Ep 1. What's Will Got to Do With It? (1)

As the first episode of the fifth season of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, "What's Will Got to Do With It? (1)" opens with Will (played by Will Smith) returning to Bel-Air after spending his summer in Philly. He is excited to see his family, but is met with a somewhat chilly reception, especially from Ashley (Tatyana Ali) who is annoyed that Will missed her birthday.

As it turns out, the rest of the Banks family is preoccupied with their own drama. Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell) is still recovering from a heart attack, and feels useless now that he's not able to do as much around the house. Philip (James Avery) is struggling with the fact that he's out of touch with the youth of today (case in point: he tries to use the word "def" several times, to no one's amusement). Meanwhile, Hilary (Karyn Parsons) is dealing with her own crises, including a rejection from a commercial audition and a fight with her fiancé.

Against this backdrop of tension and frustration, the arrival of a surprise guest only adds to the chaos. It turns out that Will's mother, Vy (Vernee Watson), has returned to town and is staying with the Banks family. While Will is thrilled to see his mom, he quickly realizes that something is off. Vy seems stressed and preoccupied, and is avoiding the topic of why she's really back in Bel-Air.

As the various subplots unfold, it becomes clear that the episode's title – "What's Will Got to Do With It?" – is somewhat misleading. While the question of Will's role in the situation is raised (particularly by Vy, who suggests that Will is somehow responsible for her problems), the episode is ultimately more about the dynamics within the Banks family as a whole.

That said, Will's presence does serve as a catalyst for some of the conflicts that arise. His arrival only highlights the tension that already exists, and his attempts to make things better often backfire. For example, he tries to cheer up Ashley by offering to take her to Disneyland, only to realize that he can't actually afford the trip. He also tries to convince Philip to loosen up by taking him to a dance club – an outing that ends disastrously when Philip injures himself.

Ultimately, the various plotlines all come to a head when Vy finally reveals the reason for her sudden return. Without giving anything away, it's a development that upends some of the assumptions that the audience may have made earlier in the episode, and sets the stage for the rest of the season. (This is only part one of a two-part episode, after all.)

Overall, "What's Will Got to Do With It?" (1) is a solid season premiere that sets up some interesting dynamics for the ongoing storylines. While Will is certainly a pivotal character, the episode underscores that the show is ultimately about the whole Banks family – and the ways in which they navigate the ups and downs of life together.