Home Improvement: 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 Home Improvement 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
A Taylor Runs Through It
Sep 19, 1995
At Jill's cousin's wedding, Tim tries to squeeze in sports for him in the boys. After Jill gets tired of writing her speech for the wedding, she decides to go water skiing with th
The First Temptation of Tim
Sep 26, 1995
Bud Harper, Tim's new boss, wants to replace Al because younger viewers don't like him. Meanwhile, Brad gets detention on the first day of school and additional detention for misb
Her Cheatin' Mind
Oct 3, 1995
After Tim becomes threatened by one of Jill's classmates, he joins her book club.
Jill's Surprise Party
Oct 17, 1995
Tim invites everyone over to the house for Jill's surprise birthday party, but Jill is off looking for her childhood piano.
Advise and Repent
Oct 24, 1995
Jill gets an A on her psychology paper and starts dispensing psychiatric advice. Unfortunately, this leads to marital problems for Randy's girlfriend's parents.
Let Them Eat Cake
Oct 31, 1995
Brad throws a Halloween party for his new friends at school while Tim, Jill, Al, and Ilene attend a cable awards show. The Tool Time cast hopes to win an award, but it appears that
The Look
Nov 7, 1995
Tim gets "the look" from Jill after spending $4,000 on season tickets for the Detroit Pistons.
Room Without a View
Nov 14, 1995
Tim turns the basement into Randy's new room so that Randy doesn't have to share a room with Mark.
Chicago Hope
Nov 21, 1995
Jill plans on having a romantic evening with Tim when they go to Chicago, but Tim's business meeting takes all day.
Doctor in the House
Nov 28, 1995
Jill, Wilson, and Al are angry when Tim gets an honorary Ph.D.
That's My Momma
Dec 5, 1995
When Tim's mother returns, she begins dating Mr. Leonard, Tim's old shop teacher, and doesn't want to spend time with Tim.
'Twas The Flight Before Christmas
Dec 12, 1995
On Christmas Eve, Tim and Al get stuck at the airport on the way to Binford's winter festival. Ilene makes Al choose between her and his mother. Tim and the boys beat Doc Johnson
Oh, Brother
Jan 9, 1996
When Tim hires Marty to rebuild the Tool Time set, it puts their friendship on the line.
High School Confidential
Jan 16, 1996
Brad feels jealous when Randy starts taking advanced classes at his school. Tim designs the man's bedroom.
Tanks for the Memories
Jan 30, 1996
Tim and Jill play each other in a tank driving competition, and Jill wins. However, Tim doesn't congratulate her because he thinks she humiliated him.
The Vasectomy One
Feb 6, 1996
Jill wants Tim to get a vasectomy when they agree their family is complete. Meanwhile, Randy is voted "best butt" by the girls at school.
Fear of Flying
Feb 13, 1996
Mark wants to take flying lessons, but Jill doesn't let him. Jill takes piano lessons. Meanwhile, Tim and Al ruin Bud's car.
When Harry Kept Dolores
Feb 20, 1996
Dolores, Harry's wife, comes to Harry's Hardware and Tim's marital advice causes them to split up.
Eye on Tim
Feb 27, 1996
When a TV report is done on Tool Time, Jill gets angry when the reporter makes advances on Tim.
The Bud Bowl
Mar 5, 1996
When Tim and Jill go bowling with Bud and his wife, Tim tells Jill to lose because he's afraid his career will be ruined if they beat Bud and his wife. Meanwhile, Angela, Brad's g
Engine and a Haircut, Two Fights
Mar 12, 1996
Tim and Brad get into a fight over Brad's new haircut and the hot rod engine. Meanwhile, Randy doesn't want Jill to help him rehearse for an audition to play Romeo in a school play
The Longest Day
Apr 2, 1996
After a routine medical checkup, the family discovers that Randy may have cancer.
Mr. Wilson's Opus
Apr 30, 1996
Wilson becomes the director of Randy's school play but takes the role a little too seriously. Tim and Wilson clash when Wilson attempts to make him rebuild the play's aluminum set.
Shopping Around
May 7, 1996
Tim and Jill see Art, Tim's old shop teacher who's dating his mother, at a restaurant with another woman.
Alarmed by Burglars
May 14, 1996
When Wilson is buglarized, Jill orders Tim to put in a high security system. But instead of them having peace and quite in their house, things get worse when the alarms begin going
Games, Flames and Automobiles
May 21, 1996
Al creates a Tool Time board game, hoping to earn enough money to propose to Ilene. But the game has problems and sometimes catches fire.