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The Best Episodes of Growing Pains Season 1

Every episode of Growing Pains Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Growing Pains Season 1!

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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
    Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.1/10(156 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Maggie goes back to work as a journalist, prompting psychologist Jason to move his office into their home so he can keep his eye on the kids. Things don't get off to a great start: the first night he gets a call from the police that Mike has been picked up for illegally driving a car.

    Director:John Pasquin
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 2 - Springsteen
    7.5/10(122 votes)

    #2 - Springsteen

    S1:E2

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

    Director:John Pasquin
    Writer:David Kendall

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  3. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 3 - Jealousy
    7.2/10(104 votes)

    #3 - Jealousy

    S1:E3

    Jason fumes when Maggie spends long hours on a toxic waste story with handsome co-worker Fred.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 4 - Carol's Article
    7.3/10(99 votes)

    #4 - Carol's Article

    S1:E4

    Maggie gives an honest assessment of Carol's writing of an article for her school magazine; Mike and Ben discover track betting.

    Director:John Pasquin
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 5 - Superdad!
    7.2/10(103 votes)

    #5 - Superdad!

    S1:E5

    Maggie accuses Jason of monopolizing the children.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 6 - Mike's Madonna Story
    7.5/10(118 votes)

    #6 - 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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  7. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 7 - Weekend Fantasy
    7.4/10(98 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 8 - Slice of Life
    7.2/10(89 votes)

    #8 - Slice of Life

    S1:E8

    Coming across a compatibility test in Jason's office, Maggie decides she and Jason should fill it out, but her answers don't tab with his. Meanwhile, Mike feigns interest in karate when his real goal is a girl attending the course.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 9 - Carol's Crush
    7.2/10(90 votes)

    #9 - Carol's Crush

    S1:E9

    Carol develops a crush on a family friend, who thinks of her as his little sister.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 10 - Dirt Bike
    7.2/10(99 votes)

    #10 - Dirt Bike

    S1:E10

    Mike hurts more than his pride when he takes a nasty fall off a dirt bike that he promised his parents he wouldn't go near.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Ali Marie Matheson

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  11. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 11 - Standardized Test
    7.4/10(90 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 12 - A Christmas Story
    7.0/10(102 votes)

    #12 - A Christmas Story

    S1:E12

    A depressed department store Santa consulting Jason decides to commit suicide by leaping down the Seavers' chimney.

    Directors:Neal Marlens, John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 13 - The Love Song of M. Aaron Seaver
    7.0/10(88 votes)

    #13 - The Love Song of M. Aaron Seaver

    S1:E13

    Mike backs out of the family-bowling match so he can date a snobbish girlfriend.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Arnold Margolin

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  14. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 14 - First Blood
    6.9/10(97 votes)

    #14 - First Blood

    S1:E14

    Jason faces off against Ben's hockey coach, who's teaching the boys to play dirty; Mike learns ballroom dancing.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Mark Fink

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  15. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 15 - Slice of Life II
    7.1/10(85 votes)

    #15 - Slice of Life II

    S1:E15

    Maggie casually mentions to Jason that she might be pregnant; Mike acts as a weekend servant to Ben; and Carol wants to divorce her class-project husband.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:David Kendall

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  16. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 16 - The Seavers vs. the Cleavers
    7.3/10(91 votes)

    #16 - The Seavers vs. the Cleavers

    S1:E16

    The PTA head rejects the Seavers as dance chaperones.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Susan Beavers

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  17. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 17 - Charity Begins at Home
    7.5/10(84 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 18 - Reputation
    8.0/10(92 votes)

    #18 - Reputation

    S1:E18

    Mike writes test answers on his shoe soles.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:David Kendall

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  19. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 19 - The Anniversary That Never Was
    7.1/10(83 votes)

    #19 - The Anniversary That Never Was

    S1:E19

    Maggie's assignment interferes with anniversary plans.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 20 - Be a Man
    7.0/10(87 votes)

    #20 - Be a Man

    S1:E20

    Custodian Mike watches a wild party explode in his home.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 21 - Career Decision
    6.9/10(79 votes)

    #21 - Career Decision

    S1:E21

    Reporter Maggie and psychiatrist Jason both face important career decisions.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Bob Brush

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  22. Growing Pains Season 1 Episode 22 - Extra Lap
    7.4/10(85 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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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "Growing Pains" season 1. It scored 7.1/10 based on 156 votes. Directed by John Pasquin and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/24/1985. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "Springsteen".