The WORST episodes of Empty Nest
Every episode of Empty Nest ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Empty Nest!
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.
#1 - Pardon My Flashback
Season 5 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/30/1993
While gathered around the television for the Super Bowl, the Westons, Laverne, and Charley reflect on old times.
#2 - 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.
#3 - Good Neighbor Harry
Season 4 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/28/1992
A good deed backfires on Harry when a neurotic woman refuses to leave him alone. Carol's new boyfriend seems perfect except for his hideously annoying laugh.
#4 - Sayonara
Season 4 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/22/1992
Nick leaves Laverne for a woman in Japan. Barbara goes undercover at a college sorority to catch a computer hacker.
#5 - 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.
#6 - Lessons
Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/10/1990
A student has a crush on Barbara, who is working undercover at a high school. Meanwhile, Charley takes up golf, Harry teaches Dreyfuss to fetch the paper, and Laverne is convinced she'll become fat after looking at a family album.
#7 - Take My Mom, Please
Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/24/1990
Carol and Barbara hire a maid, and then realize the family silver is missing. A young patient in need of a father sets Harry up on a date with her mom.
#8 - My Nurse is Back and There's Gonna Be Trouble...
Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/14/1991
Harry's old nurse Winifred returns to fill in while Laverne goes out of town, and a war erupts between the two ladies when Winifred reveals that she's out to get Laverne's job. While on a trip to New York with Barbara, Carol manages to annoy the entire planeload of passengers (including a nun).
#9 - The Son of a Preacherman
Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/4/1992
As a favor to a minister friend, Harry takes in his brilliant young son as an observer, but becomes distressed when the boy confesses it's only his father's pressure that makes him want to be a doctor. Carol is excited about catering her friend Suzanne's posh Palm Beach wedding, until the groom gets excited by Carol.
#10 - 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.
#11 - 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.
#12 - 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.
#13 - Diary of a Mad Housewife
Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/30/1993
Carol reads her mother's old diary and thinks she wasn't wanted. Maxine is annoyed by a mime and a hypochondriac at the clinic.
#14 - The More Things Change
Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/25/1989
The hospital's new owner forces Harry to move his practice after 25 years in the same office. Meanwhile, Carol tries to amend the past after reading Emily's old diary and Charley tries out a new look.
#15 - The Return of Aunt Susan
Season 4 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/8/1992
Carol likes her jet-setting aunt's philanthropist lifestyle. Laverne refuses to miss work despite being in a wheelchair after falling off her roof.
#16 - Talk, Talk, Talk
Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/16/1991
Harry becomes host of a call-in radio show; Carol, Barbara, and Charley enter a chili cook-off.
#17 - Cyrano de Weston
Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/18/1989
Harry gives Charley advice on how to impress a new girlfriend, who turns out to be the same lady Harry is seeing. When a relative dies and leaves Barbara and Emily money, Carol is anxious to see what she'll be getting but isn't too thrilled when it arrives.
#18 - Almost Like Being in Love
Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/28/1991
Harry's lust for his girlfriend sparks marital thoughts.
#19 - Lonely Are the Brave
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/23/1991
Just as Carol conquers her emotional problems, she becomes jealous of Barbara, who is up for a medal of honor for saving a man's life (something she did by accident). Laverne upsets Harry when she asks for a second opinion after he diagnoses her visiting niece's symptoms as allergies.
#20 - Ex-Appeal
Season 4 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/11/1992
Carol starts dating Barbara's ex-boyfriend, but Barbara realizes she still has feelings for him.
#21 - The Unimportance of Being Charley
Season 4 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/15/1992
Charley poses as captain of his ship to impress his visiting parents. Worried that Harry favors Barbara over her, Carol decides to keep track of how many times he does so.
#22 - 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.
#23 - If You Knew Andy Like I Know...
Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/7/1991
Harry hires an old friend's son as an associate, but isn't pleased with the way he practices medicine. Meanwhile, Carol begins a relationship with the new associate and realizes he is arogant and self-absorbed.
#24 - Her Cheatin' Heart
Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/5/1991
Laverne meets another man at a banquet and goes out to dinner with him while Nick is out of town. Meanwhile, when Carol confesses that she stole Barbara's first boyfriend at camp years ago, Barbara vows to extract revenge when Carol least expects it.
#25 - Harry's Friend
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/10/1988
Harry isn't too happy when Carol begins dating his old friend.