Growing Pains (Season 1)

Pilot (Episode 1)

Air date: 1985-09-24

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: 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.

Springsteen (Episode 2)

Writer: David Kendall

Air date: 1985-10-01

Runtime: 30 min

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

Jealousy (Episode 3)

Air date: 1985-10-08

Runtime: 30 min

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

Carol's Article (Episode 4)

Air date: 1985-10-15

Runtime: 30 min

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

Superdad! (Episode 5)

Air date: 1985-10-29

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Maggie accuses Jason of monopolizing the children.

Mike's Madonna Story (Episode 6)

Air date: 1985-11-05

Runtime: 30 min

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

Weekend Fantasy (Episode 7)

Writer: Arnold Margolin

Air date: 1985-11-12

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Jason and Maggie want to go to a mountain lodge for a weekend, but are reluctant to leave the kids alone.

Slice of Life (Episode 8)

Air date: 1985-11-19

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: 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.

Carol's Crush (Episode 9)

Air date: 1985-11-26

Runtime: 30 min

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

Dirt Bike (Episode 10)

Writer: Ali Marie Matheson

Air date: 1985-12-03

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: 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.

Standardized Test (Episode 11)

Air date: 1985-12-10

Runtime: 30 min

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

A Christmas Story (Episode 12)

Air date: 1985-12-17

Runtime: 30 min

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

The Love Song of M. Aaron Seaver (Episode 13)

Writer: Arnold Margolin

Air date: 1986-01-07

Runtime: 30 min

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

First Blood (Episode 14)

Writer: Mark Fink

Air date: 1986-01-14

Runtime: 30 min

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

Slice of Life II (Episode 15)

Writer: David Kendall

Air date: 1986-01-21

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: 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.

The Seavers vs. the Cleavers (Episode 16)

Writer: Susan Beavers

Air date: 1986-01-28

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: The PTA head rejects the Seavers as dance chaperones.

Charity Begins at Home (Episode 17)

Writer: Steve Marshall

Air date: 1986-02-18

Runtime: 30 min

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

Reputation (Episode 18)

Writer: David Kendall

Air date: 1986-02-25

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Mike writes test answers on his shoe soles.

The Anniversary That Never Was (Episode 19)

Air date: 1986-03-04

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Maggie's assignment interferes with anniversary plans.

Be a Man (Episode 20)

Air date: 1986-03-11

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Custodian Mike watches a wild party explode in his home.

Career Decision (Episode 21)

Writer: Bob Brush

Air date: 1986-05-06

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Reporter Maggie and psychiatrist Jason both face important career decisions.

Extra Lap (Episode 22)

Air date: 1986-05-13

Runtime: 30 min

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