List of Benson episodes

This is a list of episodes in the ABC television series Benson.

At present, the first season has been released on DVD by Sony Pictures.^[1]

Series overview

Season		№ of episodes	Premiered:	Ended:	DVD set release date
	1	24	1979.09.13	1980.05.08	2007.07.24
	2	22	1980.10.31	1981.05.22	--
	3	22	1981.11.06	1982.05.14	--
	4	22	1982.10.22	1983.03.31	--
	5	22	1983.09.16	1984.05.04	--
	6	24	1984.09.21	1985.04.05	--
	7	22	1985.10.04	1986.04.19	--

Episodes

• № = Overall episode number
• Ep = Episode number within the season

Season 1: 1979–80

№	Ep	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	1	"Pilot"	Jay Sandrich	Susan Harris	September 13, 1979
Benson DuBois, butler to Jessica Tate (from Soap), becomes "director of household affairs" for her cousin, Governor Gene Gatling. Benson negotiates a compromise between supporters of bridge construction and beaver preservation. His success lands him a trial offer to be the governor's aide.
2	2	"Trust Me"	Peter Baldwin	Lee Maddux, Tom Reeder	September 20, 1979
Katie sneaks away to a rock concert over her father's objections, and Benson, who'd been assigned to enforce the prohibition, prepares to resign his position.
3	3	"The President's Double"	Jay Sandrich	Tom Reeder	September 27, 1979
After the life of a visiting African president is threatened, Benson is appointed to impersonate him at a state dinner.
4	4	"Benson in Love"	Peter Baldwin	Bob Colleary	October 4, 1979
Benson meets the attractive Francine Wade in the waiting room of the mansion and asks her out, not knowing she is a state senator.
5	5	"Conflict of Interest"	Jay Sandrich	Paul Wayne	October 18, 1979
The Governor faces a conflict between his duties as a father and his duties as a governor: an important investigative hearing comes up the same night that Gatling had promised Katie he would attend her school play.
6	6	"The Layoff"	Peter Baldwin	Bob Colleary	October 25, 1979
After Governor Gatling embarks on a budget-cutting campaign, Benson must decide which staff members to lay off. Katie resents Benson when he selects the sweet, elderly pastry chef who brightens up everyone's day.
7	7	"Snowbound"	Jay Sandrich	Susan Harris, Stu Silver	November 1, 1979
Governor Gatling wants the staff to join him on his retreat to a snow cottage. Benson agrees when he learns that Kraus will not attend. Then Kraus changes her mind, and, to make matters worse, the staff gets snowed in.
8	8	"Jessica"	Jay Sandrich	Bob Colleary, Tom Reeder	November 8, 1979
Jessica Tate visits and falls in love with the French Baron d'Arvenaux. A potential scandal ensues when the baron dies in his hotel room.
9	9	"Don't Quote Me"	Peter Baldwin	Tom Reeder	November 22, 1979
