The BEST episodes of Rich Man, Poor Man

Every episode of Rich Man, Poor Man ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Rich Man, Poor Man!

The story of the Jordache brothers, whose lives follow very different paths. While one of them eventually reaches power and wealth, the other comes to the brink of destruction. Against the backdrop of the Korean War, student riots and the struggle of blacks for civil rights.

Last Updated: 2/25/2024Network: ABC (US)Status: Ended
Share:
Chapter 12
star
9.00
5 votes

#1 - Chapter 12

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/15/1976

The dramatic conclusion of RICH MAN, POOR MAN BOOK 1.

Directors: Boris Sagal
Writer: Dean Riesner
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 2
star
8.25
8 votes

#2 - Chapter 2

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/1/1976

Rudy's dispute with his childhood sweetheart Julie leads her into the arms of the town playboy. On one of his escapades Tom discovers the affair, but his misguided efforts to alert Rudy result in disaster. This latest mishap is the last straw for Tom's iron-willed father as he orders Tom out of the house.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 4
star
8.00
6 votes

#3 - Chapter 4

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/2/1976

Trouble continues to follow Tom as he gets involved with young Teresa who becomes pregnant and names him as the father. Because she is a minor, Tom is arrested for statutory rape. Tom's father Axel reluctantly pays off Teresa's father to drop the charges and Tom takes flight again. Axel had planned to finance Rudy's small ski shop, but spent his savings paying off Teresa's father.

Directors: Boris Sagal
Writer: Dean Riesner
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 11
star
7.88
8 votes

#4 - Chapter 11

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/15/1976

As Rudy's political career thrives, Julie continues her battle with drinking. A bad break for Tom turns into good luck when he meets Kay and they begin to fall in love. Rudy contacts Tom with good news: Tom's troubles with the underworld are over and Rudy has located Tom's son Wes. Tom rushes home where he and Wes have an awkward reunion. Julie's concerns about her own son Billy prove accurate as their visit ends poorly. Tom and Wes grow closer until a boating accident threatens to separate father and son once more.

Directors: Boris Sagal
Writer: Dean Riesner
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 10
star
7.80
10 votes

#5 - Chapter 10

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/8/1976

Tom's troubles with Falconetti continue, leading to a bloody confrontation and forcing Tom to flee. While hiding out in New York, Tom receives a surprise visit from Rudy and learns that their mother is dying. The brothers travel together to their mother's bedside and their is a brief reunion before she dies. After the funeral, an awkward encounter between the family and Teddy Boylan revives old memories.

Directors: David Greene
Writer: Dean Riesner
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 3
star
7.75
12 votes

#6 - Chapter 3

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/2/1976

Tom's flight from home led him to California to live with his uncle. While living there, Tom discovers love with Clothilde the housekeeper. But happiness doesn't last long for Tom as he sets out on the road again. Back in Port Phillip, Rudy meets up with local playboy Teddy Boylan and Julie's name comes up in what seems to Rudy a mystifying conversation. Julie has followed her dream to New York where she finds her first break-and a new romance.

Directors: Boris Sagal
Writer: Dean Riesner
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter 8
star
7.64
11 votes

#7 - Chapter 8

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/1/1976

Willie Abbott's (Julie's son) return threatens Rudy's relationship with Julie, forcing Rudy to take action. Ginny Calderwood's vow to get back at Rudy for spurning her affection results in a heated confrontaion between Rudy and Duncan Calderwood. Tom, still on the run from boxings underworld, steps up his search for his wife and son. His desperate efforts lead to dangerous close calls. As the underworld intestifies its mnhunt for Tom, he is forced to flee farther than ever before.

Directors: David Greene (I)
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 9
star
7.63
8 votes

#8 - Chapter 9

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/8/1976

As Rudy breaks up his partnership with Duncan Calderwood, he considers a career in politics. But first he realizes his longtime dream of marrying Julie. Tom continues his life away at sea, constantly on the move. On his latest ship he confronts a vicious foe in Falconetti, while beginning a friendship with Roy Dwyer. As Rudy's campaign heats up, he and Julie are forced to confront the many demands and strains of a political career.

Directors: Boris Sagal
Writer: Dean Riesner
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 6
star
7.58
12 votes

#9 - Chapter 6

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/16/1976

After an unsuccessful attempt at saving his marriage and keeping his family together, Tom returns to the boxing ring. But his affair with a new woman draws him deep into boxings dangerous underworld. Rudy's business career has taken off and he turns his attention to winning over Julie once more. But Julie is not fully recovered from her rocky marriage. She and Rudy must deal with problems from the past that come back to haunt her.

