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The Best Episodes of Growing Pains

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

Binge this in 2d 23h•Peaking at 8.1/10

Fatherhood has taken on a whole new meaning for Jason Seaver, who has assumed the chores of cooking, cleaning and minding the kids so that his wife, Maggie, can pursue a career in journalism after

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Growing Pains Season 4 Episode 20 - Second Chance
    8.1/10(115 votes)

    #1 - Second Chance

    S4:E20

    After Carol disobeys Maggie and Jason by sneaking out to a bar with her college-aged boyfriend Sandy, she learns a valuable lesson when Sandy gets into an accident and ends up in the hospital.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:David Kendall

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  2. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 18 - Reputation
    8.0/10(99 votes)

    #2 - Reputation

    S1:E18

    Mike writes test answers on his shoe soles.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:David Kendall

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  3. Growing Pains Season 2 Episode 9 - The Kid
    8.0/10(98 votes)

    #3 - The Kid

    S2:E9

    Ben invites a street girl home for the holidays.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Growing Pains Season 4 Episode 13 - Semper Fidelis
    8.0/10(101 votes)

    #4 - Semper Fidelis

    S4:E13

    Boner flunks out of college and joins the Marines.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:David Kendall

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  5. Growing Pains Season 2 Episode 15 - Thank God It's Friday
    7.9/10(92 votes)

    #5 - Thank God It's Friday

    S2:E15

    Mike and his friends go to a college party and have to decide whether to use drugs or not.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Steve Marshall

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  6. Growing Pains Season 3 Episode 20 - Bringing Up Baby
    7.9/10(75 votes)

    #6 - Bringing Up Baby

    S3:E20

    The Seavers begin to make room for baby, relegating Ben to the guest quarters and making the others lament the changes bound to come. Meanwhile, Maggie grasps for a way to tell her boss she is pregnant.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Growing Pains

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  7. Growing Pains Season 3 Episode 13 - Nasty Habits
    7.8/10(80 votes)

    #7 - Nasty Habits

    S3:E13

    Maggie and Jason try to keep Mike in his room to complete an English paper, but Mike's mind is of course elsewhere.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Growing Pains Season 5 Episode 13 - Ben and Mike's Excellent Adventure
    7.7/10(77 votes)

    #8 - Ben and Mike's Excellent Adventure

    S5:E13

    Mike takes Ben girl chasing.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Rob Bragin

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  9. Growing Pains Season 2 Episode 2 - Fast Times at Dewey High
    7.6/10(92 votes)

    #9 - Fast Times at Dewey High

    S2:E2

    A new school year brings boredom, bullies, and romantic mix-ups.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:David Kendall

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  10. Growing Pains Season 2 Episode 3 - Long Day's Journey Into Night
    7.6/10(76 votes)

    #10 - Long Day's Journey Into Night

    S2:E3

    A cheerleader befriends Carol solely to meet Mike.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:David Kendall

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  11. Growing Pains Season 2 Episode 7 - Do You Believe in Magic?
    7.6/10(79 votes)

    #11 - Do You Believe in Magic?

    S2:E7

    A con man sells Mike a "magic" rock.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Growing Pains Season 4 Episode 1 - Fool for Love
    7.6/10(84 votes)

    #12 - Fool for Love

    S4:E1

    Ben gets spooked at the prospect of asking a girl to a Halloween party; Jason becomes a disruptive force at Lamaze class.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Growing Pains Season 4 Episode 11 - In Carol We Trust
    7.6/10(75 votes)

    #13 - In Carol We Trust

    S4:E11

    Carol sneaks out of the house for a date.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Growing Pains Season 6 Episode 17 - Maggie Seaver's: The Meaning of Life
    7.6/10(61 votes)

    #14 - Maggie Seaver's: The Meaning of Life

    S6:E17

    Jason takes Maggie on a tropical getaway to lift her spirits after her father's death, trusting Chrissy to Mike and Carol.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Jay Abramowitz

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  15. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 6 - Mike's Madonna Story
    7.5/10(126 votes)

    #15 - Mike's Madonna Story

    S1:E6

    Mike's infatuation with a Madonna look-alike worries Maggie.

    Director:John Pasquin
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 17 - Charity Begins at Home
    7.5/10(88 votes)

    #16 - Charity Begins at Home

    S1:E17

    Ben gives Jason a very expensive birthday present, causing speculation on how he can possibly afford it.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Steve Marshall

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  17. Growing Pains Season 2 Episode 21 - The Long Goodbye
    7.5/10(71 votes)

    #17 - The Long Goodbye

    S2:E21

    Maggie wants Jason to fire the elderly handyman he hired to fix the furnace, but he refuses because the man is a friend.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:David Kendall

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  18. Growing Pains Season 3 Episode 10 - Broadway Bound
    7.5/10(67 votes)

    #18 - Broadway Bound

    S3:E10

    After their success in the school play, Mike and Monica set their sights on a Broadway audition for ""Our Town.""

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Growing Pains Season 3 Episode 19 - Dance Fever (2)
    7.5/10(74 votes)

    #19 - Dance Fever (2)

    S3:E19

    Great expectations turn sour at the Dewey High dance after Mike hears Lydia's voice; and Ben and Stinky find themselves in a seedy diner eyeing a pinball machine that pays real money.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 7 - Weekend Fantasy
    7.4/10(103 votes)

    #20 - Weekend Fantasy

    S1:E7

    Jason and Maggie want to go to a mountain lodge for a weekend, but are reluctant to leave the kids alone.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Arnold Margolin

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  21. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 11 - Standardized Test
    7.4/10(93 votes)

    #21 - Standardized Test

    S1:E11

    Mike doodles on his aptitude test and winds up with an IQ score of 27.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 22 - Extra Lap
    7.4/10(90 votes)

    #22 - Extra Lap

    S1:E22

    Mike's practical-joker uncle Bob visits from the hereafter.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Growing Pains Season 2 Episode 4 - Call Me
    7.4/10(75 votes)

    #23 - Call Me

    S2:E4

    Ben has been calling an X-rated phone service.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Growing Pains Season 2 Episode 5 - Employee of the Month
    7.4/10(80 votes)

    #24 - Employee of the Month

    S2:E5

    Fired Mike hides the truth from his parents.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Growing Pains Season 2 Episode 6 - Dream Lover
    7.4/10(78 votes)

    #25 - Dream Lover

    S2:E6

    Carol spreads rumors about herself and a "hunk".

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Second Chance" is the best rated episode of "Growing Pains". It scored 8.1/10 based on 115 votes. Directed by John Tracy and written by David Kendall, it aired on 4/12/1989. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Reputation".