The Best Episodes Written By Brenda Hampton

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #1 - Busted

   S5:E410/23/2000

   Exasperation reaches an all-time high in the Camden household, as Eric and Annie helplessly watch their oldest daughter Mary and her worrisome friends continue to head down the path of destruction and into the hands of the law. When Frankie (guest-star Chyler Leigh) expresses interest in signing up for college classes Mary starts checking out Lucy's early application packets. Meanwhile, Simon has a hot date and Lucy gets a weird proposition from a classmate. Lastly, Ruthie discovers manipulative fun of keeping a diary--- much to the embarrassment of Eric and Annie when she sees them having SEX!

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   Writer:Brenda Hampton

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2. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #2 - Losers

   S5:E310/16/2000

   Responsibilities fly out the window when Eric and Annie enjoy seperate nights out on Friday. Although the reverend can't find anyone to hang out with him, so he calls a bewildered Matt. Annie is conferring with a professor (guest-star Jeff Yagher). Mary strays even further away from her parent's image of her when she is tempted to drink and smoke one night after work. Also, Mary makes friends with married co-workers Frankie and Johnny (guest-stars Chyler Leigh, Nathan West) with questionable morals while working the late shift. Matt blows Simon's chance at a big date with an older woman (guest-star Katie Stuart) when Matt is distracted by a close encounter of the female kind and forgets to pick up Simon. Also, Lucy gets a taste of the not-so-glamorous side of parenting when her and a classmate take care of an egg.

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   Writer:Brenda Hampton

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3. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #3 - Here We Go Again

   S5:E110/2/2000

   In the fifth season-opener, big changes are afoot in the Camden household this fall as Eric is distressed by the fact that his daughter Mary has opted to postpone college in favor of a little soul searching and the glory of minimum wage. Mary decides to buy a car. Also, Annie leaves Eric with a handful at home so she can complete her teaching degree. Meanwhile, Simon attempts to fit in with the treacherous terrain of high school, and Lucy looks forward to ruling the school as a senior. Lucy can't wait to start a relationship with Andrew Nayloss, except he hasn't come back from summer vacation yet. Meanwhile, Heather and Matt's on-again-off-again relationship threatens to be off-again--- permanently. Matt considers the pre-med track at college and Ruthie learns that she will have to spend another year with her despised third grade teacher, Ms. Riddle.

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   Writer:Brenda Hampton

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4. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #4 - Bye

   S5:E711/13/2000

   Eric and Annie desperately try to figure out how Mary managed to pay her credit card bill while the kids team up to throw them off the scent. When the parents vs. children game finally breaks down, drastic changes happen. After learning that Mary stole from the twins to pay her bills, Eric and Annie come to the heart-breaking realization that they must take drastic action to help their misguided daughter and to protect and preserve the family. The Camden's gather to confront Mary with their feelings of hurt and betrayal and their conclusion to send her away to Buffalo with ""The Colonel"" and Grandma Ruth.

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   Writer:Brenda Hampton

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5. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #5 - Tunes

   S5:E911/27/2000

   There is cause for alarm when the Camden's disapprove of Simon's new group of friends, one of whom insults Annie and Lucy with his chauvinistic remarks. Norton, the kid that Simon befriends is a fan of violent rap whose negative attitude towards women seems to be influenced by misogynist lyrics. At the same time, Eric and Annie confront Simon about his newfound interest in rap music and somewhat misogynist attitude towards women. Heather gets back in touch with Matt, but Matt is unsure of her intentions. He then finds out that she is dating someone else AGAIN!

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   Writer:Brenda Hampton

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6. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #6 - Kiss

   S5:E132/5/2001

   After their lackluster attempt at kissing, Mike (guest-star Jeremy Lelliot) and Lucy agree to be friends and to fix each other up on dates--- but the plan bothers Lucy more than she anticipated. Meanwhile, Matt's in a huff over John and Robbie's newfound friendship and feels slighted by the family. Eric also continues to feel alienated from his family when they keep going to Annie for advice. Also, Annie feels slighted when Ruthie plays an un-funny joke when the twins recognize her as their ""mama"".

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   Writer:Brenda Hampton

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7. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #7 - Sweeps

   S5:E152/19/2001

   Although Robbie is just as nervous as everyone else, his presence in the house during Mary's weekend stay causes a great deal of concern among the Camden's. Matt and Lucy are especially suspicious after Lucy accidently finds a condom in a misplaced wallet. Imagine their surprise when they learn that the provocative prophylactic belongs to Simon--- who just so happens to be spending the evening with his new lady friend, Sasha.

