If this type of thread has been posted here, it's been years, but I'm just curious ... what's your favorite episode? What do you think is the best overall episode or even your personal top five?
For as many years as I've watched this show, I don't know if I've ever decided on my absolute favorite episode but I have a few guesses.
I'll throw my votes in eventually but curious to see what others say.

Without thinking about it I go to the one where Martha got George back for not paying Dennis, for mowing the lawn, and giving him a rabbit's foot or whatever instead.

Also the frog-jumping contest episode. The scene where George was hunting for the frog in Mitchell's house made that one.

Any other ones would have to be lovelorn episodes with Miss Cathcart, which wouldn't include the one where George's niece got married.

Just for something to do this weekend, I narrowed it down to my top 20 and I am surprised at the number of episodes I enjoy that didn't make it. Half of the full list could be from the second season alone.
I tried to make them ones I enjoy from start to finish because I get at least a few laughs out of every episode.
Still, I am not sure of my absolute favorite. I'll have to figure that out!

Saw the episode I call "Bigfoot" the other day. All the happenings at the end, particularly Mrs. Elkins falling into the hole and somebody bashing Mooney with a pan, really make the episode. All that mayhem must have been hard to film.

That's a good one, especially that scene. One of the better moments of the fourth season.
I am a little disappointed only the two of us have weighed in on this subject!

The 50,000th customer

That's a good one. Wilson thinks he's scored a coup and he sends Dennis ahead, and boom!

There's one where Dennis wants a saxophone (or close) and asks his parents to b uy Tommy's. But Wilson has told the parents a story of a friend with a spoiled kid, so they tell Dennis to earn the money. Later Wilson thinks he has convinced Dennis to ask his parents to go to camp, and has gaslighted the parents again. But Dennis instead asks for the sax, foiling Wilson. Also a pretty good episode.

Mine would be where Dennis took a picture of a flower while Mr. Wilson was sleeping.

My favorite episode is the one where Mr. Wilson's sister reads Dennis and his friends Treasure Island and he becomes obsessed with finding buried treasure. Mr. Wilson needing his garden tilled draws up a phony treasure map to trick Dennis and his friends. Henry then hides Alice's costume jewelry in his garden so the boys won't be disappointed which leads Mr. Wilson to think it really is treasure. The reason I love this episode is because my mom did something similar when I was a kid.

The 50,000th customer

Agreed, that is my favorite episode.

My favorite episode is the one where Mr. Wilson's sister reads Dennis and his friends Treasure Island and he becomes obsessed with finding buried treasure. Mr. Wilson needing his garden tilled draws up a phony treasure map to trick Dennis and his friends. Henry then hides Alice's costume jewelry in his garden so the boys won't be disappointed which leads Mr. Wilson to think it really is treasure. The reason I love this episode is because my mom did something similar when I was a kid.

Definitely in my top 10. It's also the reason I own a copy of Treasure Island.

mine would be the christmas story
dennis and the tv set
dennis goes to movies

all season 1

The TV Remote episode is one of the funniest episodes in the series, IMO.

And that 50,000th Customer episode shows a "nice kid" side of Dennis, whereas many other times he's manipulative until he gets what he wants, like a bike.

The nice kid comes into play when he uses some of his spree time to get things he knew Wilson wanted. And Wilson did his part at the end and actually showed his appreciation, rather than his usual boot-the-kid-out attitude.

Dennis and the Wedding long has been my favorite episode, because of the zaniness and the fact that so much of the cast is there, including Miss Cathcart.
It's tough to narrow this down to 10 or so. The second season to me is when the show really hit its stride, especially the first several episodes, and is the best from start to finish by a healthy margin.
The first season had some gems, but it's obvious the show was still finding itself. I can pass up any of the episodes not including the Wilsons.
The third season was solid, too, but there's that air hanging over everything knowing what's going to happen to Joseph Kearns. Like the first season, the fourth season has a handful of diamonds in the rough, but yeah.

Dennis and the Wedding long has been my favorite episode, because of the zaniness and the fact that so much of the cast is there, including Miss Cathcart.

