Ranking The Golden Girls Seasons

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Ranking The Golden Girls Seasons

Throughout its run, The Golden Girls reached 180 episodes across seven seasons. Not all seasons were great, but most were quite strong with every season having at least a couple of instant classic episodes. This is my ranking of all seven seasons of this classic sitcom based on a number of amazing episodes and great character arcs/moments.

7. Season 2

The reason why this season ranks lowest on my list is solely for the extended emphasis on family issues. Whenever the show focused more on family members, it suffered. The main crew is the one we came for and not the uninteresting side characters. With that being said, this was still a very good season that made great use of all the main characters and it had its stellar, classic episodes for sure.

Best Moment – This was a difficult decision and I almost went with that moment when they went to the funeral of a horrible neighbor. That was a hilarious scene. But undoubtedly the most memorable moment this season had to offer is the one where the girls landed in jail and Sophia had to bail them out while making fun of them in the process.

6. Season 4

Sophia got promoted to the main cast in Season 4, which was delightful to witness, and the group did not get separated into different subplots too much here, which was also a terrific choice. It’s a great season that got this weak spot only because of its overemphasis on boring filler episodes.

Best Moment – The episode where Sophia refused to have cheesy conversations with her daughter, but spend quality time together spontaneously was a terrific one, but the highlight of the season was the moment when Dorothy had to let Stan go even though she realized just how caring he can be. It was quite a moving, important moment in her journey.

5. Season 6

This penultimate season had its issues. Rose was sidelined way too often for one. Also, the show here tackled many serious issues, thus losing some of the comedy in the process. Still though, it’s a very well written, strong season that has a plethora of classic, unforgettable and emotional episodes that rank among the series’ best.

Best Moment – Undoubtedly the greatest moment in this season came during the episode where Blanche’s dead husband returned to life. Eventually, it turns out that this had been a dream all along. That final scene was so emotionally powerful and universally relatable that I was taken aback by its raw power and it was the first time the show genuinely made me cry.

4. Season 3

The third season has its unfortunate filler episodes and many episodes only had one subplot that was truly great, but this season still had its numerous classic episodes with the best ones focusing on the girls’ individuality and their wonderful friendship. Rose and Sophia were the standouts of this particular season.

Best Moment – In the episode Old Friends, Sophia befriends an older man who eventually is hospitalized for having Alzheimer’s. That ending was so powerful and a great example of the show’s tendency to sometimes hint at the inherent loneliness and heartbreak of an older age while still retaining the crucial optimism that defines the series.

3. Season 1

While not the best season of the show, The Golden Girls was instantly iconic in its very first season because it managed to establish its main characters very quickly. Sophia was too sidelined in the beginning, but the other girls all got their moments to shine and the episodes were mostly quite strong.

Best Moment – The episode where Rose fears that she killed her partners with sex is an iconic one, but the finest moment on this season came when Dorothy had a meaningful conversation with her mother. This scene really moved me as it established just how important treating older people with dignity is.

2. Season 5

The fifth season of The Golden Girls was overly dramatic for its own sake, but at least it dealt with so many important issues effortlessly well and with utmost care. It was even groundbreaking in that regard. It also has its fine comedic episodes that were reasonably diverting and even hilarious, so it very much deserves this high placement.

Best Moment – Blanche decides to give up sex after having a medical scare, but eventually she returns to her old self. That realization was quite moving and this episode was very relatable for anybody who has ever experienced a setback in life. It’s one of the finest hours for Blanche and her character arc.

1. Season 7

Season 7 was a fittingly heartwarming farewell for a show that earned its emotions wholeheartedly. It has its weaker episodes for sure, but most episodes here feature excellent character arcs and are surprisingly emotionally charged, leading to what is surely the deepest season of the series. It is the obvious number one pick for me.

Best Moment – The season and the entire show ended with Dorothy leaving the girls to go live with her new husband and that final scene was perfectly executed, funny and thoroughly heartbreaking. I cried so much during this episode, which rarely happens for me, but this show earned its emotions and that final scene will stay with me forever.