Step by Step Episode Rating Graph

Cody returns and gives Frank and Carol $50,000, which causes nothing but trouble as they decide how to spend it.

Frank goes out on a limb--a tree limb--to keep an eye on Dana and her date, a teenage make-out artist known as Mike the Mover.

Dana sneaks out to hear her favorite singer at a bikers bar.

Al has a date with Kevin Philips,so she seeks advice from her step-sisters.Dana tells her she needs to stand up to him and make sure he doesn't push her around.While Karen's advice is completely opposite,saying that the only way Kevin will like her is if she agrees with everything he says.Al decides unwisely to take Karen's advice.The date doesn't go fairly well,but Kevin says he doesn't want to see Al again,as he thought she was more of an independent thinker. Meanwhile, Dana and Cody try to out compete each other in college

J.T. "borrows" Carol's car for a date, and someone "borrows" it from him; Penny dates a mortician who likes to talk shop at dinner.

J.T. and Cody are dragged into replacing two of the four flu-stricken members of Al's all-girl rock band.

Dana passes her driving test with flying colors, but Frank flunks his.

J.T. is mystified: Cody's still a virgin; and he plans to stay that way for the "dudette of his dreams."

A country-club invitation works out nicely for everyone but Dana, who could club Frank over his hayseed ways.

JT finds romance with a female tow-truck operator, but his fear of commitment may stall the courtship.

Frank and Carol end up in a dumpster in search of the files Carol dumped; Dana and Karen pull a UFO trick on Cody and J.T.

Cody acquires this strange ability to see things in the future accurately (although unclear and misleading at times). He goes to Chicago to protect Dana, and although he ruins her interview, he does help her out. Carol begins what Mark describes as ""aging"" by snoring- VERY loudly. She keeps everybody up several nights in a row, until Frank finally comes up with a plan (airport earmuffs for him and soundproofing the door for the kids).

Al is learning to drive, but she gets into a predicament when JT lets her drive while Frank and Carol are away at the doctors. Meanwhile, Dana has her wisdom teeth removed, but the drugs get to her head.

After a little bad luck, JT is deceitfully set up with a 13-year-old. Dana, on the other hand, was able to get a date with the just broken up, best looking guy in school. At the prom, however, Dana is dumped for his ex-girlfriend. Dana is heartbroken-- not only because she lost her date, but also because she must dance the spotlight dance (as Student Body President) all by herself. JT comes to console her and offers to dance with her. Although the two walk out insulting each other under their breath, they gain an appreciation for each other. Brendan belts a boy who cheated off his paper at school. Carol, feeling terrible, invites the boy and his family over. The situation is not reconciled when the boy's parents cheat at monopoly. In fact, after Carol hears them insult Frank and Brendan, Carol belts the boy's dad.

Carol fixes up Jean-Luc with a blind date; the kids use the salon as a make-out parlor.

Cody puts the entire family into counseling over the baby.

Brendan feels responsible for a crackdown on family spending after he loses a rented video.

JT is struggling with Algebra and Frank will not let him cheat. Dana doesn't like not having power and having to walk places. JT and Dana agree that being a parent is easier, whereas Frank and Carol think being a teenager is a breeze. They agree to switch places and bet a month's allowance on what is easier. After 2 days, all four agree that both are difficult and become satisfied with what they are. Meanwhile, Cody discovers that Slasher got married by putting an ad in a hot rod magazine. He decides to do the same and gets a response with a personalized License plate.

Frank's in a lather: J.T. doesn't seem cut out for carpentry, but he bubbles as Carol's shampoo boy.

Carol's new house rules are meant to bring harmony, but they drum up howls instead.

An answering machine can be a lifesaver, but Karen doesn't get the message and, as a result, neither does Frank.

Carol finally goes into labor. Frank rushes everyone to the hospital while Cody is taping everything on videotape. Carol had decided to have the baby without any anesthetic, but every time she has a contraction, she changes her mind (changing it back after the contraction, of course). The doctor convinces her that it is just as healthy for the baby to take drugs. JT, who was supposed to drive the kids, leaves the Foster kids at home. When the Fosters arrive, they begin fighting again with the Lamberts. Cody steps in and shows them how they have been happier when they have assisted one another. Lilly Foster Lambert is born!!

