Ep 24. Papa's Got a Brand-New Excuse

In the season 4 finale of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, entitled "Papa's Got a Brand-New Excuse," Will gets a surprise visit from his estranged father, Lou (played by Ben Vereen). Lou abandoned Will and his mother years ago, and while Will is initially thrilled to see him, their reunion takes a turn for the worse when Lou reveals that he's back in town only temporarily and has no plans to stick around.

Will is heartbroken by the news and struggles to come to terms with his father's abandonment all over again. Uncle Phil tries to help him through it, but their relationship becomes strained when Phil confronts Lou and tells him he has no right to waltz back into Will's life after all these years.

Meanwhile, Carlton faces his own parental issues when his father, a successful businessman, invites him to join the family company after he graduates from college. Carlton is thrilled at first, but begins to have doubts after spending time at the office. He realizes that he doesn't truly share his father's passion for business and wonders if he'll ever be able to forge his own path.

As the episode unfolds, both Will and Carlton grapple with their respective father-related issues and try to figure out what they really want out of life. It's a poignant, emotional finale that serves as a fitting end to a season full of laughs, drama and heart.