5th Season 1991

  1. "We've Only Just Begun"
    gs: Nikki Crawford [ Girl ]

    rc: Lena, Gina, Terrence

    Dwayne and Whitley prepare for the coming school year at Hillman. He will teach classes, and she will serve as director of a new dormitory. She accepted his proposal and only kept the New York job for the summer. Dwayne asks Ron to pick up Whitley's engagement ring while he is stuck in a meeting. Ron somehow does not realize that the 2.5 carat ring the jeweler gives him is not the one that Dwayne purchased. Street-smart freshman Lena James tries to find housing after the computer fails to give her a room. She manipulates Whitley into letting her stay in her extra bedroom. Col. Taylor and Jaleesa shock everyone by revealing that they eloped. Terrence has trouble getting used to the idea of having a stepmother.

    b: 19 Sep 91 pc: 501 w: Susan Fales d: Debbie Allen
  2. "The Dwayne Mutiny"
    gs: Kimble Jamison [ Nerdy Student ], Jason Seglin [ Student ]

    rc: Lena, Terrence

    Dwayne gives his calculus class a graded quiz on the first day of the year, even though he hasn't taught them anything yet. He plans to give a test every day, and asks the students to sign contracts promising to work extra hours every week. Lena tears up her contract and leads a walk-out. Col. Taylor warns Dwayne that he will be fired unless he comes to a compromise with the students. Dwayne agrees to set more reasonable standards. He explains that he will hold high expectations because he wants the class to accomplish great things. Ron attends the funeral of a professor he didn't know in order to buy Washington Bullets season tickets from the widow. Dwayne infuriates Whitley by cutting into his share of their joint account for a ticket. Col. Taylor advises Jaleesa to set up her new temp agency at the house. Freddie asks for a job, but has trouble finding anything that meets her moral standards.

    b: 26 Sep 91 pc: 502 w: Gary H. Miller d: Debbie Allen
  3. "Home is Where the Fire Is"
    gs: Roxie Roker [ Dean Barksdale ], Michael Milhoan [ Fireman ]

    rc: Lena, Gina, Terrence

    A student's decision to drop out of school allows Lena to move into her own room, much to Whitley's relief. Whitley tries to dump all of the dorm duties onto resident assistant Kim. Kim discovers that Lena is cooking in her room. Before she can do anything about it, Kim has to go break up a fight. Lena sells her gumbo to the other students. She inadvertently starts a fire. The dean wants to suspend her, but Whitley and Kim come to her defense. Lena has to take a job at the Pit to pay for the fire damage to her room. Terrence moves back in with Jaleesa and Col. Taylor.

    b: 3 Oct 91 pc: 503 w: Yvette Denise Lee d: Debbie Allen

    NOTE: Roxie Roker, best known for her work on The Jeffersons, was the mother of Lenny Kravitz. Thus, she was Lisa Bonet's mother-in-law for a few years.
  4. "Almost Working Girl"
    gs: Roscoe Lee Browne [ Professor Barnabus Foster ], Beverly Todd [ Julia Reeves ], Michael Ralph [ Don ]

    rc: Lena, Terrence

    E.H. Wright needs a new secretary, so Whitley recommends Jaleesa's temp agency. Unfortunately, the company needs to fill the position immediately, and the only person available is Freddie. Freddie overhears the head of personnel say that she does not believe in affirmative action; she feels that she earned her job on merit, and wants others to do the same. Freddie lights into the woman and tells her that she has a duty to her race. Freddie gets fired, making both Jaleesa and Whitley look very bad. Jaleesa agrees with Freddie's stance and isn't sure she wants to do business with E.H. Wright. Col. Taylor angers his wife by pointing out that attacking one's boss because she holds a different point of view is not very smart. Freddie realizes that her behavior was inappropriate, and she and Jaleesa both apologize. Lena has difficulty understanding Shakespeare because of the language barrier. She delves into the spirit of the work and translates it into more modern terms.

