Celebrating 30 years of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
10. Guess Who’s Coming to Marry (Season 2, Episode 6)
In this episode, Will and his family are tested. They become aware that Will’s Aunt Janice is engaged to a White man, and they are surprised. Will’s Aunt Vivian and Helen accept the marriage, but Vy refuses to accept it and believes that her sister Janice is making a mistake. She does not want her sister to face issues for marrying a White man, such as being an interracial couple and having mixed-race children.
Will’s mother, Vy, tells him that he cannot attend his Aunt Janice’s wedding, but Will stands up to his Mom. Vy eventually decides to attend the wedding when she overcomes her prejudiced view, and Janice happily gets married.
This episode has a good message about racism and accepting each other we may be of different races and colors. It highlights how the white and black race in America can be united rather than divided, which is why it makes The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episodes watch list.
9. Bang the Drum, Ashley (Season 1, Episode 2)
Will’s youngest cousin Ashley tells Will that she does not enjoy playing the violin and is forced to learn the violin. When Will hears this, he takes Ashley to trade in her violin for a drum set. He also tells Ashley that he has organized a teacher for her in his friend Jazz. Will wants his cousin to enjoy learning an instrument she will have fun playing.
It is an episode that is definitely etched in my mind; I can still picture Ashley playing the drums and Will dancing.
Phil gets angry when he finds out that his daughter Ashley has stopped playing the violin, but Vivian encourages Ashley to try something new if she wants and will enjoy it.
Towards the end of the episode, Ashley reveals to her Dad, Will, and her Mom that she does not like playing the violin and drums and that she did not want to disappoint both Will and her father.
Vivian tells her daughter to do something that she loves, and then Ashley tells her Mom that she wants to quit ballet. Vivian cannot believe Ashley wants to quit ballet and Will and Phil have looks of disgust on their faces. Will, at the end of the episode, blames TV for Ashley wanting to quit everything.