A scandalous remark about a senator is aired, endangering the governor's administration.
10	10	"War Stories"	Jay Sandrich	Mike Weinberger	November 29, 1979
Benson introduces an old army buddy to single Marcy, not knowing the man is married.
11	11	"Ghost Story"	Tony Mordente	Jeff Levin, Rick McCurdy	December 6, 1979
The mansion is haunted by a nineteeth-century governor who was murdered.
12	12	"Taylor's Bid"	John Bowab	Jeff Levin, Rick McCurdy	December 13, 1979
Taylor decides to resign his position as adviser in order to run for public office.
13	13	"One Strike, You're Out"	Jay Sandrich	Warren S. Murray	December 27, 1979
The domestic workers strike, threatening a high-level dinner.
14	14	"Just Friends"	John Bowab	Bob Colleary	January 3, 1980
Governor Gatling works to persuade entrepreneur Howard Walker to settle his new factory in his state, causing discomfort for Benson, who once romanced the man's wife.
15	15	"Chain of Command"	Asaad Kelada	Tom Reeder	January 10, 1980
During the governor's illness, the lieutenant governor advances a bill that Gatling opposes, hoping to take Gatling's place permanently. Benson must come to the rescue.
16	16	"Bugging the Governor"	Asaad Kelada	Bernard Dilbert	January 24, 1980
Someone is bugging the mansion.
17	17	"Kraus Affair"	Tony Mordente	Jeff Levin, Mitch Markowitz, Rick McCurdy	January 31, 1980
Kraus falls for the butcher, but she lacks the self-confidence to ask him out.
18	18	"Checkmate"	Tony Mordente	Mark Barkan, Bob Colleary, Louis A. Coppola, Tom Reeder	February 7, 1980
An eleven-year-old Soviet, brought to the mansion for a chess tournament, implores Katie to hide him in her room. When the Soviets can't find him, they threaten war if the boy is not returned.
19	19	"Cold Storage"	John Bowab	Jim Tisdale	February 28, 1980
Benson and Kraus get locked in the basement together.
20	20	"Old Man Gatlin'"	John Bowab	Jeff Levin, Rick McCurdy	March 6, 1980
The Governor's loudmouthed father comes to visit and wreaks havoc among the staff.
21	21	"Power Play"	John Tracy	Jeff Levin, Rick McCurdy	March 20, 1980
A load of dead fish and sludge is delivered to the mansion by El Gato, a conservationist.
22	22	"Takin' It to the Streets"	Tony Mordente	Wally Dalton, Shelley Zellman	March 27, 1980
Wanting to know how the "little people" really feel, Governor Gatling and Benson make an incognito visit to a mangy bar to mix with the constituents.
23	23	"The Army Wants You"	Tony Mordente	Paul Raley	May 1, 1980
A confusion about records from the Korean War leads to concerns about Benson's loyalties.
24	24	"Marcy's Vacation"	Don Barnhart	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	May 8, 1980
Going on vacation, Marcy worries that her replacement may do a better job than she and retain the position permanently.

