Family Matters

10 Best Episodes of Family Matters - Season 9

A long-running dramedy centering on the Winslow family, a middle-class African American family living in Chicago, and their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel. A spin-off of Perfect Strangers.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 04, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Family Matters - S9E15

#15 - Crazier for You (2) (Season 9 - Episode 15)

Urkel is shocked to discover that Myra has been spying on him, but he thinks she's really snapped her cap when she starts dressing like Laura. Meanwhile, Harriette discovers that her wedding ring was originally intended for another woman.

The episode was rated 7.74 from 31 votes.

Family Matters - S9E5

#14 - Who's Afraid of the Big Black Book? (Season 9 - Episode 5)

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Unbeknown to Urkel, Laura has given him Eddie's Little Black Book to use as an invitation list to Eddie's 21st birthday party, and all of ex-girlfriends show up. While Eddie isn't having a happy birthday party surrounded by his exes, Carl is promoted to police captain after proving to Commissioner Geiss that he is the one qualified for the job, which Geiss had initially given to his son.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 34 votes.

Family Matters - S9E21

#13 - Lost in Space (1) (Season 9 - Episode 21)

The long-running family sitcom that made Urkel a nerd for the ages comes to a close after nine seasons. The two-part series finale sends Urkel into space as a student astronaut. It seems NASA wants to test his prize-winning artificial-gravity invention in space - with him on board. Unfortunately, this means that Urkel will have to postpone his other mission: to marry Laura. Meanwhile, back on terra firma, Harriette conspires to get Eddie reassigned to a precinct desk job out of fear for his safety.

The episode was rated 7.77 from 44 votes.

Family Matters - S9E2

#12 - They Shoot Ducks, Don't They? (Season 9 - Episode 2)

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When Commissioner Geiss and Carl go on a duck-hunting excursion, Urkel shows up at the lake with a camera to "shoot" the ducks. Urkel is shocked and dismayed to discover that Geiss and Carl are actually trying to slaughter innocent feathered fowl. Meanwhile, Kelly "borrows" her mom's diamond earrings for a hot night out at the Sizzle Club and comes home an earring short.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 37 votes.

Family Matters - S9E8

#11 - Trading Places (Season 9 - Episode 8)

When Laura seems distant and distracted, a jealous Stefan cooks up an elaborate plan to swap places with Urkel - the "man" to whom he suspects Laura is attracted. Laura knows something's up when Stefan (as Urkel) is a miserable tutor and Urkel has a heck of a time filling in for Stefan at a fashion photo shoot. Meanwhile, Eddie decides to follow Carl around on "the beat" with a video camera.

The episode was rated 7.83 from 36 votes.

Family Matters - S9E1

#10 - Out With the Old (Season 9 - Episode 1)

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Steve undergoes an image makeover in order to take part in a kissing auction hosted by Laura's sorority; Carl feels threatened by Hariette's promotion and raise and decides to moonlight as a parking attendant.

The episode was rated 8.00 from 49 votes.

Family Matters - S9E13

#9 - Breaking Up Is Hard to Do (Season 9 - Episode 13)

Urkel decides to call it splitsville with Myra, but freaks out when she beats him to the punch. Although he is surprised that Myra broke up with him, Urkel decides that it's all for the best and goes to his true love, Laura. But when Myra turns up at the Winslows claiming that she made a mistake and wants "her man back," she discovers Urkel and Laura in a passionate kiss. Meanwhile, Eddie quits school and decides to become a police officer - just like his dad.

The episode was rated 8.03 from 39 votes.

Family Matters - S9E10

#8 - Original Gangsta Dawg (Season 9 - Episode 10)

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Jaleel White dons another persona, that of Urkel's visiting hip-hop cousin, O.G.D. (short for Original Gangsta Dawg), who makes a bad first impression on the Winslows - hitting on Laura, spouting controversial ideas, and influencing 3J in a decidedly negative fashion. Meanwhile, a crooked thug who is owed $4,000 by O.G.D. arrives in town looking to collect on the debt. Singer Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott has a cameo.

The episode was rated 8.08 from 40 votes.

Family Matters - S9E6

#7 - A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Read (Season 9 - Episode 6)

Urkel doesn't mind at all when a chemistry experiment allows him to eavesdrop on the thoughts of everyone around him, but being able to hear what people are thinking soon becomes far too overwhelming. Meanwhile, Carol becomes a troop leader for the Junior Woodsmen.

The episode was rated 8.09 from 33 votes.

Family Matters - S9E4

#6 - Drinking and Jiving (Season 9 - Episode 4)

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Goody-two-shoes Laura has her first beer---and her second and third---at a fraternity party, where she's later rescued by a gallant Urkel. Meanwhile, Carl and Harriette keep their anniversary plans a secret from each other, but not from Eddie, who finds himself in the middle of their fight. When Urkel arrives at a fraternity party to discover a drunken Laura dancing on tables, he takes her home and she kisses him passionately. The next morning when Urkel proclaims that the kiss "was the kind that changes things forever," Laura protests that she doesn't remember - but does she? Meanwhile, Carl and Harriette's wedding anniversary turns into a bone of contention when they both make elaborate - but very different - plans.

The episode was rated 8.17 from 35 votes.

Family Matters - S9E22

#5 - Lost in Space (2) (Season 9 - Episode 22)

Urkel has to come to the rescue when a wandering satellite punctures the spacecraft in which he's traveling, preventing him and a team of astronauts from re-entering the Earth's atmosphere. With the two other astronauts on board unconscious, it's up to Urkel to repair the ship -- from the outside. Meanwhile, as Carl tries to help Harriette understand her son's need to be a police officer, Eddie's meter maid duty takes a dangerous turn. Urkel releases the satellite but starts floating away and was really in peril, but was able to use the satellite's thrusters to make it back to the spacecraft and return home to Laura.

The episode was rated 8.19 from 42 votes.

Family Matters - S9E18

#4 - Throw Urkel From the Train (Season 9 - Episode 18)

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Laura's not impressed by Maxine's rich new boyfriend D'Andre.

The episode was rated 8.29 from 28 votes.

Family Matters - S9E17

#3 - Polkapalooza (Season 9 - Episode 17)

Eddie gets a new apartment but Carl overstays his welcome. Meanwhile, Laura goes to the biggest polka fest with Steve only to find out he has done a lot in the community through polka, and has become more attracted to him.

The episode was rated 8.31 from 35 votes.

Family Matters - S9E3

#2 - Dumb Belle of the Ball (Season 9 - Episode 3)

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When Myrtle ends up hospitalized after saving Eddie from being hit by an oncoming car, he promises to take her to the debutante ball. Myrtle is thrilled when her Prince Charming, Eddie Winslow - "the gravy on her biscuits," escorts her to the Biloxi Debutante Ball. Meanwhile, Laura disappoints Carl when she goes to the Sizzle Club in a skimpy dress after agreeing to change into something less revealing.

The episode was rated 8.41 from 29 votes.

Family Matters - S9E20

#1 - Pop Goes the Question (Season 9 - Episode 20)

Armed with flowers and diamond rings, Urkel and Stephan each pop "the big question" to an unsuspecting Laura. Aware that Stephan is Carl's personal favorite and seems to be the logical choice, Laura is torn between the two men. While Urkel decides that stepping aside and moving all the way to Russia is the gentlemanly thing to do, Laura struggles with her dilemma -- choose the man she wants to marry or risk losing him forever.

The episode was rated 8.50 from 38 votes.

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