The essential episodes of Life As We Know It

Watch these 11 in order and you've got Life As We Know It — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · October 7, 2004 · 44m

   Pilot9.0

   All Dino wants to do is have sex with his girlfriend Jackie, but she isn't ready. Jonathan wants to have a secret relationship with Deborah. Ben is hopelessly infatuated with his teacher.

2. 02

   S01E02 · Top rated · October 14, 2004 · 44m

   Pilot Junior5.0

   Dino's secret about his parents' marital problems strains his relationship with Jackie, Jonathan makes a scary discovery that may prevent him from taking the next step with Deborah, while Ms. Young makes a surprising move on Ben.

3. 03

   S01E03 · Top rated · October 21, 2004 · 44m

   The Best Laid Plans9.0

   Ben and Ms. Young throw caution to the wind when they decide to get to know each other on a more intimate level. Meanwhile, Jonathan slows things down with Deborah after she admits he's not her first and, despite Dino's family troubles, Jackie grows tired of forgiving his flaky behavior.

4. 04

   S01E04 · Top rated · October 28, 2004 · 44m

   Partly Cloudy, Chance of Sex4.0

   When Dino quits the hockey team for no apparent reason, Michael confronts his son about what is really upsetting him. Meanwhile, Jackie has trouble admitting to herself that she's living in a very dysfunctional household. And, at Ms. Young's suggestion, Ben auditions for the school play, so when he expresses concern about landing a plum role, his teacher finds it necessary to comfort him in a very personal way.

5. 05

   S01E05 · Top rated · November 4, 2004 · 44m

   Secrets and Lies9.0

   When Ms. Young decides to call things off with Ben and then reconsiders, their affectionate reunion is witnessed by Jonathan. Meanwhile, Dino confesses to Michael that he wants to move out of his mom's house, and Jackie goes to an Al-Anon meeting to help herself deal with her father's alcohol problem.

6. 06

   S01E06 · Top rated · December 2, 2004 · 44m

   Natural Disasters9.0

   Jonathan and Dino discover Ben's big secret. But as Ben grows tired of living a lie and develops a newfound chemistry with Sue, Ms. Young's jealousy gets way out of hand. Meanwhile, Jackie makes a new friend at an Al-Anon meeting.

7. 07

   S01E07 · Top rated · December 9, 2004 · 44m

   With a Kiss, I Die4.3

   While Ben sorts out his feelings for Sue, Ms. Young tries to bring him back into their relationship, which leads him to take drastic action with the school play. Meanwhile, when Dino's fabled conquest of Zok spreads through the school, Jackie reacts by taking things too far with her new friend, Matt.

8. 08

   S01E08 · Top rated · December 16, 2004 · 44m

   Family Hard-ships9.0

   Ben learns an eye-opening lesson when his older brother, Sam, comes to visit and, if only for a moment, Dino finds a reason to appreciate his mom again. Meanwhile, Michael and Mia have an awkward discussion about just how far they will go with their friendship.

9. 09

   S01E09 · Top rated · January 6, 2005 · 44m

   A Little Problem9.0

   Ben and Sue's newfound chemistry encourages Sue to make a stunning admission. Meanwhile, Dino's anger about his parents' separation lands him in a counselor's office (guest starring Peter Dinklage as Dr. Belber), and Jonathan is intrigued by Deb's out-of-town visitor, on "life as we know it," airing in its new time period.

10. 10

    S01E10 · Top rated · January 13, 2005 · 44m

    Breaking Away9.0

    Jonathan considers making a move on another girl, while Ben is forbidden from seeing the person he has grown to like. Meanwhile, Dino begins to come to terms with his feelings about his family.

11. 11

    S01E11 · Series finale · January 20, 2005 · 44m

    You Must be Trippin'9.0

    Despite being grounded, Sue and Ben hatch a scheme to be together on the sophomore class ski trip, and Dino sees a new opportunity to win Jackie back. Meanwhile, Deborah aggressively pursues an exciting internship that her mother has forbidden.