001   1.01   Pilot (original air date: September 22, 2021)

As the youngest in the Williams family, Dean is struggling to figure out where he fits in. Between his brother’s athleticism, sister’s popularity, mother’s intelligence and dad’s overall coolness, everyone else seems to have their lane figured out. He decides to pursue his calling as «The Great Uniter» and attempts to organize the first integrated baseball game between his team and his friend Brad’s team.

Written by Saladin K. Patterson
Directed by Fred Savage

1 = «Soothe Me» -- Sam & Dave
2 = «I Need You More» -- a song by Dean's dad, Bill Williams
3 = «People Get Ready» -- Curtis Mayfiled, The Impressions
4 = «Green Onions» -- Booker T. & The MG’s
5 = «Step Back» -- John Covert and The Crystal Image
6 = «A Change Is Gonna Come» -- Otis Redding

 

002   1.02   Green Eyed Monster (original air date: September 29, 2021)

While Dean reckons with his first taste of heartbreak and betrayal, the adults in his life are overly empathetic and assume his grief is from mourning current events. Dean milks the special treatment and uses it to his advantage – and his family shows their support for him in their own unique ways; Kim invites him to join her at a local activist rally, while Bill and Dean bond during a fishing trip.

Written by Marry Fitzgerald
Directed by Fred Savage

1 = «His Eye Is on the Sparrow» -- Civilla D. Martin and Charles H. Gabriel (sung by Church members)
2 = «Lift Every Voice and Sing» -- James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson [unconfirmed]
3 = «The Tracks of My Tears» -- Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
4 = «Different Strokes» -- Syl Johnson
5 = «Struggling for Survival» -- Little Ed & The Soundmasters
6 = «Somebody Help Me» -- Otis Brown

 

003   1.03   The Club (original air date: October 6, 2021)

Dean stumbles upon some «racy literature» and shares it with friends at school. When he is caught by the school principal, Bill and Lillian navigate uncharted territory as parents and Dean learns that manhood isn’t all it’s cracked up to be..

Written by Max Searle
Directed by Fred Savage

1 = «Try a Little Tenderness» -- Otis Redding
2 = «Do the Roller» -- Leon Gibson
3 = «You're a Hard Habit to Break» -- Linda Ballentine
4 = «Good Time» -- Johnny Day
5 = «Walking in the Rain» -- Rufus Thomas, Jr.
6 = «Nothing Worse Than Being Alone» -- The Ad Libs

 

004   1.04   The Workplace (original air date: October 13, 2021)

It’s «Take Your Son to Work Day» and Dean heads to band practice with Bill. But the “grown folks’ business” at the music studio prompts Lillian to have to pick up Dean. While at her office, Dean finally learns what his mom does while he’s at school all day, gaining a newfound respect for her career and ambition.

Written by Meredith Dawson & Kendra Cole
Directed by Shiri Appleby

1 = «With a Little Help From My Friends» -- performed by Bill Williams and his band
2 = «On the Road» -- The Bossmen

 

005   1.05   The Lock In (original air date: October 20, 2021)

Dean is reluctant to attend the annual church lock-in until Kim tells him it’s where she got her first kiss. He enlists his friends to help him pair up with Keisa, but his plans are thwarted when he instead gets paired up with the pastor’s daughter, Charlene.

Written by Amberia Allen
Directed by Molly McGlynn

1 = Prelude from the Movie «Ten Commandments» -- Elmer Bernstein
2 = Theme from the Movie «Ten Commandments» -- Elmer Bernstein
3 = «Since I Laid My Burdens Down» -- Spiritual performed by church choir [unconfirmed]
4 = «Cowboys to Girls» -- The Intruders

 

006   1.06   Be Prepared (original air date: October 27, 2021)

When Coach Long and Bill take the boys on a camping trip as part of their newly formed scout troop, their starkly different approaches to the outdoors show Dean that his father isn’t good at everything. As a thunderstorm threatens an eerie quest through the woods, Bill leans into his expertise to save the day.

Written by Bob Daily
Directed by Numa Perrier & Fred Savage

1 = «Let's Roll up Our Sleeves» -- Larry Banks
2 = «(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count the Days» -- Inez and Charlie Foxx

 

007   1.07   Independence Day (original air date: November 3, 2021)

As Kim’s campaign for a car coincides with the need to take Grandaddy Clisby’s keys away, Bill proposes a solution that is only pleasing to him: Kim can drive, so long as she takes her grandfather and Dean around town. Later on at the mall, Dean is worried about seeming uncool when Clisby ends up chaperoning him and his friends, but Clisby has a few crowd-pleasing tricks up his sleeve.

