Ep 18. Runaway

The Facts of Life season 3 episode 18 titled "Runaway" is one of the most powerful and emotionally charged episodes of this long-running sitcom that became a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s. The show is set in Eastland School, an all-girls boarding school, where the lives and experiences of a diverse group of teenage girls are chronicled.

The episode opens with Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae), the wise and nurturing housemother of Eastland School, receiving a phone call from her son, Alex (Todd Holloway). Alex is in town and wants to visit his mother at the school. Mrs. Garrett is overjoyed to see her son and they spend the day catching up and reminiscing about the past. Mrs. Garrett notices that Alex seems troubled and asks him what is wrong. He confides in her that he is having problems with his girlfriend and that he is considering running away from home.

Mrs. Garrett is shocked by Alex's confession and tries to convince him to talk to his parents about his feelings. However, Alex is convinced that his parents will not understand and that he needs to leave home to find his own way. Mrs. Garrett understands how Alex feels, having experienced similar feelings herself when she was his age. However, she also knows how dangerous it is for a young person to run away from home and offers to sit down with Alex and his parents to talk things through.

Meanwhile, Blair (Lisa Whelchel), one of the main characters of the show, is struggling with her own issues. She is unhappy with her affluent lifestyle and feels that her parents are too controlling. Blair confides in Tootie (Kim Fields), another student at Eastland, about her frustrations and mentions that she wishes she could run away from home too. Tootie is alarmed by Blair's statement and tries to convince her that running away is not the answer.

As the episode progresses, Alex becomes more and more desperate to escape his problems and decides to pack his bags and leave the school in the middle of the night. Mrs. Garrett discovers that Alex is missing and goes looking for him. She eventually finds him hiding in the woods, cold and frightened. Mrs. Garrett convinces Alex to return to the school and to call his parents to talk through his problems.

Meanwhile, Blair has a change of heart and decides not to run away from home. She realizes that she needs to confront her parents about her feelings and work things out with them. Tootie supports Blair through her difficult decision, and the two become closer friends as a result.

The episode ends on a positive note, with Alex calling his parents and agreeing to come home and work things out. Blair also decides to reach out to her parents and have an open and honest conversation with them. The message of the episode is clear: running away from your problems is not the answer, and it is important to communicate with others and work through your issues in a healthy and constructive way.

Overall, the Facts of Life season 3 episode 18 "Runaway" is a poignant and heartwarming episode that deals with real-life issues facing teenagers. The show has a relatable and diverse cast of characters and offers a message of hope and resilience despite life's challenges. It is a must-watch for fans of the series and anyone interested in a classic coming-of-age story.