The BEST episodes of The War at Home

Every episode of The War at Home ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The War at Home!

A comedy about two parents and their daily battles against their teenage children to keep their home, their children, and themselves in order.

Last Updated: 2/5/2024Network: FOXStatus: Ended
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A Bitter Pill to Swallow
star
8.27
100 votes

#1 - A Bitter Pill to Swallow

Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/1/2007

Larry reveals to his parents that he suffers from Social Anxiety Disorder, so Dave and Vicky try to put him on medication, but Larry refuses and accuses them of wanting to change who he is. Meanwhile, Dave is convinced that Hillary intends to lose her virginity on prom night, so Vicky ends up giving her the "sex talk."

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
Oh Grow Up
star
7.95
98 votes

#2 - Oh Grow Up

Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/19/2006

Dave has to deal with mood swings and PMS when Vicky and Hillary's menstrual cycles start in full swing. So, when a reluctant Dave has to take Hillary to the gynecologist's office, he soon discovers that Dr. Vogel is his old best friend, who happened to be a ladies' man in high school. This leads to the doctor's professional relationship with the family getting personal since Dave doesn't believe he's changed his ways. Meanwhile, Larry tries to do whatever it takes to gain the respect of Mike when he calls him a nobody.

Watch Now:Amazon
The West Palm Beach Story
star
7.94
72 votes

#3 - The West Palm Beach Story

Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/16/2006

Dave decides to take the family to Florida to visit his parents, and because it won't cost him a dime. But he soon learns that Mike hates to fly, Vicky hates his parents, and Hillary wants to remain in town so the boy she likes won't forget her. This leaves Larry the only one actually looking forward to going on the trip, and has started a weight-loss program so he'll look good in a speedo. However, everything soon starts to go wrong when their ride to the airport is cancelled, Hillary's new nipple ring is discovered by airport security in front of an angry Vicky, and Dave is searched by security. Once they reach the condo, Dave is continously treated by his dad the same way he treats Larry and wants to return home as quickly as possible.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
Gimme a Break (2)
star
7.92
75 votes

#4 - Gimme a Break (2)

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/29/2006

The family struggles to adjust to Vicky's new job, which leaves her with less hours to be at home and more hours working. Dave and Larry continue to have tough time trying to do the things Vicky normally does. Dave's temper doesn't help and makes matters worse when Mike and Hillary end up in trouble. Meanwhile, the changes around the office force Vicky to think twice about her decision.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
The Empire Spanks Back
star
7.84
132 votes

#5 - The Empire Spanks Back

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/27/2005

When Dave thinks the kids are getting away with too much, he implements a zero-tolerance, pro-spanking policy, since talking to them just isn't working. However, they all think he's bluffing and don't take him seriously. After Larry becomes the first to be spanked, he moves in with his friend, Kenny. Now, Child Protective Services is called and Dave will have to answer to them.

Watch Now:Amazon
It's a Living (1)
star
7.75
100 votes

#6 - It's a Living (1)

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/8/2006

Vicky becomes inspired to be more ambitious by Mike when he scores high on a test, with the option of taking the honors class. So, she decides to return to her fashion-executive lifestyle, which will mean an increased salary. Dave supports her all the way until he soon learns she's too busy to do the household duties, leaving him to do all the chores. Larry, meanwhile, ends up taking too much credit after submitting Kenny's poem as his own.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Writer: Darin Henry
Watch Now:Amazon
A Lower-Middle-Upper-Middle-Class Problem
star
7.74
96 votes

#7 - A Lower-Middle-Upper-Middle-Class Problem

Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/25/2007

Dave puts the kids on a strict allowance, since they're always asking him for money. Vicky supports him on this... that is, until she, too, is put on a budget and is unable to buy the Prada boots she's always wanted. Meanwhile, after spending all his allowance money on the first day at Medieval Times, Larry asks Mike to loan him some money. And, in order to earn some extra money, Hillary starts an escort service for the nerdy boys at school.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Apple TV
Like a Virgin
star
7.72
102 votes

