Ida has a feeling something is wrong between Rhoda and Joe, and keeps asking about the problem. Rhoda finally tells her about Joe's business having financial problems. Ida says she and Martin will give him the money.
Rhoda's classmate friend visits. Myrna is a smart, successful teacher, but does not know how to let loose and have fun. Rhoda decides to help her meet others and build her confidence.
Joe hides the fact that he has been seeing a doctor from Rhoda. When Rhoda finds a bill from the doctor in the mail, she forces Joe to tell her what is wrong.
Ida tells Rhoda and Brenda that she is having chest pains, but not to worry, it is something that mothers have to endure. Of course, Rhoda and Brenda drag Ida to the doctor's office to find out what is wrong.
Brenda complains that she has nothing exciting in her life. Rhoda tells Brenda she has to get out of the apartment and do something different for a change.
Ida thinks Rhoda does not pay enough attention to Joe, and that she does not take care of his needs as she should. Ida decides to fill in the gaps by being the "shoemaker's elf" and doing the things she thinks should be done.
Joe and Rhoda's apartment is burglarized. When they find out Carlton let the burglars into the building, they ask to have Carlton fired for not doing his job correctly.
Ida tells Rhoda and Brenda she might be having an affair because she is interested in her doctor in a romantic way. Ida needs to know how to handle her feelings.
Joe and Rhoda go out to dinner for their first anniversary. While Joe goes to find out how long it will be for their table, a man hits on Rhoda. Joe sees it and is ready to start a fight.
Rhoda and Joe throw a party and they have some interesting guests that bring the mood of the party down. Brenda's date plays his accordion, and a psychiatrist decides to hold self-help group sessions.
After years of complaining about her crumby job at the bank, Brenda quits. She is happy to be out of the bank, but when she cannot find another job, the bank begins to look like a good place to work.
Brenda is being considered for a new position at the bank and can't wait to find out if she gets it. Meanwhile, Rhoda thinks a friend is taking advantage of her.
Ida looks forward to being a grandmother, but Rhoda and Joe are not ready to have children. Ida sets her sight on getting Brenda married as another step towards being a grandmother.
Joe hosts a farewell party for a worker who is retiring, and Brenda and Nick attend with Rhoda. Nick tells them he plans to leave New York because he is not getting jobs. Brenda asks Joe to hire him at his demolition company.
An older woman moves into Rhoda's apartment building and they become good friends. Ida thinks Rhoda is acting like she has a new mother and gets jealous.
Rhoda has invited a couple of gal pals over, but when Myrna shows up, she is canceling to go out with a man she just met. Rhoda decides the gals should go out by themselves one night to prove they do not need men to have a good time.
Brenda's friend Sandy asks to move in with her because the commute to work would be shorter. Brenda agrees and they work things out. But then Sandy asks a co-worker to move in as well, and then there are three in the small apartment.