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   Writer:Brenda Hampton

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8. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #8 - Virgin

   S5:E194/30/2001

   Annie discovers that the particularly flirtatious mother of one of Lucy's friends, Serena is seeing Eric for therapy sessions. Annie strongly requests that he refers her to someone else. Annie then has to deal with the guilt over her jealousy-induced interference between the two. Also, Simon is mortified when word gets around school over the fact that he's a virgin. Annie had shared the details of Simon's sexual inexperience with his ex-girlfriend's (Sasha) mother, Rita. Meanwhile, Matt struggles about telling Robbie he's interested with his ex-girlfriend, Cheryl. Lastly, Robbie is also hiding a secret from Matt that involves his ex-girlfriend Heather.

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   Writer:Brenda Hampton

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9. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #9 - Regrets

   S5:E205/7/2001

   The Glenoak Community is making a big fuss over a petition that is protesting the apparently unfair firing of one of Ruthie's teachers, Mrs. Miller at her private school. Annie's father Charles drops by at the Camden's for a visit. Annie is then surprised and shocked when she she learns she has a half-sister.

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   Writer:Brenda Hampton

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10. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - The Tattle Tale Heart

    S4:E19/20/1999

    The Colonel and Grandma Ruth return from being out of the country for six months. Simon surprises his grandparents with his new haircut. Matt decides to move out of the house and gets his own apartment with John Hamilton. Aunt Julie's new husband Hank gets Matt a job at his hospital working in the cafeteria. Eric begins to suffer a mild heart attack due to the stress from his job.

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    Writer:Brenda Hampton

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11. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - Life Is Too Beautiful

    S4:E29/27/1999

    Eric develops a child-like fascination with life when he takes a much-needed vacation after his heart attack episode, while Annie runs into interference with each of the kids. Meanwhile, Simon assumes the role of the 'man of the house', but feels Matt is undermining his authority when he keeps on making fun of him. Also, Matt grows uncomfortable with the blossoming friendship between his girlfriend Shana and his roommate John Hamilton while he's busy with other issues. Also, Lucy finds a direction in her life with her interest in Habitat for Humanity after taking her fathers advice.

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    Writer:Brenda Hampton

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12. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - All by Myself

    S4:E121/24/2000

    Annie decides to take a much-needed break from the family and heads to the beach on a solo trip to get some rest, leaving Eric (Mr. Mom) in charge of the large household. Meanwhile, Matt must relunctantly say goodbye to Shana as she leaves for NYU. Mary impatiently waits for Robbie to call her. Also, Lucy realizes that she may be interested in the wrong guy, and Simon learns some tips from his sisters on how to treat a girl.

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    Writer:Brenda Hampton

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13. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - Who Do You Trust?

    S4:E131/31/2000

    Eric and Annie reluctantly allow Mary to go out with Robbie, on the condition that they double date with his younger brother Rick (guest-star, Lance Bass, ""N'SYNC"") with Lucy. Meanwhile, Simon and Nigel buy several packs of cigarettes for a class project to prove how easy it is for children to buy tobacco. Also, Ruthie works out her own secretive science project and John invites some female neighbors over for dinner to take Matt's mind off of Shana.

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    Writer:Brenda Hampton

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14. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - Loves Me, Loves Me Not

    S4:E152/14/2000

    It's Valentine's Day and the Camden's are celebrating the day of love with a special party in honor of the twins first birthday. Eric and Annie fret over how to make the babies birthday a memorable one, while the rest of the family learn different ways of exchanging love on Cupid's Day. After finally gaining her parent's trust, Mary is allowed to spend a romantic dinner with Robbie, only to learn he has ulterior motives. Meanwhile, Simon and Deena confess to their parent's that they've given each other love bites. Also, Matt welcomes his ex-girlfriend Heather back into his life, threatening his relationship with Shana.

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    Writer:Brenda Hampton

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15. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - Say a Little Prayer for Me

    S4:E162/21/2000

    Reverend Camden encourages his congregation and his family to trust in prayer. Lucy gets upset when people in the public thought of her as a disgusting teen mother when she takes the twins for a walk. Mary is praying that she will be able to get back together with Robbie even after what he did. Simon prays that he can see Deena soon and be on her parent's good side again even after giving her a hickey. Eric tries to locate a child who wrote an inspiring letter to him, but was left unanimous.

