The BEST episodes of The Partridge Family season 2

Every episode of The Partridge Family season 2, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Partridge Family season 2!

In 1970, the Partridge Family was among the top-selling recording acts, not to mention one of the top-rated TV shows of its time. Either way, it made David Cassidy a successful teen idol until the show's cancellation in 1974. The Partridge Family consisted of Shirley Partridge (keyboards, vocals) and her five kids: Keith (lead vocalist and guitar), Laurie (keyboards, vocals), Danny (bass guitar, vocals), Chris (drums), and Tracy (tambourine). Rounding out the cast was their manager, Reuben Kincaid.

Last Updated: 9/1/2024Network: ABC (US)Status: Ended
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Guess Who's Coming to Drive?
star
8.20
5 votes

#1 - Guess Who's Coming to Drive?

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/10/1971

Reuben brings the schedule for the Partridge Family summer tour and Shirley does not like the prospect of driving for two months. They decide to hire a driver. Most of the people who answer the ad are lousy drivers... until Johnny Burnhardt comes along. He helps them fix the bus and then is interviewed by the family. They tell him he's hired. Danny begins to notice that Johnny is doing some strange things on the road. He makes lots of phone calls, looking around to see that no one is watching. Then, he runs into a guy he knows at a gas station and takes money from him. Danny suspects that he is a floating bookie. One day, while Danny is spying... behind his glasses and false nose... he learns that Johnny is having coffee with the local parole officer. Danny tells Shirley who then confronts Johnny. Johnny admits that he is on parole for armed robbery and he must check in with the parole officer in every city. The following day, Danny picks up a newspaper and reads about a bank robbery.

Directors: Ralph Senensky
Writer: Bob Rodgers
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My Heart Belongs to a Two-Car Garage
star
8.00
5 votes

#2 - My Heart Belongs to a Two-Car Garage

Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/4/1972

The Partridge Family awakes one morning to find they have an unexpected visitor: Nicholas Pushkin, or, as he is otherwise known, Puskin the Magnificent. Nicholas is a jack of all trades; master chef, master carpenter, master artist, etc. Nicholas has decided to offer his services to a typical middle-class American family and two Partridges are that lucky family. The family likes Nicholas well enough but he seems to break just as many things as he fixes. In his sincere desire to be helpful, Nicholas paints the garage door while the Partridges are away on a concert date. It may sound innocent, but Pushkin the Magnificent has painted a scantily clad young lady on the garage door and although Nicholas is an accomplished artist, the location of the work is a cause for much embarrassment. As it turns out, Nicholas may not be the greatest of carpenters, but he is a recognized artist. The local museum purchases the garage door for a large sum so Shirley is able to buy a new garage door and Pus

Directors: Jerry London
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A Man Called Snake
star
7.85
13 votes

#3 - A Man Called Snake

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/1/1971

In a hippy fan magazine interview, Keith has blabbed too much about the family, unsettling all of them, especially Laurie. He has said she had a crush on Harry Murphy but Laurie insists it was a Butch Murphy and it was years ago. A motorcycle roars outside, the bell rings, and the door is opened to reveal a burly young man in Levis, dirty white T-shirt, boots, and an earring in one ear. He announces he is Harry """"Snake"""" Murphy and is looking for the chick who is crazy about him. When Laurie explains the mistake, Snake laughs and admits he came on a dare. If Laruie will give him her autograph – on his bare chest – he will shove off. Reuben comes in carrying a twisted wire lawn-flamingo which he says some idiot had run over with a motorcycle, but when he spots Snake he drops that line and gushes about the beautiful machine he saw on the front lawn. In the following weeks Snake roars his motorcycle right in and out of Laurie's life. She refuses to talk with him, but during a rehearsal of

Directors: Richard Kinon
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Who is Max Ledbetter and Why is He Saying All Those Terrible Things?
star
7.80
5 votes

#4 - Who is Max Ledbetter and Why is He Saying All Those Terrible Things?

Season 2 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/17/1972

The Partridges hire a psychic performer for Tracy's birthday party. Keith and Danny keep asking for predictions about their lives, so the psychic asks them to help his failing business from a foreclosure.

Writer: Bernie Kahn
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Whatever Happened to Moby Dick?
star
7.78
9 votes

#5 - Whatever Happened to Moby Dick?

