3. My Father's Office

Complete story — includes the ending

Kevin's father comes home from work, in a foul mood, most of the time. However, on the really bad days, Jack will seclude himself in the backyard, and look through his telescope. Kevin decides he wants to know what his father actually does at work, so Jack brings Kevin with him to NORCOM (Jack's employer), and Kevin learns more by spending the day in his father's office. While in the break room, Jack describes his original dreams of being captain of a ship, using the stars to navigate, but reality, and marriage set in, and Jack eventually ended up in the employment he currently has. After witnessing severe disciplinary action from Jack's boss over the incompetence of Jack's subordinates, Kevin realizes why his father returns home from work in a nasty mood most of the time, and why his father finds solace in looking through his telescope at night. Absent: Danica McKellar as Winnie Cooper. Note: In 1997 TV Guide ranked this episode number 29 on its "100 Greatest Episodes of All Time" list.