Ep 23. Seems Like Old Times

Seems Like Old Times is the twenty-third episode of the fifth season of the popular 80's sitcom Facts of Life. This episode finds the girls of Eastland School preparing for an alumni celebration that will bring former students back to their alma mater. Tootie and Blair take center stage in the episode as they each deal with their own issues related to the event.

Tootie is surprised when her high school crush, Jeff Williams, returns to Eastland for the reunion. Jeff was the school's star athlete, and Tootie was always in awe of him. Unfortunately for Tootie, Jeff doesn't seem to remember her very well, and she is left feeling hurt and disappointed.

Blair, meanwhile, has her own emotional baggage to deal with. When she learns that her high school friend, David, will be attending the reunion, she becomes nervous about seeing him. Blair and David had a romantic history, but their relationship ended when David cheated on her. Blair is torn between wanting to reconnect with her old flame and wanting to avoid him at all costs.

As the girls prepare for the reunion, they are pleasantly surprised to learn that their old housemother, Mrs. Garrett, will be attending the event. Mrs. Garrett left Eastland to open her own gourmet food business, but she has remained close with the girls over the years. Her presence at the reunion provides the girls with a sense of comfort and familiarity, which they desperately need as they navigate their own emotional issues.

The alumni celebration itself is a mixed bag for the girls. Tootie is thrilled to reconnect with Jeff, but she is disappointed when he seems more interested in the other alumni than in her. Blair, too, struggles with her feelings for David. When she finally confronts him about his past actions, she is surprised to learn that he has been carrying a torch for her all these years. The episode ends with Blair and David sharing a kiss, while Tootie reflects on the fact that sometimes the past really is best left behind.

Seems Like Old Times is a poignant and relatable episode that deals with the universal themes of unrequited love and the difficulty of moving on from past hurts. It features touching performances from the show's cast, especially from Mindy Cohn (Tootie) and Lisa Whelchel (Blair). Fans of The Facts of Life will particularly enjoy this episode, as it provides a glimpse into the girls' lives after they leave Eastland and move on to new adventures.