Disclaimer: There are spoilers for the TV series “Fuller House” in this article.
Whatever happened to predictability?
It went out the window when the Tanners, Fullers, and Gibblers all wound up under the same roof.
Inspired by 80’s hit series “Full House,” Netflix decided to revive the Tanner household in 2016.
“Fuller House” was a reflection of the original show, which starred three men, Danny, Joey, and Jesse, taking care of Danny’s kids after his wife died, and their adventures together. The sequel depicts what happens when the kids of the original are now the parents.
Rather than Danny, D.J. is now the widowed parent with kids to worry about. Stephanie has become like music-loving Jessie, and Kimmy reflects Joey’s sense of undying humor.
The show ran for five seasons, but ten episodes stand out among the rest.
- “Ready Player Fuller” (Season 5, Episode 5)
It’s a countdown to catastrophe when Fernando messes up the dates for the grand opening of “Uncle Monty’s Sandwich Emporium” right before he heads out of town. Meanwhile, D.J. is on a quest to spend more time with her quickly aging son, Jackson.
What I love about this episode is that it is a big moment for Jimmy, Stephanie’s boyfriend. He was a freelance photographer living out of his RV when he first appeared, but at this point, he had become a partner, father, and business owner. Opening this restaurant was the curtain bow of his series of growth in the past three seasons.
- “Fuller Thanksgiving” (Season 2, Episode 6)
The first of two Thanksgiving episodes, this one packs a punch.
D.J. is hosting and ready to have the perfect holiday with her family and boyfriend, Matt. Stephanie is also ready to introduce Jimmy as her boyfriend to Danny — as long as he doesn’t reveal he’s a Gibbler.
Everything is in the air once the original cast arrives. Viewers see Danny in the midst of a midlife crisis, Joey’s entire family — who forgot to RSVP — and a fighting Uncle Jesse and Aunt Becky.
As one of the episodes with both the original and new cast, it does a very good job of showing that the torch has been passed on when D.J., Kimmy, and Stephanie have to take care of Danny, Joey, and Jesse, rather than the roles being reversed.
- “Moving Day” (Season 1, Episode 2)
D.J. is relieved to have Kimmy and Stephanie move in, but Jackson, D.J.’s eldest, is very unhappy with this situation, as it is not just Kimmy moving in, but her daughter, Ramona, as well.
Between a runaway kid, the beginning of the quirky friendship between Stephanie and Kimmy, and a beautiful mirroring of one of the first episodes from the original series, this episode displays almost every emotion.
- “New Kids in the House” (Season 2, Episode 10)
It’s going to be D.J.’s best birthday ever because Kimmy scored “New Kids on the Block” tickets! Wait, does that say “New Kids on the Clock?”
Now Kimmy and Stephanie are scrambling to find authentic tickets so they don’t break their best friend’s heart.
Simultaneously, the tension between team Matt and team Steve only grows as we see Steve pull through with a heartfelt, touching gift, while Matt bought matching tennis rackets.
This episode of highs and lows will take you through it, bringing viewers along for the ride.
- “The Nearlywed Game” (Season 5, Episode 16)
All bets are off when it comes to picking the song for the first dance.
A spin on “The Newlywed Game,” the kids come up with “The Nearlywed Game” to test the three soon-to-be married couples.
D.J. and Steve have known each other for 25 years; they have this in the bag, right? Stephanie and Jimmy are great at games, and Stephanie is determined not to come in second to her sister yet again. Kimmy wants anything but dead last place, and Fernando is willing to do anything he can to make that happen, even if it means a little cheating.
This episode is full of laughs and surprises and will make anyone believe that love is real.
- “Nutcrackers” (Season 2, Episode 12)
Love is in the air, and Jimmy knows it, but does Stephanie feel the same?
While Stephanie does some soul searching, Ramona tries to juggle it all when her best friend’s Christmas party and her opening night of “The Nutcracker” fall on the same night.
Racing to get to the theater on time, Kimmy steps up and stands in for the role — what could go wrong?
Making its way to fifth place, this episode is full of heart, laughs, and tension that will draw anyone in.
- “Funner House” (Season 1, Episode 3)
Just the third episode of this show, and it introduces one of the most important aspects of the series: the She-Wolf Pack.
After forcing D.J. to a girl’s night, that is what Kimmy names the trio. The name then sticks around for the rest of the series, becoming their trademark group name.
Valentin and Maksim Chmerkovskiy make their first of two appearances, helping with subtle hints to their show “Dancing with the Stars.”
Between a dance fight and revenge on Kimmy’s ex, Fernando, this episode truly sparks the beginning of the sisterly bond between the three lead women characters.
- “Wedding or Not Here We Come” (Season 3, Episode 9)
The whole family is off to attend Steve and C.J.’s wedding in Japan, but Kimmy claims that this is wrong and that this is supposed to be D.J.’s wedding.
Throughout the day, as Fernando and Max fight over first class and Ramona is recovering from her breakup, Kimmy and Stephanie each try to convince D.J. who she is meant to be with.
Once on the plane, due to Fernando’s discomfort with coach seating, Kimmy and Steve switch places so she can comfort him. Unaware of this seating change, D.J. unknowingly confesses to Steve that she wishes this was her wedding and she feels she is losing her soul mate.
People on team Steve have been waiting for this moment for three seasons, making this one of the top episodes. What is so special about it is that D.J. doesn’t just wake up and believe that Steve is right for her; instead, she has to see what she is losing to know what she wants.
- “Maybe Baby” (Season 3, Episode 8)
Back in season one, it is explained that Stephanie can’t have kids. Yet, after being tricked into a gynecologist appointment by Becky, she learns that with IVF and a surrogate mother, she might be able to become a mom.
At this point, Stephanie doesn’t know if she is willing to pay that much or place her heart at risk by doing this.
Meanwhile, Jackson takes his summer school history final and aces it, giving him a much-needed confidence boost.
Earning second place, this episode is an amazing balance of seriousness that will draw you in and humor that doesn’t overpower the gravity of the situation.
- “Mom Interference” (Season 2, Episode 2)
It’s game night, and D.J. is ready to dominate — until she is paired with a guy whose only focus is hitting on her.
Not just losing game night, D.J. doesn’t seem to be in the running for Mother of the Year either when she forbids Jackson from playing football.
Stephanie and Jimmy have their first date — game night — where they are insanely in sync and have dinner in Jimmy’s RV.
This made its way to first place by being one of the funniest episodes that also has big plot points and themes within it. From D.J. being forced to allow Jackson some more freedoms, to Jimmy asking Stephanie what the third half of her thinks when it comes to dating him, this episode moves through complicated dynamics while not feeling rushed.
In conclusion:
This show has been a big factor in my life. From the tension between Matt and Steve to all of the She-Wolf Pack moments, there is something for every feeling.
Having a range of serious topics and delightful humor, “Fuller House” has something for everyone. While I always advise starting from episode one, if you have to start somewhere else, start with one of these.
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