Ep 24. The Apartment

The Apartment is the 24th episode of the seventh season of the American sitcom, Facts of Life. In this episode, the girls decide to look for their own apartment and move out of Eastland. Mrs. Garrett is initially hesitant about the idea but eventually agrees once she realizes it’s time to let them go and allow them to experience adulthood.

To find the perfect apartment, the girls decide to split up and cover more ground. Tootie and Natalie find a great apartment on the Upper West Side, while Blair and Jo find a beautiful place near the water. However, they soon find out that the landlord they’re supposed to meet is actually a scam artist who uses the girls’ trust and naïveté to scam them into giving him money for a non-existent apartment.

Meanwhile, in their quest to find suitable roommates, the girls advertise for a roommate in the school newspaper. They are overwhelmed with responses and have a hard time choosing the perfect match. Blair, who is used to being in charge, tries to take control of the situation and makes a list of requirements for potential roommates. But her bossiness ultimately turns off potential candidates, leaving them with the difficult task of making a final decision.

Despite the setbacks, the girls remain determined to find the perfect apartment and roommate. They eventually find an apartment that meets all their requirements and decide to move in together. However, Mrs. Garrett has one more surprise for them: she has bought them a new couch for their new apartment. The girls finally move out of Eastland and into their new lives as independent women.

The Apartment is a heartwarming episode that showcases the girls’ independence and courage as they enter the real world. It also highlights the bond between the girls and Mrs. Garrett, who has been their mother figure for several years. The episode beautifully portrays their mixed emotions as they leave Eastland and Mrs. Garrett but also shows their excitement for the future.

The acting by the main cast is superb, and they each bring their unique personalities to the show. Lisa Whelchel shines as Blair, the confident and bossy one, while Mindy Cohn delivers an excellent performance as Natalie, the bubbly and optimistic one. Kim Fields and Nancy McKeon also showcase their acting skills in their respective roles as Tootie and Jo.

The Apartment is a standout episode in the series and a fitting end to the seventh season. It’s a must-watch for anyone who has followed the girls’ journey through the years and wants to see them take their first steps towards adulthood.