The BEST episodes directed by Betty Thomas

#1 - I Never Invested for My Father

Parenthood - Season 1 - Episode 4

Gil volunteers to help untangle his father's finances; Patty freezes during a ballet recital.

#2 - Jack Air

The Loop - Season 1 - Episode 2

Sam is given an assignment at work to make a low-cost airline carrier, but he may not be able to deliver his proposal because of a tequila challenge he took part in the night before.

#3 - Here Comes the Bribe

Dream On - Season 3 - Episode 8

Martin convinces Toby to marry Gibby so that he can get his green card, but becomes annoyed when the wedding plans disrupt her work.

#4 - So Funny I Forgot to Laugh (aka Stop It, You're Killing Me)

Dream On - Season 2 - Episode 14

An old female friend of Martin's, Bonnie, returns to New York City from Cleveland to pursue a stand-up career. Bonnie's first performance as a stand-up bombs. Martin tries to encourage her by suggesting that she should use her past relationships in her act (which has more humor in it than her current act). Martin and Bonnie start to fall for each other and end up sleeping together. The whole gang shows up for Bonnie's second performance as a stand-up comic. Bonnie, following Martin's advice, discusses her relationships in her act. Unfortunately for Martin, Bonnie sticks to talking about her current relationship. The gang, and the audience, except for Martin, love the new act. Afterwards, the gang offer Bonnie funny stories about Martin. Alone together back at Martin's apartment, Martin almost starts to tell Bonnie about his reactions to her new act. A phone call interrupts. An HBO scout was in the audience and loved the act. Next Friday, Bonnie is informed, an HBO big-wig wil

#5 - The 37-Year Itch

Dream On - Season 2 - Episode 4

Cousin Phil visits, and informs Martin that he has split up with his wife (shrew). While in Martin's office, Phil sees Toby for the first time, and is smitten. Phil begs, and Martin helps Phil pursue Toby.

#6 - Death Takes a Coffee Break

Dream On - Season 1 - Episode 2

Martin, while fooling around with a much younger college girl (an Eddie Charles hook-up), ends up in the hospital. His doctor instructs him to change his lifestyle around to prevent another (possibly worse) incident. Top of the list? Cut out caffeine. Of course, he receives a lot of ridicule as he goes about this.

#7 - The Son Also Rises

Dream On - Season 3 - Episode 19

Martin overreacts when he suspects that Jeremy has begun to have sex.

#8 - Trojan War

Dream On - Season 1 - Episode 10

Despite the continuing distraction of a prior boyfriend, and the deep involvement in the protest movement, Nina and Martin are still together. Nina suggests to Martin that they take the next step in their relationship – an AIDS test.

#9 - 555-HELL

Dream On - Season 1 - Episode 12

Martin's friends and family offer support after Nina's arrest, but he prefers to be alone. While resting in his apartment, Martin receives a call from Irma, a suicidal woman trying to reach 555-HELP. Martin's phone number, it turns out, is 555-HELL. As Irma wants to exit this world at midnight, and as it is only three minutes to midnight, Irma doesn't want to contact the correct phone number. Martin tries to keep her on the line, and keep her from killing herself.

#10 - Over Your Dead Body

Dream On - Season 1 - Episode 7

Martin decides to take his first vacation in a long time, and visits a travel agent. Many expensive options are presented, and Martin settles on Bermuda. Martin is eager and happy to begin his vacation, until his boss visits him. The boss, Sid, wants to know if Martin has heard about the current tragic news circulating throughout the city. The current news story is about the gruesome murder of a family that included the butchering of their dogs. Before Martin can go on his vacation, he has to get the widow signed as an author with Whitestone. The person that would normally do this is out sick. Martin is very reluctant, but cannot say no. Martin finds himself to be rather good at this type of activity, but does not like this fact. The widow, Lyia, is not sure if she wants to drag the sordid mess out before her fellow citizens. They've hounded her enough. On the other hand, she might be tempted to tell her story. At the same time, the police have yet to find the killer.

