Golden Girls Season 1

One of the most unique and thought provoking aspects of this series is that the lead actors were between 51 and 63 years of age when this classic first aired in 1985. I was in my early 20s when it started and thirty years later I'd be the age of the youngest actor, Rue McClanahan ( give or take a year). It is odd to grow into the age of the shows characters over a 30 year plus span, as opposed to growing older while watching the actors/characters of other shows remain forever young. In 1985, preferring to listen to music and going out to the clubs, I rarely, if at all, watched television in the early to late 1980s, so I wasn't abreast of the popular shows of that time. I started watching this series in early 1990 while visiting an ill friend. I then watched this series sporadically over the years and in the early 2000s, began watching it regularly. I especially love the way the writers wrote in substories for each episode. By doing that they rounded out the characters, and over all, rounded out the series as well. Now, I'll give a quick summary of the plot. A Floridian widow, Blanche Devereaux, advertises for a roommate. In steps Rose Nylund, a widowed transplant from St. Olaf Minnesota. Then another roommate, divorcee Dorothy Zbornak and then her widowed, 80 something year old mother, Sophia Petrillo, whose recent stroke eliminated her ability to filter what she says. In the pilot episode, Blanche had a gay chef but his character was written out after the pilot. Watching the Golden Girls at this age is very cozy and comforting. It's also a pleasant delight to experience some of the same joys, and even some of the same sorrows, of growing older as I had seen while watching this series throughout the years. The ladies on this show have become so ingrained in our lives and our American culture, that they seem more like old friends we get to visit, a half an hour at a time, as opposed to just characters on a tv sitcom. Now for some of my favorite episodes. First, is Season 2's, "Isn't it Romantic?". It's about "Jean", a college friend of Dorothy's that's coming to stay for a week. She is recently widowed. The other fact, ( unbeknownst to Rose and Blanche, who think her deceased spouse, Pat, is a man), is that Jean is a lesbian. The subject matter was still a little controversial, even for 1980's television. The actress Lois Nettleton plays Jean. (Nettleton also played the lead character in 1961's "Twilight Zone" episode "Midnight Sun", one of my favorites.) What I really love about this episode is the way it had been written. It's not an "in-your-face" message. The relationship between "Jean" and "Dorothy" is like any other. Long time college friends who accept the other for who they are without the labels. "Jean's" interaction with "Rose" is where the story lies. Their new friendship is very sweet. "Rose" and "Jean" relate over the fact that they were both raised on a dairy farm and are both widows. "Rose", at that time in the episode, still isn't aware that "Jean" is gay and after spending time with "Rose", "Jean" privately consults "Dorothy" and tells her that she thinks she is falling in love with "Rose" and decides she wants to leave early. Initially, Dorothy talks her out of it .The remainder of the episode deals with a late night card game and afterwards a discussion between "Rose" and "Jean" about the loneliness of being widows and then later some misunderstandings and then the resolve, which is done in the best of good taste and kindness. I watch this episode throughout the year. Next is Season 1's "Blanche and The Younger Man" and "A Little Romance". Seasons 2's "End Of The Curse", "Twas The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "It's A Miserable Life" (the ending of this one is very funny and touching). Season 3's "Old Friends" (which deals with Alzheimer's), is also a touching and sobering episode. And another of my all time favorites is "Mothers Day". Each of the girls describes her favorite Mother's day with their own mothers. "Rose's" story is my favorite. Season 4's, "Scared Straight" and "High Anxiety". Season 5's, 2-parter "Sick and Tired", "Not Another Monday" and "Clinton Avenue Memoirs". Season 6's, "Snap Out Of It", "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Sophia?", "Mrs. George Devereaux" (the ending is a real surprise that I love) "Sister Of The Bride", 2 parter "Never Yell Fire In A Crowded Nursing Home" and "Henny Penny- Straight No Chaser" (a simply delightful episode). And Season 7's, "Hey Look Me Over", "The Case of The Libertine Belle", "Room 7", "From here To The Pharmacy", "Goodbye Mr. Gordon", "The Commitments", "Journey To The Center Of Attention" (which still makes me laugh), and 2 parter "A Midwinter's Night Dream". There's no better way to say this than to say "I love "The Golden Girls". Add this wonderful and witty series to your DVD collection. I very highly recommend this series!!