    b: 10 Oct 91 pc: 505 w: Jeanette Collins and Mimi Friedman d: Debbie Allen
  5. "In the Eye of the Storm"
    gs: Kimble Jemison [ Nerdy Student ], Kevin Hicks [ Reggie ]

    rc: Lena, Gina, Terrence

    A hurricane approaches Hillman, forcing Dwayne and Whitley to cancel plans to spend their anniversary in Washington, D.C. Several dozen people seek refuge in the Pit after the storm washes out the roads and prevents them from being shipped to a shelter. Jaleesa begins to panic and winds up getting drunk. Kim grows tired of everyone asking her questions and expecting her to take charge of the situation. Col. Taylor continually refuses Terrence's offer to help with preparations. He later comes to realize that he has underestimated his son. Ron shows up at the radio station and tries to get Freddie to play his band's demo tape. They start sniping at each other, and argue for so long that they get trapped inside the studio. They eventually call a truce and try to comfort each other. Freddie apparently loses her virginity to Ron during the storm. They promise to keep this a secret, but everyone hears them talking about it on the radio.

    b: 17 Oct 91 pc: 506 w: Susan Fales, Gary H. Miller, Yvette Denise Lee d: Debbie Allen
  6. "Rule Number One"
    gs: Kimble Jemison [ Nerdy Student ], Brad Johnson [ Mr. Wess ]

    rc: Lena, Gina, Terrence

    Dwayne agrees to provide Lena with free tutoring to help her bring up her calculus grade. They bond over their mutual love of basketball and become friends. Whitley insists that Lena has a crush on Dwayne. Dwayne refuses to believe this until Lena leaves an answering machine message in which she raps about her romantic interest in him. Dwayne pushes her away, but fears that he acted insensitively. Whitley shows a surprising level of tolerance for Lena's behavior. She realizes that Lena is homesick and lonely, and offers to serve as her confidante. Ron enlists Kim's help in marketing a line of beauty products (supposedly) designed for African American women.

    b: 24 Oct 91 pc: 507 w: Yvette Denise Lee d: Debbie Allen

    NOTE: Dawnn Lewis and Glynn Turman do not appear in this episode. Instead of the usual montage of clips from the show, this episode ended with outtakes from the scene in which Dwayne was to toss a crumpled piece of paper into the waste basket.
  7. "Baby, I'm a Star"
    gs: Julius J. Carry III [ Larry Beaujolais ], Michael Ralph [ Clint ]

    rc: Lena, Gina, Terrence

    The club owner fires Ron's band, X-Pression, because the group is not bringing in any customers. Dwayne suggests that Ron hire a vocalist. Kim agrees to take the job, and her singing ability brings acclaim to the group. However, she quickly begins to overshadow the rest of the band, and lets the attention go to her head. She turns into a complete diva and alienates her friends. Ron tries to fire her, but Kim smugly points out that they will lose the gig without her. Ron and the band respond to Kim's antics by stopping in the middle of a song and walking out. Kim realizes that she is out of control. She apologizes and agrees to tone down her behavior. Col. Taylor fears that he is too old to keep up with Jaleesa. He buys a Harley and takes up dancing in an attempt to impress her, but ends up hurting himself. Jaleesa puts him at ease by revealing that she is pregnant.

    b: 31 Oct 91 pc: 508 w: Orlando Jones d: Debbie Allen

    NOTE: The song performed by Kim during her audition is "With You I'm Born Again," a 1979 hit for Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright.
  8. "Liza Who-Little"
    gs: Steve Sheridan [ Guy ]

    rc: Lena

    Whitley's aunt offers her a lucrative job as an art buyer for her hotel chain. However, she expects Whitley to look after her golddigging cousin Liza during a weekend visit to Hillman. Liza befriends Lena and turns to her for fashion advice. Liza pursues filely every man on the campus before finally setting her sights on Ron. Kim becomes extremely jealous. Whitley and Kim hide in a closet and overhear Liza talking on the phone with her mother. She advises her mother not to give Whitley the job. Whitley no longer has a reason to put up with Liza's antics, so she aids Kim with a plan to pry Ron from her clutches. Kim bursts in during a dinner date and makes a scene as she pretends that she is the mother of Ron's four children. Her outburst successfully drives Liza away. Meanwhile, Whitley decides to stop speaking to Dwayne because she feels he spends too much time playing or attending sports with his friends. Dwayne warns her not to play games.

