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The Best Episodes of American Dreams

Every episode of American Dreams ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of American Dreams!

American Dreams is an American television drama program broadcast on the NBC television network, produced by Once A Frog and Dick Clark Productions in association...
Genre:Drama
Network:NBC

Best Episodes Summary

"The Long Goodbye" is the best rated episode of "American Dreams". It scored 9.9/10 based on 21 votes. Directed by David Semel and written by N/A, it aired on 11/30/2003. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Shoot the Moon".

  • The Long Goodbye
    9.9/1021 votes
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    #1 - The Long Goodbye

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 11/30/2003

    As JJ prepares to leave he and Beth celebrate their engagement. Beth and her mother can not seem to agree upon anything while JJ and Meg continue to fight about Drew. Will is still in the hospital. Roxanne continues to tour with Lenny. Roxanne decides that she loves Lenny but she can not continue to tour with them.

    Director: David Semel

    Writer: N/A

  • Shoot the Moon
    9.8/1014 votes
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    #2 - Shoot the Moon

    Season 2 Episode 15 - Aired 3/7/2004

    Meg is upset with Roxanne after finding out that Luke and her have been dating secretly. Uncle Pete gets cold feet as his wedding approaches and does not attend his wedding. JJ is surprised to see a friend of his from basic training in the untouchables. Later in the episode he is killed. Meg is offered the chance of a lifetime by Colin. Meg and Jimmy Reily reunite during a magazing interview. Sam and Angela don't like Henry's new lady friend.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Crossing the Line
    9.7/1020 votes
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    #3 - Crossing the Line

    Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 10/19/2003

    Helen learns the pressuers of being a working mom when she takes a job at a travel agency. Meanwhile Beth goes to visit JJ at Camp Lejeune and is surprised at the results. Meg wants to prove that she is grown up and does her book report on a controversial book. Roxanne is excited with the prospects of her new boyfriend.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Beyond the Wire
    9.7/1030 votes
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    #4 - Beyond the Wire

    Season 2 Episode 11 - Aired 1/11/2004

    Helen begins to feel the pressure of being a working mom as she tries to juggle her professional and home life. When Drew comes over for dinner it is obvious that Jack doesn't like him. After watching a film in school Patty wants to buy her first bra but nobody has time to go with her. JJ experiences life on the front line as he fights in Vietnam.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • No Way Out
    9.6/1018 votes
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    #5 - No Way Out

    Season 2 Episode 19 - Aired 4/4/2004

    As the anti-war movement gains momentum, Meg and Sam get caught in the crossfire at an anti-war rally and finds themselves taking a stand that may have severe consequences in their future. Jack also takes a stand on Beth and her marital status as he begins his campaign for city councilman. Helen makes a shocking discovery at work and Patty , disappointed with her first date, turns to Roxanne for advice. Meanwhile, JJ and his squad are surrounded by the Viet Cong and under heavy gunfire when they are told they will not be receiving backup and will be on their own

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Starting Over
    9.6/1013 votes
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    #6 - Starting Over

    Season 3 Episode 13 - Aired 1/30/2005

    Prom is on the brain in this episode of American Dreams. With senior prom soon approaching, Roxanne and Meg scramble with their preperations. Patty is invited to prom which she rubs in Meg's face but is later upset when her date asks somebody else. Roxanne works to convince Luke to shave her beard off, while Meg prepares to face the prom on her own. JJ comes to her rescue after having a fight with Beth, that begins when JJ confesses his gamble that he lost. While at prom, JJ is offered a job at the high school. Meanwhile, Mr. Pryor feels the pressure from his bribers, and struggles to make a choice, which effects his family more than he knows.

    Director: David Semel

    Writer: Nancy Won

  • Another Saturday Night
    9.5/1033 votes
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    #7 - Another Saturday Night

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 10/12/2003

    Saturday Night hits Philly as the Pryor women go exploring. Helen heads to New York with Uncle Pete's girlfriend to see a show and a new emerging side of womanhood, beset with temptations. Patty, starting high school, learns new lessons in social skills in trying to make friends. Meg, completely broken off from Luke, goes to her first college party, with serious consequences. Roxanne starts at the Vinyl Crocodile with Luke still in the background as JJ continues with military training. In addition, Sam finds out how his cousin Nathan really makes his money

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Ticket to Ride
    9.5/1013 votes
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    #8 - Ticket to Ride

    Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 11/16/2003

    In a surprise turn of events Roxanne announces she is dropping out of school to be on tour with Lenny. Meg and Sam finally go on their first date but ends in disaster as Meg storms out of the restaurant. JJ tells the family where he has been stationed. As Will's surgery appropoaches Helen becomes nervous. Meanwhile Henry must decide whether or not to confront his wife's former employer about money they are still owed.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Long Shots and Short Skirts
    9.5/1026 votes
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    #9 - Long Shots and Short Skirts

    Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 9/26/2004

    BRANDY GUEST-STARS AS GLADYS KNIGHT, GAVIN DEGRAW AS SINGER IN THE LAIR, AND BEN TAYLOR'S ACTING DEBUT - Meg (Brittany Snow) and Sam (Arlen Escarpeta) continue to find themselves at odds with their parents after their court date, as the uncertain future of Sam's scholarship hangs over Henry's (Jonathan Adams) head. Meg's arrest is leaked to the papers, compromising the integrity of Jack's (Tom Verica) bid to run for city council. Back at school, Meg and Roxanne (Vanessa Lengies) learn that the new headmaster is enforcing the school's dress code, so they organize a mini-skirt protest. Meanwhile, Beth (Rachel Boston) continues to work at the Lair, and has caught the eye of Cal (guest-star Ben Taylor), an aspiring singer/songwriter. When Helen (Gail O'Grady) asks Beth to join the Blue Star Women, an organization that donates necessities to the wives of soldiers at war, she expresses her concerns of not being JJ's (Will Estes) wife. In Vietnam, JJ is in a military hospital where he learns

    Director: David Semel

    Writer: N/A

  • R-E-S-P-E-C-T
    9.4/1016 votes
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    #10 - R-E-S-P-E-C-T

    Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 10/5/2003

    Episode 2 rolls in as Meg continues to live life without Bandstand, while Roxanne tries to keep her on before she is replaced. JJ undergoes major training at camp while Patty is promoted to academic success, to the frustration of Meg. Luke and Meg see the end of their relationship while getting further from Meg is Sam's choice. Helen searches for more opinions on Will's surgery while the couple prepares for a dinner with Beth's parents.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The 7-10 Split
    9.4/1049 votes
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    #11 - The 7-10 Split

    Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 1/4/2004

    While Meg is on a date with Drew she runs in to Danny O'Conner who asks her out on date. Jack and Henry are shocked to find out that the store has been robbed. As Will prepares to leave the hospital he reminds Helen that she promised he could have a pet. Before Will's homecoming, Helen sends Patty to the pet store to get Will a pet. While there she meets Carl, a boy who works at the pet store. Sam struggles with the decision to chose between Yale and Howard University. In Vietnam, JJ runs in to Jimmy Riley, Meg's old dancing partner. Meanwhile Roxanne is crushed that Lenny hasn't called and turns to Luke for support. After Meg's date with Danny she comes to a decision about her relationship with Drew.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Clear and Present Danager
    9.4/1028 votes
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    #12 - Clear and Present Danager

    Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 10/31/2004

    Jack and Helen prepare to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary by going out of town. Roxanne decides to move out of the Pryor's house and in with Luke. Nathan begins to serve the rest of his jail time by working in a VA hospital. During his time there, he gains a respect for the veterans. JJ and his squard are captured and must figure out a way to escape. Meg considers laying your anti-war antics to rest but changes her mind at the last minute. Chris and Meg share their first kiss while painting a peace sign on the school but are caught and sentenced to 2 week suspension.

    Director: Lev L. Spiro

    Writer: Liz Tigelaar

  • Life's Illusions
    9.3/1014 votes
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    #13 - Life's Illusions

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 10/26/2003

    Meg attends a free speech rally with Drew at the college. Roxanne's new relationship with Lenny is tested after he throws a party at her house. JJ is tempted to cheat on Beth with a mysterious woman he meets at a bar. JJ also recieves some exciting news. Beth finally recieves her ring from JJ and they set a date for their wedding. The Walker family must deal with the tragic loss of the matriarch in their family.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • City on Fire
    9.2/1027 votes
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    #14 - City on Fire

    Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 5/18/2003

    In the season finale, racial tensions begin to flare in North Philly sparking a massive riot, while an oblivious Meg (Brittany Snow) makes final preparations for her sweet sixteen birthday party. Unaware of the violent situation building around her, Meg attempts to save her friendship with Sam (Arlen Escarpeta), visiting him at the new store, and finds herself in the middle of the urban chaos. Elsewhere, an angry Nathan (guest star Keith Robinson) who helped incite the violence, urges the enraged rioters forward, while Pete (guest star Matthew John Armstrong) and the rest of Philadelphia's finest race to quell the disturbance. Meanwhile, a defeated JJ (Will Estes) returns from Lehigh after being kicked off the football team and makes a surprising announcement to Jack (Tom Verica) and Helen (Gail O'Grady) about his future, while Michael Brooks (Joe Lawrence) reveals the possibility he might be leaving ""Bandstand"" for a new record-producing gig in California. R&B sensation Kelly Rowland

