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The Best Episodes of Diff'rent Strokes Season 2

Every episode of Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Diff'rent Strokes Season 2!

Binge this in 1h 0m•Peaking at 7.7/10

The series stars Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges as Arnold and Willis Jackson, two African American boys from Harlem who are taken in by a rich white Park Avenue businessman named Phillip Drummond and his

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 1 - Arnold's Girlfriend (1)
    7.7/10(108 votes)

    S2:E1

    Arnold has appendicitis and Drummond has to deal with the bigotry of Fred Tanner, a potential housing project investor whose daughter is the key to getting Arnold to sit still for the operation.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 6 - Birds and Bees
    7.6/10(105 votes)

    S2:E6

    Willis' fishy version of the facts of life leaves Arnold with misconceptions and Mr. Drummond on tender hooks. Arnold repeats his ""knowledge"" to a neighbor's daughter, but the girl's mother is not amused.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writers:Martin Ragaway, Ed Jurist

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  3. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 5 - Mrs. Garrett's Romance
    7.5/10(89 votes)

    S2:E5

    The Drummond household's curiosity over Mrs. Garrett's new beau turns first to surprise and then to alarm. Mrs. Garrett is in a dither over her first date with Leon, especially when it is followed by a very important question.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 7 - Arnold's Hero (a.k.a.) The Hero
    7.5/10(100 votes)

    S2:E7

    Arnold's wildest dream is realized when he comes face-to-knee with ""The Champ"" -- special guest star Muhammad Ali. When the meeting arranged by Mr. Drummond between Arnold and his idol, Muhammad Ali, falls through, Kimberly and Willis concoct a wild scheme to insure that Arnold's dream will come true.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Martin Ragaway

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  5. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 11 - Thanksgiving Crossover (I)
    7.5/10(89 votes)

    S2:E11

    The Alders and the Drummonds are together again in New York, and Arnold, Willis and Kimberly plan a second Thanksgiving feast with friends Diane and Ruthie. But even the huge Drummond penthouse isn't big enough to hold the exploding tempers that threaten Phil and Larry's long-standing relationship, on a special one-hour episode featuring the stars of "Hello, Larry." Morgan and all the kids get caught up in the feud when Larry learns friendship doesn't necessarily make for good business. The crossover continues on Hello, Larry S02E10 Thanksgiving Crossover (II).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 20 - Return of the Gooch
    7.5/10(107 votes)

    S2:E20

    The ""Gooch"" is back and this time he's terrorizing Arnold, but Arnold plans to be ready when the bully strikes. In building Arnold's confidence, Willis convinces him that his martial arts lesson has given him a ""killer"" foot.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 8 - The Adoption (1)
    7.4/10(96 votes)

    S2:E8

    The Drummond family celebrates the day Arnold and Willis are supposed to be officially adopted until the visit of a ""relative"" leaves their plans in jeopardy. Whitman Mayo guest stars as Jethro Simpson, who sees his way to go from junk to jewels in a last will and testament leaving a fortune to Willis and Arnold.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 2 - Arnold's Girlfriend (2)
    7.3/10(87 votes)

    S2:E2

    Arnold's life is endangered when the kids find out they can't share a room in the hospital and run away on the eve of Arnold's surgery.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 13 - The Rivals
    7.3/10(87 votes)

    S2:E13

    Arnold and Willis' relationship is threatened when a fickle female classmate, the object of Arnold's affection, turns her attention toward Willis. Arnold's first love is also his first lesson in jealously as he competes with Willis for the same girl.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 15 - The Dog Story (a.k.a.) A Dog Story
    7.3/10(88 votes)

    S2:E15

    Arnold saves a dog's life, is bitten and then the dog is needed to save Arnold. The Drummond household members frantically search for the ungrateful canine, while Arnold faces a series of rabies shots or death.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 22 - Skin Deep or True Blue (a.k.a.) Guess Who?
    7.3/10(93 votes)

    S2:E22

    Kimberly's new beau, Roger, suggests pairing his sister with Willis for a double-date, until he finds out the color of his true love's brother. When Kimberly discovers her new friend is a bigot, her face burns red and then a far darker shade.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 24 - The Slumber Party
    7.3/10(86 votes)

    S2:E24

    Leaving Willis in charge of the house for Kimberly's slumber party is a mistake Mr. Drummond soon regrets as the ensuing chaos disrupts his own date with a lovely lady. The Facts of Life stars Mindy Cohn, Kim Fields, Julie Anne Haddock, and Molly Ringwald guest star.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Seaman Jacobs

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  13. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 12 - Thanksgiving Crossover (2)
    7.2/10(87 votes)

    S2:E12

    The Alders and the Drummonds are together again in New York, and Arnold, Willis and Kimberly plan a second Thanksgiving feast with friends Diane and Ruthie. But even the huge Drummond penthouse isn't big enough to hold the exploding tempers that threaten Phil and Larry's long-standing relationship, on a special one-hour episode featuring the stars of "Hello, Larry." Morgan and all the kids get caught up in the feud when Larry learns friendship doesn't necessarily make for good business. **Part two originally aired as an episode of "Hello, Larry".