    b: 7 Nov 91 pc: 509 w: Dominic Hoffman d: Debbie Allen

    NOTE: Jasmine Guy has a dual role as Liza. Dawnn Lewis does not appear in this episode.
  9. "To Tell the Truth (1)"
    gs: Debbi Morgan [ Lisa Westin ]

    rc: Lena, Gina, Shazza

    Whitley panics about wedding preparations--particularly the upcoming engagement party, in which her parents are to see each other for the first time since their divorce. She complains about everything and acts very demanding toward Dwayne. Dwayne admits to Ron that he isn't sure if he is ready to get married. Dwayne accidentally spills a drink on Whitley during a faculty party, and she screams at him and runs out. He spends the rest of the evening talking with a charming science professor from Avery. Although Ron warns that he is throwing everything away, Dwayne goes out to dinner with the woman, claiming that they are only friends. Kim goes to the restaurant with some classmates and sees Dwayne and Lisa holding hands. Kim confronts Dwayne, but promises to keep the information a secret. Dwayne confesses the truth to Whitley. Freddie becomes romantically involved with Shazza, who she insists has changed since a summer pilgrimage to Africa. She tries to hide the relationship from Kim, who strongly dislikes him.

    b: 14 Nov 91 pc: 510 w: Yvette Denise Lee d: Debbie Allen
  10. "Do You Take This Woman? (2)"
    gs: Ron O'Neal [ Mercer Gilbert ], Harold Sylvester [ Woodson Wayne ]

    rc: Lena, Marion, Adele, Terrence, Shazza

    Before Dwayne and Whitley can deal with the repercussions of his revelation, her mother arrives for the engagement party. Dwayne's parents come to town, and Adele and Marion instantly depise each other. They clash over preparations for the party and wedding, and end up getting into a scuffle and throwing flowers all over the dorm lounge. Dwayne tells Whitley that he is feeling trapped; he fears that they are rushing into marriage. Dwayne has a talk with his father, who insists that it is common to have cold feet. Mrs. Gilbert and Mrs. Wayne establish an uneasy truce during the party. Each of the parents makes a touching toast to the couple and its future. Whitley announces that she is calling off the wedding and runs out. Dwayne follows her and pleads that he still loves her. He points out that his father said that everyone has doubts. "Doubts, Dwayne. Not dates," she replies. Whitley tells Dwayne that she wants to be with him for the rest of her life, and asks if he can say the same. He does not answer her. She gives the ring back to him and walks away.

    b: 21 Nov 91 pc: 504 w: Susan Fales d: Debbie Allen
  11. "Mammy Dearest"

    rc: Lena, Gina

    Dwayne seeks a friendship with Whitley, but she doesn't feel like hearing him out. She throws herself into organizing her dorm's official dedication ceremony. Kim and others object when she includes images of "mammies" (black nursemaids in the past, particularly during times of slavery) with the art exhibit. Whitley, Freddie and Mr. Gaines insist that it is important to remember these women's role in history. Kim wants no part of the display and announces that she will not participate in the ceremony. She tearfully confides in Mr. Gaines about a traumatic incident from her childhood. Whitley recommends that Lena learn more about her heritage by reading slave journals and other information at the Gilbert Library. Lena's research uncovers the fact that Whitley's family owned slaves. Whitley is shocked and overcome with guilt. Mr. Gaines advises her to let it go, as she cannot change the past. Kim, Freddie, Lena and Gina organize a performance art piece about the evolution of the African American woman.

    b: 5 Dec 91 pc: 511 w: Glenn Berenbeim d: Debbie Allen

    NOTE: Dawnn Lewis and Glynn Turman do not appear in this episode.
  12. "Twelve Steps of Christmas"
    gs: Debbie Allen [ Dr. Langhorne ], Bebe Drake-Massey [ Velma Gaines ]

    rc: Lena, Terrence

    Col. Taylor, Jaleesa and Terrence argue about preparations for their first Christmas as a family. Jaleesa asks Whitley to join them for Christmas dinner. Dwayne's plans to go skiing fall through when his date dumps him for constantly talking about Whitley. Col. Taylor invites him to dinner, unaware that Whitley was already coming. Whitley goes to see her shrink, and is surprised to find that the Taylors are the next appointment. Dr. Langhorne accepts a Christmas dinner invitation from the Taylors in order to avoid her pushy mother-in-law. She tries to mediate everyone's disputes, and gets Dwayne and Whitley to consider becoming friends again. Meanwhile, everyone scrambles to avoid getting stuck with a homemade fruitcake sent by Whitley's aunt.

