Ruth shows up with her husband in Season 1 episode 14, Seven is Enough. She is equally critical and strikes terror in the family. Her relationship with Eric is not as strong, though, stronger than Eric's relationship with his dad. She does not cry easily, however, does show emotion when Eric reveals that neither she nor the Colonel are fit for raising an orphan named George, not realizing that she wasn't a supportive enough mother. She tends to lighten up after she and her husband adopt George. She returns later on in season one in the episode It's All About George battling his birth dad for custody. When Eric sides against them, she slaps him, but quickly apologizes and leaves, then blames her visiting daughter, Julie, for everything. Annie then interferes, telling her to back off. After