Diff'rent Strokes: Season 1

Philip Drummond is a wealthy Manhattan industrialist who takes in Arnold and Willis Jackson, the two sons of his late housekeeper; Drummond is white and the boys are black. Arnold, age 8, is excited about the opportunity of a privileged life, but Willis, age 13, feels that Mr. Drummond is trying to buy their love with expensive gifts.

A social worker investigates the boys' home life and tells Mr. Drummond that she believes black children belong in black households. When Drummond tells this to Mrs. Garrett while she is vacuuming the living room, Arnold overhears this and comes to the conclusion that he doesn't want them around anymore.

Mr. Drummond's mother arrives for an unscheduled visit and has an adverse reaction to her son's new family situation.

Mr. Drummond is excited about the possibility of the boys enrolling at his old prep school.

Arnold is caught throwing water bombs off the balcony and Mr. Drummond feels that a fitting punishment is a spanking.

After Kimberly donates Arnold's ratty old doll named Homer to charity and it is sold, he can't sleep. Mr. Drummond quickly tires of this, so he hires a detective to try and find the doll.

After reading a book on the American legal system, Willis demands a fair trial for Arnold after he is accused of putting his goldfish in the hot tub.

The Drummonds reminisce about the time they have spent together since Arnold and Willis joined the family. Clips from past episodes are featured.

Over Mr. Drummond's objections, Willis teaches Arnold how to fight a playground bully.

Willis misses his friends from Harlem so he has a club meeting at the penthouse.

Mr. Drummond introduces the family to a woman in his life that he plans to propose to.

Arnold feels he's being ignored by the other members of the family, so he pretends to wet the bed in order to get attention and sympathy.

A relative of the boys comes to visit from Detroit. She plans to stay only a night, but then fakes an injury and quickly overstays her welcome.

Willis is doing poorly in school, so Mr. Drummond hires a tutor. However, he is not pleased by his unconventional methods of teaching.

The Drummonds may have to move when the new landlord enforces a rule forbidding children Arnold's age from living there.

Willis starts to feel that Arnold is a nuisance and wants his own space away from him.

Mrs. Garrett feels that her life goals have not been fulfilled and she wants to leave her job.

Willis gets a job at a gas station, which lasts for only a few hours.

Mr. Drummond's company has bought out a radio station in Portland, Oregon, where his old army buddy, Larry Alder, hosts a talk show.

Arnold witnesses a mugging with his telescope.

Willis wants to have his birthday party at a friend's house in Harlem, but Mr. Drummond is concerned about going there on a Saturday night.

Mrs. Garrett bonds with the girls at Eastland Academy, the school Kimberly attends.

Willis is hurt when he thinks his family has forgotten his upcoming birthday. After dropping several unsubtle hints he discovers that not only has everyone remembered, but also his fondest wish has been granted -- a birthday party in his old Harlem neighborhood.

Mrs. Garrett visits Kimberly's school and takes on its pushy principal with surprising results.