Introduction

Major Dad is an American sitcom television series created by Richard C. Okie and John G. Stephens, developed by Earl Pomerantz, that originally ran from 17 September 1989 to 17 May 1993 on CBS.

It starred Gerald McRaney as Major John D. MacGillis and Shanna Reed as his wife Polly. The cast also includes Beverly Archer, Matt Mulhern, Jon Cypher, Marisa Ryan, Nicole Dubuc, and Chelsea Hertford.

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Outline

The first season is set at the fictional Camp Singleton (meant to represent Camp Pendleton), where hard-charging United States Marine Corps Major John D. “Mac” MacGillis is commander of the infantry training school’s acquisition division. MacGillis’s life is changed when he falls in love with a liberal journalist, Polly Cooper. The show follows Mac in his work life, where he deals with Lieutenant Eugene Holowachuk (Matt Mulhern), Sergeant Byron James (Marlon Archey), and Merilee Gunderson (Whitney Kershaw), as well as his home life, as he learns to live with Polly’s three daughters, Elizabeth, Robin, and Casey.

At the beginning of the second season, the MacGillis family moves to Camp Hollister (based on Marine Corps Base Quantico), where Mac must adapt to the role of staff secretary (or “staff weenie”) and the crazy antics of Commanding (Brigadier) General Marcus C. Craig, Aide-de-Camp 1st Lieutenant Eugene Holowachuk (who transferred with Major MacGillis from Camp Singleton), and Gunnery Sergeant Alva “Gunny” Bricker, the General’s secretary, a no-nonsense Marine, who despite her brusque nature and unprepossessing physical appearance, is the target of many enthusiastic (and unseen) suitors.

Character development increased during the second season, such as the revelation that MacGillis is a former member of the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.

Major Dad Series

You can find a full index and overview of Major Dad here.

• Episode 01: Major Dad.
• Episode 02: Just Polly & Me, and the Kids Make Five.
• Episode 03: Rescue Mission.
• Episode 04: Wedding.
• Episode 05: Wounded Flyboy and the Nurse Who Gave Him Reason to Live.
• Episode 06: Twinkle.
• Episode 07: Jane Wayne Day.
• Episode 08: Robin’s Awakening.
• Episode 09: Major Mom.
• Episode 10: Love Doctor.

• Episode 11: See the Hill… Over the Hill.
• Episode 12: Boxer Rebellion.
• Episode 13: Discipline.
• Episode 14: Lemon.
• Episode 15: That Connell Woman.
• Episode 16: Jr.
• Episode 17: Major Coach.
• Episode 18: Camp MacGillis.
• Episode 19: Not with My Daughter You Don’t.
• Episode 20: Officer of the Day.

• Episode 21: All Quiet on the Home Front, Part 01.
• Episode 22: All Quiet on the Home Front, Part 02.
• Episode 23: See the Bridge.
• Episode 24: Standing Tall.
• Episode 25: Face the Music… and Dance, Part 01.
• Episode 26: Face the Music… and Dance, Part 02.

Production & Filming Details

• Release Date: 17 September 1989 to 21 May 1990.
• Running Time: 30 minutes.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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