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The Best Episodes of Good Times

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

The Best Episodes of Good Times

Good Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created...

Seasons6

  1. Background image for The Big Move (2)
    8.3/10(131 votes)

    #1 - The Big Move (2)

    S4:E2

    The death of James has J.J., Thelma and Michael overcome with grief and also leaves them wondering what is wrong with Florida, who hasn't cried once since she found out the news of James' death. During a get-together at the apartment after James' funeral, the kids plan to confront Florida, who is seen laughing and having a great time.

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    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for The Family Tree
    8.2/10(107 votes)

    #2 - The Family Tree

    S3:E15

    Thelma researches her family tree for a school project and discovers James's father is very much alive and living in the Chicago area. However, when James learns that Thelma has invited him as a surprise for his birthday, he refuses to see him.

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    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for The Big Move (1)
    8.2/10(112 votes)

    #3 - The Big Move (1)

    S4:E1

    The family is getting ready to move to Mississippi which is where James has gotten a promising new job. However, the family is waiting for the right time to tell Bookman the news. Later, Willona throws a going-away party but the happiness is interrupted by heartbreaking news that James has been killed in a car accident.

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    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for The Gang (2)
    8.1/10(115 votes)

    #4 - The Gang (2)

    S2:E10

    J.J. is recovering after being shot by Mad Dog, which only turned out to be a flesh wound. Meanwhile, a vengeful James presses charges against Mad Dog but a worried Florida is afraid James's anger will take over before the law does.

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  5. Background image for The Dinner Party
    8.1/10(136 votes)

    #5 - The Dinner Party

    S2:E19

    An elderly resident of the projects appears to be living on pet food after Michael takes out her garbage. The Evans family's attempt to do something for her is complicated when she brings a meat loaf to dinner and the kids suspect it is made from dog food.

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  6. Background image for Florida's Protest
    8.1/10(110 votes)

    #6 - Florida's Protest

    S3:E11

    Florida and James become outraged when the kids get a touch of food poisoning after eating meat from the local supermarket. She organizes a group of concerned citizens and they boycott the market. The protest gets effective results, but not before Florida experiences her first trip to jail.

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  8. Background image for The Gang (1)
    8.0/10(135 votes)

    #7 - The Gang (1)

    S2:E9

    J.J. secretly has become a member of the Satan's Knights, a gang who are in the midst of a gang war with the Warlords. Two members and the leader of the Satan's Knights arrive at the Evan's home to escort a scared J.J. to a meeting place where the two gangs are to tangle. However, on the way there they run into James and Florida and a scuffle ensues leaving J.J. shot.

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  9. Background image for Cleatus
    8.0/10(104 votes)

    #8 - Cleatus

    S3:E14

    A bank robbery in Atlanta has the FBI showing up at the Evans' apartment to question Florida since her nephew, Cleatus is the prime suspect. Things get tense, when Cleatus arrives at the apartment with a briefcase full of money and wanting a place to stay.

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    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for J.J.'s Fiancee (1)
    8.0/10(111 votes)

    #9 - J.J.'s Fiancee (1)

    S3:E17

    J.J. and his girlfriend, Diana, are getting serious and the topic of marriage comes up, something which both J.J. and Diana both want. However, both of their parents are totally against the notion. Meanwhile, Diana is secretly hiding a drug problem.

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  11. Background image for Sweet Daddy Williams
    8.0/10(120 votes)

    #10 - Sweet Daddy Williams

    S3:E19

    J.J. has been commissioned by a number's runner, Sweet Daddy Williams, to paint the portrait of his girlfriend, Savannah. In return, J.J. will get his own art display.

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    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for Springtime in the Ghetto
    7.9/10(116 votes)

    #11 - Springtime in the Ghetto

    S1:E10

    Florida is running in a cleanest apartment competition and is sure she will win. However, her chances are dashed when Michael tries to help someone in need and brings home Ned the Wino.

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    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for Willona's Dilemma
    7.9/10(86 votes)

    #12 - Willona's Dilemma

    S3:E10

    When J.J. brings home Walter, a man from his art class, he hits it off with Willona. Despite the fact that he's deaf, him and Willona begin a relationship one that Willona thinks is headed for the alter.

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  14. Background image for Michael the Warlord
    7.9/10(98 votes)

    #13 - Michael the Warlord

    S4:E4

    Widespread violence has been running rampant in the neighborhood and a large part of it is due to the street gang, the Warlords. While Florida and some concerned citizens discuss the problem, Michael does his best to conceal a secret from his mother, he himself is a member of the gang.