    b: 19 Dec 91 pc: 512 w: Jeanette Collins and Mimi Friedman d: Bruce Kerner

    NOTE: Bebe Drake-Massey returns in the role of Velma Gaines. Ann Weldon had taken over the part for one third-season episode. The closing theme is replaced by Alvin and the Chipmunks' rendition of "Here Comes Santa Claus," which accompanies a montage of the fruitcake changing hands.
  13. "The Cat's in the Cradle"
    gs: The Boys - Bilal Abdul Samad, Hakeem Abdul Samad, Khiry Abdul Samad, Tajh Abdul Samad [ Mice 2 Men ], Michael Ralph [ Clint ], Tom Alan Robbins [ Record Executive ], Tamara Taylor [ Dwayne's Date ]

    rc: Lena, Shazza

    After graduating, Ron elects to work on his music full-time. Dwayne complains about his inability to pay his share of the bills. Ron insists that X-Pression will win a record contract through a talent competition. The group loses to a talented but smart-alecky adolescent singing group (which taunts them after the contest). The other band members grow frustrated at their lack of financial success and decide to quit. Dwayne picks that moment to throw Ron out of the apartment. Ron finally takes another job, so Dwayne agrees to cover for him for a few more months. Freddie neglects her friends, job and studies as she becomes completely obsessed with Shazza. Even Shazza begins to grow tired of her constant fawning. Whitley, Kim and Lena conduct a sort of intervention to discuss her behavior.

    b: 2 Jan 92 pc: 513 w: James E. West d: Henry Chan

    NOTE: Glynn Turman does not appear in this episode. The Boys perform "Crazy."
  14. "Just Another Four-Letter Word"
    gs: Ernie Sabella [ Campus Security ], Richard Murphy [ Rick ], Dean Cain [ Eddie ], Jake Carpenter [ J.C. ], Wayne Federman [ A&M Wolf ], G. Adam Gifford [ Ticket Scalper ]

    Dwayne becomes jealous of Whitley's new beau, particularly after she leads him to believe they are sleeping together. Ron promises to take Dwayne's mind off the situation by taking him to the big football game between Hillman and Virginia A&M. Ron then sells his ticket to a scalper and spends the game in his car. Three white students from A& M walk by, and one of them decides to start trouble. Ron bets them on the outcome of the game, declining to mention that their quarterback is out with the flu. With Hillman winning in a rout early the fourth quarter, the guys come out and pay Ron without an argument. Ron taunts them and says that their team needs to recruit more black players. One of the guys wants to let it go, but his friends begin to spray paint a racial slur on Ron's car. Ron starts to fight them, and Dwayne comes out and jumps into the fray. They are all held by campus security, who threatens to have them arrested unless they explain what happened. Ron and an A&M student give biased accounts; each leaves out information to make himself look completely blameless. Whitley, Kim and Freddie show up and unsuccessfully try to get Dwayne and Ron released. Dwayne tries to attack one of the guys for his racist and sexist comments about Whitley. Rick, the student who tried to make peace, finally comes forward and explains what happened. He feels embarrassed by their behavior. The officer orders the A&M guys to pay for Ron's repairs and perform community service. He points out that Dwayne and Ron also judge people by racial stereotypes (although it is to a lesser extent), and has everyone return for further punishment the following weekend. As they exit the stadium, they discover that someone has finished painting the slur on Ron's car.

    b: 16 Jan 92 pc: 514 w: Gary H. Miller d: Peter Werner

    NOTE: Glynn Turman does not appear in this episode.
  15. "Prisoner of Love"
    gs: Victor Love [ Lionel Walker ]

    rc: Lena, Gina

    A handsome man approaches Freddie and reveals that he is Jamal, her prison pen pal. He has just been released from prison after serving seven years for armed robbery. Freddie is very nervous, but agrees to keep his past a secret. Ron turns over his duties as janitor of Whitley's dorm to Jamal and lets him sleep on his couch. He pays him only $2.50 an hour while keeping the rest of the salary for himself. Jamal hits it off with Whitley, and they set up a date. He tells Whitley the truth about his past. Although she is a little apprehensive, she decides to help him make a fresh start, partially because she is looking for some excitement. Freddie blabs about Jamal's background, causing everyone else to freak out. Ron rummages through Jamal's bag. Dwayne initially criticizes him, then joins in after learning of Jamal's involvement with Whitley. They discover cash and expensive electronic equipment. Jamal identifies himself as Lionel Walker, a reporter conducting an exposé about society's treatment of ex-cons. Dwayne calls him to task for using Whitley; she hisses that it is none of his business. When Lionel tries to get another date, Whitley slams the door in his face.

