History TearJerker / HappyDays

* Two episodes that deal with Fonzie's estranged father have some emotional moments: Season 6's "Christmas Time" has Fonzie struggle with a wide range of emotions, after his father makes a brief anonymous return to give him a Christmas gift. Season 11's "Arthur, Arthur" Fonzie has the same struggle of emotions, after learning from his previously-unknown half-brother that their father has died.

* Two episodes that deal with Fonzie's estranged father: Season 6's "Christmas Time" and Season 11's "Arthur, Arthur" both have some emotional scenes, involving Fonzie struggling with his emotions about his father's brief anonymous return in the former, and news of his death (from his previously-unknown half-brother) in the latter.

* Two episodes that deal with Fonzie's estranged father, Season 6's "Christmas Time" and Season 11's "Arthur, Arthur" have some emotional scenes, mainly involving Fonzie dealing with his emotions about his father's brief anonymous return in the former, and news of his death in the latter.

** WordOfGod is that one of the writers intended this scene as a reference to TheVietnamWar.

* The episode "The Physical" is mostly a lighthearted episode about the boys getting their draft notices, but the [[TheTag tag]] is a surprisingly serious and poignant moment where Marion worries about what might happen if the boys actually have to go to war, and Howard unconvincingly tries to reassure her that the country won't send more young men to die overseas. Then there is a moment where they sit silently and listen to the voices of the characters playing outside... until[[MoodWhiplash the tension is broken with a quick joke]] and the [[EveryEpisodeEnding obligatory reprise of the theme song]].

* The episode "The Physical" is mostly a lighthearted episode about the boys getting their draft notices, but the [[TheTag tag]] is a surprisingly serious and poignant moment where Marion worries about what might happen if the boys actually have to go to war, and Howard unconvincingly tries to reassure her that the country won't send more young men to die overseas. Then there is a moment where they sit silently and listen to the voices of the characters playing outside... until the [[MoodWhiplash the tension is broken with a quick joke]] and the [[EveryEpisodeEnding obligatory reprise of the theme song]].

* The episode "The Physical" is mostly a lighthearted episode about the boys getting their draft notices, but the [[TheTag tag]] is a surprisingly serious and poignant moment where Marion worries about what might happen if the boys actually have to go to war, and Howard unconvincingly tries to reassure her that the country won't send more young men to die overseas. Then there is a moment where they sit silently and listen to the voices of the characters playing outside... until the [[TensionCuttingLaughter the tension is broken with a quick joke]] and the [[EveryEpisodeEnding obligatory reprise of the theme song]].

* The episode "The Physical" is mostly a lighthearted episode about the boys getting their draft notices, but the [[TheTag tag]] is a surprisingly serious and poignant moment where Marion worries about what might happen if the boys actually have to go to war, and Howard unconvincingly tries to reassure her that the country won't send more young men to die overseas. Then there is a moment where they sit silently and listen to the voices of the characters playing outside, clearly fearing for their futures... until the [[TensionCuttingLaughter the tension is broken with a quick joke]] and the [[EveryEpisodeEnding obligatory reprise of the theme song]].

* The episode "The Physical" is mostly a lighthearted episode about the boys getting their draft notices, but the [[TheTag tag]] is a surprisingly serious and poignant moment where Marion worries about what might happen if the boys actually have to go to war, and Howard unconvincingly tries to reassure her that the country won't send more young men to die overseas. Then there is a silent moment where they sit silently and listen to the voices of the characters playing outside... until the [[TensionCuttingLaughter the tension is broken with a quick joke]] and the [[EveryEpisodeEnding obligatory reprise of the theme song]].

* The episode "The Physical" is mostly a lighthearted episode about the boys getting their draft notices, but the [[TheTag tag]] is a surprisingly serious and poignant moment where Marion worries about what might happen if the boys actually have to go to war, and Howard tries to reassure her that the country won't send more young men to die overseas. WordOfGod is that one of the writers intended this scene as a reference to TheVietnamWar.

* The episode "The Physical" is mostly a lighthearted episode about the boys getting their draft notices, but the [[TagScene tag scene]] is a surprisingly serious and poignant moment where Marion worries about what might happen if the boys actually have to go to war, and Howard tries to reassure her that the country won't send more young men to die overseas. WordOfGod is that one of the writers intended this scene as a reference to TheVietnamWar.

* The death of legendary showrunner Creator/GarryMarshall. He died of pneumonia brought upon by multiple health issues he suffered following a stroke several years previously.