JT and his friend Doug find out that they have a book report due on Monday. Mark tells them that he has read and written reports on at least 10 of the books on their list. JT and Doug get into Mark's computer, get the reports, and decide to sell the extra reports to the football team. Dana finds out and convinces Mark to change the reports into bogus reports. Consequently, Dana has to help JT write his real report. Slasher and his wife, Debbie, go on a trip and leave their baby son Harley with ""Uncle"" Cody. Carol ends up wanting to have another baby and seeing that Cody is a natural father.

Frank and Carol plan a weekend at a quiet retreat while Dana minds the kids at home. Is that how it works? No.

Rich and Dana feel matrimonial pressure after attending a friend's wedding; Jean-Luc and Frank get zonked on homemade medicine.

A truck giveaway causes friction between Frank and JT; a women's safety seminar is a big hit thanks to a hunky cop.

Jean-Luc celebrates a lonely birthday; Dana tutors Rich and romance blossoms.

Cody's speech teacher tells him he says the word ""dude"" too much. He creates a device whereby someone can press a button and give him an electrical shock every time he uses the word. Dana volunteers and takes her job seriously, ""zapping"" him as much as possible. Cody decides that the word ""dude"" is part of who he is and how he communicates and therefore, quits. Carol is 8 months pregnant and VERY large. Frank gets a job with a beautiful ex-girlfriend and neglects to tell Carol, feeling she is insecure. Carol finds out about the job, but more importantly finds out that she can trust Frank.

Dana's new boyfriend, Daniel, convinces her to be in a local play he is directing. Coincidentally, Cody is working on the set of the show and Daniel convinces Cody to join the acting team as well. They become Romeo and Juliet, and Dana is unable to do a good job, because she cannot see any redeeming qualities in Cody. Then Daniel fires Dana saying, ""The show is the most important thing."" Cody then quits saying, ""People are the most important thing""; which Dana finds ""loyal, generous, and giving."" She finally sees redeeming qualities in Cody.

A psychic predicts J.T. will be killed by a woman in red whose name starts with K. Meanwhile, Frank and Carol contend with a mechanical bed with a mind of its own.

A divorced contractor and a widowed beautician impulsively marry, but their broods are in no mood to meld.

With the kids at school, Carol decides to take some college courses--the same ones Karen is taking. Meanwhile, Dana tells Rich to get serious about his education.

Amid Maui's adventures, will...Dana marry Brian? Carol relax? J.T. and Cody find treasure? Brendan, Mark and Al win a helicopter tour?

The boys at school tell Al they do not want to play with a girl; Frank tells Al to try to get more friends that are girls. Al begins to hang around with the only girls who she feels will be her friends. Al starts to wear combat uniforms, skip class, and stay out past curfew. Frank overreacts and the two get into a big argument. When Al's friends get her to steal Cody's guitar, Cody hears them and lets her take it. Cody points out to both Frank and Al that their relationship is vital. Carol sees the TV set being temporarily out of order, as a great time to start a desperate attempt at ""Family Fun Time."" The only thing Carol is able to get them to enjoy doing together is leaving. In the end, the TV is fixed and the Lambert boys are watching Baywatch again.

Carol gives Frank flying lessons for his 40th birthday, and he gets a crash course when the instructor turns suicidal.

Mark is depressed about getting an ""A"" on a test, rather than an ""A+."" Frank tries to loosen him up by getting him a video game. Mark does loosen up, but his grades slip, he starts fights, and he becomes addicted to the game. Frank and Carol send him to a support group. There, he recognizes his addiction and begins to work it out. In the meantime, Cody goes to the health food store to obtain a cure for his cold. In the parking lot, he buys a booklet teaching him how to cure himself with the powers of his mind. Dana mocks him, despite the fact that using his newfound powers enable Cody to think of Karen wearing a turtleneck to hide her hickey. Dana, however, when she is unable to get rid of a cold, tries it herself (when no one else can see, of course).

It's Mark's 13th birthday.While frank introduces him to the fine art of shaving,and Carol arranges a real party for him with music and girls.One of the girls is a lovely girl named Marissa,with who Mark falls in love with.But he's soon brokenhearted as he finds out her feelings for him are not quite the same as what he thought. J.T. passes his mechanics exam.But Dana feels if he can do it so can she.So she challenges him to a bet,that she can do it.