Season 2: 1980–81

№	Ep	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
25	1	"Thick as Thieves"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	October 31, 1980
Benson and Kraus are held hostage during a market robbery.
26	2	"Benson in the Hospital"	John Rich	Rich Reinhart	November 7, 1980
Benson has a strange malady that has all the doctors puzzled.
27	3	"Fool's Gold"	John Rich	Bob Colleary, Tom Whedon	November 14, 1980
Benson's discovery of a map suggesting hidden treasure leads to gold fever among the governor's staff.
28	4	"Masquerade"	John Rich	Jeff Levin, Rick McCurdy	November 21, 1980
A group of revolutionaries seeks to steal a statue from the mansion.
29	5	"First Lady"	John Rich	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	November 28, 1980
Katie is jealous when her father gives special treatment to a very important hostess whom he calls Pretty Lily.
30	6	"Citizen Kraus"	John Rich	Len Riley, Bud Slocomb	December 12, 1980
Gretchen attends night classes in order to win her American citizenship, but, despite a lot of hard work, she fails the test.
31	7	"Benson's Groupie"	John Rich	Bob Colleary	December 19, 1980
Benson's summer romance follows him home at the same time important religious leaders visit the mansion.
32	8	"In High Places"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	January 9, 1981
The pilot of the Governor's charter plane becomes ill and there is no co-pilot, so Benson tries to fly the plane himself.
33	9	"Old School Ties"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	January 16, 1981
Libby, the Governor's sister, thinks that Katie should be sent to a boarding school. The staff is crushed when the Governor takes his sister's advice.
34	10	"The Apartment"	John Rich	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	January 23, 1981
Wanting some privacy, Benson rents an apartment. Despite his efforts, everybody manages to know where he is.
35	11	"Big Buddy"	John Rich	Bob Colleary, Tom Whedon	February 6, 1981
The press secretary hatches a new scheme and it involves Benson in a "Big Buddy" program.
36	12	"Fireside Chat"	John Rich	Tom Whedon	February 13, 1981
The Governor is scheduled to be on television. But a lover's quarrel between Marcy and Dan (the telecast's producer) bleeds through and ruins the telecast.
37	13	"Marcy's Wedding"	John Rich	Bob Colleary	February 20, 1981
Marcy is marrying Dan, a producer, and Benson is responsible for the wedding plans. But Marcy's mother intrudes and disrupts Benson's arrangements.
38	14	"Rivals"	John Rich	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	February 27, 1981
Kraus's childhood rival visits from Germany, expecting to find the cook married to the governor.
39	15	"No Sad Songs"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	March 6, 1981
Benson's mother comes to visit and everyone makes her feel welcome; then she suddenly dies.
40	16	"Clayton, Go Home"	John Rich	Bob Colleary, Tom Whedon	March 13, 1981
Clayton hopes to escape death threats by moving into the mansion.
41	17	"Easy Kid Stuff"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	March 20, 1981
After a boy breaks his arm by falling out of a tree, Benson has conflicting feelings about becoming the boy's father-figure.
42	18	"Homework"	John Rich	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	April 3, 1981
Katie is supposed to write a school paper on her family. She writes about her father the Governor, Marcy, Pete, Kraus, and Benson.
43	19	"Handwriting on the Wall"	John Rich	Rich Reinhart	April 10, 1981
A controversial bill brings the governor strange threats.
44	20	"The Governor's House Call"	John Rich	Bob Colleary, Tom Whedon	May 8, 1981
The Governor, Benson and Clayton are trapped in a bordello with a muckraking columnist.
45	21	"All Shook Up"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	May 15, 1981
An earthquake occurs and the Governor imposes orders that include Benson's and Clayton's taking shelter in the cellar.
46	22	"Lifesaver"	John Rich	Rich Reinhart	May 22, 1981
Benson saves Kraus's life but wonders if he did the right thing when her appreciation goes way too far.

