3rd Rock from the Sun: Season 1

1996 · 20 episodes · ★ 7.7

What Season 1 of 3rd Rock from the Sun

Four aliens arrive in Rutherford, a fictional town in Ohio, on a mission to observe humans from the inside. They pose as an ordinary family and live in an attic apartment. Dick Solomon, the commander, acts as the head of the household and teaches physics at Pendelton State University. Tommy has to enroll in high school, while Sally and Harry try to fit in as a typical family. When Dick discovers emotions and falls in love with Dr. Mary Albright, he extends his stay. The series thrives on the clash between the way these beings understand the world and the customs they try to imitate, with mix-ups at work, at school, and with the neighbors.

20episodes

Jan 9, 1996premiered

May 21, 1996latest episode

7.3 hrtotal runtime

Season 1 Episodes

1x01 Brains and Eggs
Jan 9, 1996 · 22 min · ★ 8.5
The leader of an alien recon party on Earth discovers he has "feelings" for a professor.
Directed by James Burrows · Written by Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner · Starring Simbi Khali, Elmarie Wendel, Ian Lithgow, Marnette Patterson
1x02 Post-Nasal Dick
Jan 16, 1996 · 22 min · ★ 7.8
When Tommy catches a bug, the crew gets its first taste of human illness.
Directed by Robert Berlinger · Written by Andrew Orenstein, Michael Glouberman · Starring Simbi Khali, Marla Sokoloff, Rachel Davies, Pat Lach
1x03 Dick's First Birthday
Jan 23, 1996 · 22 min · ★ 7.6
Dick is introduced to the concept of birthdays--and it dawns on him that he's getting old.
Directed by Robert Berlinger · Written by Andy Cowan · Starring Simbi Khali, Ian Lithgow, Lauren Graham, Dee Freeman
1x04 Dick Is From Mars, Sally Is From Venus
Jan 30, 1996 · 22 min · ★ 7.5
Dick assigns Sally to go on a date and, not surprisingly, the guy turns out to be a jerk.
Directed by Robert Berlinger · Written by Mike Schiff, Bill Martin · Starring Simbi Khali, Michael Milhoan, Whitney Rydbeck, Elayn J. Taylor
1x05 Dick, Smoker
Feb 6, 1996 · 22 min
While Sally does a slow burn at being the often-overruled second in command, Dick lights up his life by taking up smoking.
Directed by Robert Berlinger · Written by Mike Schiff, Bill Martin · Starring Simbi Khali, Elmarie Wendel, Ian Lithgow, Dee Freeman
1x06 Green-Eyed Dick
Feb 13, 1996 · 18 min
Dick discovers the emotion of jealousy when Dr. Albright's old boyfriend returns to visit on a promotional tour of the novel he dedicated to her. Harry adopts a stray dog.
Directing: Robert Berlinger · Writer: Joe Fisch · Starring: Simbi Khali, Elmarie Wendel, Lindsey Haun, Ed Begley Jr.
1x07 Lonely Dick
Feb 20, 1996 · 22 min · ★ 7.0
Dick's one lonely guy when Dr. Albright goes on vacation. Sally and Harry are lured by skin-care products that promise eternal youth.
Directed by Robert Berlinger · Written by Christine Zander · Starring Simbi Khali, Shay Astar, Carole Davis, Maria Cina
1x08 Body & Soul & Dick
Feb 27, 1996 · 22 min
When an obnoxious professor dies during a party in his honor, Dick finds the will specifies that he must deliver a “forthright and honest” eulogy about the universally despised academic. Tommy neglects his female pal August to hit it off with an “easy” cheerleader.
Directed by Robert Berlinger · Written by Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner · Starring Simbi Khali, Elmarie Wendel, John Mahoney, Ian Lithgow
1x09 Ab-Dick-ted
Mar 5, 1996 · 22 min
Dick receives a roundabout lesson in family values from Dr. Albright's loopy brother, who claims to have been abducted by aliens.
Directed by Robert Berlinger · Written by Bob Kushell, Christine Zander · Starring Simbi Khali, Shay Astar, Bronson Pinchot, James Earl Jones