Cody reads so much that he ruins the stories (by telling the ending) for JT, Al, and Carol and desserts (by crushing it with a big box of books) for Dana. However, it does yield him a job as a story time reader for the little kids at the library. He makes the reading time tons of fun and even teaches one of Brendan's friends to read. While filling out their taxes, Frank realizes Carol made more money than he did the previous year. He gets frantic over not being the ""provider"" of the family so he looks for a part time job. He looks everywhere but ends up passing out coupons for a local fried chicken restaurant while dressed as a chicken. Carol is, however, able to convince him that he is a great companion and father and she is perfectly satisfied with that.

As assistant manager of the 50's Cafe, Dana runs the ship like Capt. Queeg--and drives the help to mutiny.

The newlyweds' one-month anniversary is marked by a misunderstanding over gifts and the arrival of Frank's nephew.

Karen is interested in Michael, but is too scared to talk to him so she gets Dana to talk to him. Dana talks to him and gets to know him as he gets to know her. He asks her out and she cannot help but say yes. As they get closer, Dana must keep Karen in the dark. The Lambert kids find out by monitoring a telephone call. They convince Karen to start a fight. Karen tells Michael several lies (including the one about Dana only being 14 years old) things about Dana so Michael will dump her. Unfortunately for the Lamberts, Dana and Karen discuss the problem and turn on them instead of each other. In an unprecedented dialogue, Karen tells Dana how she envies her ""book"" smarts, while Dana tells Karen how she envies her ""street"" smarts. Karen and Dana team up to repay the Lamberts for listening in on telephone calls. After Frank refuses to dance with her, Carol ignores him. It is discovered that Frank does not know how to dance. Cody with excellent dancing skills teaches Frank to dance. Frank

Karen tries to become Homecoming Queen, and discovers it's not worth the effort.Cody suffers an identity crisis.

J.T. sees himself a star when a producer likes his TV show; in art class, Carol sees a lot that Frank doesn't like.

JT discovers that although Cody is the best motorcycle repairman in town, he charges everyone $9. JT convinces him to start his own business with a bigger shop. Cody has trouble getting a loan until Slasher ""convinces"" the banker by threatening to move his multi-million dollar account elsewhere. Cody, however, does not like the new business because he does not get to work on the bikes himself. Frank and Carol are celebrating an anniversary and again are fighting over presents. This time they agree to buy a present, but to limit it to $25. Both exceed the limit and end up struggling to buy a more expensive present than the other one. Brendan makes them an anniversary card, because he did not have the money to buy one. This ends the struggle.

Cody's father comes to see him on his 21st birthday. He gives him a job as executive VP of his successful real estate business. Cody comes into the first meeting and disturbs everyone even coming up with an idea to build a mall on the beach that looks like a sandcastle. Upon advice from Frank, Cody decides to quit realizing,he will not be happy. Carol keeps setting up Dana and Karen with blind dates. They are all bad especially the latest one where the guys are dressed up like Beavis and Butthead and bring fake snot. They plot with Frank to pay Carol back. Afterward, they all agree to not have anymore blind dates. Carol reneges, though, and tries to get them to date a cute guy, but they refuse before seeing him and later try to get him.

No info available......coming soon.

While at church with the Fosters (and NOT the Lamberts), Carol invites the pastor and his wife over for Sunday lunch. The Lambert's notice that he is a normal guy, and Frank promises that the Lamberts will be there next week. Cody and his friends, Slasher and Death, come too because the Pastor is into bikes. The only problem is that a big televised Packer's game is on that week. While at church, JT sneaks away to watch the game, Frank follows him up and falls through the ceiling. Frank agrees to fix the roof and go to church from now on. The very next week he observes Cody, Slasher, and Death singing, ""Pharaoh, Pharaoh""-- a ballad of the Israelites to the tune of ""Louie, Louie.""

Dana is beside herself when Cody outscores her on the SATs; the kids help themselves to Frank's clothes.

Frank falls asleep in front of the TV, prompting a dream of the Old West in which he's a drunken sheriff.

JT's job at a garage is an accident waiting to happen; Frank is obsessed with restoring a boat docked in the backyard.

