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The Best Episodes of Family Season 5

Every episode of Family Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Family Season 5!

The lives of the middle-class Lawrence family in Pasadena, California.
Genre:Drama
Network:ABC

Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Thanksgiving" is the best rated episode of "Family" season 5. It scored 8/10 based on 39 votes. Directed by Joanne Woodward and written by N/A, it aired on 11/20/1979. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "'Tis the Season".

  • Thanksgiving
    8.0/1039 votes

    #1 - Thanksgiving

    Season 5 Episode 1 - Aired 11/20/1979

    Doug's father starts showing his age.

    Director: Joanne Woodward

    Writer: N/A

  • 'Tis the Season
    8.2/1035 votes

    #2 - 'Tis the Season

    Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 12/24/1979

    A pre-Christmas argument with Willie nearly gives Doug a heart attack; Buddy invites her school's janitor to her house, where he quickly endears himself to everyone but Kate.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Jack of Hearts
    8.3/1041 votes

    #3 - Jack of Hearts

    Season 5 Episode 3 - Aired 1/14/1980

    Buddy and Nancy find themselves in a love triangle; Annie dabbles in the occult.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • When the Bough Breaks
    8.3/1051 votes

    #4 - When the Bough Breaks

    Season 5 Episode 4 - Aired 1/21/1980

    Kate finds out she's pregnant; a friend of Buddy's, on vacation from her all-girls school, picks Willie as a seduction target.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Hard Times
    8.4/1038 votes

    #5 - Hard Times

    Season 5 Episode 5 - Aired 1/28/1980

    Two friends of Buddy's who have been going steady for 3 years are having relationship problems -- and when she tries to help, the results aren't quite what she expected; Nancy is having trouble at work, which starts to affect even Timmy.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Whispers
    8.2/1031 votes

    #6 - Whispers

    Season 5 Episode 6 - Aired 2/4/1980

    Buddy's friendship with a teacher gives rise to rumors; Annie uses questionable tactics to get Willie to let her interview him for her school paper.

    Director: Marshall Herskovitz

    Writer: Ron Cowen

  • Play on Love
    7.1/1034 votes

    #7 - Play on Love

    Season 5 Episode 7 - Aired 3/3/1980

    Willie finds the director of his play more interesting than Rachel; Buddy insists on buying an old sports car, over Doug's objections.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Daylight Serenade
    7.9/1035 votes

    #8 - Daylight Serenade

    Season 5 Episode 8 - Aired 3/10/1980

    Buddy has an ambiguous relationship with a nerdy schoolmate whom Kate is training for a piano recital; Nancy begs Annie to teach her how to roller-skate, so she can go to a party with a handsome fellow lawyer.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Such a Fine Line
    7.5/1035 votes

    #9 - Such a Fine Line

    Season 5 Episode 9 - Aired 3/17/1980

    A schoolboy has a crush on Kate; Jeff, now an in-over-his-head rock manager, blows into town with his band.

    Director: James Broderick

    Writer: N/A

  • The Ties That Bind
    7.9/1028 votes

    #10 - The Ties That Bind

    Season 5 Episode 10 - Aired 6/4/1980

    Elaine resurfaces in Kate's life after being dumped by Fred for a younger woman. Meanwhile, Annie experiences abandonment issues, too.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Just Like Old Times
    8.2/1030 votes

    #11 - Just Like Old Times

    Season 5 Episode 11 - Aired 6/11/1980

    Buddy tries to make everyone think she didn't get into any of the schools she applied to; Doug wants Annie to share his obsession with baseball.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Smarts
    8.5/1033 votes

    #12 - Smarts

    Season 5 Episode 12 - Aired 6/18/1980

    Annie gets picked on by her classmates, for being too smart; Buddy, studying for her SATs, worries that she's not smart enough.

    Director: James Broderick

    Writer: N/A

  • Letting Go
    8.5/1039 votes

    #13 - Letting Go

    Season 5 Episode 13 - Aired 6/25/1980

    Doug is upset when Buddy starts dating a 21-year-old; Annie is jealous of an old friend who has matured much faster than she has.

    Director: James Broderick

    Writer: Edward Zwick