* The 2014 passing of Robin Williams (Mork).
* The 2016 passing of creator: Garry Marshall.

* Learning that Joanie's white mouse Herbert got eaten could be hard for sensitive animal lovers.

* Although it's actually kind of funny, I cried a bit in Fearless Fonzarelli, when he says "Remember the good old days when I wore a leather jacket and everyone thought I was cool?" because I ''missed'' those good old days.
* Some sensitive animal lovers like me are sad upon learning that Joanie's white mouse Herbert got eaten.

* Although it's actually kind of funny, I cried a bit in Fearless Fonzarelli, when he says "Remember the good old days when I wore a leather jacket and everyone thought I was cool?" because I ''missed'' those good old days.

* Richie after his return from service in the Korean War. Gone is the carefree AudienceSurrogate of the early days of the show, he's now emotionally unbalanced and its implied he has PTSD from his experience. Sure, he hides it well, but its clear he's not the boy he was.

** ... except for Fonzie, who has gone to the hospital to visit Richie. Fonzie is horrified at the sight of his best friend lying unconscious, and scared at the thought that he might not make it. Fonzie goes to a corner of the room and tearfully pleads with God to let Richie live ... before having a complete emotional breakdown.[[note]]While this was '''''supposed''''' to be a [[VerySpecialEpisode tearjerker episode]], latter-day critics frequently lampooned the episode as an example of 1970s {{Narm}}, dismissing the "it's OK to cry" message by citing (primarily) the over-the-top script and acting, and inclusion of a very late-70s-sounding pop tune (in an episode set in 1959).[[/note]]

** ... except for Fonzie, who has gone to the hospital to visit Richie. Fonzie is horrified at the sight of his best friend lying unconscious, and scared at the thought that he might not make it. Fonzie goes to a corner of the room and tearfully pleads with God to let Richie live ... before having a complete emotional breakdown.\\[[note]]While this was '''''supposed''''' to be a [[VerySpecialEpisode tearjerker episode]], latter-day critics frequently lampooned the episode as an example of 1970s {{Narm}}, dismissing the "it's OK to cry" message by citing (primarily) the over-the-top script and acting, and inclusion of a very late-70s-sounding pop tune (in an episode set in 1959).[[/note]]

** ... except for Fonzie, who has gone to the hospital to visit Richie. Fonzie is horrified at the sight of his best friend lying unconscious, and scared at the thought that he might not make it. Fonzie goes to a corner of the room and tearfully pleads with God to let Richie live ... before having a complete emotional breakdown.\\
While this was '''''supposed''''' to be a [[VerySpecialEpisode tearjerker episode]], latter-day critics frequently lampooned the episode as an example of 1970s {{Narm}}, dismissing the "it's OK to cry" message by citing (primarily) the over-the-top script and acting, and inclusion of a very late-70s-sounding pop tune (in an episode set in 1959).

* "Richie Almost Dies," from midway through the fifth season, was intended as a tearjerker. Richie is involved in an accident while test-driving a motorcycle, and suffers a severe concussion, one that renders him in a coma. Howard and Marion are told that their son might not live, which leads into the two tearjerking scenes:

** The sister of Fonzie's girlfriend, Leather Tuscadero (Suzi Quartro) plays the piano -- the tender ballad "Find Strength From Your Friends" as a montage of clips featuring Richie plays. The Cunninghams and other regulars sit sadly in the living room ...

** Fonzie's girlfriend, Leather Tuscadero (Suzi Quartro) plays the piano -- the tender ballad "Find Strength From Your Friends" as a montage of clips featuring Richie plays. The Cunninghams and other regulars sit sadly in the living room ...

While this was '''''supposed''''' to be a [[VerySpecialEpisode tearjerker episode]], latter-day critics frequently lampooned the episode as an example of 1970s kitsch, dismissing the "it's OK to cry" message by citing (primarily) the over-the-top script and acting, and inclusion of a very late-70s-sounding pop tune (in an episode set in 1959).

** ... except for Fonzie, who has gone to the hospital to visit Richie. Fonzie is horrified at the sight of his best friend lying unconscious, and scared at the thought that he might not make it. Fonzie goes to a corner of the room and tearfully pleads with God to let Richie live ... before having a complete emotional breakdown.//
While this was '''''supposed''''' to be a [[VerySpecialEpisode tearjerker episode]], latter-day critics frequently lampooned the episode as an example of 1970s kitsch, dismissing the "it's OK to cry" message by citing (primarily) the over-the-top script and acting, and inclusion of a very late-70s-sounding pop tune (in an episode set in 1959).