Directors: Boris Sagal
Writer: Dean Riesner
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 7
star
7.56
9 votes

#10 - Chapter 7

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/23/1976

Rudy's ambitious business proposal to Calderwood takes some unexpected turns. Help comes from an unlikely source and Rudy must make a difficult decision. Tom continues to enjoy success in the boxing ring. Rudy's surprise appearance at one of Tom's bouts proves to be a difficult encounter as the brothers discover that their differences remain after many years. Rudy struggles in his renewed relationship with Julie, while Tom confronts his own family problems.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 5
star
7.36
11 votes

#11 - Chapter 5

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/9/1976

Tom's new life with Theresa begins to bring the happiness that has eluded him. Theresa gives birth to their son, Wesley, and Tom achieves early success as a prizefighter. Upon graduation, Rudy begins his business career after a surprising meeting with Duncan Calderwood. Rudy has since met up with Julie again. After an awkward reacquaintance, Rudy learns of the difficult choices Julie must now make in her life.

Directors: Boris Sagal
Writer: Dean Riesner
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 1
star
6.91
47 votes

#12 - Chapter 1

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/1/1976

As World War II ends, a 20 year odyssey begins for brothers Rudy and Tom Jordache. Two brothers couldn't be more opposite as they compete for the attention of their bitter, embattled immigrant parents. Rudy is hard at work at the family bakery trying to figure a way to pay for college, while Tom gets caught in pranks and fights. As Rudy prepares for graduation from high school, events begin to set each on a path of his own. It's the beginning of an unforgettable tale of two destinies that although quite different, can never be separated.

Writer: Dean Riesner
Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 22
star
0.00
0 votes

#13 - Chapter 22

Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/8/1977

Rudy tracks down the person who is behind Estep's power. Wes gets beaten up by Falconetti and is confronted for the last time by Rudy.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 21
star
0.00
0 votes

#14 - Chapter 21

Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/1/1977

Rudy tracks down the person who is behind Estep's power. Wes gets beaten up by Falconetti and is confronted for the last time by Rudy.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 20
star
0.00
0 votes

#15 - Chapter 20

Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/22/1977

The drama builds as Billy manages to sneak into Estep's files and Mrs. Estep remains hidden away.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 19
star
0.00
0 votes

#16 - Chapter 19

Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/15/1977

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 18
star
0.00
0 votes

#17 - Chapter 18

Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/8/1977

Censure hearings open against Rudy.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 17
star
0.00
0 votes

#18 - Chapter 17

Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/1/1977

Rudy is faced with charges of falsifying evidence connected to the Senate hearings into Estep's businesses.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 16
star
0.00
0 votes

#19 - Chapter 16

Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/18/1977

The Senate hearings collapse; Rudy goes to Aspen. Falconetti goes to work for Estep, target: Rudy Jordache.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 15
star
0.00
0 votes

#20 - Chapter 15

Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/11/1977

The Senate opens hearings investigating Estep.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 14
star
0.00
0 votes

#21 - Chapter 14

Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/4/1977

Billy, working for Estep in Las Vegas, follows Falconetti. Back in Washington, the Senate decides to go forward on hearings investigating Estep.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 13
star
0.00
0 votes

#22 - Chapter 13

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/28/1976

Wesley goes down to the Port Authority to find Roy and ask for a job. Rudy receives a phone call from an unknown person offering information on the death of Sarah Hunt. Falconetti is watching Roy and Wesley. The mysterious caller was Charles Estep's CFO.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 12
star
0.00
0 votes

#23 - Chapter 12

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/21/1976

Charles Estep is aware that Falconetti tried to kill Rudy; he sends one of his men to bail him out so they can get the story of why. Maggie discovers that Falconetti has been bailed out and by whom, but doesn't know why yet. Rudy discovers Wesley and Diane in bed together, right after Diane advises Wesley to go to Ramona and tell her that he loves her. Wesley stops in front of Ramona's house and continues past.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 11
star
0.00
0 votes

#24 - Chapter 11

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/7/1976

In Dallas, Charles worries about Albert Dietrich--Claire's real father--and locates Rudy's weak spot. Up at Whitby, Wes learns about Billy and Ramona and a bitter fight ensues.

Watch Now:Amazon
Chapter 10
star
0.00
0 votes

#25 - Chapter 10

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/30/1976

Wes and Diane get married. Billy confesses to betraying Rudy and wants to help him while Rudy seeks help from Maggie to save his career and bring Estep down.

Watch Now:Amazon