#8 - Like a Virgin

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/6/2005

When Dave finds out that Hillary is asking Vicky about sex, he plans an unexpected family trip to prevent her from going out on a date on Saturday night. Meanwhile, Kenny can't accept the fact that Larry has a new girlfriend, so he tries to break them up.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
Dream Crusher
star
7.72
100 votes

#9 - Dream Crusher

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/17/2006

When Larry decides to run for president, Dave is supportive of his son's interest in leadership, until he learns that Larry is actually running for president of the Chess Club. Dave makes a strategic move to prevent Larry from becoming the biggest geek in school. Meanwhile, Hillary thinks she's going to become the next pop star, and after finding an empty condom wrapper in Mike's pants, Dave and Vicki face the dreaded sex talk.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
Looney Tunes
star
7.71
99 votes

#10 - Looney Tunes

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/12/2006

Dave and Vicky attempt to cheer Mike up when they are convinced he's depressed after find a note in his room. Mike goes along with them and decides to milk the situation for all its worth... until he's taken to a therapist and is forced to tell the truth. Due to all the attention Mike is receiving, Larry becomes very upset. Meanwhile, Hillary takes a sexual experience survey for a class at school.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Writer: David Holden
Watch Now:Amazon
The Graduate
star
7.65
155 votes

#11 - The Graduate

Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 4/22/2007

Because of failing gym class, Hillary risks not graduating high school. Feeling that their nest is emptying a little bit, Dave and Vicky feel the need to keep it that way, resulting in both of them agreeing to have no more children and taking steps to prevent that from happening. But in the end, Hillary graduates and a shock for Dave and Vicky unfolds.

Watch Now:Amazon
No Weddings and a Funeral
star
7.63
98 votes

#12 - No Weddings and a Funeral

Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/8/2007

Vicky's mom Betty and her boyfriend Sid announce their engagement and upcoming wedding in St. Martin and invite the entire family to join them. But when Sid goes too far with a stripper, Dave wonders whether or not to tell Betty and risk losing the free trip. Meanwhile, Kenny goes on a date with an ex-boyfriend of Hillary's, so Dave has an awkward conversation with him about gay safe-sex, while Hillary worries she may have a knack for turning men gay.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
Be Careful What You Ask For
star
7.63
154 votes

#13 - Be Careful What You Ask For

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/12/2006

Dave accuses an incensed Hillary of cheating on her SATs after she gets a surprisingly high score. Meanwhile, Vicky and Dave meet a couple who may be interested in more than friendship, and Dave asks Larry to take a client's daughter out on a date, only to find out that she isn't an ideal match for him.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Writer: Darin Henry
Watch Now:Amazon
The White Shadow
star
7.60
153 votes

#14 - The White Shadow

Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 3/18/2007

Larry meets with a music executive who wants him to make a demo after hearing a song he composed for a website. After learning about this, Dave reveals that he considered himself to be the original white rapper in high school, known as The White Shadow, and offers to help Larry with the lyrics. He wants to show him the support his own father didn't show him. Meanwhile, tired of being mistaken for an Olsen twin, Mike decides to bulk up, and Hillary questions Taye's motives when he tells her he loves her.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
Super Dave
star
7.59
126 votes

#15 - Super Dave

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/24/2006

When Kenny's dad cancels on taking the boys to a comic book convention, Larry asks Dave to take them instead. At first, Dave refuses, but after hearing Larry call him a hero, he quickly decides to be a good father and take the boys. But when his fatherly duties go beyond simply dropping them off, Dave is pushed to the limit when it means missing the Jets football game and pretending he's a comic book geek. Back at home, Vicky introduces Mike to coffee and Hillary wants to have a sleepover with a guy.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
Put on a Happy Face
star
7.58
153 votes

#16 - Put on a Happy Face

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/11/2007

When Kenny moves into the Gold's house, Vicky sets out to re-decorate the basement for him, however, her ideas don't meet Kenny's standards, and Larry, Hillary, and Mike try to get him to stop showing them up by doing all the chores and laughing at Dave's bad jokes. Meanwhile, Dave uses Kenny's moving in to his advantage and tells everyone at work he's taken in an "orphaned gay kid" so that he'll look like a good guy and hopefully get the newly-vacant, larger office.