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/22/1971

Danny comes up with an idea for cashing in on the ecology movement... the Partridges should get a whale to be their lead singer. He had just played Laurie's new record, """"Song of the Humpback Whale."""" Laurie explains that whales are becoming extinct and she doesn't want to profit from their plight, but Danny doesn't understand. He puts an ad in the paper for a singing whale, and loads of people show up with their animals – a dancing bear, singing dog, chimp – but no whale. The Partridges go to Marineland and talk to Dr. Whelander, who agrees that they should make a record – to allow people to become aware of the plight of the whales so that maybe they'll do something to stop them from being slaughtered. He said that any profits Marineland receives will go to the New York Zoological Society, where they are working to save whales. Shirley says that her family will devote their profits to the whales too. At the recording session, E.J. Flicker walks in and claims the whale belongs to him s

Directors: E.W. Swackhamer
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Hel-l-l-p
star
7.67
6 votes

#6 - Hel-l-l-p

Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/11/1972

It's a battle of the sexes as Shirley and Laurie prove to their male chauvinist counterparts to be better able to handle the wilderness.

Directors: Paton Price
Writer: Dale McRaven
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I Am Curious Partridge
star
7.60
5 votes

#7 - I Am Curious Partridge

Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 1/28/1972

Danny draws the ire of his brother and mother after writing provocative but false pieces about them for a local magazine.

Directors: Lou Antonio
Writer: Bob Rodgers
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Days of Acne and Roses
star
7.50
8 votes

#8 - Days of Acne and Roses

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/5/1971

Wendell is 16 years old, skinny, unsure of himself and a real klutz. He is a student at Laurie's and Keith's school and also delivers groceries to the Partridges. The family suddenly realizes that he has flipped over Laurie, but he is much too shy and awkward to ask her out. Danny goes to the store where Wendell works and asks him if he'd like to have a date with Laurie. He drags Wendell back to the house and recruits Keith to give him a few lessons concerning girls. Both Partridge boys take Wendell into the house and hold him there until he finally stammers out an invitation for Friday night. Laurie accepts. Later, the Partridge Family realizes that they will be doing a concert in Phoenix Friday night, so Laurie has the difficult job of breaking her date. Meanwhile, Wendell has gained such confidence from her acceptance that it is doubly hard for her. She tells him and he immediately slips back to his former self... stumbling and clumsy. Laurie wants to make it up to him the next week

Directors: Richard Kinon
Writer: Dale McRaven
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Home is Where the Heart Was
star
7.40
5 votes

#9 - Home is Where the Heart Was

Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/7/1972

Chris and Tracy have left the kitchen in a mess and Shirley scolds them. Chris suggests to Tracy that they ought to run away... and Shirley says they should wait till morning after a good night's sleep. After rehearsal the next day, Chris and Tracy pick up a few prize possessions and announce they are going to run away. Shirley tells them they had better pack a suitcase as they'll need a change of clothes and a jacket for the night. She is convinced that they will get only as far as half a block, stop into a neighbor's house for brownies and come back. However, the kids leave the neighbor's house and go to Reuben's apartment by taxi. There is chaos as Chris lets in a sheepdog which gives Reuben hives and Tracy overflows the bubblebath. As Reuben's luck would have it, Bonnie Kleinschmitt shows up that night with a bottle of champagne and plans to stay with Reuben. When she sees the kids, Reuben tells her to give him a hour, and they will be gone. She leaves and Reuben starts to play bla

Directors: Jerry London
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Waiting for Bolero
star
7.40
5 votes

#10 - Waiting for Bolero

Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 1/21/1972

Keith is envious of his friend Archie, who seems to be enjoying an independent bachelor life with his own apartment and all the trimmings. Naturally, Keith wouldn't mind that kind of life. So, he campaigns for permission to move out of the house saying that he needs the solitude to be able to write songs for the group. Shirley's answer is an emphatic NO! Keith persists and Shirley finally allows him to take a room next door where she can still keep an eye on him. Instead of paying rent Keith has to do some """"light"""" gardening. Exhausted from the """"light"""" gardening, Keith has no time to enjoy his independence, let alone write songs. However, he doesn't want to admit defeat so soon. With Danny smuggling him peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and clean shirts, Keith manages for a short while. The fun bachelor life eventually gets to Keith and he admits to Shirley that living alone is not at all what he expected. He is happy to come back home.

Directors: Jerry London
Writer: Martin Cohan
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Promise Her Anything, But Give Her a Punch
star
7.40
5 votes

#11 - Promise Her Anything, But Give Her a Punch

Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 2/18/1972

Danny is in love for the first time... with an 11-year-old girl named Gloria Hickey. He thinks he hates her and constantly hits her with mudballs and his fist, but his family sees that he has a big crush on her. When Gloria visits the Partridge family to sell them cookies, Danny buys 12 boxes for $1 apiece. After he is teased, Danny runs up to his room and Shirley goes up to talk to him. Danny confesses he gets a yearning whenever he sees Gloria – an overwhelming desire to run up and grab her and punch her in the arm. Shirley assures him that he is perfectly normal. Danny wants to ask Gloria to the 6th grade dance and tries to seek advice from Keith and Laurie. He's really afraid to make the move. Just then, Gloria rings the doorbell and Danny dashes away. She has come over to ask a Partridge to the dance... but unfortunately not Danny. It seems she is in love with Keith. Danny learns the truth and makes life miserable for Keith, the """"housewrecker."""" First he kicks Keith in the shins,

Directors: Bob Claver
Writer: Dale McRaven
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The Partridge Papers
star
7.40
5 votes

#12 - The Partridge Papers

Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/3/1972

The school newspaper is collecting items for an auction to raise money. While Laurie is out, Danny accidentally grabs the wrong box with Laurie's items to contribute. Her personal diary is contributed. The newspaper threatens to publish it.

