Father Knows Best: Season 5
Season 5 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Father Knows Best Season 4.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 5 Progress Shield
Vine Covered Cottage
Sep 15, 1958
Betty and Ralph plan to get married, but find it is not as happy as they thought.
Be Kind to Bud Week
Sep 22, 1958
Bud thinks Betty has an ulterior motive when she is kind to him.
Kathy's Romance
Sep 29, 1958
Kathy's new boyfriend is more interested in Jim than of Kathy.
Frank's Family Tress
Oct 13, 1958
Frank tries to console Kathy by telling her that his family are entertainers.
Always Plan Ahead
Oct 20, 1958
Jim tries to teach the children a lesson when they are constantly not planning ahead.
Second Wedding
Oct 27, 1958
Betty talks Jim and Margaret into getting married again for their anniversary.
Bud, the Caretaker
Nov 3, 1958
Bud finds a dent on the back of the car he is watching for a friend.
Betty, the Pioneer Woman
Nov 10, 1958
Betty plays the founder of Springfield's wife in a play of what really happened.
Fair Exchange
Nov 17, 1958
An Indian exchange student arrives for the weekend from Betty's college.
Margaret Wins a Car
Dec 1, 1958
In a raffle, Margaret wins a car and uses it to help the orphans home.
The Great Experiment
Dec 8, 1958
Jim attempts to get the family to broaden their horizons and disaster strikes.
The Christmas Story
Dec 15, 1958
The family recalls as they are putting up the Christmas tree, how Jim wanted them to cut their own tree, and in the process got stranded in a cabin.
Kathy, Girl Executive
Dec 29, 1958
Kathy is elected by the family to control Bud's lawn moving company.
The Good Samaritan
Jan 5, 1959
5Jan59 Bud must do a good deed for an English report and ends up resenting the whole world.
The Ideal Father
Jan 12, 1959
Uncle Charlie believes the children are spoiled when they forget Jim's birthday.
Big Shot Bud
Jan 19, 1959
Bud gets into hot water when he tries to buy Margaret a bottle of expensive perfume.
Hard Luck Leo
Jan 26, 1959
Leo visits and takes advantage of the whole family until something surprising happens.
Bud, the Campus Romeo
Feb 2, 1959
When Bus refuses dates, the girl launch an anti-Bud campaign.
Crisis Over a Kiss
Feb 9, 1959
Bud tries to save Betty from her boyfriend but Betty resents the help.
A Man of Merit
Feb 23, 1959
Jim learns that he is to be appointed as an outstanding person in the community.
Betty Makes a Choice
Mar 2, 1959
Betty is faced with a hard decision that will affect her future.
It's a Small World
Mar 9, 1959
Margaret must decide to attend a luncheon or go with Jim on an important trip.
Two Loves Has Bud
Mar 16, 1959
Bud has a hard time when he must decide between two girls to take to the prom.
An Extraordinary Woman
Mar 23, 1959
The Anderson's are visited by an author on African Culture.
Formula for Happiness
Apr 6, 1959
Strange things begin to happen when Jim's dreams start to come true.
Bud and the Debutante
Apr 13, 1959
Bud tries to impress a wealthy girl by taking her to an expensive restaurant.
The Promised Playhouse
Apr 20, 1959
A flashback show about building a playhouse for Kathy.
The Meanest Professor
Apr 27, 1959
Bud regrets writing a bad article about a professor after the professor finds the article.
Live My Own Life
May 4, 1959
This is a recut version of episode 5 with the same name where Bud goes out on his own and tries to make good.
Bud Has A Problem
May 11, 1959
Bud blames his professor when it appears he will not pass Physics.
The Great Anderson Mystery
May 18, 1959
The Andersons act out a detective story when the television breaks down.
Margaret Goes Dancing Flashback
May 25, 1959
Margaret wants Jim to take her dancing. She tries to trick him into dance lessons.
The Gold Turnip
Jun 1, 1959
1Jun59 Bud feels that there is no use for tradition so he starts to break all traditions.