    b: 23 Jan 92 pc: 515 w: Glenn Berenbeim d: Glynn Turman

    NOTE: Dawnn Lewis and Glynn Turman do not appear in this episode.
  16. "Bedroom at the Top"
    gs: Gerrit Graham [ Henry Krum ], Kiki Shepard [ Dr. Sutherland ], Tom Wright [ John Holtworth ], Luisa Leschin [ Ms. Lopez ]

    rc: Lena, Terrence

    One of Whitley's superiors continually makes unwanted sexual advances. When she turns down his dinner invitation, he suggests that he may not approve a purchase she had recommended. Whitley puts him in his place and decides not to file a complaint. Mr. Holtworth complains to his boss that Whitley has been sexually harassing him. Whitley cannot get a secretary to come forward, and a plan to catch Holtworth on videotape goes awry. Whitley mentions the peculiarity of Holtworth's frequent transfers, and suspects that her boss has heard rumors of the man's behavior. When pressed, Whitley's boss agrees to launch an investigation. Holtworth is found guilty and receives a warning. Terrence makes Col. Taylor uneasy by announcing his decision to major in dance. Col. Taylor attends a class, where he realizes that dance is much more difficult (and exhausting) than he had thought. He acknowledges that Terrence is a very good dancer. Ron takes a job as commercial spokesman for a phone sex hotline.

    b: 30 Jan 92 pc: 516 w: Susan Fales d: John Rago
  17. "May the Best Man Win (1)"
    gs: Gordon Preston [ Stephen Albright ]

    rc: Lena, Gina, Terrence, Byron

    Whitley organizes a campus fundraiser and tries to wrangle donations from prominent business people. She hits it off with Byron Douglas III, a successful alumnus who owns a restaurant chain. He is impressed by her powers of persuasion, and asks her to assist with his campaign for state senate. Whitley and Dwayne quarrel after she belittles him in front of Byron. Mr. Gaines learns that he is about to lose the lease on the Pit because a corporation outbid him. Byron, a former Pit employee, uses his campaign rally to elicit support for Mr. Gaines. The corporation's representatives decide to seize the opportunity for positive publicity by underwriting Mr. Gaines' lease and letting him keep running the place. Whitley and Byron share a kiss.

    b: 13 Feb 92 pc: 517 w: Jeanette Collins and Mimi Friedman d: David Blackwell
  18. "Kiss You Back (2)"
    gs: Trina McGee-Davis [ Gennifer ], Nikki Swasey [ Brooke ], Taron Patton [ Woman ]

    rc: Lena, Gina, Byron

    Whitley turns down the opportunity to spend a weekend in Washington, D.C. with Byron. She is distressed by the fact that Dwayne does not seem jealous of her relationship with Byron. Kim suggests that Whitley clear the air with Dwayne so that she can move on. He turns down an invitation to come over and talk. He later shows up anyway, and they argue about the way their relationship ended. They eventually soften after Dwayne admits that he'll always think of Whitley as his girl. Whitley tries to return all gifts and mementos that remind her of Dwayne, as she cannot handle the pain. Dwayne kisses her passionately and spends the night. As Dwayne eats breakfast in Whitley's robe the next morning, Byron knocks on the door. Kim agrees to a date with Ron. He can only afford to take her to a small diner, where they encounter three of his ex-girlfriends in ten minutes. Kim declares that Ron cannot give up his womanizing ways overnight, and walks out.

    b: 20 Feb 92 pc: 518 w: Yvette Denise Lee d: Debbie Allen

    NOTE: Dawnn Lewis and Glynn Turman do not appear in this episode.
  19. "Conflict of Interest (3)"
    gs: Allen Payne [ Lance Rodman ]

    rc: Lena, Charmaine, Shazza, Byron

    Whitley convinces Dwayne to hide while she talks to Byron. Dwayne tells Ron about his night with Whitley and admits that he still loves her. Although Whitley seems willing to take him back, Dwayne chickens out and says, "It was just one night." Byron senses that something is going on and confronts Dwayne, who spills the beans. Whitley comes clean with Byron and insists that she no longer loves Dwayne. Byron forgives her, and they decide to start a relationship. Ron promises to prove himself to Kim. A talkative prospective freshman and her cocky boyfriend tour the Hillman campus. Lance tries to get himself moved off of the waiting list, and upsets Charmaine with his roving eye. Freddie and Shazza annoy everyone with their new policy of total, brutal honesty.

