The essential episodes of Diff'rent Strokes
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Diff'rent Strokes — each pick states its reason.
- 01
In the series' first episode, millionaire Phillip Drummond takes in two Harlem orphans.
- 02
A social worker checks up on the adoptees in the Drummond home.
- 03
Drummond and his brood journey to Oregon to see his latest acquisition---the radio station where an old Army buddy holds forth. The Trip was a backdoor pilot for TV series "Hello Larry".
- 04
Mrs. Garrett finds teen pandemonium when she visits Kimberly's school in a backdoor pilot for TV series "The Facts of Life".
- 05
Arnold balks at inviting the girl next door to his party, but his attitude changes when he learns she's hospitalized.
- 06
Willis want to sue the school because their Affirmative Action policy affects him, meaning he won't be on the team.
- 07
Arnold attempts to steal an expensive comic book to get into the Gooch's club and gets taken to court when he's caught.
- 08
Drummond's building project is discovered to be on the site of an Indian burial ground, which leads to a conflict with a member of the Indian tribe.
- 09
The son of a woman Mr. Drummond knew during the Korean War shows up claiming that Mr. Drummond is his father. This leads to a reunion with the woman and the truth about who the father really is.
- 10
Willis lies to Arnold about knowing first aid in order to get a job at the school carnival, but when Arnold gets an electrical shock, Willis doesn't know how to save him. He later confesses to Arnold what happened and Arnold is angry when he finds out the truth.
- 11
When Kimberly tries to get into Willis' all-male letterman's club at school, he gets back at her by becoming a contestant in the school's beauty pageant.
- 12
Arnold takes up smoking cigarettes to impress the kids at school, but ruins his brand new sweater when he gets burning ashes on it. He then learns the dangers of smoking from Dudley's father, who is in need of surgery because of his habit.
- 13
Sam innocently invites a female friend to sleep over.
- 14
Arnold is heartbroken that his heartthrob accepted a date with him only because Willis bribed her with concert tickets.
- 15
Arnold's doing an article on the football players and makes a discovery: some school jocks are using steroids.
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