Mon, Aug 26, 1996
The premiere episode introduces Eric Camden, who's a minister, a father of five, happily married, and a soon-to-be dog owner. His wife, Annie Camden is a stay-at-home mom raising their children. Matt Camden is the oldest child who has picked up a habit of smoking and not being able to keep a job. Mary Camden is the oldest daughter who likes to play basketball a lot and is having a craving for wanting to kiss a boy. Lucy Camden is the middle child and is hoping to become a woman and getting her period very soon. Simon Camden is the youngest son and is hoping to get a dog very soon, even though his parents already told him that he's too young. Ruthie Camden is the youngest child and is a happy and adorable five-year-old. Also, Annie learns some devastating news when her parents come for a visit.
Mon, Sep 23, 1996
Matt shocks his family when he reveals his secret--that he is very close friends with a teenage pregnant girl, Renee. Right away Matt tells them that he is not the father of her baby, but just trying to help her out. Meanwhile, Mary is keeping her new boyfriend a secret from Matt. Lucy gets a surprise with her secret crush on classmate Jimmy Moon. Also, Eric gets a surprise of his own when he discovers his shoes keep on disappearing while Matt's friend Renee finds some help from an unusual ally--Eric. Annie finally reveals the shocking truth to Matt about his grandmother.
Mon, Sep 30, 1996
Annie continues to suffer through her mother's recent diagnosis. Annie then decides to go to Arizona to visit her parents and see what is going on with them. Meanwhile, Eric volunteers for a charity work, but he's unable to do it at the last minute. Matt then volunteers to do it, but his dating habits get him into trouble with the organization he is doing charity for. Also, Mary decides to call it a quits with Jeff while Lucy has her first real date with her classmate Jimmy Moon. Lastly, when Annie returns home with her parents, they decide to stay with her and the rest of the family so that they could spend some more time with them--which unfortunately will be the last for Annie's mom, Jenny.
Mon, Oct 7, 1996
Following her mother's funeral, Annie's sunny demeanor turns to sadness, particularly after her father abruptly leaves to go back home to Arizona. Eric tries to counsel a young couple whose marital problems escalate during the post-funeral reception at the Camden home. Matt helps with the delivery of Renee's baby and after Mary breaks up with Jeff, she discovers she was better off with him. Lastly, Simon tries to find the exact location of heaven.
Mon, Oct 14, 1996
When the Camden family learns that their friend's church was burned down by a racist group, they invite the Hamiltons to stay at their home. Meanwhile, Simon has his own problems when defending his friend Nigel after a racist comment is made to him on the playground. Matt, Mary, and Lucy have a hard time while trying to develop a good relationship with the older Hamilton children, Keesha and John. Eric and Annie do their best to help Morgan and his wife, Patricia, get through their marital problems while Ruthie and Lynn are having fun as five-year-olds.
Mon, Oct 28, 1996
With Halloween just around the corner, Lucy attempts to learn the truth about "The Mutant" Mike--a mysterious recluse who's been accused of murder. Meanwhile, Simon prepares for the "Annual Pumpkin-Carving Contest" at the church and badly wants to be in first place. Mary schemes to have the house all to herself when tricking all of her friends and family as to where she is going to be. While the family prepares for the church's Annual Halloween Carnival chaired by Annie, Eric has a bad attitude toward the whole holiday and discovers the real reason behind his hatred of Halloween while remembering a dramatic experience he had as an 11-year-old boy.
Mon, Nov 4, 1996
After Mary unexpectedly un-invites her family to watch her play basketball at an important game, the Camdens begin to make other plans for themselves. Lucy is angry with Mary because she invited Ashley--a popular girl in Lucy's school, to her game. Simon, Ruthie, and Happy get lost in town while pretending to be spies and following their mailman all over town. Lucy was supposed to to be babysitting them, but was instead entertaining herself and Ashley by talking on the phone with her boyfriend Jimmy Moon. Eric is faced with counseling a young boy who is once again back on his drug habit that is affecting his family.
Top-rated
Mon, Nov 11, 1996
The Camden kids think that their dad is having an extramarital affair when they catch him escorting a woman to a hotel alone. Annie struggles to give Eric the benefit of the doubt about his confidential church business even as all of Glen Oak buzzes with this gossip. Meanwhile, Simon endures his classmates' wrath when they discover his secret crush; he tries to con his way of out of going to school, but learns from his family that embarrassment will be drawn away from him and onto someone else soon. Matt tries to keep things moving slowly between Mary and her new boyfriend.
Mon, Nov 18, 1996
Simon rightly fears he'll catch roommate Ruthie's chicken-pox, but his enterprising hygienic measures fail to prevent contagion from her, or from Happy's fleas. When a robber carjacks them, Annie seems calm and hands their valuables, so Matt feels 'unmanly' and guilty. However, Anne breaks down at an identification lineup. Jimmy Moon stands against Lucy in the school elections, then turns to her parents for help. The church organist veers bizarrely from brilliance to disharmony.
Mon, Nov 25, 1996
Matt, Mary, and Lucy make plans to get away from the family for Thanksgiving, but when Eric's sister Julie comes to spend the holidays with them, plans are changed. After the family finds out about Julie's dangerous secret--her drinking problem--everyone decides it would be better to stay home. Eric decides to help his little sister overcome her problem at home rather than seek professional help--whether she wants it or not. Annie is not comfortable with the situation and is only concerned that the children stay safe after an unfortunate altercation between Julie and Simon.
Mon, Dec 16, 1996
The Camdens become suspicious when Matt's new girlfriend, Tia, wants to spend more time with the family rather than being alone with Matt. Lucy enlists the help of Matt to overcome her clumsiness in order to try out for the cheerleading squad. Annie yearns for more romance in her marriage with Eric as she has become bored with the every-day routines. Simon tries to make himself invisible and tries to convince the whole family that he can be invisible.