when James reveals to Doug that he must soon undergo exploratory surgery, and Nancy begins to miscarry Jeff's baby.

Seth Oliver, a former friend of Willie, pays a visit and manipulates the family. Doug and Kate debate taking separate vacations.

A recurring nightmare of running over a small boy with her car haunts Kate. Meanwhile, Buddy takes in a pet raccoon.

Buddy's friend Mara, the daughter of Kate's old friends, makes Buddy's life difficult at school with her unconventional personality.

Kate clashes with her elitist music professor who dismisses her as a bored housewife. Doug faces his own mortality when a colleague collapses from a sudden heart attack.