Good Times

James gets the break he has been waiting for: a good paying job. After completing trade school, he finds out that the job is in Alaska.

James buys a gun to protect his family from the dangerous environment of the building. After Thelma is attacked, James discovers that his gun is missing.

The cost of medical treatment is enough to prevent Florida from seeing a doctor. But James insists that she seek medical attention and after discovering she needs surgery, he'll do whatever it takes to pay for it.

Thelma's parents are less than thrilled when they discover she's engaged.

James is against borrowing money from Florida's cousin. When he walks out in a fit of rage, Florida discovers some disappointing news about her cousin.

For their 20th wedding anniversary, James gets the use of a friend's cabin. Without the kids, Florida is reluctant to go.

During a celebration at a baby shower, the joy turns to sadness when the mother-to-be announces she is putting her baby up for adoption.

While James is out of town Florida and her brother must figure out what's wrong with Michael. With poor grades and cutting class, Florida realizes a meeting with Michael's teacher should get to the bottom of things.

Politics tear the Evans household in half when J.J. and James are rooting for Alderman Fred Davis, while Florida, Thelma and Willona prefer his young competition.

Willona falls for a deaf man from J.J.'s art class. The budding relationship appears to be heading to the altar in spite of the man's handicap.

After the kids get food poisoning from the meat Florida purchased at the local supermarket, Florida gathers a group of concerned neighbors and boycotts the store. Before she gets positive results, Florida is put in jail.

Thelma wins a scholarship to college but is $200 short. After J.J. finishes the mural the bank commissioned, he'll have enough money to give to Thelma. However, the bank is unwilling to pay once the mural is unveiled.

J.J. falls head over heels for Thelma's friend. But after she declines his romantic advances, he feels completely dejected.

After a bank robbery in Atlanta, the FBI question Florida about her nephew, Cleatus, the prime suspect. She doesn't believe he had anything to do with it until Cleatus appears at the door needing a place to stay and a bag full of cash.

During a school project, Thelma learns that James' father is alive and lives nearby. As a surprise for his birthday, she invites him over, but James wants nothing to do with him.

Before their New Year's Celebration, a dying old man whom Michael befriended decides that he wants to die in the Evans household, surrounded by loved ones.

J.J.'s parents are against him getting married to his girlfriend, Diana. Her parents don't want them to get married either, but they also don't know that she's concealing a drug addiction.

Instead of going to her senior prom, Diana would rather elope with J.J. in Indiana. However, the purse she leaves behind reveals Diana's drug problem.

J.J. gets his own art exhibit in exchange for painting the local numbers runner's girlfriend.

Michael's research for a term paper lands the Evans family in hot water when the FBI discover he's been communicating with a Communist country and think the Evanses are a security risk.

While the parents are away, J.J. learns that he has given VD to one of his girlfriends. His humiliation prevents him from visiting a free clinic for treatment.

Florida does not feel appreciated by her family and decides to go on a lunch date with her boss. James' jealousy drives him to confront Florida's boss.

Thelma is in a relationship dilemma when her fiance gets a great opportunity in California. She's torn between moving to California to be with him and staying with her family in Chicago.

When a neighbor's electricity is turned off, the Evanses decide to have a rent party to help raise the funds. But their cold-blooded superintendent interrupts the party.