Major Dad
Overview
Major Dad is a charming American sitcom that aired on CBS from 1989 to 1993, crafted by Richard C. Okie and John G. Stephens, with development by Earl Pomerantz. The story centers around Major John D. MacGillis, portrayed by Gerald McRaney, who navigates the challenges of military life and family dynamics alongside his wife Polly, played by Shanna Reed. The ensemble cast features notable performances from Beverly Archer, Matt Mulhern, Jon Cypher, Marisa Ryan, Nicole Dubuc, and Chelsea Hertford, bringing humor and heart to this unique take on domestic life in the military.
Episodes
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1
Major Dad
Polly pens a troubling article about the Marines, prompting the Major to embark on a mission to challenge her claims. As he works to demonstrate the ...
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2
Just Polly & Me, and the Kids Make Five
The Major decides to pop the question, but first, he needs the blessing of Polly's daughters before moving forward with his proposal.
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3
Rescue Mission
Major Smiley, a longtime friend, attempts to talk the Major out of tying the knot. He expresses his concerns about the impending marriage and the pot...
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4
Wedding
On what should be a joyous occasion, the Major and Polly's wedding is abruptly disrupted by an urgent alert from the base. As the couple prepares to ...
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5
Wounded Flyboy and the Nurse Who Gave Him Reason to Live
The Major and Polly struggle to carve out moments for each other amid their demanding routines. Their paths frequently cross, yet the pressures of th...
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6
Twinkle
When Elizabeth develops feelings for Lt. Holowachuk, Polly turns to the Major for help in resolving the situation. With emotions running high, they mu...
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7
Jane Wayne Day
Polly faces a challenging day of survival training designed for the spouses of Marines. As she navigates the rigorous exercises, she discovers her inn...
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8
Robin's Awakening
The town gears up for an exciting conclusion to a long-distance chess tournament, where the final showdown is set to take place. Amidst the strategic...
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9
Major Mom
Polly goes to jail to protect a news source.
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10
Love Doctor
Sgt. James makes a bold choice to leave military service behind and follow his passion for broadcasting by becoming a radio host. As he embarks on th...
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11
See the Hill ... Over the Hill
The Major begins to fret that he might be past his prime, prompting him to challenge an unwilling Holowachuk to a rematch in martial arts. As the two ...
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12
Boxer Rebellion
The Major and Polly clash over the dress code at Elizabeth's school. The Major believes the solution lies in altering the school board’s policies, ...
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13
Discipline
The Major and Polly brainstorm ways to discipline Casey after she misplaces one of The Major's cherished medals. As they discuss various options, the...
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14
Lemon
When differing lifestyles create tension within the family, they seek help from a counselor. The situation escalates after the Major decides to dispo...
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15
That Connell Woman
An ex-girlfriend, who is now a Lieutenant Colonel, harbors feelings for the Major. As she returns to town, her intentions become clear, leading to a ...
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16
Jr.
Polly is experiencing morning sickness, leading the Major to believe he might soon become a father. As the news begins to sink in, he grapples with a...
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17
Major Coach
Tensions flare when Polly convinces the Major to take on the role of coach for Robin's basketball team. Meanwhile, Lt. Holowachuk makes an impulsive p...
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18
Camp MacGillis
The Major takes th family on a camping trip.
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19
Not with My Daughter You Don't
When Elizabeth starts dating Chip, her father, the Major, turns into a fiercely protective parent. As their relationship deepens, he becomes increasin...
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20
Officer of the Day
Lt. Holowachuk faces consequences when he organizes a surprise barn dance birthday celebration for the Major without proper authorization. As he tries...
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21
All Quiet on the Home Front, pt. 1
The Major is put on alert for a top-secret mission
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22
All Quiet on the Home Front, pt. 2
The Major returns to his family, expecting a warm reception, but he senses an underlying tension. He begins to believe that they harbor feelings of fr...
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23
See the Bridge
Upon his return from the battlefield, Lt. Holowachuk finds himself yearning for the thrill of high-stakes situations. Struggling to adjust to civilian...
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24
Standing Tall
When Casey finds herself facing a relentless bully, she turns to the Major for guidance. He offers her valuable tips on standing up for herself and f...
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25
Face the Music ... and Dance, pt. 1
The Major accepts an opportunity to relocate to Camp Hollister in Virginia, embarking on a new chapter in his career.
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26
Face the Music ... and Dance, pt. 2
The Major decides to quite the Corps.
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1
Safe at First Base
The Major settles into his role at Camp Hollister, navigating the challenges of his new position. Meanwhile, the General's grandson captures candid mo...
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2
Welcome to Hollister
The camp gears up for a crucial refueling stop for the Vice President's plane, and General Craig appoints Major as the officer in charge of the operat...
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3
Get a Job
Polly secures a position at the local military newspaper, "The Bulldog," where she dives into crafting engaging human interest articles. Excited abou...
