But it was nice to go back in time and watch this 1986 holiday episode of “Growing Pains”.
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TITLE: Growing Pains Season 2, Episode 9
TV YEAR: 1986
DURATION: 24 Minutes
COMPANY: ABC
Created by Neal Marlens
Directed by John Tracy
Written by Tim O’Donnell
Producer: Tom Caltabiano, Lisa Helfrich Jackson, Aaron Shure
Executive Producers: Steve Marshall, Michael Sullivan
Associate Producer: Henry Johnson
Music by Steve Dorff
Cinematography: George Spiro Dibie
Casting by Dianne Young
Art Direction by Bill Brzeski
Set Decoration by Melody Lavigna
Starring:
Alan Thicke as Dr. Jason Seaver
Joanna Kerns as Maggie Malone Seaver
Kirk Cameron as Mike Seaver
Tracey Gold as Carol Seaver
Jeremy Miller as Ben saver
Hallie Todd as The Kid
Ben brings a homeless girl home for Christmas dinner, and Jason thinks the family should try to help her, but Maggie is worried.
As I wait for more holiday films to be made available and easily accessible (as I am reviewing this in advance), I am going to review a few Christmas TV episodes for now.
A Christmas episode that I am reviewing is from “Growing Pains” season two, episode 9 titled “The Kid”.
For those who are not familiar with “Growing Pains”, back in the mid-to-late ’80s, the series was one of the most popular series on television. The series revolved around the Seaver family which included psychiatrist father Jason (portrayed by Alan Thicke), journalist mother (portrayed by Joanna Kerns) and children Mike (portrayed by Kirk Cameron), Carol (portrayed by Tracey Gold), Ben (portrayed by Jeremy Miller) and later on in the series Chrissy (portrayed by Ashley Johnson) and in the final season, Luke (portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio).
In this episode, from season 2, episode 9, Mike is wanting an expensive $150 CD player and Carol wants an expensive modem for Christmas, Dr. Seaver wants youngest son Ben to think about the spirit of Christmas and giving to people in need.
So, it shocks the family when before Christmas Eve, Ben said he wanted to give back to someone in need by bringing in a homeless girl to the home to celebrate Christmas with the Seavers.
Of course, Jason and Maggie are concerned with Ben bringing a homeless person to their home during the holidays but because they want to show Ben that giving is important, they allow it.
But while Maggie has “the kid” use their shower and she would wash her clothes, she discovers a switch blade and it leads to a discussion between Jason and the Kid about why she became homeless.
And as the Seaver’s have a good Christmas Eve, the Kid chooses to leave but not before stealing all the presents under the Christmas tree.
But what happens afterward?
For the most part, it was one of the more popular episodes from “Growing Pains”. While the films had that touch of ’80s sitcom positivity, it’s something you don’t need see on television anymore. Especially now with the growing homeless situation in America and how much has changed since the ’80s in America.
But it was nice to go back in time and watch this 1986 holiday episode of “Growing Pains”.