Written by Jacque Edmonds Cofer
Directed by Robert Townsend

1 = «I Got the Feelin'» -- James Brown
2 = «Look to Jesus» -- The Jones Brothers
3 = «I Feel so Good» -- The Hearts
4 = «I've Got my Mojo Working» -- Jimmy Smith

 

008   1.08   Science Fair (original air date: November 17, 2021)

After seeing Dean bullied by Michael after school Lillian goes to confront his parents and learns he needs more compassion than discipline. Much to Dean’s dismay, she takes Michael under her wing and helps him with his project for the science fair – an event where Dean typically excels.

Written by Yamin Segal
Directed by Matthew A. Cherry

1 = «Ain't Gonna Run» -- Joe Vitale

 

009   1.09   Home for Christmas (original air date: December 1, 2021)

Dean can't wait to spend Christmas with his older brother, Bruce, when he returns home from Vietnam. But adjusting to life back in Montgomery comes with unexpected challenges for Bruce, and the rest of the Williams family rely on their favorite holiday traditions to bring cheer.

Written by Bob Daily
Directed by Fred Savage

1 = «What Christmas Means to Me» -- Stevie Wonder
2 = «Bag and Baggage» -- Hank Jones
3 = «Say You Love Me» -- The Kac-Ties
4 = «Christmas Time» -- James Prince
5 = «Merry Christmas, Baby» -- Otis Redding

 

010   1.10   Lads and Ladies and Us (original air date: January 5, 2022)

Bill and Lillian decide to join high society club Lads & Ladies as a way to introduce Kim and Dean to positive influences in the community. Bill, Kim and Dean fit right in, but things take a turn when Lillian is treated differently for being a working mom.

Written by Jacque Edmonds Cofer
Directed by Ken Whittingham

1 = «Happy Together» -- The Turtles
2 = «Reelin' With The Feelin'» -- Charles Kynard
3 = «Found Love» -- The Fly-Bi-Nites
4 = «Cissy Strut» -- The Meters
5 = «Tell It Like I Feel It» -- Johnny Summers

 

011   1.11   Brad Mitzvah (original air date: January 12, 2022)

Brad works through his nerves preparing for his bar mitzvah speech while Dean ends his friendship with Keisa when Charlene tells him he can’t be friends with other girls. Things come to a head when the whole group comes together to celebrate Brad’s bar mitzvah.

Written by Yael Galena
Directed by Fred Savage

1 = «Hava Nagila» -- Jewish folk song
2 = «Walin' Back» -- Harold Mabern
3 = «Gotta Have Money» -- Bobby Rush

 

012   1.12   I'm With the Band (original air date: January 19, 2022)

When Dean loses his position as first chair saxophone in the school band, Bill lays the pressure on him to earn it back. But after a talk with Lillian, Bill realizes he’s being a bit too harsh and forcing his own dreams upon Dean.

Written by Jordan Black
Directed by Victor Nelli Jr.

1 = «Today» -- Tom Scott

 

013   1.13   The Valentine's Day Dance (original air date: February 2, 2022)

Dean’s plans to ask Keisa to the Valentine’s Day Dance are foiled when another boy asks her out first after a new makeover makes her the talk of the school. Meanwhile, Bill and Lillian make Kim sign up for a Big Sister program to have extracurricular activities for her college applications.

Written by Brett Melnick
Directed by Victor Nelli Jr.

1 = «The Champ» -- The Mohaws
2 = «Diff'rent Strokes for Diff'rent Folks» -- Alvin Clash
3 = «I Got a Feeling» -- Dicky & Billy
4 = «Cherish» -- The Association
5 = «When a Man Loves a Woman» -- Percy Sledge

 

014   1.14   Country Dean (original air date: February 23, 2022)

The family spends spring break with Lillian’s parents in the countryside, and Dean lies to his cousins about city life in Montgomery to impress them. Meanwhile, Lillian helps to settle a land dispute between her parents and their neighbors to impress her difficult-to-please mother.

Written by Bob Daily
Directed by Fred Savage

1 = «I Just Learned How to Swim» -- Sly & the Family Stone
2 = «Loaded Back» -- Michael Liggins & the Supersouls
3 = «Prayin' Time» -- The Atlanta Pilgrim Travelers

 

015   1.15   Black Teacher (original air date: March 2, 2022)

When their teacher goes on maternity leave, Dean, Cory and Keisa are excited to be taught by Mr. Brady, the school’s first Black teacher. Mr. Brady encourages the students to try out for the Knowledge Bowl team where Dean faces some unexpected challenges.

Written by Amberia Allen
Directed by Fred Savage

1 = «Say it Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud» -- James Brown
2 = «Soul Teacher» -- The Diplomats

 

016   1.16   The Sleepover (original air date: March 16, 2022)

When Dean learns that Corey’s dad, Coach Long, is in the doghouse, he struggles to keep this secret from his friend.

