Top 10 Best Fresh Prince of Bel Air Episodes
#10: “The Fresh Prince Project”
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The first episode kicked things off by establishing the status quo for the rest of the series. Will's arrival at Bel-Air shakes things up for the family, causing Carlton to see him as his rival and Uncle Phil to try and discipline him. The clash in personalities is played up to hilarious effect, as the fast-talking Will is too street smart for his upper-class family to match. The episode is also significant in hindsight since it reflects the character development the family undergoes in later years. Of course, the banter between Uncle Phil and Will remains evergreen and it's always fun to see where it all began. The episode makes sure to refer to Will's sensitive side as well, setting him up as the lead.
#9: “I, Done (Part 2)”
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The last episode deserves praise for bringing a sense of closure to the story while keeping things focused on the characters’ endings. This episode sees Will's attempts to find a place to stay when the Banks' departure is right around the corner. The most significant of Will's relationships -- with Uncle Phil and Carlton -- are given their special moments. The episode makes callbacks to the funniest recurring gags as a way of reminding viewers of all the best times. It spares a significant part of its runtime to the emotional aspect, as Will matures into being his own man and shares a heartfelt farewell with his family.
#8: “The Ethnic Tip”
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After convincing the school to teach classes about black history, Will thinks he'll skate by the subject when Aunt Vivian takes up the role of teacher. However, the bold Vivian has no interest in playing favorites, instead making Will and Carlton pay for their lazy attitude. Every other student is charmed by her teaching methods while her own son and nephew dread these classes. The episode is a great reminder of how cool and commanding Aunt Vivian's character was in the early seasons. Not to mention the many comedic moments through Will's failed attempts of gaining Aunt Viv's favor. Although he does end up learning his lesson, Will's path to this realization is riddled with plenty of hilarious misfires.
#7: "Guess Who's Coming to Marry?"
The series is known for addressing real-world issues, and this premise was very progressive for its time. In this episode, the family is in for a surprise when Aunt Vivian's sister Janice arrives for her wedding at the Banks residence. Caught off guard by her fiance's "tall" appearance, the reaction of the characters is played off to hilarious lengths. The opposition from Will's mother Vy causes some dissension, although she eventually warms up to her sister's wedding as well. At the heart of it, this story is a positive message about love and how it needs to be accepted in all shapes and forms. Besides, who can pass up the opportunity to enjoy Carlton's very creative wedding medley?
#6: “Banks Shot”
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It took some time for Will to understand that Uncle Phil was more than just the scary authority figure he initially saw him as. With Aunt Vivian away and Hilary in charge, Will gives in to his troublemaking tendencies and winds up gambling at a pool hall. Not only does he lose his money, but the car as well. With no way out of this conundrum, it’s up to Uncle Phil to rescue his nephew. Seemingly out of his element, he starts off with embarrassing defeat, before revealing it all to be a hustle of his own. Unleashing his true skills, the episode is a reminder that Uncle Phil is a true badass not to be trifled with.
#5: “Viva Lost Wages”
After watching Will and Carlton under the thumb of Uncle Phil for years, this episode shows what happens when the two are left unchecked. In order to celebrate Carlton's 21st birthday and their newfound independence, the two cousins head off to Las Vegas. Things get out of control soon enough when Carlton's gambling side runs wild, as he loses all of their money due to his addiction. Since the cousins had become so close by this point, they're able to dance their way out of this problem, literally. The episode highlights that no matter how bad things get, these two can turn any situation into an absolute win. It also brought their now-iconic dance to the screen in all its glory.
#4: “Bullets Over Bel-Air”
Taking a serious turn on this occasion, the series featured an episode that portrayed the dangers of the real world. When Will and Carlton head to the ATM late at night, the duo is ambushed by a robber. Trying to save Carlton, Will gets shot and sent to the hospital. Gripped by fear, Carlton lets go of his positive nature and becomes terrified to be alone. It comes down to the bedridden Will to talk sense into his cousin, especially when Carlton shows up with a gun. A guaranteed tearjerker, the story adds a layer of realism to the series and proves it can make fans cry as much as it can make them laugh.
#3: “Blood Is Thicker Than Mud”
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Will and Carlton's college years featured one hijinks after another. On this occasion, they decide to try out for a fraternity to open up doors for their future. However, Top Dog, the fraternity leader, tries his best to leave Carlton out, judging him based on his privileged upbringing. This leads to a series of over-the-top hazing for the cousins as they try to prove their initiation into the fraternity. The most significant aspect of this episode arrives when Carlton stands up for himself after he's denied entry despite completing all his tasks. The story goes a long way in establishing his character development, as the once-insecure Carlton isn't afraid to be who he wants to be anymore.
#2: “Did the Earth Move for You?”
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Always quick to fall for a girl that shows interest in him, Will gets to an eye-opening lesson about love in this episode. The characters are left trapped after an earthquake hits the city, forcing them to be in each other's company to everyone's annoyance. While Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian make the best of it, the others aren't nearly as glad. Will and his girlfriend Kathleen's plans are ruined when they find big flaws in the other. Will in particular takes this hard, throwing all his charms away. It's hard not to be amused, though, as the two come up with the most creative insults imaginable. Out of all the show's episodes, we get to see the characters at their sassiest attitudes here. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. "Be My Baby Tonight" Because Having “The Talk” Got Way Out of Proportion "Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2)” Because This Episode Blends Comedy & Tragedy Perfectly “Mistaken Identity” Because This Is One Prison Story That’s Both Real & Absolutely Hilarious "Asses to Ashes" Because We Got to See the Wacky Side of This Family “That's No Lady, That's My Cousin” Because It’s So Heartwarming to See Will Be the Big Brother
#1: “Papa’s Got a Brand New Excuse”
Will's abandonment issues are finally addressed when his estranged father, Lou, returns to his life. His initial apprehension disappears after Lou seems to genuinely want a relationship with him. It's here when we see the depth in Uncle Phil's love for Will, as he steps up to be there for his nephew despite Will breaking his heart. As Uncle Phil predicted, Lou leaves Will again, walking out for good this time. For the first time, Will is shown at his most vulnerable, allowing us to see his inner pain and all his insecurities. Overall, this episode is incredible for delivering its message with such poignancy. It confirms that, even though Uncle Phil wasn't related to Will by blood, he was Will's true father all along.