1x10 Truth or Dick
Mar 12, 1996 · 22 min
Dick discovers the consequences of unvarnished truth when he repeats some of Dr. Albright's unflattering comments at an academic committee meeting. Sally and Harry apply for driver's licenses.
Directed by Robert Berlinger · Written by Terry Turner, Bonnie Turner · Starring Simbi Khali, Elmarie Wendel, Ian Lithgow, Danielle Nicolet
1x11 The Art of Dick
Mar 19, 1996 · 22 min
While Dick and Harry take up painting (Harry's good; Dick isn't), Sally takes over the school bake sale with the gusto of Gen. Patton.
Directing: Robert Berlinger · Writer: Bob Kushell · Starring: Simbi Khali, Ian Lithgow, Danielle Nicolet, Chris Hogan
1x12 Frozen Dick
Mar 26, 1996 · 22 min
A snowstorm -- the Solomons' first -- spoils Dr. Albright's trip to Chicago, leaving her stranded in a truck stop with Dick.
Directing: Robert Berlinger · Writer: Linwood Boomer · Starring: Simbi Khali, Ian Lithgow, Rex Linn, Robert Knott
1x13 Angry Dick
Apr 2, 1996 · 22 min
The Solomons learn about the give and take necessary to human friendships when they turn their anthropological gaze to the next-door neighbors.
Directing: Robert Berlinger · Writer: Linwood Boomer · Starring: Elmarie Wendel, Ian Lithgow, Danielle Nicolet, Chris Hogan
1x14 The Dicks They Are A-Changin'
Apr 9, 1996 · 22 min
When Dick's evasive about his past, Dr. Albright suspects he's a '60s radical fugitive. Harry joins a CD-of-the-month club, and is swamped with CDs.
Directed by Robert Berlinger · Written by Andrew Orenstein, Michael Glouberman · Starring Simbi Khali, Elmarie Wendel, James Earl Jones
1x15 I Enjoy Being a Dick
Apr 21, 1996 · 22 min
Flummoxed by feminism, Dick dons a dress to infiltrate Dr. Albright's women-only study group. Harry and Sally get jobs at a pancake restaurant.
Directed by Robert Berlinger · Written by Christine Zander · Starring Simbi Khali, Elmarie Wendel, Shay Astar, Ileen Getz
1x16 Dick Like Me
Apr 23, 1996 · 22 min
Dick decides that the Solomons don't “fit in” on Earth, so he shops for an ethnic group to join. Meanwhile, Sally wants to fit in with Tommy's handsome teacher.
Directed by Robert Berlinger · Written by Joe Fisch · Starring Simbi Khali, Elmarie Wendel, Ian Lithgow, Danielle Nicolet
1x17 Assault with a Deadly Dick
Apr 30, 1996 · 22 min
The Solomons' faith in human nature is shaken when they fall victim to crime (“This planet is in a bad neighborhood,” sighs Sally). Meanwhile, Dick makes Tommy join the school basketball team.
Directed by Robert Berlinger · Written by Andrew Orenstein, Michael Glouberman · Starring Simbi Khali, Wayne Knight, Elmarie Wendel, Ian Lithgow
1x18 Father Knows Dick
May 7, 1996 · 22 min
Dick decides the reason Harry is “odd” is because he lacks a father, and sets out nurture the suddenly rebellious Harry. Meanwhile, sparks fly when Sally meets the hostile mother of her boyfriend.
Directed by Robert Berlinger · Written by Bob Kushell · Starring Elmarie Wendel, Ian Lithgow, Danielle Nicolet, David DeLuise
1x19 Selfish Dick
May 14, 1996 · 22 min
Albright gets a new office, much to Dick's chagrin. Sally lands in the hospital---where she, Harry and Tommy pretend to be “ER” doctors.
Directing: Robert Berlinger · Writer: David Sacks · Starring: Simbi Khali, Elmarie Wendel, David DeLuise, Bruce Ed Morrow
1x20 See Dick Run (1) Season Finale
May 21, 1996 · 22 min
Dr. Albright finally agrees to date Dick and Harry receives an ominous message from the home planet.
Directed by James Burrows · Written by Bill Martin, Mike Schiff · Starring Simbi Khali, Ian Lithgow, Danielle Nicolet, Shay Astar