    b: 27 Feb 92 pc: 519 w: Glenn Berenbeim d: John Rago

    NOTE: Dawnn Lewis does not appear in this episode. Charmaine and Lance were recurring characters on The Cosby Show as friends of Clair Huxtable's cousin, Pam Tucker. After that series ended its run in the spring of `92, Charmaine became a regular character on A Different World.
  20. "Sellmates"
    gs: Jana Marie Hupp [ Lennox Baylor ], Peter Jason [ Mr. Schmect ], Fitzhugh Houston [ Grieving Customer ]

    Ron struggles with his new job at a car dealership. A female con artist gets him fired. She apologizes, and they hatch a scheme to get the boss to let them develop an ad campaign. Although things do not quite go as planned, Ron proposes a business partnership. Kim worries that she will not get into medical school after her least-desired choice rejects her. However, she soon has several offers to weigh--including one from Hillman.

    b: 12 Mar 92 pc: 520 w: Gary H. Miller d: Henry Chan

    NOTE: Dawnn Lewis and Glynn Turman do not appear in this episode.
  21. "Do the Write Thing"
    gs: Roscoe Lee Browne [ Professor Barnabus Foster ], Ron Canada [ Grover James ], Anne Gee Byrd [ Maude Mitchell ], Leonard Lightfoot [ Ted Selman ]

    rc: Lena, Gina, Terrence, Byron

    Lena cannot keep her grades high enough to maintain her engineering scholarship. She writes an essay about her father for an English assignment. Professor Foster is so impressed that he enters her work in a contest. She wins the award and receives a journalism scholarship. Lena is mortified when her father shows up for the awards ceremony. He is not the Vietnam vet and former Black Panther she described in her essay, but rather a hustler who is constantly in debt. Mr. James approves of Lena's actions, as he feels that she was just doing what was necessary to survive. Lena fears that she is just like her father, but he states that she can choose her own path. She confesses to Professor Foster, who was already aware of her duplicity. He says that she is a good writer and helps her get an English scholarship. Whitley alienates one of Byron's potential benefactors by wearing a fur coat. She brushes up on the issues in the hopes of becoming an asset to Byron's campaign.

    b: 2 Apr 92 pc: 522 w: James E. West d: Otis Sallid

    NOTE: Charnele Brown and Lou Myers do not appear in this episode.
  22. "Love Taps"
    gs: Edafe Blackmon [ Dion ], Nigel Gibbs [ Officer ], Victoria Cameron [ Girl ]

    rc: Lena, Gina, Terrence

    Gina's rapper boyfriend Dion (a.k.a. I'm Down) prepares to give a concert for his peers. He hires Ron as his promoter. Freddie reveals that she saw a man beating his girlfriend, but could not make out their faces in the darkness. She does not realize that the couple involved was Dion and Gina. He apologizes to Gina, but quickly flies off the handle and hits her again. Lena sees Gina's black eye and figures out what is going on. She decides that she cannot keep this a secret. Dion experiences a tremendous backlash from fellow students who are disgusted by his behavior. Ron quits his job and tries to fight Dion, who ignores Dwayne's recommendation that he seek counseling. Whitley urges Gina to get out of the relationship. Terrence calls the police on Dion and expresses disappointment in his one-time idol. Gina agrees to press charges.

    b: 23 Apr 92 pc: 521 w: Reggie Rock Blythewood s: Kadeem Hardison, Ron Moseley, Reggie Rock Blythewood d: Kadeem Hardison

    NOTE: Dawnn Lewis and Glynn Turman do not appear in this episode.
  23. "Special Delivery"
    gs: Larry Linville [ Sen. Hutchinson ], Cyndi James Gossett [ Amber Waves ], Lisa Marie Russell [ Tricia ], Linda Hoy [ News Anchor ]

    rc: Lena, Terrence, Byron

    In the final days before the election, the incumbent accuses Byron of fooling around with a stripper. He refuses to respond to the allegations, and challenges Sen. Hutchinson to a debate. Whitley and Ron talk to the stripper, who insists that she was in a hotel room with Byron. Byron is angry with Whitley for prying; he explains that his staff hired a birthday strip-o-gram for him. After Byron easily wins the debate, Sen. Hutchinson tries to start a scandal involving Whitley. Byron refuses to expose the senator's affair with his campaign manager, and tells Whitley that they can win honorably. Byron wins the election and asks Whitley to marry him. She eventually says yes, leaving Dwayne crestfallen. Jaleesa goes into labor and cannot get a hold of her husband. After Kim faints, Freddie and Ron have to handle the situation until the ambulance arrives. Jaleesa gives birth to a baby girl at home, and Freddie captures it on video.