Written by Jordan Black
Directed by Shiri Appleby

1 = «Let Me Go Baby» -- Gloria Gaynor
2 = «Young Girl» -- Frank Lynch
3 = «I Got You Babe» -- Sonny & Cher

 

017   1.17   Jobs and Hangouts (original air date: March 23, 2022)

Kim is excited to start her new job as a waitress at the local diner, which Dean adopts as his local hangout. When Kim experiences drama with her friends, she finds unlikely allies in a tough coworker and her younger brother.

Written by Jacque Edmonds Cofer
Directed by Aisha Tyler

1 = «Shoot Your Shot» -- Junior Walker & the All Stars
2 = «Working Hard» -- Leon Gibson
3 = «Who Can it Be» -- The Caressors
4 = «I'll Make it Easy» -- The Incredibles
5 = «I Heard it Through the Grapevine» -- Gladys Knight & the Pips
6 = «Please Free Me» -- Chett Orr
7 = «Open the Door to Your Heart» -- Darrell Banks
8 = «If I Can't Be First» -- Ike & Tina Turner

 

018   1.18   Goose Grease (original air date: April 6, 2022)

When Dean comes down with the chicken pox on his way to a hunting trip with Bill and Grandaddy Clisby, Lillian forces the three of them to quarantine together. Clisby pushes homemade remedies on them out of his mistrust of doctors, but he’s forced to reckon with this when Dean’s condition worsens.

Written by Yael Galena
Directed by Ken Whittingham

1 = «Feelin' Alright» -- Joe Cocker
2 = «Feel Good» -- Wes Dakus & the Rebels
3 = «Only the Young» -- The Movin Morfomen

 

019   1.19   Love & War (original air date: April 13, 2022)

Bruce returns home from Vietnam, and the family is shocked to find out he is dating an older woman with an 8-year-old son with whom he is eager to start his life. When they learn more about Bruce’s latest deployment, they begin to understand his survivors’ guilt and come together to support him.

Written by Kendra Cole
Directed by Numa Perrier

1 = «Easy Livin'» -- Strangers
2 = «Mr. Pitiful» -- Otis Redding

 

020   1.20   Bill's New Gig (original air date: April 20, 2022)

Bill is excited to have made tenure at the university, only to find that his focus on career and family has cost him his spot in his band. Lillian encourages Bill to write and perform solo, especially as an attractive young jazz singer approaches Bill to collaborate. Meanwhile, Bruce adjusts to living at home.

Written by Dioverd Danny Batista
Directed by David Robert Jones

1 = «All I Know (The Wonder Years Theme)» -- Roahn Hylton, Jacob Yoffee & Scotty Grand
2 = «Summertime» -- George Gershwin

 

021   1.21   Where No Dean Has Been Before (original air date: May 11, 2022)

Dean tries to impress Keisa’s cool new boyfriend, Broderick, by inviting him and his friends over for a party Kim is throwing while Bill and Lillian are away for the night. Things get out of hand just as Bill and Lillian arrive home, and Dean is forced to admit he isn’t being true to himself.

Written by Bo Zenga
Directed by Ken Whittingham

1 = «Rib Tips» -- Andre Williams
2 = «You Keep Me Hangin' On» -- The Supremes
3 = «Can I Get a Witness» -- Marvin Gaye
4 = «Baby I Need Your Loving» -- The Four Tops
5 = «Listen Now» -- The Souls
6 = «Routine» -- The Artwoods
7 = «Little Children» -- Sunset Love
8 = «Snooper» -- Wes Dakus & the Rebels
9 = «Lazy» -- Irving Berlin

 

022   1.22   Love, Dean (original air date: May 18, 2022)

It’s the end of the school year, and summer excitement is all around. When Bill and Lillian each receive major career opportunities, tension builds as they decide who will handle more of the household responsibilities. Meanwhile, Dean and Keisa take shelter together as a tornado tears through Montgomery, providing the perfect moment for Dean to tell her how he really feels.

Written by Yamin Segal
Directed by Saladin K. Patterson

1 = «Hot Fun in the Summertime» -- Sly & the Family Stone
2 = «Mustang Sally» -- Wilson Pickett
3 = «Baby Workout» -- Jackie Wilson
4 = «Lost Love» -- Reginald Day

 

023   2.01   One Small Step (original air date: June 14, 2023)

It’s the summer of 1969, and Dean and Bill are experiencing new walks of life in New York City where Dean has tagged along for Bill’s career-making songwriting gig. Back in Montgomery, Lilian’s infamous sister, Jackie, pays a memorable visit.

Written by Saladin K. Patterson
Directed by Ken Whittingham

1 = «Feelin' Alright» -- Joe Cocker
2 = «It Must Be Love» -- Roy Hytower
3 = «Chained» -- Marivn Gaye
4 = «Sweet Lovin'» -- Filet of Soul
5 = «Can You Picture Yourself» -- Tony Church and The Crusade

 

024   2.02   Forbidden Fruit (original air date: June 14, 2023)

Torn between his secret relationship with Keisa and his friendship with Broderick, Dean turns to Jackie for advice. Meanwhile, after her latest run-in with the law, Jackie decides to turn over a new leaf.