Season 3: 1981–82

№	Ep	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
47	1	"Benson's Appointment"	John Rich	Norman Barasch, Bob Colleary	November 6, 1981 (1981-11-06)
The Governor struggles for the legislature's confirmation of his appointment of Benson as the state's budget director.
48	2	"The Grass Ain't Greener"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	November 13, 1981 (1981-11-13)
Benson goes undercover to investigate conditions in a prison.
49	3	"Sit-In"	John Rich	Rich Reinhart	November 27, 1981 (1981-11-27)
In Benson's office, a conductor holds a concert in protest of the musician's plight. Meanwhile, it's Marcy's last day working with Benson.
50	4	"Double Exposure"	John Rich	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	December 4, 1981 (1981-12-04)
Benson must help an FBI agent uncover a bribery scheme.
51	5	"The Lobbyist"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	December 11, 1981 (1981-12-11)
Benson's lobbyist girlfriend approaches Benson with a project he approves, but the project brings Benson charges of corruption.
52	6	"Stress"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser, Michael J. Weithorn	December 18, 1981 (1981-12-18)
After a day when everyone gets mad at Benson, the Governor holds an encounter session with the staff.
53	7	"Rainbow's End"	John Rich	Russ Woody	December 25, 1981 (1981-12-25)
Benson learns that his old flame is confined to a wheelchair; Clayton is trying to celebrate his birthday.
54	8	"Once in a Blue Moon"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	January 8, 1982 (1982-01-08)
Clayton is assaulted and Benson approves tighter security at his expense.
55	9	"Kraus Falls in Love"	John Rich	Korby Siamis	January 15, 1982 (1982-01-15)
Kraus falls in love with a man who isn't available.
56	10	"Stocks & Options"	John Rich	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	January 22, 1982 (1982-01-22)
Trouble ensues after Benson accepts some stock from Pete as a debt payment.
57	11	"Kraus's Deadly Mistake"	John Rich	Rich Reinhart	February 5, 1982 (1982-02-05)
Kraus tries to live life to the absolute fullest after she gets the idea that she only has six months to live.
58	12	"Wild Irish Rose"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	February 12, 1982 (1982-02-12)
Former Governor Mulligan pays his successor a visit, bringing his attractive niece. Clayton is taken with her beauty and tries to ingratiate himself with her.
59	13	"Street Gangs"	John Rich	David Langston Smyrl	February 19, 1982 (1982-02-19)
Benson tries to help a street gang stay out of trouble by suggesting they bid for a job with the city.
60	14	"Katie's Romance"	Linda Day	David Langston Smyrl	February 26, 1982 (1982-02-26)
Katie starts to have romantic feelings for Pete after he accompanies her to a gymnastics meet.
61	15	"Clayton's Condo"	John Rich	Rich Reinhart	March 5, 1982 (1982-03-05)
Clayton invests in a condominium.
62	16	"Getting Even"	John Rich	Ralph Phillips	March 12, 1982 (1982-03-12)
A wealthy investor pressures Denise for sexual favors.
63	17	"Pete the Hero"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser, Russ Woody	March 19, 1982 (1982-03-19)
Pete damages a car he borrowed from Benson.
64	18	"In the Red"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	March 26, 1982 (1982-03-26)
Benson has his tax records stolen just days before his audit with the IRS.
65	19	"Teed Off"	John Rich	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	April 2, 1982 (1982-04-02)
Benson, the Governor, Clayton, and Pete are at each other's throats after playing a round of golf together.
66	20	"The Party's Over"	John Rich	Rich Reinhart	April 30, 1982 (1982-04-30)
The Governor learns a lot about dirty politics when his party won't support his renomination.
67	21	"The Lumber Mill"	John Rich	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	May 7, 1982 (1982-05-07)
After visiting his old lumber mill, the Governor decides to run for re-election as an independent.
68	22	"Black Tuesday"	John Rich	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	May 14, 1982 (1982-05-14)
The Governor's campaign comes to a hectic close: he appears to have lost.

