The Best Episodes of Family Season 5

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.8/10(47 votes)

   #1 - Thanksgiving

   S5:E111/20/1979

   Doug's father starts showing his age.

   Director:Joanne Woodward

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Joanne Woodward

   Writer:Unknown
2. 

   8.3/10(41 votes)

   #2 - 'Tis the Season

   S5:E212/24/1979

   A pre-Christmas argument with Willie nearly gives Doug a heart attack; Buddy invites her school's janitor to her house, where he quickly endears himself to everyone but Kate.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
3. 

   8.2/10(45 votes)

   #3 - Jack of Hearts

   S5:E31/14/1980

   Buddy and Nancy find themselves in a love triangle; Annie dabbles in the occult.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
4. 

   8.3/10(54 votes)

   #4 - When the Bough Breaks

   S5:E41/21/1980

   Kate finds out she's pregnant; a friend of Buddy's, on vacation from her all-girls school, picks Willie as a seduction target.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
5. 

   8.3/10(44 votes)

   #5 - Hard Times

   S5:E51/28/1980

   Two friends of Buddy's who have been going steady for 3 years are having relationship problems -- and when she tries to help, the results aren't quite what she expected; Nancy is having trouble at work, which starts to affect even Timmy.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
6. 

   8.1/10(34 votes)

   #6 - Whispers

   S5:E62/4/1980

   Buddy's friendship with a teacher gives rise to rumors; Annie uses questionable tactics to get Willie to let her interview him for her school paper.

   Director:Marshall Herskovitz

   Writer:Ron Cowen

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   Director:Marshall Herskovitz

   Writer:Ron Cowen
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7. 

   6.9/10(39 votes)

   #7 - Play on Love

   S5:E73/3/1980

   Willie finds the director of his play more interesting than Rachel; Buddy insists on buying an old sports car, over Doug's objections.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
8. 

   8.1/10(39 votes)

   #8 - Daylight Serenade

   S5:E83/10/1980

   Buddy has an ambiguous relationship with a nerdy schoolmate whom Kate is training for a piano recital; Nancy begs Annie to teach her how to roller-skate, so she can go to a party with a handsome fellow lawyer.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
9. 

   7.3/10(41 votes)

   #9 - Such a Fine Line

   S5:E93/17/1980

   A schoolboy has a crush on Kate; Jeff, now an in-over-his-head rock manager, blows into town with his band.

   Director:James Broderick

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:James Broderick

   Writer:Unknown
10. 

    8.0/10(32 votes)

    #10 - The Ties That Bind

    S5:E106/4/1980

    Elaine resurfaces in Kate's life after being dumped by Fred for a younger woman. Meanwhile, Annie experiences abandonment issues, too.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
11. 

    8.2/10(33 votes)

    #11 - Just Like Old Times

    S5:E116/11/1980

    Buddy tries to make everyone think she didn't get into any of the schools she applied to; Doug wants Annie to share his obsession with baseball.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
12. 

    8.5/10(41 votes)

    #12 - Smarts

    S5:E126/18/1980

    Annie gets picked on by her classmates, for being too smart; Buddy, studying for her SATs, worries that she's not smart enough.

    Director:James Broderick

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:James Broderick

    Writer:Unknown
13. 

    8.5/10(43 votes)

    #13 - Letting Go

    S5:E136/25/1980

    Doug is upset when Buddy starts dating a 21-year-old; Annie is jealous of an old friend who has matured much faster than she has.

    Director:James Broderick

    Writer:Edward Zwick

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    Director:James Broderick

    Writer:Edward Zwick