Watch Now:Amazon
The Runaways
star
7.58
154 votes

#17 - The Runaways

Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/23/2006

When Vicky refuses to buy Larry Ice Capades tickets, he runs away from home hoping she'll give in so he can see Brian Boitano star as Bilbo Baggins in "The Lord of the Rings" on ice. A disbelieving Vicky holds her ground, but when she realizes Larry really did leave town, she questions her parenting skills. Meanwhile, Dave tries to support Hillary in a fight with one of her friends, but when it backfires on him, Dave and Vicky get tired of parenting and ditch the kids.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
13 Going on $30,000
star
7.57
127 votes

#18 - 13 Going on $30,000

Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/9/2006

Mike asks Dave for a bar mitzvah, but he believes Mike is only in it for the party and gifts. However, Mike expresses geniune interest in Judaism after studying Hebrew, so Dave and Vicky are willing to support him and throw him a "coming-of-age" ceremony. Hillary also decides she's interested in being Jewish after Mike's attractive Hebrew tutor. Also, Larry gets the confidence he needs to ask out an attractive girl at school.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
How Do You Spell Relief?
star
7.54
127 votes

#19 - How Do You Spell Relief?

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/28/2006

Dave suspects Hillary is pregnant when he finds a pregnancy test in the trash. However, he soon learns that a depressed, jobless Vicky has not been taking the pill. So, Dave insists and helps Vicky with various job opportunities, but with no results, since he is opposed to having another kid. Mike, meanwhile, becomes too lazy and buys Hillary's old book reports when she had good grades, and Larry gets himself into a spelling bee competition.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
The Seventeen-Year Itch
star
7.54
127 votes

#20 - The Seventeen-Year Itch

Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/26/2006

Dave thinks he's still a catch for the ladies when he gets hit on by an attractive saleswoman at work. But he soon learns that she was only checking him out for her mother. Meanwhile, Vicky attracts guys of all ages when she goes to Mike's class for Career Day. And back home, Hillary gets attracted to Kenny's sensitive side.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Take This Job and Bleep It
star
7.53
127 votes

#21 - Take This Job and Bleep It

Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/4/2007

Due to cutbacks at work, Dave and his two co-workers quit their jobs and start their own business. Meanwhile, Hillary decides to join the Army after not receiving any college acceptance letters, and Larry refuses to get his driver's license.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
Kenny Doesn't Live Here Anymore
star
7.52
129 votes

#22 - Kenny Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/15/2007

When it's revealed that Kenny and his date will be attending the school's Sadie Hawkins dance, he and his date are both banned from the event for not keeping with its traditions. This prompts an outraged Larry to lead protest against the discrimination, while Dave goes to the school to argue the case. Meanwhile, once Principal Fink discovers that Kenny's been living with the Golds, he tells Dave that he must inform Child Services so that Kenny can be put in foster care, unless Dave can convince Kenny's parents to let him come home.

Watch Now:Amazon
Out & In
star
7.46
158 votes

#23 - Out & In

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/4/2007

Kenny confronts Dave after hearing that he thinks he's gay, and ends up coming out of the closet to him. Dave suggests to him that he tell his parents, but when Kenny tells them, they kick him out of the house. Meanwhile, Hillary goes on a date with a blind guy she met at the coffeehouse, but she quickly gets tired of having to describe everything to him.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
I Wash My Hands of You
star
7.42
208 votes

#24 - I Wash My Hands of You

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/5/2006

Hillary dupes her parents when she introduces them to a classmate she’s pretending to date, but ends up going out with a much older guy. Meanwhile, Larry gets addicted to Vicky’s nicotine gum and Dave catches Vicky smoking.

Directors: Andy Cadiff
Watch Now:Amazon
High Crimes
star
7.41
46 votes

#25 - High Crimes

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/25/2005

When Dave notices how nice Hillary has been to him recently, he is certain it's because she's having sex with someone. However, Mike spies on her and confirms that Dave is actually wrong. Dave then comes to the conclusion that she's smoking his pot when he notices his stash has gone missing. As he's confronting her about it, though, he accidentally tells her that it's his, but quickly tells her that it's not really his - it belongs to Vicky's mother, Betty, that she uses for medicinal purposes.

Watch Now:Amazon