Night of the Ropers is the eighteenth episode of Season 5 of Three's Company, and the 96th overall episode of the series. Written by George Burditt and directed by Dave Powers, it first aired 17 March 1981 on ABC.
Summary[]
A miffed Helen Roper visits her old upstairs tenants, Jack and Janet, after leaving Stanley because he nixed her plans for an intimate celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary in favor of a bowling banquet.
Since Mr. Furley is out of town, Cindy Snow suggests that Helen spend the night in his empty apartment. Janet seconds the notion, thinking Helen's absence will make Stanley more eager to patch things up. While Helen is sleeping, Ralph Furley comes home early from his weekend, and climbs into his unknowingly not-empty bed.
Meanwhile, a repentant Stanley arrives, searching for his missing wife. At Jack's urging, he decides to join Helen in Furley's apartment to apologize but first insists on a drink. Stanley downs a few shots of courage, but when he returns, he is shocked to find his wife in bed with Mr. Furley! He is so horrified that he storms off, leaving Helen even more disillusioned that Stanley didn't even try to fight for her.
Eventually Stanley returns and does challenge an unwitting Ralph to a fight for Helen, much to her delight. Their issues resolved, Helen and Stanley decide to actually have an intimate night in their old bed, much to Ralph's dismay, as he now has to bunk with the trio.
Trivia[]
- Suzanne Somers only appears in the opening and credits.
- This is the Ropers' last appearance on this or any other TV show. Also, this is the only time that the Ropers and Mr. Furley appear together on screen, and the only time that the Ropers and Cindy appear together on screen.