The Best Episodes of Growing Pains

Boner flunks out of college and joins the Marines.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: David Kendall

Carol's boyfriend is injured drinking and driving.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: David Kendall

Mike writes test answers on his shoe soles.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: David Kendall

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: N/A

Ben invites a street girl home for the holidays.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: N/A

A troubled student named Jill (Kellie Overbey) volunteers to work on a school project with Mike (Kirk Cameron) and Boner (Josh Andrew Koenig). This, however, is a subterfuge: Jill has been contemplating suicide due to some very serious problems at home, and she hopes to get some free counseling from Mike's psychiatrist dad Jason (Alan Thicke). But as it turns out, Jason is presently weighed down with a few self-pity issues of his own.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: N/A

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

Maggie's dad drops in for an unexpected visit, with news of his imminent death.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: N/A

Jason embarrasses Mike at a Bruce Springsteen concert when they are interviewed together.

Director: John Pasquin

Writer: David Kendall

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

Director: N/A

Writer: David Kendall

During a tonsillectomy, Ben has an out-of-body experience, dreaming that he escapes with a friendly cabbie, only to find a new Ben has replaced him at home.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: David Kendall

At the school dance, Mike gets a girl and Carol gets raked over the coals. Meanwhile, Ben's adventure goes awry.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: N/A

Carol sneaks out of the house for a date.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: N/A

Mike takes Ben girl chasing.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: Rob Bragin

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

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

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

Director: John Tracy

Writer: Steve Marshall

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

Director: John Tracy

Writer: N/A

A cheerleader befriends Carol solely to meet Mike.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: David Kendall

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

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: N/A

A travel snafu strands Julie with Mike.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: David Kendall

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

Director: John Pasquin

Writer: N/A

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

At Mike's high-school graduation, family members recall moments when it seemed like his graduation would never take place.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: Steve Marshall

The Seavers hire a nanny for Chrissy.

Director: John Tracy

Writer: N/A