Top 10 Blanche Episodes of The Golden Girls

Blanche Devereaux was everyone’s favorite sex-crazed grandma on The Golden Girls. There was never a dull moment in the Southern Belle’s life. From her dating life to her childhood to her adventures with her roommates, Blanche provided lots of entertainment.

Today’s article will look at 10 of Blanche’s best episodes from the series.

10. Nice and Easy

Blanche's excitement about her niece Lucy's visit diminishes when she young woman starts exhibiting promiscuous behavior. She tries to set her niece straight, but it results in an argument and Lucy storming out. Blanche tracks Lucy down at the apartment of her latest suitor Ed (a Miami Vice obsessed cop). The aunt and niece have a private, heart-to-heart talk. Blanche admits she is promiscuous herself, but she's with a man because she likes him, not because she wants him to like her. Lucy recalls being an ugly duckling, then grew into a beautiful swan who enjoyed the attention. Blanche gives Lucy an important lesson in self-respect, and she needs to love herself before she can love anyone else.

9. And Then There Was One

When Rose signs the girls up for babysitting duty during a Miami marathon race, Blanche reluctantly agrees to the idea. Blanche, who’s never been good with kids, let’s Dorothy and Rose handle most of the work. However, Blanche takes a liking to baby Emily. When Emily’s parents fail to pick her up, the girls must look after her until child services arrive on Monday. Blanche bonds with Emily and contemplates raising Emily on her own. Since Blanche didn’t have a good relationship with her own children, she believes Emily is her second chance. However, Blanche’s dream is dashed when Emily’s father arrives to pick her up. With Emily gone, Blanche phones her daughter Janet and the two begin to repair the riff in their relationship.

8. Mrs. George Devereaux

For weeks Blanche has been receiving flowers from a secret admirer. When she finally goes to meet her mystery man, she’s shocked to find her husband George, who is alive. Upon learning that George faked his death, an angry Blanche must decide whether to forgive him or move on without him. She confesses to the girls she has a recurring dream where George isn’t dead, and they reunite. Later Blanche meets with George, and they reminisce about the first time they met. The couple embraces, but Blanche wakes up, revealing it was all a dream. Instead of being sad, she’s happy because in the dream she finally got to hug George.

The episode gave finally fans a glimpse of George, and his marriage to Blanche. Seeing the couple together, even if it was a dream, tugs at your heartstrings.

7. Blanche’s Little Girl

Blanche is overjoyed when her estranged daughter Rebecca returns for a visit. However, Blanche is for a few surprises. First, Rebecca, a former model, has put on weight. Second, Rebecca is engaged to Jeremy, who constantly verbally abuses her. Blanche doesn’t like the way Jeremy treats Rebecca, however, she’s worried if she says anything she’ll lose her daughter again. Blanche tries to keep quiet, but then reaches her limit and voices her concerns to Rebecca. At first, Rebecca is angry with her mother and storms out. But later she returns and realizes Blanche loves her and wants what’s best for her.

This is an episode some Golden Girls fans have deemed controversial because of the weight jokes. But it’s an important Blanche episode, one that highlights her motherly skills.

6. Sisters and Other Strangers

Blanche’s sister Charmaine makes her only appearance in this episode. In past episodes, Blanche mentioned she and Charmaine didn’t get along. However, Charmaine’s visit has the sisters finally reconnecting. But their peaceful reunion is short-lived when Blanche reads Charmaine’s newest romance novel and believes the heroine is modeled after her. Instead of being flattered, Blanche is upset and no longer wants to speak with her sister. However, the end of the episode Charmaine reveals that she, not Blanche was the inspiration for the character. The sisters realize they have more in common than they think and reconcile.

5. The Commitments

When Dorothy wins tickets to BeatleMania, Blanche agrees to fill in for her friend's blind date. Blanche hits it off with Jerry, yet as their relationship continues, she's confused about why he hasn't made a move on her. She tries to seduce Jerry, but her plan backfires. Later Blanche apologizes for her behavior and learns the reason why Jerry hasn't made a move. Jerry says he finds Blanche attractive but believes in an old-fashioned romance. They agree to start fresh, and Jerry finally kisses Blanche. Later when Rose asks how Blanche feels about her old-fashioned romance, Blanche responds, "Like a lady."

Blanche’s love life is often based on the physical, so it was nice to see one of her relationships can a different turn. The ending with Blanche and Jerry was a tender moment that melts your heart

4. Big Daddy's Little Lady

Blanche's father Big Daddy returns in this Season 2 episode to announce that he's getting married. Blanche is happy for her daddy and immediately starts planning the wedding. However, the plans are halted when she meets Big Daddy's younger fiancée Margaret Spencer. Blanche, being protective over her father, believes Margaret is a gold digger. When Blanche voices her concerns to Big Daddy, the two argue and he storms out. Despite the girls' advice to let it go, Blanche refuses. She goes to Big Daddy's hotel room to try to convince him to call off the wedding. But her father gives her some valuable insight. He reveals that Margaret is a widower like him. They never expected to find love after the death of their spouses, but now that they did, they want to make it official. Blanche usually has trouble admitting she’s wrong, but in this moment she realizes she’s been acting like a fool. Big Daddy’s happiness is what matters most and she gives him and Margaret her blessing.

3. Like the Beep Beep Beep of the Tom-Tom

Sex is an important part of Blanche's life, but when she undergoes pacemaker surgery she has to abstain from her favorite activity. When the doctor gives her permission to return to her normal activities, one would think Blanche would be eager to jump back in the sack. However, Blanche is hesitant to be intimate with her boyfriend Simon. In a shocking twist, Blanche vows to give up sex fearing the pacemaker has ruined her love life. When Blanche tells Simon of his decision, he reluctantly agrees to honor Blanche's decision but wants one last kiss before he goes. The kiss reinvigorates Blanche, who then tests out her new pacemaker with Simon.

Although it was interesting to see Blanche give up sex for a while, there was nothing that could keep her away from her favorite pastime.

2. End of the Curse

The list of Blanche episodes wouldn’t be complete without the episode that won Rue McClanahan an Emmy. Blanche is shocked when a home pregnancy test reveals she’s pregnant. However, a doctor’s visit reveals that she’s not pregnant, but she’s going through menopause. This depresses Blanche who spends her days locked in her room. Finally, the girls convince her to see a psychiatrist, and Blanche opens up about her fears. Now that she’s going through menopause she’s afraid of getting older and losing her appeal. Days later Blanche comes out of her room, but is still depressed despite the girls trying to cheer her up. However, Blanche perks up when she sees the handsome vet, who’s come by to check on the minks the ladies are breeding. Blanche and the vet hit it off, and she proves that she’s still got her appeal.

1. Sister of the Bride

In the Season 4 episode “Scared Straight,” Blanche is shocked when her newly divorced brother Clayton admits he’s gay. Blanche is overcome with mixed emotions, but tries to support Clayton. However, years later when he returns for a visit with his boyfriend Doug, it’s clear Blanche still hasn’t accepted her brother being gay. When Clayton announces his and Doug’s plans to marry, Blanche is appalled. Her behavior towards Clayton and Doug worsens when she embarrasses them in public, leading to a rift between the siblings. Luckily, Sophia gives Blanche some words of wisdom. Sophia reminds Blanche she married George because she loved him. That’s the same reason Clayton and Doug are getting married. “Everyone wants someone to grow old with, and shouldn’t everyone have that chance?” Sophia says in one of the show’s iconic quotes. Blanche apologizes to Clayton and Doug, and gives the couple her support.

This was a very poignant episode that has you annoyed with Blanche, but thanks to Sophia’s advice, she corrects her mistakes.