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    Writer:Brenda Hampton

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16. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Liar, Liar

    S4:E205/8/2000

    Eric and Annie are excited to learn that their family is being profiled in their local newspaper, until the reporter interviews the kids and gets more of an expose for the innocuous story than he was expecting. Meanwhile, a co-worker slanders Matt's reputation at work. Matt's roommate, John confronts a politician for misquoting an African American inspirational leader. Also, a classmate of Ruthie's plagiarizes one of her stories for a class competition. Inspirational gospel singer Sandi Patty (""Artist of My Soul"") guest-stars in a cameo role.

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    Writer:Brenda Hampton

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17. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - Don't Take My Love Away

    S2:E19/15/1997

    Eric and Annie decide to renew their vows; a widow seeks Eric's help to confront the juvenile who murdered her husband; Mary is reluctant to put down her crutches.

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18. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - I Love You

    S2:E39/29/1997

    Mary tries to make Wilson say that he ""loves"" her, but Wilson thinks it's a big commitment and that they haven't known each other long enough to say those words to each other. Meanwhile, Simon and Ruthie are reading Matt's love letters to Heather and get caught. Matt tricks them by addressing one of the letters to ""Mrs. Matt Camden."" By this, Eric accidently finds the letter leading to think Matt and Heather got married over the summer, which worries himself, Annie and Heather's mom, Mrs. Cain. Lastly, Eric helps Lucy's friend, Laurie get closer to her mother.

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    Writer:Brenda Hampton

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19. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

    S2:E610/20/1997

    The Camden kids get a lesson in love as Mary decides to call it a quits with Wilson. Simon is obsessed with getting his first girlfriend, while Ruthie learns the do's and don'ts of kissing on the school playground. Matt receives devastating news from his girlfriend Heather, which leads him on a long journey to Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Lucy laments over being single until she accidently gets close to the school hunk.

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    Writer:Brenda Hampton

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20. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - I Hate You

    S2:E911/17/1997

    Against Eric's wishes, Simon asks Mrs. Kerjesz (guest-star real life survivor, Rita Zoharm) to tell her story about being in the Holocaust in his class presentation. To form a strong sisterly bond, Mary and Lucy decide to hate Matt's new girlfriend for no good reason and end up hurting her feelings and breaking up with Matt. Also, Annie suffers heartache when Ruthie tells her she ""hates"" her for making her clean the walls in her room after scribbling crayons on them.

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21. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - Truth or Dare

    S2:E1011/24/1997

    Mary coerces Matt into asking his friend Brian (guest-star Jason Behr) to take her out on a date despite his lack of interest in her. Although, things begin to heat up between the two kids while on the date---but ultimately ends in disaster after Mary finds out the truth. Meanwhile, Lucy is invited to a sleepover of popular girls, but Lucy is unaware of the group's real intentions for inviting her. Also, Simon begins to teach Ruthie how to swim without taking lessons. Lastly, Eric becomes convinced he's fat and thinks he's getting away with cheating on his diet.

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    Writer:Brenda Hampton

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22. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - Red Tape

    S2:E142/2/1998

    Eric helps a single mother named Harriet and her son Clarence to try to convince the IRS that she shouldn't be responsible for her ex-boyfriend's enormous debts. Annie confronts the kids about their lack of good manners after an incident at a ""Free Sunday Blue-Collar Special Lunch"" at a restaurant. The kids do not take Annie seriously and fool around. Meanwhile, Matt accuses Mary and Lucy of placing a personal ad in his name in the school newspaper for a date. Also, Simon and Ruthie try to figure out how to pay off Happy's accidental credit card and purchase.

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    Writer:Brenda Hampton

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23. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #23 - Boyfriends

    S2:E215/4/1998

    Matt tries to find the right time to tell his parents that he's accepted an internship in Washington. Meanwhile, his concern for his sisters leads to a confrontation with Mary and Wilson.

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24. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #24 - The Color of God

    S1:E510/14/1996

    The Camden kids learn hard lessons about race when Eric invites a black family to stay at the house after their church is destroyed in a racially motivated arson.

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25. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - With a Little Help from My Friends

    S1:E121/13/1997

    Matt helps out an elderly neighbor, but winds up getting in hot water for it; Eric searches for a way to aid a proud but homeless family; Lucy's 13th birthday approaches and she wants a party.

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