Growing Pains

September 24, 1985

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.

October 1, 1985

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

October 8, 1985

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

October 15, 1985

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

October 29, 1985

Maggie accuses Jason of monopolizing the children.

November 5, 1985

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

November 12, 1985

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

November 19, 1985

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.

November 26, 1985

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

December 3, 1985

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.

December 10, 1985

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

December 17, 1985

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

January 7, 1986

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

January 14, 1986

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

January 21, 1986

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.

January 28, 1986

The PTA head rejects the Seavers as dance chaperones.

February 18, 1986

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

February 25, 1986

Mike writes test answers on his shoe soles.

March 4, 1986

Maggie's assignment interferes with anniversary plans.

March 11, 1986

Custodian Mike watches a wild party explode in his home.

May 6, 1986

Reporter Maggie and psychiatrist Jason both face important career decisions.

May 13, 1986

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