The BEST episodes of Empty Nest season 5

Every episode of Empty Nest season 5, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Empty Nest season 5!

Widowed pediatrician Harry Weston is a miracle worker when it comes to dealing with his young patients, but he's more challenged by the other people surrounding him: daughters Barbara and Carol; his wisecracking office assistant, nurse LaVerne Todd; and obnoxious neighborhood mooch Charley Dietz. Thank goodness he always finds a friendly shoulder (and a warm, wet tongue) in Dreyfuss, his enormous dog.

Last Updated: 11/5/2024Network: NBCStatus: Ended
star
9.00
3 votes

#1 - The All-American Boy -- Not!

Season 5 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/20/1993

Harry befriends a young shoplifter while volunteering at a free clinic and brings him home. The boy, an uncontrolled diabetic, later runs away, taking the Westons furniture with him.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
Writer: Peter Gallay
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.75
4 votes

#2 - My Dad, My Doctor

Season 5 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/20/1993

Emily upsets Harry when she tears a ligament in her knee and needs surgery, but chooses instead to follow a therapy program recommended by another doctor. Meanwhile, Patrick goes camping and Charley tags along.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
Writer: Wendy Braff
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.67
3 votes

#3 - Love and Marriage

Season 5 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/27/1993

Carol is upset when cousin Little Carol visits and announces her wedding plans. Charley is sentenced to community service at the hospital and gets some helpful tips from Jack Trenton.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.60
5 votes

#4 - Overboard

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/12/1992

A storm strands cruise passenger Charley adrift in a raft and he returns a different man. Carol and Patrick have a chance to work together, but she becomes jealous when he gets the job and she doesn't.

Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.50
4 votes

#5 - Dirty Harry

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/7/1992

Carol talks Harry into appearing with her on Geraldo. A young patient tries to increase his height so he will be tall enough to ride an amusement park roller coaster.

Directors: Renny Temple
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.50
4 votes

#6 - The Body Beautiful

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/5/1992

Harry discovers that a patient is using steroids. Upset that Patrick is using a nude model in his work, Carol starts thinking she's not attractive enough and attempts an exercise regimen. Laverne is put in charge of fire drills.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.50
4 votes

#7 - The Sting

Season 5 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/9/1993

The FBI wants Emily to help them nab her bookie boyfriend. Laverne teaches Charley CPR.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
Writer: Peter Gallay
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.50
4 votes

#8 - Aunt Verne Knows Best

Season 5 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/1/1993

Laverne is too controlling on her nephew, who is in town to attend college. Carol is convinced her relationship with Patrick will be over before their nearing six month anniversary because no other relationship (except her doomed marriage) has lasted past six months.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.40
5 votes

#9 - ...Or Forever Hold Your Peace

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/10/1992

Harry objects to Arthur's sudden wedding plans, which prompts Arthur to end their friendship. Carol tries to get Barbara to arrest her at a protest.

Directors: Doug Smart
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.40
5 votes

#10 - Thanksgiving at the Westons'

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/21/1992

Laverne is reluctant to accept Harry's invitation to Thanksgiving dinner and flashbacks to the previous such dinner show why.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
Writer: Arnie Kogen
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.29
7 votes

#11 - Why Do Fools Fall in Love?

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/19/1992

Barbara agrees to drop by and check up on Charley after he receives a death threat. Seeing how much they have in common, Charley becomes smitten with her . Meanwhile, after Harry lets a young patient play with Dreyfuss, the kid tries to buy him.

Directors: Dinah Manoff
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.25
4 votes

#12 - Two for the Road

Season 5 - Episode 22 - Aired 4/10/1993

Patrick and Emily drive back from New York together in his van. Meanwhile, Harry, who is home sick with the flu, must bear the brunt of Carol's certainty that something will happen between the two while on the road.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.25
4 votes

#13 - Surprise! Surprise!

Season 5 - Episode 26 - Aired 5/22/1993

It's Harry's birthday and he overhears Charley planning a surprise party, but soon finds out it isn't for him. Flashbacks from seasons past highlight this episode.

Writer: Arnie Kogen
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.25
4 votes

#14 - Charley to the Rescue

Season 5 - Episode 25 - Aired 5/15/1993

Emily is harassed by an obnoxious comic while working as a waitress on Charley's cruise ship. Laverne fixes Harry up with what she thinks is his perfect match.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
Writer: Rob LaZebnik
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.25
4 votes

#15 - My Mother, My Self

Season 5 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/8/1993

Charley's mother arrives to tell him that she and his father are divorced and ends up falling in love with Harry. Carol goes on a trip to meet Patrick's mother. Laverne battles her insurance company.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.25
4 votes

#16 - More to Love

Season 5 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/13/1993

Emily is dating Carol's old school friend Danny, who compulsively jokes about his weight problem; Laverne is spending all her spare time on the phone gossiping with other nurses, but is aghast when another nurse accidentally hears her and Harry together in the supply closet and alerts the grapevine.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.25
4 votes

#17 - Emily

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/2/1993

When Emily returns from college, Carol decides to take her little sister under her wing, so to speak, and sets her up on a blind date with Patrick's friend. Meanwhile, Emily's rich boyfriend, whom she doesn't want to see anymore, doesn't want their relationship to be over.

Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.20
5 votes

#18 - The Fracas in Vegas

Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/23/1993

Harry and Charley travel to Las Vegas to see a boxing match but the trip is plagued with problems. Meanwhile, Emily wonders when Carol stopped being her cool big sister when Carol won't let her visiting college friends crash on the living room floor. Emily later regrets her comments when Carol takes control and starts teaching the whole group to do 70's dances.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.17
6 votes

#19 - The Boomerang Affair

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/17/1992

Harry tries his best to get a lady to agree to date him, but soon wishes he hadn't bothered when she tries to control every area of his life. Laverne tries to conceal an ulcer.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
star
8.17
6 votes

#20 - It's Not Easy Being Green

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/31/1992

Harry agrees to help Laverne hand out candy on Halloween, while Carol and Patrick are mugged after attending a costume party dressed as Madame Curie and Radium.

Directors: James Widdoes
star
8.14
7 votes

#21 - Take My Garage, Please

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/26/1992

Carol begins dating Patrick, the Westons' sprinkler man. When his apartment is condemned, Carol persuades Harry to let Patrick move into the garage.

star
8.14
7 votes

#22 - R.N. on the Rebound

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/3/1992

Barbara sets newly divorced Laverne up on a blind date with a coroner's assistant. Carol is jealous of the friendship between Patrick and Charley (who surprisingly understands the depth of Patrick's art).

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
star
8.00
4 votes

#23 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/24/1992

After finding a man guilty during jury duty, Carol tires to clear her conscience by hiring a former criminal to work at her catering business.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
Writer: Wendy Braff
star
8.00
5 votes

#24 - Timing is Everything

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/14/1992

Harry attempts to start a relationship with an old friend. Carol tries to assemble exercise equipment she bought for Patrick, and when she can't do it she reluctantly calls on Charley for help.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman
star
8.00
4 votes

#25 - Dog Day Afternoon

Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/6/1993

A small investment in a mall makes Laverne especially bossy. Carol consults an animal psychologist for help when Dreyfuss ignores her after she yells at him.

Directors: Steve Zuckerman