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 18 - Poor Drummond
    7.2/10(83 votes)

    S2:E18

    A crucially important business deal keeps Mr. Drummond on edge and Arnold and Willis wondering whether they pack for a California vacation or move back to Harlem.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Ed Jurist

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  15. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 21 - Valentine's Day Retrospective (a.k.a.) Valentine's Vigil
    7.2/10(84 votes)

    S2:E21

    Arnold and Willis are trapped in the basement and while they await rescue they reminisce about their recent past...both the good times and the bad. Arnold insists he must wear his Superman outfit to the family's Valentine's Day trip to the circus; the resultant search leads to the basement and a locked door. This show highlights some of the best moments from the past episodes.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 23 - Teacher's Pet
    7.2/10(84 votes)

    S2:E23

    Parent-teacher night leads Mr. Drummond to a romance with Arnold's teacher and poor Arnold to the jealousy of his classmates. Arnold tries every trick in the book to win back his classmates, including one which may have him expelled.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Donald Ross

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  17. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 9 - The Adoption (2)
    7.1/10(88 votes)

    S2:E9

    It appears that Mr. Drummond's attempts to adopt Arnold and Willis will be aborted by a conniving junk dealer until the boys take matters into their own hands. Whitman Mayo guest stars as ""long-lost relative"" Jethro Simpson who has arrived with a letter supposedly written by the boys' father, leaving Arnold and Willis in his custody.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 14 - Hot Watch
    7.1/10(87 votes)

    S2:E14

    Discovered in the wrong place at the wrong time, Willis and Arnold become prime suspects when their neighbor's apartment is robbed and they're caught with one of the stolen items. Mr. Drummond is convinced of his sons' innocence even though Willis' fingerprints are all over the place.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 17 - Friendly-Mate
    7.1/10(83 votes)

    S2:E17

    Mr. Drummond is in ""double-trouble"" when Willis and Arnold decide to get him a date. Feeling a little lonely, Drummond tells the kids what he needs is a little companionship, so they decide to call a computer dating service.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 3 - Feudin' and Fussin' (I)
    7.0/10(99 votes)

    S2:E3

    Arnold's well-intentioned endorsement of Larry Alder's hosting talents to a New York TV big-wig gives Larry the opportunity of a lifetime and brings the family to the big apple. Larry's try-out as a New York television talk-show house may be doomed from the start, one disaster follows another and not everyone on the Alder team may be rooting for him to win the job. The crossover continues on Hello, Larry S02E01 Feudin' and Fussin' (II).

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 16 - The Election
    7.0/10(84 votes)

    S2:E16

    Drummond puts his convictions on the line to run for city council, and rooting him on are Arnold, Willis, Kimberly, and an ""unexpected"" new addition to the household. Nedra Volz plays Adelaide Brubaker, the small but sassy housekeeper who helps Drummond mobilize the family for a ""win.""

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Ed Jurist

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  22. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 4 - Feudin' and Fussin' (2)
    6.8/10(90 votes)

    S2:E4

    Arnold's well-intentioned endorsement of Larry Alder's hosting talents to a New York TV big-wig gives Larry the opportunity of a lifetime and brings the family to the big apple. Larry's try-out as a New York television talk-show house may be doomed from the start, one disaster follows another and not everyone on the Alder team may be rooting for him to win the job. **Part two originally aired as an episode of "Hello, Larry".

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 10 - Father and Son Day
    6.5/10(99 votes)

    S2:E10

    Willis' cut-throat competitiveness with another boy at his gym leads him to a decision that he will very much regret, especially after it hurts Mr. Drummond and gives Arnold the right to say ""I told you so."" Baseball great Reggie Jackson makes his acting debut playing a key, but unsuspecting role in Willis' questionable scheme.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 19 - Big Business
    6.3/10(82 votes)

    S2:E19

    Willis and Arnold scheme to make extra ""dough"" by selling brownies, only to discover they can't stand the heat of big business and may soon have to get out of the kitchen.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Ed Jurist

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  25. Diff'rent Strokes Season 2 Episode 25 - Arnold Faces Fatality (a.k.a.) The Will (a.k.a.) Drummond's Will
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S2:E25

    Arnold fears that his loved ones are checking out of his life when he stumbles upon Drummond's will and then uncovers the fact that his goldfish has given up the ghost.

    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 2 Ratings Summary

"Arnold's Girlfriend (1)" is the best rated episode of "Diff'rent Strokes" season 2. It scored 7.7/10 based on 108 votes. Directed by Gerren Keith and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/21/1979. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Birds and Bees".