Season 4: 1982–83

№	Ep	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
69	1	"Death in a Funny Position: Part 1"	Bill Foster	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	October 22, 1982 (1982-10-22)
A yacht cruise becomes a murder mystery when the owner of the boat is stabbed to death.
70	2	"Death in a Funny Position: Part 2"	Bill Foster	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	October 22, 1982 (1982-10-22)
Murders are committed on a working vacation aboard a yacht, but Benson saves the day.
71	3	"What a Revoltin' Development"	Bill Foster	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	October 29, 1982 (1982-10-29)
While attending a conference in Latin America, Benson and Pete are kidnapped by revolutionaries.
72	4	"Thy Brother's Keeper"	Tony Singletary	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	November 5, 1982 (1982-11-05)
Benson's younger brother visits him at the same time an important report is due.
73	5	"Quest for Retire"	Bill Foster	Ralph Phillips	November 12, 1982 (1982-11-12)
Charlie, the mansion's gardener, seeks Benson's help to avoid mandatory retirement.
74	6	"Teacher's Pest"	Bill Foster	Don Hart, Richard Vaczy	November 19, 1982 (1982-11-19)
Kraus must pass an economics test to keep her job. When she finds out that Benson is going to be her teacher, she thinks that it's hopeless.
75	7	"Benson's Army Reunion"	Bill Foster	Ralph Phillips	November 26, 1982 (1982-11-26)
Benson holds an army reunion. Envy surfaces when Kim, a Korean kid the group befriended during the war, turns out to have become a multi-millionaire.
76	8	"Benson's New Home"	Bill Foster	Bob Colleary	December 3, 1982 (1982-12-03)
Benson buys a house from a shady salesman and tries to get him to renovate it.
77	9	"Crimes of the Hearth"	Bill Foster	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	December 10, 1982 (1982-12-10)
When Benson's condo is burglarized, he finds out that it won't be easy to catch the crooks.
78	10	"Mary and Her Lambs"	Rob Dames	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	December 17, 1982 (1982-12-17)
It's Christmastime and Benson helps an assistant cook keep her foster children.
79	11	"Pen Pal"	Bill Foster	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	December 31, 1982 (1982-12-31)
Kraus's pen pal, an ex-convict, visits her, hoping for a job.
80	12	"The Honeymooners"	Gary Brown	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	January 7, 1983 (1983-01-07)
Kraus is about to get married. But when the groom can't make it, Benson stands in as proxy.
81	13	"Close Encounters on the Third Hole"	Bill Foster	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	January 14, 1983 (1983-01-14)
While Benson and the Governor are playing golf, a UFO shows up.
82	14	"Katie's Boyfriend"	Mark Warren	Bob Colleary	January 21, 1983 (1983-01-21)
The Governor allows Katie to go on her first date.
83	15	"The Royal Painting"	Bill Foster	Joan Brooker, Nancy Eddo	January 28, 1983 (1983-01-28)
A former street gang is hired to paint the mansion in preparation for a visit from the Queen of England.
84	16	"Boys Night Out"	Bill Foster	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	February 4, 1983 (1983-02-04)
The men come to Benson's house to swap stories, play cards, and watch TV. Benson is a little disappointed in the Governor for vetoing a bill Benson supported.
85	17	"Family Tree"	Bill Foster	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	February 18, 1983 (1983-02-18)
Benson and Clayton learn that they might be related to each other.
86	18	"Calamity Kraus"	Bill Foster	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	February 25, 1983 (1983-02-25)
Kraus pretends to be a wealthy heiress to keep a manufacturing plant in the state.
87	19	"Kraus Sings the Blues"	Bill Foster	Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan	March 4, 1983 (1983-03-04)
Benson hosts a telethon; when other acts cancel, he lets Kraus sing.
88	20	"Half-Court Trap"	Bill Foster	Bill Boulware	March 11, 1983 (1983-03-11)
Benson learns that his nephew, a basketball star, can hardly read or write.
89	21	"A View from the Roof"	Bill Foster	Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan	March 18, 1983 (1983-03-18)
Benson and the Governor try putting an antenna on the roof, but the ladder falls and the two get trapped up there.
90	22	"Love in a Funny Phase"	Linda Day	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	March 31, 1983 (1983-03-31)
Benson's girlfriend announces she'll date other men.