    Director: David Semel

    Writer: N/A

  • Old Enough to Fight
    9.2/1036 votes
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    #15 - Old Enough to Fight

    Season 2 Episode 14 - Aired 2/22/2004

    Roy Orbison (Chris Isaak) plays on ?Bandstand, while Nancy Sinatra (Jennifer Love Hewitt) has schlepped her boots to Vietnam, where JJ sees her perform. He could use some cheering up: He's been traumatized by killing a Vietcong soldier. Back in Philly, Meg runs away from home (but not far); Henry's business plans hit a snag; and Will starts delivering newspapers by himself. Also: Tyler Hilton sings the Beatles' I've Just Seen a Face and Days of Our Lives regulars have cameos: Alison Sweeney (as Miss USA), Farah Fath (a Playboy Bunny), and John Aniston and Frances Reid (customers in Pryor Electronics).

    Director: Oliver Goldstick

    Writer: N/A

  • Chasing the Past
    9.2/1014 votes
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    #16 - Chasing the Past

    Season 2 Episode 17 - Aired 3/21/2004

    Roxanne begins to question her relationship with Luke. Meg lets Patty drive the family car after Patty blackmails her. Meg ends up crashing the car. After Beth tells her parents about her pregnancy they give her two options. JJ and his squad rescue American POW's. JJ thinks one may be Danny O'Conners brother.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Change a Comin'
    9.1/1030 votes
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    #17 - Change a Comin'

    Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 11/23/2003

    Hilary Duff and her sister Haylie impersonate two members of the Shangri-Las, a '60s girl group, in an episode in which the Vietnam War gets in the way of JJ and Beth, and Meg and Drew (Sam Page), when they go on a ""double date"" to Harrisburg, where Roxanne's friend Lenny is playing with his band. Meanwhile, Uncle Pete's drinking is getting in the way of his relationship with Nancy (Alicia Coppola); Helen is concerned about Will's state of mind as he recovers from his operation; Sam's getting interested in Malcolm X; and Patty makes a friend.

    Director: Paris Barclay

    Writer: N/A

  • I Wanna Hold Your Hand
    8.9/1029 votes
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    #18 - I Wanna Hold Your Hand

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1/5/2003

    The Beatles' arrival in America sends the country and the Pryor household into a frenzy, except for a concerned JJ, who receives word that Notre Dame has denied him a full scholarship. Determined to afford his son's college education, Jack seeks financial help from his successful and slightly distant older brother Ted despite Pete and Helen's concerns. Ted offers to pay for J.J. first year in South Bend in exchange for 50% ownership in the shop. Meanwhile, a confused Meg attempts to classify her relationship with Luke, employing Roxanne's ""perfect plan"", which is to simply have Luke introduce himself as Meg's boyfriend, to determine if the record store clerk is in fact her boyfriend. Patty's put in a tough position when she has to teach Will, the twleve apostles or not get to watch the Beattles on Ed Sullivan that night.

    Director: David Semel

    Writer: N/A

  • No Satisfaction
    8.9/1022 votes
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    #19 - No Satisfaction

    Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 3/23/2005

    With Ted, Jack's brother in the hospital he faces a tough decision to pull him of the respirator that is keeping him alive. Meg and Roxanne are excited for The Rolling Stones concert but are surprised to find where their seats are. Patty wants to become cool after being teased by some students at summer school about being a nerd. She receives a makeover from Meg and Roxanne and goes on bandstand but ultimately decides she likes who she is. Meanwhile, JJ is doing well at his job and able to use his knowledge from Vietnam to help him.

    Director: David Semel

    Writer: N/A

  • Where the Boys Are
    8.8/1026 votes
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    #20 - Where the Boys Are

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 3/30/2003

    In the midst of a special memory lane ""Bandstand,"" Meg (Brittany Snow) copes with a hostile Bobby Darin (guest star Duncan Sheik) while attempting to help roving columnist Roxanne (Vanessa Lengies) land an interview with the hit singer. In the midst of the chaos, Jimmy Riley (guest star Jesse Hutch ) surprises his dance partner when he shares the big news that he joined the marines. Elsewhere, Jack (Tom Verica), Henry (Jonathan Adams), Nathan (guest star Keith Robinson ) and Pete (guest star Matthew John Armstrong ) spend a rainy day playing an allegedly friendly game of poker. Helen (Gail O'Grady) receives a friendly ride home from her professor (guest star Robby Benson ) while JJ (Will Estes) spends a rainy afternoon drowning his sorrows in beer. Country music sensation LeAnn Rimes guest stars as Connie Francis singing ""Where the Boys Are"" on ""American Bandstand"" and Duncan Sheik portrays Bobby Darin singing ""Beyond the Sea."" Sarah Ramos and Ethan Dampf also star..

