Series synopsis
Knots Landing is an American drama soap television series that premiered on CBS on December 27, 1979. It ended on May 13, 1993. It was created by Michael Filerman, David Jacobs. It stars James Houghton, Kim Lankford, Michele Lee and Constance McCashin.
The domestic adventures, misdeeds and everyday interactions of five families living on a cul-de-sac in a small California community.
Premise
The domestic adventures, misdeeds and everyday interactions of five families living on a cul-de-sac in a small California community.
Premise: Love thy neighbor.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- James Houghton as Kenny Ward
- Kim Lankford as Ginger Ward
- Michele Lee as Karen MacKenzie
- Constance McCashin as Laura Avery Sumner
- Don Murray as Sid Fairgate
- John Pleshette as Richard Avery
- Ted Shackelford as Gary Ewing
- Joan Van Ark as Valene Ewing
Supporting cast
- Donna Mills as Abby Cunningham Ewing Sumner
- Kevin Dobson as M. Patrick MacKenzie
- William Devane as Greg Sumner
- Alec Baldwin as Joshua Rush
- Nicollette Sheridan as Paige Matheson
- Pat Petersen as Michael Fairgate
- Tonya Crowe as Olivia Cunningham
- Michelle Phillips as Anne Matheson
- Larry Riley as Frank Williams
- Kathleen Noone as Claudia Whittaker
- Julie Harris as Lilimae Clements
- Doug Sheehan as Ben Gibson
Guest cast
- Lisa Hartman as Cathy Geary
- Stepfanie Kramer as Marni
- Viveka Davis as Cricket
- Leigh French as Phyllis Elliot
- Kevin Hagen as Butler
- Stacy Galina as Kate Whittaker
- William Boyett as Frank Kolbert
- Al Christy as Older Man
- Kale Browne as Paul Fairgate
- Michael Dante as Captain Alving
- Dennis Haysbert as Police Officer
- Robert Harper as Priest
Episodes
This series spans 15 seasons with 347 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 3 | December 2, 2005 | December 2, 2005 |
| Season 1 | 13 | December 27, 1979 | March 27, 1980 |
| Season 2 | 18 | November 20, 1980 | March 26, 1981 |
| Season 3 | 22 | November 12, 1981 | May 6, 1982 |
| Season 4 | 22 | September 30, 1982 | March 10, 1983 |
| Season 5 | 25 | September 29, 1983 | March 29, 1984 |
| Season 6 | 30 | October 4, 1984 | May 23, 1985 |
| Season 7 | 30 | September 26, 1985 | May 15, 1986 |
| Season 8 | 30 | September 18, 1986 | May 14, 1987 |
| Season 9 | 29 | September 24, 1987 | May 12, 1988 |
| Season 10 | 28 | October 27, 1988 | May 18, 1989 |
| Season 11 | 29 | September 28, 1989 | May 17, 1990 |
| Season 12 | 27 | September 13, 1990 | May 16, 1991 |
| Season 13 | 22 | September 12, 1991 | April 9, 1992 |
| Season 14 | 19 | October 29, 1992 | May 13, 1993 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again A special that reunites original cast members Michele Lee, Donna Mills, Joan Van Ark, William Devane, Kevin Dobson and Ted Shackelford at the infamous cul-de-sac to celebrate and reminisce about the days they spent on the long-running series. |
December 2, 2005 |
| 2 | Knots Landing Begins | |
| 3 |
Knots Landing Block Party The cast and crew of Knots Landing come together in this special one-hour show to talk about their favorite moments in the show's fourteen years of drama, laughs, and special moments. |
May 13, 1993 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pilot Gary and Valene move into their new home with the help of his brother, Bobby Ewing. |
December 27, 1979 |
| 2 |
Community Spirit When Ewing Oil announces plans to drill offshore, Gary opposes his brother J.R. to save Knots Landing beach. |
January 3, 1980 |
| 3 |
Let Me Count the Ways When Karen's daughter's controversial high school teacher is about to be fired, she comes to his defense. |
January 10, 1980 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Hitchhike (1) After giving a female hitchhiker a ride, Sid is arrested for rape. Sid's sister Abby comes to Knots Landing. |
November 20, 1980 |
| 2 |
Hitchhike (2) Sid is arraigned on rape charges, while Gary and Abby run Knots Landing Motors in Sid's absence. |
November 27, 1980 |
| 3 |
Remember the Good Times After Gary tries to help Earl stop drinking, Val feels abandoned. Kenny and Ginger spend the night together. |
December 4, 1980 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Vigil Gary feels responsible for Sid's coma, while Richard promises to help Abby find her kidnapped children. |
November 12, 1981 |
| 2 |
Critical Condition Sid faces a risky, life-or-death operation. Karen convinces a guilt-ridden Gary to stay in Knots Landing. |
November 19, 1981 |
| 3 |
Aftermath Karen remains uncaring and detached in the wake of Sid's death - even with her children. Ginger gives birth. |
November 26, 1981 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Brand New Day Gary's affair with Abby deeply hurts Val. Karen investigates Sid's death and confronts a U.S. attorney. |
September 30, 1982 |
| 2 |
Daniel On the eve of the reading of Jock's will, J.R. visits and creates mystery for everyone except Abby. |
October 7, 1982 |
| 3 |
Encounters Karen is certain she's found her husband's killer. Val's worst fears are confirmed during an interview. |
October 14, 1982 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The People vs. Gary Ewing Gary's trial for the murder of Ciji begins. Karen becomes upset upon discovering Diana left with Chip Roberts. |
September 29, 1983 |
| 2 |
