The best episodes of 227
Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it. Fewer than 10 rated episodes — treat this ranking as provisional.
- 01
For an assignment that requires her to write about her "Most Interesting Relative", Brenda asks her parents for help. Lester suggests his aunt Lucy, who was a woman brakeman. After Mary hears about Sandra's supposed relative who was a Moroccan prince, she searches through an old trunk to find information about an interesting relative of hers. What she finds is that she had an uncle, Corporal Mortecai Hurley, who was in the Civil War's 54th Infantry. She persuades Brenda to re-write her paper on Mortecai. Not to be outdone, Sandra goes to the library and finds out that Mary's uncle Mortecai was actually a "coward" in the war, and deserted his infantry disguised in the flag made to look like a dress. Mary and Lester tell Brenda and she becomes upset. She and Mary talk, and Mary apologizes for making her re-write her paper in the first place. But they decide that since the assignment calls for her to write about her "Most Interesting Relative", she can still turn in the assignment on Mortecai, because although it is embarrassing, it is still interesting. (This episode was taped after the pilot to add additional characters and provide background for those in the pilot episode.)
- 02
While driving home Mary hits a BMW parked across the street from 227, breaking the tail light. From the persuasion of Rose she decides to leave a note on the car. The next day, after no one has arrived to see the car, Mary wants to remove her note. However, another car comes by and nearly totals it, but then drives away. Before Mary can get to the car and remove her note, the owner comes out of an apartment and sees her note. Sandra tells Mary that she needs to use her "femininity" to get out of paying for the total damages. Mary says that she can't do that, so Sandra poses as Mary when the owner comes by to talk to Mary about the damages. Everything goes well until Lester comes home and their lie unfolds. Everything gets straightened out between Mary, Lester, and the car owner (Marvin), ending with a date for Sandra and a new friend for the Jenkins. Meanwhile, Mary tells Brenda that she cannot go skating with Calvin because she lied. (This episode was taped after the pilot to add additional characters and provide background for those in the pilot episode.)
- 03
A Daughter is a Precious Thing
When Mary can't solve daughter Brenda's boy problems, Brenda enlists the aid of an expert -- Mary's nemesis, Sandra, their sultry, sexy and "man-wise" neighbor.
- 04
When Mary tries to convince the landlord to order her a new refrigerator, he refuses. Mary then agrees to loan Sandra her apartment for an extravagant party if Sandra will "persuade" the landlord to get Mary a new refrigerator. (This episode was taped after the pilot to add additional characters and provide background for those in the pilot episode.) Guest StarFran Drescher.
- 05
When the landlord dies, everyone believes that Sandra (Jackée Harry) will become the new landlord, including Sandra. She assures Mary (Marla Gibbs) that once she becomes the new landlord that Mary will have to find a new place to live after her lease runs out. The tenants all go to the will reading and it is discovered that he actually leaves the building to Rose (Alaina Reed Hall). However, when Mary thought that Sandra would get ownership of the building, she called a building inspector to check out 227. He states that 227 is in need of numerous repairs, more than the tenants can afford. (Shortly after the cancelation ofThe Jeffersons, Marla Gibbs now stars in this show.)
- 06
When Mary's brother Lewis comes to town on business, she decides to set him up on a date with Rose. The next day when Rose won't give Mary any details about the date, they get into an argument where Rose finally admits that she thinks Mary's brother is "self-centered" and "egotistical". They stop speaking. Meanwhile, Lewis asks Sandra out on a date, and Mary fears that Sandra may be her future sister-in-law. When Mary spies on the ending of Sandra's and Lewis' date, and notices that all he talks about is himself and his job, she realizes where Rose is coming from. Sandra leaves Lewis on the stoop, dissatisfied with the date, and the next day Mary apologizes and she and Rose make up. (This episode was taped after the pilot to add additional characters and provide background for those in the pilot episode.)
- 07
Mary and Lester try to help homeless citizens find work and shelter.
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