Directors: Jerry London
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Anatomy of a Tonsil
star
7.38
8 votes

#13 - Anatomy of a Tonsil

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/15/1971

Keith, Laurie, Danny and Reuben are playing croquet when Shirley brings them some lemonade. Danny takes a sip and makes a face... says he has a slight sore throat. Shirley looks at his throat and takes him right to the doctor, who tells Danny that he must have his tonsils removed. The doctor and Shirley assure Danny that the operation is very simple. At home, the family acts very nice to him and even lets him choose the dinner that night. Danny's friend, Punky Lazaar, comes over and tells Danny that he had his tonsils out and that it was the most harrowing experience of his life... and Danny believes him. Shirley tells Danny again that it is a simple operation and he has nothing to worry about. Danny starst to watch TV and on Marcus Welby, M.D., he hears the doctor talking to a woman on the phone. Dr. Welby asks her if she has told her son the truth... and she says she feels it is better if her son thinks the operation is just a simple one. That does it for Danny! He relates the TV pro

Directors: Lou Antonio
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I Can Get it for You Retail
star
7.38
8 votes

#14 - I Can Get it for You Retail

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/26/1971

When Shirley favorably comments on a mink coat, Danny decides to buy it for her birthday. Discovering that the girls in school are anxious for Keith Partridge souvenirs, Danny enlists Chris' aid and they start collecting a variety of Keith's belongings to sell. These are to help pay for Shirley's mink coat. After a week of constantly losing things, Keith thinks he is going crazy. The final blow comes when Danny and Chris wait until Keith is asleep and cut off a large patch of hair. Shirley puts two and two together and she and the family interrupt Danny and Chris as they are auctioning off their """"wares."""" Shirley makes them give back all the money and return the balance of Keith's possessions. This partly results in Shirley receiving a mink rabbit's foot for her birthday instead of a mink coat.

Directors: Russ Mayberry
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Where Do Mermaids Go?
star
7.29
7 votes

#15 - Where Do Mermaids Go?

Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 12/31/1971

Reuben and the Partridges stop off for a picnic on the way home as they unwind after several weeks on the road. At the picnic spot they meet Jenny, a free spirit, just traveling around and doing her thing. The Partridges strike up a friendship with Jenny and she goes home with them and stays for a few days. Jenny, however, is really very wealthy and before she hits the road again she leaves the Partridge family a bank book containing one million dollars! The kids are thrilled with this unexpected windfall but Shirley is skeptical and wants to return the gift. Shirley calls the police to have them find Jenny. In the meantime, the family is having a hard time handling their new wealth. The Partridges go back to their picnic spot and find Jenny there. They give back the money and return to their normal lifestyle.

Directors: Lou Antonio
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Forty-Year Itch
star
7.25
4 votes

#16 - Forty-Year Itch

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/19/1971

Shirley's dad visits the Partridge Family at one o'clock in the morning and surprises them with the announcement that he and Grandma have split up. Grandpa plans to stay the night before leaving for Big Sur, but he is also surprised when Grandma arrives on the scene. It's a youth versus old age confrontation between them. Grandpa wants to be """"with it"""" and Grandma is content to live a more quiet life. It's up to the Partridge Family to get things patched up, and it's not easy. Not only are Grandma and Grandpa difficult to live with when they aren't speaking to each other, but the Partridges have a club date and can't leave until the folks are back together. Plans for a reconcilement backfire and Grandpa leaves to hitchhike to Big Sur. The Partridges set out to look for him on the road and on the way to their club date. Despite the fact that they pick him up in quite a disheveled state, Grandpa is determined to continue to Big Sur. He is convinced to delay his trip and stay for the clu

Directors: Ralph Senensky
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Dora, Dora, Dora
star
7.14
14 votes

#17 - Dora, Dora, Dora

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/17/1971

Keith's infatuation with a pretty young singer whom Reuben has sent prevents him from realizing that she is a terrible singer.

