There's a difference between flashback episodes and clip shows. The former had flashback scenes written/filmed specifically for that episode, and the latter merely used footage from previous episodes/seasons. I loathe clip shows, because it's such lazy writing. Besides, I prefer to watch the episodes from whence those so-called flashbacks originated.
FLASHBACK EPISODES: [quote]SEASON 1: "The Way We Met": The girls remember how they came to live together.
[quote]SEASON 2: "Bedtime Story": As the girls figure out how they plan to accommodate some upcoming guests, they recall other unusual sleeping arrangements they've had to endure in the past.
[quote]SEASON 2: "A Piece of Cake": As they plan a surprise birthday party for a friend, the girls recall prior birthday celebrations.
[quote]SEASON 3: "One for the Money": The girls recollect past attempts at starting their own businesses.
[quote]SEASON 3: Three on a Couch": The girls go to group therapy to deal with the growing problems in their friendship.
[quote]SEASON 3: "Mother's Day": On Mother's Day, the girls, who are all mothers themselves, recall past celebrations of the day.
[quote]SEASON 4: "Valentine's Day": The girls Valentine's Day dates all stand them up, so they sit around, eat cheesecake, and look back at memorable Valentine's Days past.
[quote]SEASON 4: "The Rites of Spring": As the girls vow to get in shape for an upcoming beach party, they recall past attempts at self-improvement.
CLIP SHOWS:
[QUOTE]SEASON 3: "Golden Moments: Parts 1 & 2": Sophia decides to move out of the house and live with her son Phil and the girls reflect on Sophia's importance.
[QUOTE]SEASON 4: "We're Outta Here: Parts 1 & 2": A wealthy Japanese businessman offers to buy the house and the girls reminisce on the good times they've shared.
[QUOTE]SEASON 5: "The President's Coming: Parts 1 & 2": A Secret Service agent comes to the house to make sure none of the girls pose a threat to the President's security and performs a background check on them.
[QUOTE]SEASON 6: "Never Yell Fire in a Crowded Retirement Home: Parts 1 & 2": Police suspect that Sophia may be responsible for the fire that destroyed the Shady Pines Retirement Home.
As you can see, the dreadful clip shows started to take over from Season 4 on. Also, there were only four, but they seem twice as more because they were two-parters.