#11 - ...And Sheep Are Nervous

Dream On - Season 1 - Episode 6

Martin is a member of the audience of the ""Eddie Charles Show."" Today's topic is about the current weak nature of the male gender. Martin, inspired by the guest author of the show, decides to go away to a male-bonding workshop. At the retreat, Martin learns that he is an elephant. After a somewhat disappointing time, Martin returns home. Back in New York, Martin runs into the ""perfect woman"" (Mary) at a supermarket, and they begin a relationship. Mary cooks, cleans and takes care of Martin. Mary is very ready to help and loves to allow Martin to make all the decisions. Mary also expects and encourages Martin to have guests over to watch sporting events on television. Oddly enough, Martin is starting to find Mary grating.

#12 - Three Coins in the Dryer

Dream On - Season 1 - Episode 9

Martin has clothes in the dryer, and more in his arms, as he returns to the laundry room. Martin returns to find a woman that Martin has not seen before reading a book and doing her own laundry. An instant attraction is sparked in both. While chatting with the woman, Nina, Martin finds that his clothes that were in the dryer have been removed and are damp. Martin is very annoyed and expresses his rage at the idiot who removed his clothes and put their many pairs of pants into the dryer. Nina notes that Martin should have been there when the dryer was done, and she wouldn't have had to remove his clothes. Just then the dryer stops. Martin opens the door, Nina protests that the clothes are still wet, and instead of continuing the argument, Martin and Nina kiss and explore each other. The activity continues in Martin's apartment, and involves several days. Office mates, notably Toby, are annoyed at the missing Martin. While extremely happy, Martin and Nina's relationship suddenly

#13 - A Midsummer Night's Dream On

Dream On - Season 4 - Episode 7

Martin, Eddie and Judith meet up at a secluded cabin for a reunion with old friends. Martin has ongoing mutual antipathy with Allison, an old writing rival who has since gone onto fame and success as an author. Eddie is anxious at seeing Cara - a woman he slept with once and never called again, although on first meeting she doesn't recognise him except from his TV show.

#14 - Silent Night, Holy Cow (2)

Dream On - Season 4 - Episode 14

#15 - Pop Secret

Dream On - Season 4 - Episode 4

Martin's divorced father Mickey comes back to live in New York. Martin fixes him up with Toby's mom Angie on a dinner date. He takes her home, but to Toby's irritation ‘does nothing' to her. Martin visits the one- bedroom apartment Mickey is sharing with apartment owner Roger.

#16 - Silent Night, Holy Cow (1)

Dream On - Season 4 - Episode 13

Martin and Judith take a pre-Xmas drive and get stranded in a barn, Eddie is stood up by a girlfriend and spends Xmas in a bar with Santa Claus, Toby wants to become a nun and Jeremy's special Xmas present from his girlfriend doesn't quite go according to plan.

#17 - Pilot

The Loop - Season 1 - Episode 1

Sam has difficulties balancing his new job as an airline executive while still saving enough time to keep up with his slacker friends who don't see working as a priority.

#18 - For Peter's Sake

Dream On - Season 3 - Episode 4

Gibby convinces a reluctant Martin that the big Xmas book should be the memoirs of a gay man dying of AIDS.

#19 - Key for Two

Dream On - Season 3 - Episode 26

Everything seems to be going great in one of Martin's relationships. He and Kate couldn't be happier, and they plan on living together at Martin's apartment.

#20 - Hey Diddle Diddle

Dream On - Season 6 - Episode 23

Martin thinks things are getting out of hand after Judith discovers "some little tricks" to improve her sex life.

#21 - Her Dirty Little Secret

Midnight Caller - Season 3 - Episode 12

Jack recognizes a woman who has been missing for years and in his pursuit of her he uncovers that she intentionally disappeared to avoid beatings from cop husband.

#22 - Episode 6

On the Air - Season 1 - Episode 6

A plumber runs some pipes in the backstage area, in less than convenient places. A bum hanging around backstage, turns out to be a once famous Gypsy magician, that was booked on the show. When the gypsy doesn't appear to be ready to go on, Lester tries learning magic, his latest attempt to steal the spotlight from Betty.