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4
The Goat
A scandal erupts when a local news outlet publishes a fabricated account of her baseball team's defeat against Robin. As the false narrative spreads, ...
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5
First Anniversary
On Major and Polly’s first anniversary, Gunny takes on the role of babysitter. As the couple tries to enjoy a romantic evening, they navigate the c...
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6
Wetting Down
Holowachuk is set to celebrate his promotion to 1st Lieutenant, but he breaks with Marine tradition by refusing to include alcohol in his wetting down...
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7
Infant-ry
In an effort to impress the Major, Casey takes her commitment to the next level by transforming into a pint-sized soldier. She immerses herself in ri...
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8
Birthday Ball
As the Corps prepares to celebrate its 215th anniversary, the major seeks a distinguished guest of honor, prompting Vice President Quayle to accept t...
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9
Wish You Were Here
In a bid to shake things up, The Major surprises the family with an unexpected getaway to Hawaii. The spontaneous decision ignites excitement and anti...
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10
Love on the Run
Lieutenant Holowachuk hits it off with his blind date, sparking an instant connection that leads them to start planning their wedding.
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11
Operation Fun Run
When the Major is sidelined by a hospital stay, Gunny and Lt. Holowachuk are left to carry on with the Navy Relief charity event. Determined to ensur...
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12
Gift of the Major
Casey's much-wanted toy goes to a needy child.
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13
Flying Solo
The Major looks forward to a peaceful weekend as Polly takes their daughters out for a shopping spree.
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14
A Bird in the Hand
After a mishap leads to the Major breaking Gunny's cherished item—a ceramic eagle that belonged to the Corps' most revered Marine—he encourages he...
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15
Learning to Drive
While taking a driving lesson with the Major, Elizabeth accidentally collides with the general's prized vintage MG, causing chaos and a bit of a stir....
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16
The Name is Over Here
As the Persian Gulf War begins, The Major and his family find themselves grappling with the upheaval. In the midst of global tensions, they turn their...
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17
Valentine's Day
The Major feels humiliated when Polly publishes a heartfelt valentine piece about him in the base newspaper, exposing his softer side. Meanwhile, Eli...
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18
Sins of the Father
The Major embarks on a journey to seek redemption for a childhood mistake—taking a watch from someone else. As he reflects on his past, he confronts...
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19
The Possible Dream
The officers put together a talent show for the Marines. Surprisingly, the general, who is believed to lack any skills, decides he wants to showcase h...
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20
Private Affair
Elizabeth has started dating a Marine known for his love of pranks, much to the disapproval of the Major. The Major finds the Marine's antics trouble...
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21
Polly's Choice
Polly receives an unexpected proposal to co-write a book with her ex-boyfriend, Evan Charters. As they delve into the project, old feelings and unres...
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22
Silent Drill Team
The Major fulfills his lifelong ambition by taking part in a performance with the esteemed Silent Drill Team of the Marine Corps. As he steps into the...
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23
Elmo Come Home
Gunny finds himself unexpectedly caring for a stray puppy that the Major intends to adopt for Casey. Initially hesitant about the responsibility, Gun...
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24
Together
The Major is tasked with crafting a heartfelt address for the homecoming of soldiers returning from Saudi Arabia. In addition, he contemplates the id...
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1
The Shut Down
Defense cutbacks threaten Camp Hollister.
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2
Major Moonlighting
The Major takes on a second job as an attendant at the service station run by Holowachuk. Balancing his military duties with the demands of this new r...
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3
Polly's Pen Pal
When Robin's infatuated pen pal, Lt. Vickers, visits, he discovers that she has sent him a photograph of Polly.
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4
A Few Good Men
The Major is selected to showcase Camp Hollister in a calendar that highlights exemplary soldiers. As he prepares for this honor, he faces challenges...
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5
Poker Night
General Craig instructs his team to host an evening of entertainment aimed at lifting their dwindling spirits.
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6
Anything You Can Do I Can Do Perky
Gunny grows wary of the bubbly sergeant assigned by the General to support her, questioning the true intentions behind the cheerful demeanor.
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7
Educating Casey
The Major and Polly feel the weight of expectations as Casey is selected to compete for a spot in an advanced school program, leading to a series of i...
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8
Lady in Waiting
Elizabeth starts her new job as a waitress, but her colleagues Polly and the Major disapprove of her revealing outfit, which consists of a short, flu...
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9
General Unrest
After being kicked out by his wife, the General seeks refuge with the MacGillis family. As he settles into their home, tensions rise and unexpected d...
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10
Steel Magnolia
A determined lobbyist organizes a demonstration in response to reductions in civilian staff at the military base. As tensions rise, she rallies the c...
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11
On the Line
As civilian workers at the base go on strike in response to budget reductions, the Marines step in to fill the void. Their presence ignites tensions o...
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12
The Shell Game
A land developer's ambition to construct a shopping mall at Camp Hollister faces an unexpected obstacle when a turtle chooses the site for nesting. Th...
