The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Season 4
In the fourth season of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith and his cousin Carlton navigate the challenges of college life while residing in the family pool house. Their experiences include pledging a fraternity, where Will encounters the complexities of racial dynamics, and pursuing romantic interests, including a relationship with Jackie, played by Tyra Banks. Within the household, the family dynamic continues
Season 4 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Will is a street-smart teenager originally from West Philadelphia who moved to Bel-Air to live with his wealthy relatives.
- The household consists of Uncle Philip, Aunt Vivian, cousins Hilary, Carlton, and Ashley, and the British butler Geoffrey.
- Will’s upbringing and personality frequently contrast with the upper-class environment of his family and his cousin Carlton’s preppy nature.
- The series centers on the ongoing adjustment of Will to his new life and the dynamics within the Banks family residence.
Season overview
In the fourth season of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith and his cousin Carlton navigate the challenges of college life while residing in the family pool house. Their experiences include pledging a fraternity, where Will encounters the complexities of racial dynamics, and pursuing romantic interests, including a relationship with Jackie, played by Tyra Banks. Within the household, the family dynamic continues to evolve as Will attempts to assist his uncle, Philip, with his dieting efforts by sneaking him snacks, inadvertently creating health risks. Meanwhile, Ashley undergoes a significant personal transformation, moving past her childhood persona through a notable makeover, entering the dating scene, and asserting her independence by performing the song Respect to demand greater recognition from her parents. This twenty-six episode season features a variety of guest appearances from notable figures, including Donald Trump, Hugh Hefner, Dick Clark, Ben Vereen, Robert Guillaume, Pam Grier, Branford Marsalis, and the musical group Boyz II Men. The narrative continues to blend the comedic antics of the street-smart Will with the established lifestyle of his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air, maintaining the central themes of family, growth, and the cultural contrasts between Will and his cousins.
Episode Guide
Season 4 Progress Shield
Where There's a Will, There's a Way (1)
Sep 20, 1993 · 22 min
Will and Carlton begin their first year of college by moving into their own apartment, while Philip and Vivian enjoy their newborn son. Hilary learns that Trevor plans to propose m
Where There's a Will, There's a Way (2)
Sep 20, 1993 · 23 min
Will and Carlton begin their first year of college by moving into their own apartment, while Philip and Vivian enjoy their newborn son. Hilary learns that Trevor plans to propose m
All Guts, No Glory
Sep 27, 1993 · 23 min
Registration day finds Will signing up for no-brainer classes, plus one that might truly challenge him - a philosophy course he takes to meet a girl.
Father of the Year
Oct 4, 1993 · 23 min
Stuck with caring for Nicky for the day, Will soon discovers the benefits of baby-sitting: he's suddenly a big man on campus with the women so long as he poses as a single dad.
It's Better to Have Loved and Lost It...
Oct 11, 1993 · 23 min
After Will's friends guys rib Carlton about being a virgin, Miss Right appears and sweeps Carlton off his feet. Elsewhere, Geoffrey confesses a secret of his own.
Will Goes a-Courtin'
Oct 18, 1993 · 23 min
When Phillip sues Will and Carlton for unpaid rent, two different versions of the dispute are aired - neither entirely truthful.
Hex and the Single Guy
Oct 25, 1993 · 23 min
Will disses a seance - until the spiritualist zaps him with a hex that (uh-oh) seems to work.
Blood is Thicker Than Mud
Nov 1, 1993 · 22 min
A bro with dough? Carlton's upper-class upbringing may make him unwelcome at a black fraternity.
Fresh Prince After Dark
Nov 8, 1993 · 23 min
Will breaks a date with Jackie to accompany Hilary to a Playboy Mansion reception for weather reporters being photographed for the magazine.
Home is Where the Heart Attack Is
Nov 15, 1993 · 23 min
Will sneaks greasy, high-fat foods to Philip after he promises to diet and exercise, then blames himself when Philip has a heart attack.
Take My Cousin... Please
Nov 22, 1993 · 23 min
On academic probation, Will schemes to improve his grades by fixing up a newly divorced English professor with Hilary, who soon finds fault with the man, further jeopardizing Will'
You've Got to Be a Football Hero
Nov 29, 1993 · 23 min
Will uses booze to prove his manliness while competing with a hulking football hero who wants to score points with Jackie, and his fraternity brothers leave drunken Will in a cemet
'Twas the Night Before Christening
Dec 20, 1993 · 23 min
Vivian promises god-motherhood of her child to both of her sisters, while Will hatches a harebrained scheme to get Boyz II Men to perform at baby Nicky's christening.
Sleepless in Bel-Air
Jan 3, 1994 · 23 min
Will pays for putting off studying for a midterm until the last minute, and Ashley pays for staying out late on her first date.
Who's the Boss
Jan 10, 1994 · 23 min
Carlton in charge. Will gets his feathers ruffled when his cousin becomes his boss at the Peacock Stop.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Screams
Jan 24, 1994 · 23 min
Bird is the word when Carlton, ULA's peacock mascot, is kidnapped by a rival school before the big game.
When You Hit Upon a Star
Jan 31, 1994 · 23 min
Will becomes a jet-setter while dating a pop star.
Stop Will! In the Name of Love
Feb 14, 1994 · 23 min
A Valentine's double date finds Will treating Ashley like a kid and Ashley demanding r-e-s-p-e-c-t.
You'd Better Shop Around
Feb 21, 1994 · 22 min
A car dealer hires Will, then persuades him to drop out of college.
The Ol' Ball and Chain
Feb 28, 1994 · 23 min
Jazz's bride has a couple of teensy character flaws: She's a convict. And she puts the moves on Will.
The Harder They Fall
Mar 14, 1994 · 23 min
Will finds himself stranded in a mountain forest with his new girlfriend's disagreeable father after they parachute out of his disabled plane.
M is for the Many Things She Gave Me
Apr 25, 1994 · 23 min
It's double trouble for Will when Philip's old flame visits with her daughter, who's attracted to Will.
Mother's Day
May 2, 1994 · 23 min
Say, homie, could you do me a favor? Just-married Jazz makes a surprising request of Will.
Papa's Got a Brand-New Excuse
May 9, 1994 · 23 min
Ben Vereen plays Will's long-lost father, who breezes into town and promises Will the moon, which angers an unforgiving Philip.
For Sale by Owner
May 16, 1994 · 23 min
A stranger makes a generous offer for the Banks estate, which prompts the family to reminisce about their good times there.
The Philadelphia Story
May 23, 1994 · 23 min
Will returns to the City of Brotherly Love and discovers he's the butt of old friends' jokes, prompting him to go into training to settle an old score and clear his reputation as a