Season 5: 1983–84

№	Ep	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
91	1	"Band of Gold"	Bill Foster	Bill Boulware, Winifred Hervey	September 16, 1983 (1983-09-16)
In the fifth-season opener, Denise and Pete are about to get married in the woods.
92	2	"Human Element"	Gary Brown	Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan	September 23, 1983 (1983-09-23)
A robot is brought into the mansion, causing discomfort among the staff.
93	3	"God, I Need This Job"	Bill Foster	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	September 30, 1983 (1983-09-30)
Everyone thinks that Benson is out of it when he sees, hears, and talks to Jessica Tate's ghost.
94	4	"Who's Arnold?"	Bill Foster	Winifred Hervey	October 7, 1983 (1983-10-07)
Benson poses as Kraus's husband when her mother visits from Germany.
95	5	"Full Court Press"	Katherine Helmond	Bill Boulware	October 21, 1983 (1983-10-21)
Katie is assigned to write a report about what goes on in the mansion, resulting in Clayton's lawsuit against Benson for defamation.
96	6	"Down the Drain"	Bill Foster	Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan	October 28, 1983 (1983-10-28)
Plumbing problems at Benson's flat cause him to call a crotchety old workman to fix his sink. But something unexpected happens to the plumber.
97	7	"It Ain't Sheik"	Bill Foster	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser, Ralph Phillips	November 4, 1983 (1983-11-04)
Benson gets the annoying assignments of persuading a sheik to alter his plans for a multi-million dollar headquarter complex, and of stopping the sheik's passionate advances toward Kraus.
98	8	"You Can't Give It Away"	Rob Dames	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	November 11, 1983 (1983-11-11)
Benson wins the state lottery.
99	9	"Katie's Cookies"	Bill Foster	Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan	November 18, 1983 (1983-11-18)
Benson helps Katie to win a cookie contest while he's supposed to be testifying against the mob.
100	10	"Labor Pains"	Gary Brown	Bill Boulware	November 25, 1983 (1983-11-25)
While Benson's neighbor is trapped in a snowstorm, Benson must take care of his baby.
101	11	"Unlisted Love"	Gary Brown	Winifred Hervey	December 2, 1983 (1983-12-02)
The Governor meets again the woman he had a crush on in high school.
102	12	"The Governor's Brain Is Missing"	Bill Foster	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	December 16, 1983 (1983-12-16)
Army operatives replace Governor Gatling with a double.
103	13	"A Real Gone Daddy"	Ellen Falcon	Daryl G. Nickens	December 23, 1983 (1983-12-23)
Benson receives an honorary degree at Pete’s alma mater, but the festivities take a strange turn when nostalgia transforms Pete into the coffeehouse poet he used to be.
104	14	"Too Pooped to Pip"	Gary Brown, Mark Warren	Winifred Hervey	January 6, 1984 (1984-01-06)
Benson tries hard to get Gladys Knight and the Pips to perform at a telethon.
105	15	"In All the Wrong Places"	Gary Brown	Bill Boulware	January 13, 1984 (1984-01-13)
Katie’s school chum, Winston, starts a campaign to get his widowed mother and Benson to the altar.
106	16	"Embarrassing Moments"	Bill Foster	Debra Frank, Scott Rubenstein	January 20, 1984 (1984-01-20)
Benson is named Citywide Magazine's "Bachelor of the Month," but the female response threatens his romance with the photographer.
107	17	"Take My Life, Please"	Gary Brown	Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan	January 27, 1984 (1984-01-27)
When the visiting President orders a security check of all the employees at the mansion, Benson is labeled a spy.
108	18	"Beauty and the Beef"	Bill Foster	Winifred Hervey	February 3, 1984 (1984-02-03)
When Benson judges a beauty pageant, Clayton and Governor Gatling try to sway the vote in their directions.
109	19	"We Deliver"	Bill Foster	Bill Boulware	February 24, 1984 (1984-02-24)
While Denise is about to give birth, Denise, Benson, and the Governor get stuck in an elevator.
110	20	"The Endicott Dynasty"	Bill Foster	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	March 2, 1984 (1984-03-02)
Clayton gets upset when his father chooses Benson to run his business empire upon his death.
111	21	"The Little Hotel That Could"	Katherine Helmond	Robin Pennington	March 9, 1984 (1984-03-09)
Kraus nags Benson into joining her to save an old hotel from being torn down.
112	22	"Let's Play Doctor"	Gary Brown	Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan	May 4, 1984 (1984-05-04)
Benson learns that a crusty old doctor, up for the governor's Humanitarian Award, does not have a medical license.

