Down to Earth Season 3, Episode 5: Obsolete Ethel

The Russian Defector

Lizzy invites Illyitch, a russian foreign exchange student, over to the Preston's. Duane isn't happy about having a communist in the house. Illyitch enters, accompanied by Krankov, a bodyguard/high-diplomat, who shortly leaves. Ethel is exposed for knowing to speak Russian. Illyitch likes Lizzy, and vice-versa. They look at pictures together, and he's quite in the prom pictures. Illyitch lets the family know he wants to defect in a game of cherades. Not wanting to create an international incident, got on the phone, and put on hold. Krankov returns and just before the door opens, Ethel ""snaps"" Illyitch into the kitchen. They stall and try not to give themselves away. Illyitch talks about being home-sick, and Lizzy explains defecting to him, and doesn't want to leave his country forever, just for an extra week to go to prom. They tell this to Krankov and he says no, but Ethel convinces him. They go to prom, and Illyitch looks so happy.

30 min

Eskimo Shoes

Richard has a new product for his mail-order catalog to do, and has to test it. It's eskimo shoes that are supposed to keep your feet warm, but it being August and 90 degrees, how would they test it? Lizzy and Duane had parties to go on Saturday, the day he wanted to test them, and they said they'd go if he would take them somewhere cold enough to test them. Ethel talked with the butcher and he said they could use their meat locker on Saturday after they closed. She announced it and the teens are upset when it sticks to what they said, but do it. Duane slams the door, and it jammed shut. They tried several different things, but nothing worked. They all got a little closer while inside, then finally Ehtel 'snapped' out and let them all out, while putting her clothes on a piece of meat and J.J. distracted them. They were all happy to go.

30 min

Art or Bust

30 min

Epidemic

30 min

Name, Rank and Social Security Number

30 min

Duane's Car

It's Duane's 17th birthday, and he expects a car. But the car that he recieves is not the one he anticipated -- a 1955 Ford, complete with a ghost of the previous owner. In order for the ghost to dissipate, Duane must sincerly thank his father for the car... which isn't an easy task, considering the fact that Duane hates his gift.

30 min

House Arrest

30 min

Lost and Found

30 min

The Radio Show

30 min

Future Shock

After taking a hit on the head (from Ethel's protest sign), Lissy is able to tell the future -- and the future looks bright for nearly everyone. Richard's rapid-growth fertilizer grows a tree overnight; Jay Jay gets the winning hit in a ball game and Candy gets out of a traffic ticket. But then there's Duane, who has a blind date with a model... a date that Lissy becomes convinced will be a total disaster.

30 min

Remember When

30 min

The Lissy Caper

30 min

Luster/Jake Special

30 min

Romeo and Juliet

30 min

A Star is Born

30 min

Trading Places

30 min