Season 4

September 18, 1996

When Ellen decides to put down roots and buy a home of her own, she's unprepared for the price--the cost of her beloved Buy the Book.

September 25, 1996

When her new boss, Ed, decides that Joe must go, Ellen resorts to trickery to get him rehired.

October 2, 1996

When her parents decide to separate, Ellen's the one who's broken up.

October 16, 1996

Ellen plots to reunite her parents by recreating their honeymoon, transforming her apartment into a 1958 Cuban nightclub complete with headliner Eddie Fisher. Meanwhile, Spence begs Barrett to return as Paige's secretary after he quits.

October 23, 1996

In therapy, Ellen learns to be honest and direct, but she's dumbstruck when she sees her therapist in a shocking position.

October 30, 1996

Ellen and Paige attend their 25th camp reunion, where Paige seeks revenge on the girl who put gum in her hair,

November 6, 1996

Ellen tries to bond with her father, Paige is bent out of shape when Spence accepts a wedding invitation from an ex-girlfriend, and Joe is bound for New Mexico in search of aliens.

November 13, 1996

Ellen is distraught when her mother starts dating and follows her and her date to a country/western club, intent on breaking the new couple up.

November 20, 1996

A home pregnancy test causes Ellen, Paige and Audrey to rethink their lives. Meanwhile, a life-saving experience prompts Spence to rethink his as well.

November 27, 1996

Ellen feels like a turkey when she unwittingly invites a homeless man to Thanksgiving dinner.

December 4, 1996

Ellen experiences the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat when she and Ed engage in a sports competition.

December 18, 1996

Ellen bites off more than she can chew when she rescues an abandoned dog at Christmas.

January 8, 1997

Ellen conquers being alone by doing fun things on her own. Meanwhile, Spence and Joe wreak havoc on Paige's vacant apartment.

January 15, 1997

When Ellen accepts a favor from Joe's wealthy older girlfriend, the repercussions are relentless.

January 22, 1997

Ellen accompanies Spence to an important party thrown by a surgeon he's trying to impress, but it's Ellen who makes the lasting impression.

February 5, 1997

Ellen fulfills an adolescent fantasy when she goes to Rock and Roll Dream Camp.

February 12, 1997

Ellen misinterprets the signs of a handsome deaf actor, and Spence gets his signals mixed when Paige's former fiance returns to the scene.

February 19, 1997

Peter confronts Ellen at a spiritual retreat while a robber at Buy the Book confronts Paige, Spence, Joe and Audrey.

February 26, 1997

After a lifetime of white lies, Ellen comes clean with her hard-to-please grandmother. Meanwhile, Paige treats Spence to a Vegas weekend he'll never forget, thanks to his amnesia.

March 4, 1997

Ellen's eagerness to support her parents' divorce unexpectedly brings the couple closer together.

April 8, 1997

Volunteering at a hospital, Ellen tries to regale an incapacitated English patient with memories of her past.

April 30, 1997

Ellen senses a kindred spirit when she meets a gay woman, who enlightens her to her own sexual identity. Confused by this startling self discovery, Ellen seeks the guidance of a therapist and braces herself for yet another moment of truth: telling her friends.

April 30, 1997

Ellen senses a kindred spirit when she meets a gay woman, who enlightens her to her own sexual identity. Confused by this startling self discovery, Ellen seeks the guidance of a therapist and braces herself for yet another moment of truth: telling her friends.

May 7, 1997

Ellen deals with the ramifications of telling her parents she's gay.

May 14, 1997

Ellen experiences personal and professional upheaval when she moves into her new home and has an honest talk with Ed.