Season 6: 1984–85

№	Ep	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
113	1	"The Scandal"	Gary Brown	Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan	September 21, 1984 (1984-09-21)
While going undercover, Benson learns that the lieutenant governor is accepting bribes from a construction company.
114	2	"The Inheritance"	Gary Brown	Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer	September 28, 1984 (1984-09-28)
Benson finds it hard to believe that he is the sole heir to the Playbird magazine empire.
115	3	"Let's Get Physical"	Bill Foster	Robin Pennington	October 12, 1984 (1984-10-12)
Benson's pleasure turns to panic when the attractive doctor who conducted his physical wants to meet with him to discuss the results.
116	4	"The Campaign"	Gary Brown	Bill Boulware	October 19, 1984 (1984-10-19)
After Benson decides to run for lieutenant governor, he learns that a major supporter expects to be repaid with political favors.
117	5	"The Election"	Gary Brown	Winifred Hervey	October 26, 1984 (1984-10-26)
Benson's campaign runs out of money.
118	6	"Made in Hong Kong: Part 1"	Bill Foster	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	November 2, 1984 (1984-11-02)
Benson, the Governor, Clayton, and Kraus go off to Hong Kong, where Clayton is mistaken for a famous designer and kidnapped by a fashion tycoon and her henchmen.
119	7	"Made in Hong Kong: Part 2"	Bill Foster	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	November 9, 1984 (1984-11-09)
Benson, with help from the police, is pursued while trying to rescue the captured Governor and Kraus, who earlier attempted to rescue Clayton from Lady Van Dyne.
120	8	"Hello, We Must Be Going"	Gary Brown	Bill Boulware	November 16, 1984 (1984-11-16)
Benson plans to name Kraus his assistant,but things go awry when someone with political clout is hired instead.
121	9	"Double Date"	Gilbert Moses	Ron Birnbach, Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	November 23, 1984 (1984-11-23)
Benson fixes Clayton up with a date.
122	10	"Taking It to the Max"	Rob Dames	Winifred Hervey	November 30, 1984 (1984-11-30)
Benson is shocked when his sister ignores his advice to be cautious with her ex-boyfriend.
123	11	"The Reunion"	Gilbert Moses	Winifred Hervey	December 7, 1984 (1984-12-07)
Benson visits with his brother and uncle, whom he hasn't seen in years.
124	12	"Make War, Not Love"	Katherine Helmond	Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan	December 14, 1984 (1984-12-14)
Benson's attendance at a trade conference sets off two nations' declaration of war.
125	13	"Home for Christmas"	Bill Foster	Bob Colleary	December 21, 1984 (1984-12-21)
While unconscious after tripping and falling, Benson dreams about Christmas with his mother.
126	14	"On the Road"	Bill Foster	Bill Boulware	January 11, 1985 (1985-01-11)
When Kraus doesn't show up for a while, Benson discovers she has returned to acting. He disguises himself as a limousine driver to try to get her back.
127	15	"Take This Job and Love It"	Bill Foster	Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan	January 18, 1985 (1985-01-18)
Benson takes on a mayor who plans to outlaw breakdancing in public places.
128	16	"Making Change"	Rob Dames	Winifred Hervey	January 25, 1985 (1985-01-25)
Benson, the Governor, Kraus, and Clayton talk about people from their pasts who influenced their lives.
129	17	"Solid Gold"	Gary Brown	Bill Boulware	February 1, 1985 (1985-02-01)
On a trip to Las Vegas, Katie and the Governor do some bonding, Clayton does some gambling, and Benson and Kraus take part in a lounge act.
130	18	"The Oval Office"	Bill Foster	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	February 8, 1985 (1985-02-08)
Called in by President Reagan because of a remark Benson made, Benson and the Governor get trapped in the Oval Office.
131	19	"Mid-life Cowboy" "Mid-life Crisis"	Gary Brown	Cherie Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner	February 15, 1985 (1985-02-15)
An exhausted Governor Gatling decides to unwind by playing cowboy at a dude ranch.
132	20	"Scenario"	Rob Dames	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	February 22, 1985 (1985-02-22)
Benson, the Governor, and everyone else in the mansion go to the bomb cellar to try to prepare for a nuclear attack.
133	21	"Dubois: Portrait of a Politician"	Rob Dames	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	March 15, 1985 (1985-03-15)
While the Governor is away on business, Benson, as acting governor, vetoes a bill that the Governor had agreed to sign.
134	22	"Katie's Cousin"	Bill Foster	Bob Colleary	March 22, 1985 (1985-03-22)
Katie's cousin Laura persuades Katie to lie to her father about sleeping at a friend's house. Benson sees Katie out at a bar instead.
135	23	"The Bookburner"	Gary Brown	Bob Colleary	March 29, 1985 (1985-03-29)
Benson's tie-breaking vote on a school bill leads to a major conflict with a powerful senator and to a book-burning.
136	24	"Jung at Heart"	Bob Fraser	Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan	April 5, 1985 (1985-04-05)
When Clayton is passed over for Man of the Year in favor of Benson, his mind plays him a trick: he believes he has become Benson.