Tired of the kids acting "either lazy, selfish or brain-dead," Frank and Carol order them to fend for themselves.

Jean-Luc panics when he discovers he'll be cutting the First Lady's hair; Frank finds a guy for Al.

Cody's a roadie---"the coolest job in the world"---for singer Christi Rose, who asks him to become her bodyguard.

Frank's mom treats everyone to a trip to Disney World, but there's some unexpected baggage---Rich and Flash.

Cody is writing a 40's style mystery for his creative writing class. He gets an idea when Karen proclaims her diary is missing. His pun-filled story is played out by the Lambert/Foster family. Kitty Meow (Karen), who sings in the famous trio the Andrews step-sisters, lost her diary. The suspects are as follows: the other two Andrew's step-sisters (Dana and Al), the establishment's piano player (Brendan), comic (JT), and other singing act, Miss Honey Dew (Carol). With the help of the lab technician (Mark), Sam Spud (Cody) discovers it was Honey Dew. In real life, Al turns out to be the one who misplaced Karen's diary.

Frank and Carol tell Lilly about the facts of life, she then tells her kindergarten classmates; JT and Rich play the horses.

Rich secretly takes dancing lessons to impress Dana at a wedding, but she thinks he's cheating on her.

JT, Rich and Dana take a trip to Mexico and wind up in jail; Jean-Luc takes driving lessons from Carol.

J.T. hires an aspiring model to be the family's maid; and Carol gets overly involved in Karen's cheerleading tryouts.

Urged by his parents to either apply to college or find a job, JT gets a part-time position as an assistant salesman in a used-car lot. Not only does he actually enjoy his new job, but it turns out that he's incredibly good at selling cars. He thanks Carol for getting him off his keister and making him get a job. He dreams of one day owning the car lot and gets in a commercial for the place. Dana is assigned to write an essay for her psychology class. After Mark and Karen's refusals, she has to hire Cody as a subject for her study. She writes that Cody is a nutcase, but her teacher claims that she is close-minded. She gets a ""D"" on the paper and has to do a makeup assignment on one person's dreams for a week, and although Cody volunteers, she refuses.

19-Year-old JT dates a 29-year-old woman with an ulterior motive; Mark and his buddies are caught watching an adult video.

JT and Rich enter a male-stripper contest for quick cash to take their girlfriends on a promised ski trip.

JT and Frank make a bet with Dana and Carol to wear a pregnancy outfit to see if they can cope and see how it is to be pregnant for 48 hours, but JT and Frank soon learn it's not easy being pregnant. They lose the bet and must get down on their knees and kiss Dana and Carol feet while they repeat that men are the weaker sex. Meanwhile, Brendan is stunned when his favorite baseball player turns out to be a ""dilweed.""

While working on the Family Helpline, J.T. and Dana mishandle a call from a troubled teen.

Al has a date with the pizza guy; Dana, Rich, JT and Sam go to a concert in Chicago; and Jean-Luc dumps his lenses.

Al feels compelled to check up on Matt when she learns he'll be on a ski trip with Stephanie "Love Boat" Leifer.

Dana's been dumped, Frank burns one of Carol's customers, and J.T.'s limo date backfires.

To win Super Bowl tickets, Frank and J.T. dress up as cheerleaders and face off against a pair of women wrestlers named Assault and Battery.

Carol and Frank go on a romantic getaway, but Carol can think of nothing but the baby. Mark meets a girl, but is surprised by her appearance.

Two Halloween parties result in a lesson about being scared for Lilly and a ghostly encounter for JT.

Worried about turning forty, Carol exercies and diets with Karen. When Karen steps out, Carol sees a commercial for Skinny Tabs and orders them. She loses three pounds, but possesses so much energy that she drives everybody crazy and is constantly talking and working. Frank tells her that he loves her for who she is, not just her body. Al has to write a report on Abe Lincoln, but all the books on him are checked out. Cody takes her to Madame Sonya and he encounters Lincoln. Al does not believe and therefore, she does not see Abe, but she has a great idea for her report-- Abe in the 20th Century. Cody gives Abe's golf scorecard to Carol for her birthday.

Lilly has a crisis of faith when she discovers that the department store Santa is really JT.

Carol gets really ticked when Frank buys her a fake designer watch for Valentine's Day.