    Director: David Semel

    Writer: N/A

  • And Promises to Keep
    8.8/1027 votes
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    #21 - And Promises to Keep

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 9/28/2003

    In the episode, Meg find herself getitng a little too close to Sam. Causing questions after she defends Sam when he sticks up for a friend being teased for race. After defending, her dad finds out and suspends her from bandstand. Roxanne is shocked to learn the Bandstand Director is leaving. JJ questions Beth's trust, and the only way to not worry-engangment? Helen looks into surgery for Will and against her doctor's best advice calls a clinic. Kelly Clarkson performed

    Director: David Semel

    Writer: Jonathan Prince

  • So Long, Farewell
    8.8/1017 votes
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    #22 - So Long, Farewell

    Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 10/24/2004

    While JJ is in Vietnam he meet Gunnery Sergean Finch. Father Cassidy discovers Meg's plans to add an anti-Vietnam aspect to the play and forbids her to do the play as it is. Jack is aproached by the pastor about getting a colored person on the police commision. Luke returns to Philadelphia with shocking news for Roxanne. Melanie becomes increasingly jealous of Sam and Meg's friendship. At the last second, Meg decides to do the play as she wrote it.

    Director: Tom Verica

    Writer: N/A

  • Can't Hold On
    8.7/1034 votes
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    #23 - Can't Hold On

    Season 2 Episode 16 - Aired 3/14/2004

    Liz Phair impersonates Jackie DeShannon, singing ?Walk in the Room? on ?Bandstand.? Off the set, Beth (Rachel Boston) is off to Hawaii to meet JJ for some R&R. It won't be either restful or relaxing. Meanwhile, Meg takes a job in WFIL's newsroom, where she sees a news clip that disturbs her greatly (she's also disturbed by something Beth tells her); Lenny (Johnny Lewis) is back in Philly with a newly released single and no idea about Roxanne and Luke (Jamie Elman); Nancy's replacement at the travel agency is a bachelor (Hank Stratton) who's very forward with Helen; Patty meets creepy Carl (Wes Robinson) at a pool, where she also meets a cute lifeguard; and Henry's frustrated because his new partner, Jack, doesn't treat him enough like a partner.

    Director: Tom Verica

    Writer: N/A

  • The One
    8.6/1026 votes
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    #24 - The One

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 3/16/2003

    MEG STRUGGLES WITH HER FEELINGS FOR BOTH HER EX-BOYFRIEND AND FAKE ONE ; WAYNE BRADY GUEST STARS AS JACKIE WILSON -- Making an appearance to sign autographs at the Vinyl Crocodile, Meg (Brittany Snow) struggles with her lingering feelings for ex-boyfriend Luke (guest star Jamie Elman) and rekindled interest in ""Bandstand"" partner Jimmy Riley (guest star Jesse Hutch). Meanwhile, Jack (Tom Verica) moves forward with Henry's (Jonathan Adams) suggestion as he investigates the possibility of opening a second store. Prompted by interest from his brother Ted (guest star Christopher Cousins), he decides to make this a family venture enlisting the help of younger brother Pete (guest star Matthew John Armstrong), thus leaving Henry out of the deal. Elsewhere, JJ (Will Estes) pushes Sam (Arlen Escarpeta) to forget about the former teammate's accident and run his best for the rest of the year. Jackie Wilson (Wayne Brady) performs ""Baby Work Out"" on ""American Bandstand."" Vanessa Lengies, Gail O'Gra

    Director: Oz Scott

    Writer: N/A

  • For Richer, For Poorer
    8.6/1015 votes
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    #25 - For Richer, For Poorer

    Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 1/23/2005

    JJ and Beth began searching for the perfect house, but JJ recieves a letter from Vietnam and gives away their money for a house. As their wedding day approaches, the family is busy preparing. JJ learns that Helen is involved with an anti-war movement while Patty falls for Beth's cousin. Meg continues to struggle with Chris who keeps showing up. When Meg realizes her true feelings it's too late as Chris has left town.

    Director: Eric Laneuville

    Writer: John Romano