Will is silly but when he gets serious, he is serious.

It's amazing how this goes from funny to outright tearjerking in barely two minutes

3:31 Gun: "How come he don't want me man!"

Giving Carlton His Flowers In 2020. He Was Ready To Ride...💯

People don't realize but sitcoms back in the 90's we're actually aiming to educate people about everyday stuff, comedy or drama, and the Fresh Prince was one of them, man, I don't dwell in the past, but I miss those days so damn much.

The way Will's face just collapsed when he opened the chamber and live rounds fell out. Finding out that Carlton was carrying a gun was one thing, finding out that it was loaded was quite another.

The way he goes from "I was gon eat that" with a silly face to yelling "you owe me" in an act or desperation to keep his cousin from getting himself killed, and also an acknowledgement of carlton's honor and decency that carlton has strayed from is absolutely amazing

When the viewers stays silent it hits you twice as hard. One of the best shows that ever aired. You can't hate this show.

"That's not you, man. That's them."

I think Will getting shot was when Carlton came into the real world.

*“I was gonna eat that’ man!”* Even during the darkest and saddest moments, this sitcom still gets a good laugh out of me. It’s always incredible how a show meant for comedy can mix tragedy and drama with it so perfectly.

The thing about Will Smith and what makes him so lovable and a person to look up to both on set and of it is that he tends to disguise his pain or trauma through comedy. He would much rather make you laugh and smile than make you sad or cry. You will only start to realize that after watching all his movies/TvShows and interviews. Its just soo amazing. I wish more people like him existed in this world.

When he started crying I forgot this was a sitcom, I forgot it was Will Smith. I just saw a young black man who just got shot begging his cousin not to ruin his life by making the same mistake that got him hurt, all the while realizing the naive "innocence" his cousin had was gone.

1:46 "That's not you man, that's them." I think that summed up Will's emotions for Carlton. Will came from such a dog-eat-dog world, and Carlton was the first person he met that was just a genuinely good dude. Bit of a nerd, but never tried to backstab anybody. It kills Will here to see him being turned. He knows where that road leads, and loves Carlton enough to not want him to go down it. Great bit of writing

when the bullets fall onto the bed..I think Will was hoping Carlton was just bluffing but the bullets told him he wasn't. Such a great show,I might have to rewatch it again.

"everything is a damn joke to you" coming from Carlton, that's just heartbreaking.

"That's not you man, that's THEM." Simple and profound.

Will's face when he flipped the table ROFL

The part of this scene that always gets me is when Will desperately yells to Carlton with pain & tears in his eyes, "I SAVED YOUR LIFE, MAN. I SAVED YOUR LIFE; YOU OWE ME!! GIMME THE GUN, CARLTON. I SAVED YOUR LIFE I WANT THE GUN!!." This is phenomenal writing. Will, at any given time in this whole series, is the biggest laugh in the room, aside from the iconic tender moments (accidentally giving Carlton speed, the scene with his father, the final episode). Despite growing up in a rougher area than almost anyone in Bel-Air, Will also has a profound set of morals & principles for someone his age. A sincere love he has for his family and friends that he displays in those wholesome moments. Here, his morals are also put to the test. Will would *NEVER* guilt anyone close to him into thinking they owed him simply for him saving their lives. Carlton would never truly have to think he needed to return any favor to Will for Will's decision to protect a family member. Out of desperation, Will uses the normally underhanded tactic of guilt-tripping a loved one, to protect Carlton. Carlton couldn't see the danger he potentially faced ahead; either legally or against someone(s) more dangerous. Will had to snatch Carlton's boiling senses of responsibility & vengeance away from him by reminding him that without Will, Carlton himself could be laid up in the hospital. Therefore Carlton, out of an ironic sense of guilt, would require himself to turn the gun in to Will. Carlton knows all of this, which is yet another reason why he leaves the room still fuming. In this instant, Will chooses to be the bad guy by being confrontational about the gun versus the alternative which would see Carlton head down a darker path. There are so many emotions present here. That simple exchange spoke volumes & is an example of superb writing.

He may have made a bad decision at the academy awards, but Will Smith will always be a legendary actor

There is now a parallel world where Will died, and Carlton became Batman.

I was gon eat that, man

What made Will cry was not that Carton had a strap, it's the fact that he was walking around with a loaded gun ready to shoot anyone who pissed him off. That's what made Will break down. Brilliant world class acting from Big Willie. Dude deserved the Oscar he won't for King Richard.

It’s one thing to have a gun for protection, it’s another to get a gun out of fear and with full intent to use it for revenge. This scene is one of the most powerful scenes in the entire series of Fresh Prince. You can see the look of heartbreak on Will’s face when he realized exactly why Carlton got the gun and that he fully intended to use it. Carlton was scared, but at the same time, he was angry and he wanted revenge for what was done to Will and for what he felt was done to himself. That is Never, Ever a good reason to get a gun. Protection is one thing, revenge is another. Will’s character had grown up in an area (and in an era) where gun violence was extremely common, whereas Carlton’s character grew-up sheltered, he had no idea what the real world was really like or just how harsh and unforgiving a place it can be. Will did, and he realized that had he not’ve stopped Carlton when he did, Carlton was more than likely going to get himself into a fight that he knew he couldn’t win and lose his own life in the process. Will didn’t want to lose his Cousin. Not for something as pointless as revenge. If you answer Violence with Violence, more Violence is sure to follow. Just the same, if you’re willing to take a life, then you should be ready to lose your own. Death begets Death. Especially in cases like this. This was a very powerful scene with an equally powerful message.