Directors: Ralph Senensky
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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Partridge
star
7.14
7 votes

#18 - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Partridge

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/29/1971

After getting some unsolicited advice from his school coach, Keith decides to accept the responsibility of being the eldest male in the family. He feels he should take care of his younger brother and sisters. Unfortunately for the kids, Keith gives them an educational and cultural whirl that includes a classical music concert in the park and the Bolshoi Ballet. The kids have no time left for plain old fun. Fed up with the whole situation, Danny initiates a 'get back at Keith' drive. The kids start laying all their problems – reall and imaginary – at Keith's door. The pressure finally gets to Keith when Danny asks him to explain the 'facts of life.' Keith realizes that the burden is too much for him – he has no time left to do his homework. Later on, Keith overhears the children talking about the success of their plan and he feels very hurt and humiliated. Knowing they have wronged Keith, the kids apologize and all is forgiven.

Directors: Mel Swope
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In 25 Words or Less
star
7.00
12 votes

#19 - In 25 Words or Less

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/24/1971

To raise money and create publicity, Reuben hosts a contest where the winner can spend a week with the Partridges at their home. The winner? Mrs. Gloria Neugast, a middle-aged woman.

Directors: Richard Kinon
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Tale of Two Hamsters
star
7.00
5 votes

#20 - Tale of Two Hamsters

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/12/1971

Danny, Chris & Tracy start a hamster raising business. It turns out that hamsters really multiply. When they were going on the road, they can't find no one to take care of all the hamsters. So they take them with them. The hotel doesn't allow those pets, so they have to drive around the block to keep them warm. Shirley tells Danny that he has to dispose the hamsters, so he has an idea. Danny makes a deal with a department store manager to give out free hamsters with a purchase of The Partridge Family's newest album.

Directors: Roger Duchowny
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Fellini, Bergman, and Partridge
star
7.00
5 votes

#21 - Fellini, Bergman, and Partridge

Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/14/1972

A heated discussion follows when Keith and Laurie see an underground movie. The result is Laurie's challenge to Keith that he couldn't do any better. Keith rises to the occasion and with Danny's financial backing and help he proceeds to film """"The History of the World,"""" starring the Partridge family and featuring Reuben Kincaid as Dolly Madison. The family gets a few good laughs out of the movie and even Reuben likes it. Danny, however, sees this limited success as a chance to recoup his investment and makes a large profit. Unfortunately, no one wants to see the film and it looks as though Keith will have to take a loss on the venture because Danny wants to be paid back in any case. Finally, a local theater owner shows some interest in the film. The Partridge will not allow the uncut version to be seen in public and Keith must edit the film. There's not much left after the cutting and the Partridge family winds up adding a live musical background to a film of the Partridge family wavi

Directors: Jerome Courtland
Writer: Martin Cohan
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All's War In Love and Fairs
star
7.00
4 votes

#22 - All's War In Love and Fairs

Season 2 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/10/1972

As the Partridges start their vacation, the bus breaks down in a small town. The locals want them to do a benefit show to help Native Americans build a school. The mechanic finds ways to delay fixing the bus until the day of the show.

Directors: Mel Swope
Writer: John Wilder
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The Undergraduate
star
6.91
11 votes

#23 - The Undergraduate

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/8/1971

Shirley is accepted to a class in Psychology 1A in college and she learns that Paul Bruner, a freshman in her class, has a crush on her. On the first day of school, Paul comes by the Partridge Family house to ask Shirley for a ride to a lecture given the following night in connection with their class. Paul anticipates an amorous episode to take place enroute and, quite unexpectedly, the car does run out of gas on the way home. The Family teases Shirley mercilessly for using such an old trick and Paul's parents pay a serious visit to look into the supposed romance between their son and Shirley. Their visit alerts Shirley to the fact of Paul's attachment to her. With the help of Mr. and Mrs. Bruner, Shirley decides to end the romance with a special dinner for Paul. That night, Paul rings the doorbell to find Keith Partridge greeting him.. much to his astonishment. He is then introduced to all the other members of the family and finally realizes that he is in the midst of the famous Partr

Directors: Ralph Senensky
Writer: Susan Silver
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Don't Bring Your Guns to Town, Santa
star
6.86
7 votes

#24 - Don't Bring Your Guns to Town, Santa

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/17/1971

As the Partridge family is driving home from Las Vegas on Christmas Eve, the bus breaks down. To their dismay, they discover they are in a ghost town in the middle of the desert. Charlie, an old prospector, comes up to them leading his burro. He tells them that there is a garage 12 miles away, but it is closed. Keith and Reuben stay to try to fix the bus and the rest of the family go to Charlie's cabin. When Chris and Tracy complain that they will miss Christmas, Charlie tells them a story about the ghost town 100 years ago. In the fantasy, the two is now clean and new and there are many people. Charlie explains that the town had a beautiful, shiny silver bell which people came for miles to see and which brought Santa Claus to the town each year. Keith becomes the singing Sheriff Swell, Laurie is the school marm and Shirley is saloon mistress Belle. Everything is fine and happy one year until the day before Christmas when Mean Sidney (Reuben) comes to town and steals the bell so that S

Directors: Richard Kinon
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