Yes, for me any episode with Mary Wickes is great. Like the one on Antenna TV now, Miss Cathcart's Swimsuit.

In that one with the starlings her singing broke Wilson's glasses, LOL.

Also a great one!
Dennis and the Wedding will be on tomorrow morning as well.

Also a great one!
Dennis and the Wedding will be on tomorrow morning as well.

Yes, I've always liked Elinor Donahue, although this is a minor role for her despite being the bride.

So many great episodes…

Pilot.

When he told Martha to get under the bed.

When Martha said there’s lions and tigers in the backyard.

Christmas Story.

Dennis Duck.

When George needed the rescue squad.

When Dennis threw George’s coin in the fountain.

When the Barbecue was built.

When George got a haircut and space men were going to attack.

I love any episode when Mr. Wilson thinks he’s outsmarted Dennis and it backfires or when Dennis inadvertently takes something precious of Wilson’s. I just adore that character and think of Wilson and Dennis as a comedy team. Like when he’s trying to change the soil from his window box and Dennis is told to stay back. It’s Wilson who dumps it all over himself. Not a fan after Kearns passed away.

I love Dennis and the Rare Coin
The missing Stock certificate
The 50,000 Customer (seeing an emotional George Wilson)
The one where George starts tearing down his living room wall for the cat
The new neighbors who hate kids
The one when Mr. Wilson sleep walks
Love the one when Wilson is stuck in the space helmet.
Have to check out season 2 for more goodies.

The ending of the 50,000th customer is really touching. As is the episode where Wilson decides to give Dennis his old timepiece at the end. Dennis (kudos to Jay's acting, again) hesitates for a second, and hugs Wilson.

Yeah that stock certificate is funny, too. Hunting thru all those old phone books, when Dennis had it in his treehouse all along.

In the John Wilson season I don't think I mentioned the one where Dennis unwittingly taped Mrs. Elkins saying she only wanted the bird club presidency to further her political chances.

And ANY episode with Miss Cathcart.

Saw the episode I call "Bigfoot" the other day. All the happenings at the end, particularly Mrs. Elkins falling into the hole and somebody bashing Mooney with a pan, really make the episode. All that mayhem must have been hard to film.

I just saw that episode again Friday and it's Henry Mitchell who bashes Mooney with a pan.

There is another episode in the fourth season, where I suppose there is yet another prowler. And Mooney is hunting around outside the Wilson kitchen window, and John Wilson bops him with a frying pan. The sound effects guy really enhances these funny scenes.

Without thinking about it I go to the one where Martha got George back for not paying Dennis, for mowing the lawn, and giving him a rabbit's foot or whatever instead.

Also the frog-jumping contest episode. The scene where George was hunting for the frog in Mitchell's house made that one.

Any other ones would have to be lovelorn episodes with Miss Cathcart, which wouldn't include the one where George's niece got married.

I recently watched the frog episode, weren't the frogs fake ones made of rubber?

I love any episode when Mr. Wilson thinks he’s outsmarted Dennis and it backfires or when Dennis inadvertently takes something precious of Wilson’s. I just adore that character and think of Wilson and Dennis as a comedy team. Like when he’s trying to change the soil from his window box and Dennis is told to stay back. It’s Wilson who dumps it all over himself. Not a fan after Kearns passed away.

I love Dennis and the Rare Coin
The missing Stock certificate
The 50,000 Customer (seeing an emotional George Wilson)
The one where George starts tearing down his living room wall for the cat
The new neighbors who hate kids
The one when Mr. Wilson sleep walks
Love the one when Wilson is stuck in the space helmet.
Have to check out season 2 for more goodies.

Watching a rare coin episode right now on Antenna TV, actually the Confederate money episode.

True, the show is in its prime here, with the original Mr. Wilson in fine form.

Dennis' mother is absent in this episode, for some reason.

Yes, I've always liked Elinor Donahue, although this is a minor role for her despite being the bride.

I'll keep an eye out for this one, Elinor Donahue was gorgeous on Father Knows Best this morning.

🙂