    b: 7 May 92 pc: 523 w: Dara Marks d: Kadeem Hardison
  24. "Save the Best for Last (1)"
    gs: Barbara Montgomery [ Imogene Douglas ], Michael Warren [ Rev. Soams ], Roxanne Beckford [ Courtney ], Orlando Jones [ Troy Douglas ]

    rc: Lena, Gina, Byron

    The day before her wedding, Whitley frets about details until Byron is able to bring her back to reality. Kim volunteers to return to campus and retrieve a special pair of earrings that Whitley had left behind. She pays Ron a visit, and frets over the realization that the wedding is probably going to take place. Ron suggests that she intervene, but Kim is hesitant. Ron surprises Kim by giving her a stethoscope, and they share a kiss. The girls enjoy a wild bachelorette party, while a depressed Dwayne walks out on Byron's bachelor party. Late that night, Kim suggests that Whitley may not be completely over Dwayne. Whitley angrily denies this. Dwayne shows up on Whitley's doorstep and asks for the chance to talk with her. They take a walk in the garden, and Dwayne apologizes for the mistakes he has made. She concedes that she placed too much pressure on him, but Dwayne insists that he simply wasn't strong enough for a commitment at the time. He recalls a time when he was a geeky freshman who couldn't get a date, and marvels at the fact that he wound up with Whitley. She thanks him for believing in her and helping her to become her own person. They tell each other, "You taught me how to love." Dwayne wonders how two people who meant so much to each other could have broken up; but stops Whitley from answering. He picks a flower for her and says, "I always knew you'd make a beautiful bride." He hops out of the garden and drives away, leaving Whitley in tears and completely confused.

    b: 14 May 92 pc: 524 w: Yvette Denise Lee d: Debbie Allen
  25. "Save the Best for Last (2)"
    gs: Barbara Montgomery [ Imogene Douglas ], Michael Warren [ Rev. Soams ], Ron O'Neal [ Mercer Gilbert ], Roxanne Beckford [ Courtney ], Orlando Jones [ Troy Douglas ], Bebe Drake-Massey [ Velma Gaines ], Galyn Gorg [ Monica Gilbert ], Yolanda West [ Soloist ]

    rc: Lena, Gina, Terrence, Shazza, Byron, Marion

    As she awakens on her wedding day, Whitley is so flustered by her conversation with Dwayne that she can barely remember where she is or the name of her future husband. Her mother chastises her for talking about Dwayne and emphasizes that Byron will give her a much better life. Dwayne decides that he cannot bring himself to attend the wedding. Whitley becomes extremely nervous as she awaits the beginning of the ceremony. Kim starts to give her some advice, but thinks better of it. Dwayne shows up in the middle of the ceremony, and Ron tries to convince him to break up the wedding. During her wedding vows, Whitley freezes up as she sees Dwayne's face everywhere. When she refuses to respond for over a minute, Dwayne realizes that she is far from certain about marrying Byron. He suddenly jumps up and charges down the aisle, pleading with her to marry him. Whitley accepts Dwayne's proposal and runs into his arms. Byron and his family are disgusted, but leave peacefully. The minister marries Dwayne and Whitley. Marion faints. Dwayne carries Whitley down the aisle, with their ecstatic friends bounding after them.

    b: 14 May 92 pc: 525 w: Yvette Denise Lee d: Debbie Allen

    NOTE: This is the final episode for Dawnn Lewis, who joined the cast of the new ABC sitcom Hangin' With Mr. Cooper. Galyn Gorg replaces Troy Beyer as Whitley's stepmother Monica.

    The closing credits feature a "wedding album" montage of Dwayne and Whitley's relationship, with still shots from 1.20, 2.4, 3.5, 4.9, 5.1, 5.9, 5.10 and 5.18.

    The series finished the season 17th in the Nielsen ratings, beating out The Cosby Show in its final season.

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