Written by Bob Daily
Directed by Ken Whittingham

1 = «Tramp» -- Otis Redding & Carla Thomas

 

025   2.03   Football Team (original air date: June 21, 2023)

As Kim decides to take classes at Bill’s college and date one of his star students, Bill must walk the line between teacher and dad. Dean and his friends join the football team where Dean finds himself in a tricky situation.

Written by Amberia Allen
Directed by Stacey Muhammad

1 = «Did You Ever Have to Make up Your Mind?» -- The Lovin' Spoonful
2 = «Gonna Be a Big Man» -- The Soul-jers
3 = «The Tracks of My Tears» -- Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

 

026   2.04   Blockbusting (original air date: June 28, 2023)

Bill and Lillian consider moving into the first integrated neighborhood in Montgomery. Meanwhile, Dean develops a crush on Brad’s mom during a sleepover at their house.

Written by Jacque Edmonds Cofer
Directed by Nefertite Nguvu

1 = «Roadside Cafe» -- Bert Shefter & Paul Sawtell
2 = «Working on the Building» -- The Blind Boys of Alabama
3 = «Mr. Clean» -- Winfield Parker
4 = «Sould Strokes» -- Sidney Pinchback
5 = «Good Morning World» -- Bobby Hebb

 

027   2.05   Takeover Spirit (original air date: July 5, 2023)

When Lillian joins the church choir, she discovers a new side to her mother-in-law. Later, Kim encourages a guilt-ridden Dean to have an encounter with the supernatural.

Written by Jordan Black
Directed by Mellisa Kosar

[no music info available at the moment]

 

028   2.06   Bill's New Friend (original air date: July 26, 2023)

After Bill befriends Dean’s music teacher, Bill and Lillian attend a party at his house and the evening takes an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, with their parents away, Dean, Bruce and Kim make their own plans for the night.

Written by Max Searle
Directed by Ken Whittingham

1 = «Sudel» -- Duke Pearson
2 = «Fascination» -- Gordon Jenkins
3 = «Cookin'» -- Al Casey Combo
4 = «Boy» -- Cleveland Robinson
5 = «Crumbs from the Table» -- The Young Disciples Co.
6 = «Nearly Sunrise» -- Norman Petty Trio
7 = «Ala Mood» -- Nadine Jansen
8 = «Don't Make Me Beg» -- The Soul Notes
9 = «My Girl's a Soul Girl» -- Lon Rodgers & The Soul Blenders
10 = «Tipsy Joe» -- Johnny Hodges & Ben Webster Sextet

 

029   2.07   A Star Is Born (original air date: August 2, 2023)

In search of a new hobby, Dean joins the drama club – only to find himself mixed up in drama of his own. Bill and Kim grapple with Bruce’s choice to campaign for a local politician.

Written by Melanie Boysaw
Directed by Lisa C. Satriano

[no music info available at the moment]

 

030   2.08   Like a Boss (original air date: August 9, 2023)

After Lillian’s boss announces budget cuts, she is forced to make a decision and enforce boundaries between her personal and professional life. Meanwhile, Dean and Cory’s friendship hits a few speed bumps as they work together for the boxcar derby.

Written by Tom Young
Directed by Michael Schultz

1 = «Shaggy Dog» -- Dan and The Velairs
2 = «Soul Galore» -- Jackie Willson

 

031   2.09   Happy Birthday Clisby (original air date: August 16, 2023)

The Williams gather to celebrate Clisby’s 75th birthday – including Bill’s brother Melvin and his daughter Cassie. While Bill and Melvin try to one-up each other for Clisby’s approval, Cassie shares big news with Lillian and Kim.

Written by Kendra Cole
Directed by Katie Locke O’Brien

1 = «Somewhere» -- Yellow Hair
2 = «Save Me» -- Sitting Room Soul
3 = «Me and My Shadow» -- Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis Jr.
4 = «What Happens to People» -- Calvin Cooke

 

032   2.10   The Happiest Place on Earth (original air date: August 16, 2023)

When the Williams family decides to go on a family vacation, Kim suggests a road trip to Austin College and Dean proposes a stop at Disneyland. After meeting up with his old bandmates, Bill reflects on his life choices.

Written by Yael Galena
Directed by Ken Whittingham

1 = «Cry, Cry, Cry» -- Johnny Cash
2 = «Going in Circles» -- The Friends of Distinction
3 = «I Hope They Get Their Eyes Full» -- Arthur Alexander
4 = «Standing by Love» -- Eula Cooper