Season 7: 1985–86

№	Ep	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
137	1	"Benson the Hero"	Rob Dames	Bob Colleary	October 4, 1985 (1985-10-04)
Benson foils an armed robbery. So the robber's attorney hits him with a civil suit.
138	2	"Love and Politics"	Bill Foster	John Donley, Clay Graham	October 11, 1985 (1985-10-11)
Benson revisits his romantic relationship with Senator Hartford, but a bill Clayton supports complicates matters.
139	3	"Uncle Jack"	Gary Brown	Robin Pennington	October 18, 1985 (1985-10-18)
Benson tries to bring the Governor and his brother Jack together after a 25-year estrangement.
140	4	"The Stranger"	Bill Foster	Tom Biener, Ron Landry	October 25, 1985 (1985-10-25)
A mysterious stranger lurks around the Governor's mansion on Halloween night.
141	5	"We Spy"	Bill Foster	Jurgen Wolff	November 8, 1985 (1985-11-08)
While Benson and Kraus go to East Germany on official business, the two are accused of being spies.
142	6	"$1,000,000 an Hour"	Gary Brown	Ken Eulo, Elena Yates Eulo	November 15, 1985 (1985-11-15)
Benson and Clayton must spend an $8-million surplus before the next fiscal year begins—in mere hours.
143	7	"Flight of the Dodo: Part 1"	Bill Foster	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	November 29, 1985 (1985-11-29)
On their way to play golf, Benson, the Governor, and Clayton run into danger with Clayton as their helicopter pilot.
144	8	"Flight of the Dodo: Part 2"	Bill Foster	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	December 6, 1985 (1985-12-06)
After crash-landing the helicopter in the desert, Benson, the Governor, and Clayton struggle to survive.
145	9	"Two Boys and Their Dog"	Rob Dames	Don Hart	December 13, 1985 (1985-12-13)
One of Clayton's wacky investment schemes involves a wiener-dog.
146	10	"Last Man on Earth"	Gary Brown	Tom Biener, Ron Landry	January 3, 1986 (1986-01-03)
After talk about Haley's comet, Kraus dreams that she and Benson are the only ones left on earth.
147	11	"Secret Love"	Bill Foster	Tom Biener, Ron Landry	January 18, 1986 (1986-01-18)
Clayton's living arrangements create a problem for his confirmation to be the state's budget director.
148	12	"Summer of Discontent"	Whitney J. LeBlanc	John Donley, Clay Graham	January 25, 1986 (1986-01-25)
Benson and the Governor seek advice from a conservationist to help them pass environmental legislation.
149	13	"Parade Rest"	Rob Dames	Bob Colleary	February 1, 1986 (1986-02-01)
A veteran is hired to retile the bathroom, but disappears.
150	14	"Reel Murder: Part 1"	Bob Fraser	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	February 8, 1986 (1986-02-08)
Actor George Kennedy's plan to film a movie in the Governor's mansion turns into a murder mystery.
151	15	"Reel Murder: Part 2"	Bob Fraser	Rob Dames, Bob Fraser	February 15, 1986 (1986-02-15)
With everyone's lives in danger and not much time left, they try to crack the case.
152	16	"The Hat and the Ring"	Lee Shallat Chemel	John Donley, Clay Graham	February 22, 1986 (1986-02-22)
Benson is convinced that the question Senator Hartford has for him is "the" question.
153	17	"The Bucks Stop Here"	Bill Foster	Don Hart	March 1, 1986 (1986-03-01)
Clayton has his sights on running the family fortune, until he meets his father's young, pretty fiancee.
154	18	"Pardon Me"	Rob Dames	Bob Colleary	March 15, 1986 (1986-03-15)
Benson persuades the governor to pardon a man wrongly imprisoned for 25 years, but he’d rather stay in prison.
155	19	"Hi, Society"	Gary Brown	Bob Colleary	March 22, 1986 (1986-03-22)
A conservation expert may help Benson and the Governor pass an important bill. But when Kraus hears of the strategy, she leaks it to a friend, who turns out to be a gossip columnist.
156	20	"Three on a Mismatch"	Rob Dames	John Donley, Clay Graham, Bill Overton, Ken Russ	March 29, 1986 (1986-03-29)
The Governor answers a personals ad.
157	21	"Friends and Enemies"	Hilton L. Smack	Tom Biener, Ron Landry	April 12, 1986 (1986-04-12)
With Governor Gatling's latest term about to end, the assumption is that he can't run again. Then he learns that he can run again and does, competing with his old friend Benson for the job.
158	22	"And the Winner Is..."	Gary Brown	Tom Biener, Ron Landry	April 19, 1986 (1986-04-19)
Will the winner of the election be Benson, Governor Gatling, or a crooked senator?

Sources

• Benson at the Internet Movie Database
• Benson at epguides.com

1. ^ DVD release info at TVShowsOnDVD.com