Ep 16. Joanie's First Kiss

In the Happy Days season 5, episode 16 entitled Joanie's First Kiss, viewers follow the story of Joanie Cunningham, the younger sister of main character Richie Cunningham, as she experiences her first kiss. The episode was first aired in the United States on January 25, 1978, and was directed by Jerry Paris.

The episode begins with Joanie being teased by her classmates for never having been kissed before. Feeling embarrassed and upset, she confides in her mother, Marion, who tells her that the right boy and the right moment will come along. Meanwhile, Fonzie, Richie's cool and suave friend, gives Joanie some advice on how to attract boys. He even arranges for her to go on a double date with his cousin, who is visiting from out of town.

Joanie is initially excited about the prospect of going on a date, but when she meets her date, Kenny, she is disappointed. He is shy and awkward, and Joanie doesn't feel any attraction towards him. However, during the course of the evening, Joanie and Kenny end up sharing a kiss, which takes both of them by surprise.

After the kiss, Joanie is confused and doesn't know how she feels about Kenny. She talks to her mother about it and realizes that she doesn't want to lead Kenny on if she doesn't have genuine feelings for him. She eventually decides to break things off with him, and despite Kenny's disappointment, he understands and agrees that it's better to be honest.

The episode ends with Joanie feeling both relieved and disappointed. She is happy to have experienced her first kiss, but also sad that it wasn't with someone she truly cared about. However, she knows that she will have many more experiences in the future and is optimistic about finding the right person for her.

Overall, Joanie's First Kiss is a heartwarming and relatable episode that explores the awkwardness and uncertainty of teenage romance. It also highlights the importance of honesty and communication in relationships, and shows the value of having supportive family and friends to turn to in times of need.