The teaching assistant who's been giving A's to Karen now wants something in return; Mark dates a slacker girl.

When Frank's mother and Carol can't agree on child-rearing philosophies, Frank's caught in the middle of the power struggle.

Frank's birthday gift to Carol is a dud; Rich teams with a cheerleader for a science contest.

Cody, J.T. and Mark suspect their new neighbor is a jewel thief. Meanwhile, Dana moves out and loosens up a little too much.

Carol sticks Karen with a date who doesn't rate--so Karen dumps him.

JT falls for an aerobics instructor; Carol has a fight with Dana, who decides to get even by eloping with Rich.

Sam beats JT at every game they play, causing him to question his manhood and the future of their relationship.

Frank and his buddy challenge Carol and Jean-Luc to a bowling contest; JT and Rich fancy themselves sports agents.

Dana, Karen and Al meet a prince and his two assistants on a ski weekend, but the girls don't know which is the real royal.

Al is tempted to toke at a rock concert; Carol's married friend Patti is tempted by Jean-Luc.

JT realizes that he can not find a good job, unless he goes to college. He struggles to study and fails his first test, but with the help of Mark and Cody discovers that he has dyslexia. Carol wants to get the future baby into The Sutton Academy, a prestigious pre-school, and sets up an appointment with a couple of representatives from that school. They insult the Lamberts, and Frank and Carol throw them out. Mark and Gabrielle have a hard time controlling themselves while playing Ping-Pong and even while walking.

After Carol presents an idea of exchanging fewer gifts, Frank announces he gets a 20% discount at Hartman's Toy Store because of his remodeling work there. Both believe one has picked up Brendan's train set and therefore, neither does. When they realize this on Christmas eve, they use Frank's key to get into the toy store and are leaving money in the register when Deputy Barney Feif notices them. They are taken to jail where they are detained. After the kids open all their presents without knowing where their parents were, Cody points out that Christmas should be about joy and loved ones. The kids realize their mistake, get concerned, and find out their parents are in jail. They bring food and caroling to the jail. Deputy Feif lets them out and they all go back home to celebrate Christmas, even Barney.

The family dog-sits a Saint Bernard that keeps Frank away from Carol, and terrorizes Mark.

It's christmas time at the Lambert/Foster's and J.T. decides he's to old to spend Christmas with the family and he wants to go skiing with his buddies.Frank doesn't want him to, but doesn't object.J.T. realizes the minute they arrive at the cabin that he made a mistake and would rather go home.He calls Cody and confesses, but refuses to call Frank.Cody talks Frank into going to see J.T. and he admits he would rather be home with the family and Frank says he wants him home too.

Dana, J.T. and Rich take career-placement tests; Frank deals with an overly eager employee.

Mark is embarrassed by Carol's cheering at his basketball games; Rich takes heat from JT for kowtowing to Dana.

Dana talks Rich into taking a pottery class; Carol and Frank's "role playing" is misinterpreted by the kids.

Carol has just bought a book named ""Ten Minutes Per Day to a Better Marriage."" The book advised to tell each other a big secret. Carol tells him about a secret bank account with a lot of money in it. Frank feels betrayed and goes to his office to spend the night. Upon seeking support from Cody, Frank discovers that he was unsure in other areas (he had not thrown away his little black book). They realize that in the end they are better off for having told each other. Karen just passed her drivers license exam, creating three drivers (Dana, JT, and Karen) and no car. They decide it is time to buy their own car, but they can only come up with $400. JT manages to find an old Volkswagen Bug for $400. The car is a disaster and although Cody works on it, it is barely driveable. Cody and JT sell it for parts and get $425, and they keep the 8 track player with a Sonny and Cher 8 track.

Mark scores points for the guys on the "geek wall" at a dance; Dana attempts to stir interest in a feminist study group; Frank and Carol experience a day at a health spa.

Dana brings her boyfriend Fleming home, and he promptly psychoanalyzes Frank.

During a trip to Disney World, Flash tries to break a record for visiting every attraction.

Rich tries not to be jealous when Dana's old boyfriend arrives; Frank and Jean-Luc go on a disastrous camping trip.

Jean-Luc gets to cut Fabio's hair; Carol bets Dana that she can't supervise a children's birthday party.