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13
Who's That Blonde ?
Gunny dyes her hair blond after the bill allowing women to be in combat fails; Lt. Holowachuk spruces up his "space."
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14
We've Got Trouble
Lt. Holowachuk and Gunny get competitive at pool.
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15
Three's a Crowd
Casey’s latest romantic interest enjoys spending time with the Major, much to her surprise. As the trio starts to spend more time together, Casey b...
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16
Three Angry Marines
In the episode "Three Angry Marines," Gunny, Holowachuk, and the Major find themselves serving on a court-martial panel, where they are tasked with de...
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17
Close Encounters
The MacGillises embark on a weekend retreat to engage in a marriage enrichment program. As they navigate various activities and discussions, they con...
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18
Base Desires
The MacGillis family competes against another household for the prestigious title of Military Family of the Year. As the two families showcase their d...
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19
When Gunny Talks
Gunny shares his savvy investment strategies with Elizabeth, leading her to focus solely on financial gain. As she becomes increasingly obsessed with ...
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20
The L Word
Elizabeth finds herself captivated by her tutor, igniting a complicated emotional journey. Meanwhile, Gunny's romantic partner can't seem to hold bac...
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21
Sick Bay
In the episode titled "Sick Bay," the Major decides to pen an article about parenting while caring for the ailing Polly. However, Polly finds the cont...
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22
Charlotte's Web
In an unconventional "adopt-a-Marine" initiative, Holowachuk finds himself teamed up with a free-spirited woman. Their contrasting personalities lead ...
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23
The Noisy Drill Team
General Craig readies the military base for an upcoming evaluation by the closure committee. As he meticulously organizes every detail, he faces unex...
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24
In the Brick of Time
Polly embarks on a spirited documentary project to capture the essence of Camp Hollister as it approaches its final days. With enthusiasm, she intervi...
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1
The People's Choice, pt. 1
The arrival of Jake, the Major's father, brings an air of conflict and unease. As family dynamics unfold, underlying issues surface, complicating rela...
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2
The People's Choice, pt. 2
Following a heated altercation with the Major, Jake finds himself seeking refuge with Lt. Holowachuk. As he adjusts to this new living arrangement, te...
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3
Here's Looking at You, Pol
Historic photographs of mayoral hopeful Polly surface in the media, sparking intrigue and controversy. As the images circulate, they challenge her ca...
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4
Catered Affair
The Major is tasked with organizing a reception for an esteemed visiting general and decides to enlist Elizabeth's expertise in catering.
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5
There's No Place Like Farlow
On Halloween night, Casey battles a high fever, plunging into bizarre and unsettling dreams reminiscent of Oz's surreal adventures. As the eerie atmo...
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6
The Election Show
The Major decides to take a break from his duties to support Polly as she embarks on her journey to become mayor. Together, they hit the campaign trai...
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7
Gunny's Veiled Threat
Gunny enlists in the Secret Service and finds himself part of a harem tasked with protecting a visiting emir. As he navigates this unconventional ass...
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8
One for the Road
Elizabeth is too anxious to drive her brand-new car, convinced it will lead to an accident. Meanwhile, General Craig, navigating on crutches, is causi...
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9
Blue Tenant Holowachuk
Apartment manager Lieutenant Holowachuk rallies the tenants to initiate a rent strike in response to the landlord, General Craig's, unfair practices. ...
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10
Old Acquaintance
A change in her college friends disturbs Polly.
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11
About Face
The community quickly forms opinions regarding General Craig's actions, leading to widespread speculation and misunderstandings. As rumors swirl, the...
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12
I'll Be Seeing You
Polly is chosen to host a USO ball inspired by the 1940s, setting the stage for both budding romances and rekindled connections. As she navigates the ...
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13
Night School
Gen. Craig and the Major go to night school.
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14
Piano Lesson
The Major feels self-conscious about his decision to enroll in piano classes. Despite his initial reluctance, he grapples with the challenges and joys...
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15
Come Rain or Come Shine
A corporate headhunter woos several marines.
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16
Colonel of Truth
Following a disappointing setback in his career, Major Thompson contemplates resigning from the Marines after his request for a promotion is turned d...
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17
From Russia with Like
The major and a visiting Russian officer compete.
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18
The Spell of Grease Paint
Polly's performance in a theater production alongside Lt. Holowachuk stirs feelings of jealousy in the Major. As she shines in her role, the Major gra...
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19
Gunny Gets Robbed
Gunny's apartment is robbed.
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20
Conduct Unbecoming
Major suspects that Robin's new partner is facing abuse from his father, who is also a major, even though the family insists otherwise. Meanwhile, Lt....
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21
General Disturbance
General Craig is transferred to the White House.
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22
Oops, a Daisy
In the episode "Oops, a Daisy," tension arises between Polly and the Major when they clash over the Major's choice of birthday present for Casey: a Da...