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    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for The Mural
    7.8/10(90 votes)

    #14 - The Mural

    S3:E12

    J.J. is commissioned by a bank to paint a mural and in return will receive $250 needed for Thelma's college education whom recently won a scholarship and found herself $200 short. However, the bank is reluctant to pay after seeing the finished product.

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    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for J.J.'s Fiancee (2)
    7.8/10(114 votes)

    #15 - J.J.'s Fiancee (2)

    S3:E18

    On the night of her senior prom, Diana decides to run off to Indiana and elope with J.J. Meanwhile, back in Chicago, switched purses leads the Evans family to discover Diana's drug problem and her supplier.

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  17. Background image for The Rent Party
    7.8/10(100 votes)

    #16 - The Rent Party

    S3:E24

    The Evans family decides to hold a rent party to help out a neighbor in the building whose electricity has just been turned off. However, the party may come to a quick halt when the heartless building superintendent catches wind of it.

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  18. Background image for Florida's Homecoming (2)
    7.8/10(84 votes)

    #17 - Florida's Homecoming (2)

    S6:E2

    Florida arrives home after hearing the news of Thelma's engagement. However, Thelma's impending wedding may never take place, that is if she lets her pre-wedding jitters get the best of her. Meanwhile, J.J. loses his job.

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    Director:Gerren Keith
  19. Background image for Florida's Favorite Passenger (2)
    7.8/10(80 votes)

    #18 - Florida's Favorite Passenger (2)

    S6:E15

    After a near fatal accident, Larry's mother finally realizes that Larry has a hearing problem. Unable to take him to the doctor because she has to work, Mrs. Baker allows Florida to take him to the doctor, which is where Larry makes the announcement that he plans on running away from home.

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    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for Black Jesus
    7.7/10(170 votes)

    #19 - Black Jesus

    S1:E2

    J.J.'s painting of a Black Jesus, becomes the family's good luck charm after a string of success hits each family member. However, Florida refuses to entertain the notion that the painting had anything to do with the recent string of ""good times"".

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    Director:John Rich
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for Sex and the Evans Family
    7.7/10(118 votes)

    #20 - Sex and the Evans Family

    S1:E6

    Florida finds what she believes to be a dirty story called, ""Sexual Behavior in the Ghetto"". Assuming it to be J.J.'s, Florida confronts him, but she's in for a surprise when Thelma claims it and has an even bigger surprise when she learns it belongs to Thelma's latest boyfriend.

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    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for The Windfall
    7.7/10(100 votes)

    #21 - The Windfall

    S2:E12

    James finds a bag of robbery loot adding up to $27,000. After some coaxing from Florida, James decides to turn it in. However, what Florida doesn't know is that there was $29,000 in the bag and James kept the other $2000.

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  23. Background image for The Nude
    7.7/10(112 votes)

    #22 - The Nude

    S2:E16

    A woman aks J.J. to paint a nude portrait of her as a birthday gift for her husband. However, Florida has a hard time understanding why a woman would pose in the nude and why she has to pose in the Evans' apartment.

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    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for The Lunch Money Ripoff
    7.7/10(123 votes)

    #23 - The Lunch Money Ripoff

    S2:E24

    A bully has been stealing Michael's lunches which prompts James to give him some tips on how to handle the situation. However, Michael surprises everyone with his own tactic, he invites the bully home for the weekend.

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  25. Background image for Willona's Surprise
    7.7/10(89 votes)

    #24 - Willona's Surprise

    S4:E17

    Willona gets a surprise for her birthday, a visit from her womanizing ex-husband, Ray. Ray does his best at convincing Willona that he's changed and she decides to try to start over with him. However, quickly his old ways surface and he begins making passes at Thelma.

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    Director:Gerren Keith
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for A Friend in Need
    7.7/10(96 votes)

    #25 - A Friend in Need

    S4:E18

    When Florida's away for the weekend, J.J., Thelma and Michael throw a wild party. However, it gets even wilder than they had dreamed of when one of the guests takes an overdose of pills and J.J. has to save his life.

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    Director:Gerren Keith

Best Episodes Summary

"The Big Move (2)" is the best rated episode of "Good Times". It scored 8.3/10 based on 131 votes. Directed by Gerren Keith and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/29/1976. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Family Tree".