Bullets over Bel-Air is the 15th episode of Season 5 of The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.
Synopsis[]
A planned camping trip is cut short for Carlton and Will when a robber approaches them --- and fires a gun.
Plot[]
Will, Carlton and Philip are leaving for a camping trip. However, after accidentally inflating a life raft and knocking over and breaking Carlton’s hurricane lamp with a built-in bug zapper he had in advance for the trip, Will offers his cousin money for a replacement.
They go to an ATM, where Will withdraws $60. Carlton says that the lamp cost $80, but Will is able to trick him into accepting the $60. Carlton takes the money saying that he 'll simply get the rest from Will's wages from the Peacock. The pair turn to leave, only to be confronted by a robber who threatens them with a gun. The two terrified cousins throw their hands in air. Complying with the robber's demands Carlton hands over the $60. Will then tries to make the robber leave by saying that's all the money they have, but Carlton in his panic confesses that he has more in his pocket. He then reaches into his jacket, which only complicates matters. As Will tries to stop him, the robber panics, assuming that Carlton is reaching for a gun. Realizing what's about to happen, Will pushes Carlton out of the way, but gets shot in the process.
Later that evening, the whole family and Lisa wait anxiously in the hospital waiting room. They're all visibly distressed and upset about what happened. Whilst Hilary annoys the hospital staff with demands for her cousin, Will's distraught mother arrives, asking for news about her son's wellbeing. Philip arrives moments later with an update. Will was almost paralyzed as the bullet was very close to his spine, but is now in stable condition as the doctors have successfully removed the bullet from his back before it could do any harm. He'll need time to recover, but the immediate danger's now over and he's being transferred to a recovery room.
The whole family reunites with Will after he regains consciousness and jokes around as usual. But Carlton, who's deeply affected the most by this incident, storms out of Will’s room angered that no one's taking this seriously. As Carlton walks toward the elevator, Philip stops him and talks to him, but Carlton's furious as he feels that the legal system he had believed in his whole life has failed him since the police will never find the shooter, and even if they do, he'll be out on the streets in 6 months. Carlton and Philip then argue about it, with Philip saying that eventually the system will come through for them, but Carlton says "I'm all grown up, Dad. Don't tell me any more fairy tales." Philip stares in silence and has no idea what to do, as the elevator door closes.
The next morning, Carlton visits Will and tells him that if he ever needs anything he’ll be there to help him out. Will and Carlton hug which reveals to Will that Carlton bought a gun for self-protection. Carlton states that they can't depend on the legal system anyone more as it has failed them. But Will tells him that if he goes down this path, he’ll be just like them.
Will convinces Carlton to hand the gun over and reminds him that he saved his life and that he owes him. Carlton puts the gun on the bed and leaves, leaving Will to open the chamber to see if it’s loaded. Bullets fall out and Will breaks down in tears at the fact that Carlton was on the verge of ruining his life.
Cast[]
- Will Smith as Will Smith
- James Avery as Phillip Banks
- Alfonso Ribeiro as Carlton Banks
- Karyn Parsons as Hilary Banks
- Tatyana Ali as Ashley Banks
- Joseph Marcell as Geoffrey Butler
Trivia[]
- Smith considers this episode the moment the show "jumped the shark"[1]
- The iconic scene with Will and Carlton was recreated by a YouTuber.
- Will and Carlton's argument (before the mugging) about $60 and $80, is based upon the iconic exchange between Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck in the Looney Tunes franchise.
Photos[]