Fugitives When Diana discovers Chip's identity, she questions their relationship. Val and Ben suffer a setback. |
October 6, 1983 |
| 3 |
Nowhere to Run Chip and Diana are traced to a deserted shack in Oklahoma. Gary hires Laura to work for his company. |
October 13, 1983 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Buying Time Karen has surgery to remove a bullet from her back. Sumner releases Mack's evidence to the District Attorney. |
October 4, 1984 |
| 2 |
Calculated Risks Karen must choose between a risky operation and total paralysis and death. Sumner and St. Claire meet. |
October 18, 1984 |
| 3 |
Hanging Fire Abby corroborates Sumner's story about killing St. Claire, while Karen returns home from the hospital. |
October 25, 1984 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Longest Day Harry drives one baby away and Sheila stays in the house with the other. Val cannot retrieve her children. |
September 26, 1985 |
| 2 |
Here in My Arms Hospital records suggest Val's babies were born dead. Mack finds Nurse Wislon. Karen brings Val two surprises. |
October 3, 1985 |
| 3 |
While the Cat's Away Val finally gets to enjoy her children, but now Ben worries she won't have any time for him. |
October 10, 1985 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Just Disappeared (1) A kidnapper imprisons Karen. Ben returns to Val, and Sumner confesses to Peter his real plans for Lotus Point. |
September 18, 1986 |
| 2 |
Distant Echoes (2) Gary confronts Sumner about the clean-up at Lotus Point and decides to vie for state senator against Peter. |
September 18, 1986 |
| 3 |
Reunion Phil tells Karen that he wants Mac to feel what it's like not to know where his wife is. Greg decides to really clean up Empire Valley. |
September 25, 1986 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Missing Persons Val doesn't receive a phone call from Ben and worries he's gone. A large crack develops in the playground. |
September 24, 1987 |
| 2 |
The Trouble with Peter Peter's body is found, and the police investigate. |
October 1, 1987 |
| 3 |
Under Pressure The evidence points to Olivia, but someone else confesses. |
October 8, 1987 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Suicidal Mack travels to Mexico in a desperate effort to save Paige, Michael, and Johnny from paid killers. |
October 27, 1988 |
| 2 |
Borderline When Val claims Jill tried to kill her with a drug overdose, no one believes her. Sumner re-enters politics. |
November 3, 1988 |
| 3 |
Deserted Paige, Michael and Johnny are trapped in a van on their way out of Mexico. Val returns to an empty house. |
November 10, 1988 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Up the Spout Again Paige traces Hawkins' key to a box in Spring Lake and travels with Melcher, who thinks he has the key. |
September 28, 1989 |
| 2 |
Poetic Justice Gary thinks he may have overheard a murder, but he reaches a dead end when he looks for the victim; Paige plays cat-and-mouse with rivals Sumner and Ted; Danny suggests a way to ease the twins' confusion over his relationship with Val. |
October 5, 1989 |
| 3 |
Prince Charming Paige is sickened by the surprise she receives upon returning to Knots Landing; Karen realizes that rumors about Mack's behavior may be true; Val wonders whether she's found Mr. Right; Olivia and Harold clash over finances. |
October 12, 1989 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Return Engagement Sumner is haunted by faces from his past; Paige is in a black mood over Tom's disappearing act; Val is in a quandary over Danny's harassment and Gary's proposal; Jeff moves to ease Karen's nerves. |
September 13, 1990 |
| 2 |
Blind Side Gary and Val contemplate a major move, while Danny plots revenge; an unexpected visitor interrupts Sumner's vacation plans; Frank watches as Julie clears the house of all reminders of her mother. |
September 20, 1990 |
| 3 |
God Will Danny plots revenge against Gary; and Mack is asked to plead Tom's case to Paige. Meanwhile, Anne loses her financial footing; and troubles surface for Karen following Frank's TV appearance. |
September 27, 1990 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Gun Also Rises Kate tries to convince the police her mother, Claudia, trapped her own son and accidentally caused his death. |
September 12, 1991 |
| 2 |
The Question Game Linda learns Brian killed a private investigator hired by his wife. Paige's romance blossoms. |
September 19, 1991 |
| 3 |
Eye of the Beholder When Brian learns Linda's revealed his wherabouts to his ex-wife, he reacts viciously. |
September 26, 1991 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Found and Lost Paige attends Pierce's arraignment to ensure he isn't freed on bail. Anne tells Sumner she's pregnant. |
October 29, 1992 |
| 2 |
Lovers and Other Strangers Sumner proposes to Anne. Mary asks for a court hearing to get visitation rights with Meg. |
November 5, 1992 |
| 3 |
The Children's Hour Mack must console Paige about the Sumner marriage and tell Meg she's adopted. Gary returns from Florida. |
November 12, 1992 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | CBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | December 27, 1979 |
| Last aired | May 13, 1993 |
| Runtime | 44 minutes |
| Status | Ended |
| Schedule | Thursday at 22:00:00 |