One of the funniest tv series from the 80s is finally on dvd - well the first season at least. Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, Betty White and Estelle Getty were perfectly cast in this series about four retired women sharing a house in Miami. It's great to have the episodes uncut and free of commercials on dvd! My only gripe are the extras which only consist of a silly 10 minute monologue by Joan and Melissa Rivers ridiculing their fashions. Anything could have been better than this, but especially welcome would be outtakes, a commentary or interviews with the stars.The episodes are included on 3 discs in this boxed set. They are:Disc 1:The Engagement" (Pilot Episode)Dorothy and Rose fear that Blanche's engagement will jeopardize their living arrangements; Sophia, Dorothy's mother, moves in after her retirement home burns down.Guess Who's Coming to the Wedding?Dorothy's is thrilled to hear that her daughter is engaged to a doctor, until she realizes that she will have to face Stan, her ex-husband at the wedding.Rose the PrudeRose starts dating again but she is not sure if she is ready to be intimate again when he invites her on a cruise.TransplantBlanche's sister, Virginia, comes to visit and announces that she is dying and needs Blanche's kidney.The TriangleDorothy and Blanche are on non-speaking terms when Dorothy's hot doctor makes a pass at Blanche and Dorothy refuses to believe it.On Golden GirlsThe girls have a new houseguest - Blanche's temperamental teenage grandson.The CompetitionThe girls take part in a bowling competition which reveals Rose's highly competitive nature.Break-InAfter their apartment is burglarized, Rose buys a gun to protect them.Disc 2:Blanche and the Younger ManBlanche goes on a date with her aerobics instructor, who is half her age. Rose's mother (Jeanette Nolan) visits but Rose's over-protectiveness makes her stay miserable.Heart AttackSophia fears that she is having a heart attack but a storm delays the paramedics.The Return of Dorothy's ExDorothy and ex-husband Stan rekindle their relationship much to the chagrin of Sophia.The Custody BattleDorothy's sister, Gloria, comes to to visit and asks Sophia to come live with her in California; Rose and Blanche vie for the title of Lady MacBeth in the local theater production.A Little RomanceRose begins a serious romance with Dr. Jonathan Newman, a midget.That Was No LadyDorothy is dating a married man and won't listen to Sophia and her roommates, who all advise her to stop seeing him.In a Bed of Rose'sRose's man-friend spends the night with her and is dead the next morning.The Truth Will Hold OutRose gets a visit from her daughter and granddaughter, who want to settle Rose's husband's will but Rose can't bring herself to tell them that there is no money left in the estate.Nice and EasyBlanche finds that her visiting niece is a lot like herself - she really likes men.Disc 3:The OperationDorothy needs to have foot surgery but she is terrified of going into the hospital.Second MotherhoodBlanche's new boyfriend is rich, handsome and ... has several small children.Adult EducationBlanche is insulted when her adult education instruction sexually harrasses her.Flu AttackBlanche, Dorothy and Rose all come down with the flu right before they are to attend an annual charity banquet.Job HuntingRose looses her job at the grief center and experiences discrimination when she searches for a new one.Blind AmbitionsPolly Holliday plays Rose's sister, Lily, who is having a difficult time adjusting to her recent blindness; the girls decide to have a garage sale but have a hard time parting with their items.Big DaddyBlanche's father, Big Daddy (Murray Hamilton), comes to visit, and announces that he wants to become a country singer.The Way We MetThe girls can't sleep after watching "Psycho" and end up at the kitchen table where they recall how they met and ended up living together.

Good quality and they all work so far

I love the Golden Girls .

A must have if you like the golden girls.

Watch them all the time very much enjoy them