I know the father scene gets all the attention, but I think this is Will Smith's best scene on the show. Incredible acting range.

and that's how Deadshot was born

everyone talking about will smith acting but alfonso ribeiro also great performance and under-rated actor. the chemistry between him and will smith on this show was incredible. they need to be in something again.

And no one can hear him screaming GIVE ME THE GUN in the hospital?

Will smith is such a good actor

A seriously deep moment. Will seemed to be more emotional over what the attack did to Carlton mentally than what it did to himself physically

"Carlton I understand you scared man..The world can be a scary place sometimes" - Will Smith

One thing that makes this scene especially more powerful is the expression on Will's face when he opens the chamber and sees that the gun is actually loaded. As if he wanted to cling the luxury that Carlton just might have been bluffing, even if it was a 1 in a million chance. But then he sees the bullets and that just makes it all the more realistic. It's as if he made he final realization that "damn, my little cousin was really going to go through with this".

Ok Will, Carlton gave you the gun. Now explain to the nurses why it's in your lap.

“YOU OWE ME” freaking hell. The acting ❤️

Damn. It hurt Will after knowing Carlton actually had the revolver loaded. Carlton wasn't playing around he was serious.

"Gimme a hug, man. Gimme a hug." "No more hugs." "YOU OWE ME" "Oh, okay."

The sound of the bullets when they fall out of the revolver and clink with each other is such a nice little detail, probably unplanned, but it adds so much more weight to the scene, like a little icing on the cake.

3:31-3:35: Will emptying the gun and dropping those bullets and realizing that Carlton wasn’t playing and was VERY serious 😢😢😢😢😢

Will knew exactly how to unload that gun. Makes me wonder if he'd carried one at some point in Philly.

This show knew how to be funny but there episodes that were serious and they were written very well.

"give me the gun, I saved your life, I want the gun" :(

The pinnacle of their brotherly relationship is when you realize that Will spent his once in a lifetime "YOU OWE ME A FAVOR FOR SAVING YOUR LIFE" FAVOR from Carlton to save Carlton's life AGAIN. HIGHLY UNDERRATED MOMENT in the whole series

the part that always gets me...is not when he discovers Carlton has a gun...but when he opens to see it loaded and the live rounds fall out...as soon as they fall out is when he breaks down as if he was hoping he had it unloaded just to scare people because he refused to believe Carlton would actually shoot someone. Powerful.

The 90's truly was a golden age for television. So many awesome shows that blended watchability, comedy, and seriousness in a way that was entertaining and didn't have to resort to crude jokes or tactics for tasteless humor. Fresh Prince, Full House, the Nanny were all very nostalgic for me and it's just a shame that nothing comes close these days.

The feels prince of bel air

"Would you make me a sandwich?" "No" *flips tray* "no more HUGS, Will"

Will Smith u are one hell of a good actor.

So many people missed the point of this scene. I'm pro gun for self defense/hunting/recreating as a law abiding citizen, but seeing the pure sheltered Carlton who was blessedly ignorant of how disgusting the world can be was pushed far enough by Will saving his life to not only carry a weapon, but start having the resolve to use it. Will doesn't want to see his hands dirty in that world. He didn't take a bullet for Carlton so he can end up packing heat afterward. Yes he said 'protection', but we don't know at the time if Carlton might have gone further then that in his helpless emotional state he was in. He might have actually got his hands dirty for revenge, get jailed, or worse killed if Will didn't stop him at that point while he was in that state ["I'll close my eyes"] . Will didn't want to see someone he cared about throw his life away in more then one way for his sake. Will already saw a bunch of that back in his old environment before he moved in with Uncle Phil so he always adopted the comedic facade ["everything is always a joke with you"] to stay cheerful despite it, but things in the show always get serious during those rare moments where Will has to be real.

"I was gon eat that, man."

Damn, I can relate to Carlton in this scene so much. I hated my environment and wanted to adapt rather than just be myself like Will is saying. Carlton is reacting how everyday people would, whereas Will is speaking as someone that experienced it and can give guidance. It's real sad that this is actually the way some of us really think when shit turns left.

I love how will never told his aunt and uncle about this moment difference between him and Carlton

"For every laugh, there should be a tear" ~Walt Disney

Growing up in Newark and losing most of my friends to murder, I can honestly say, I know what Carlton was going through

"Brother gets shot, he gets a little emotional. Now get over here and give me some love!!"

A lot of people rightfully praising Will Smith's acting here, but IMO he is equally matched by Alfonso Ribeiro. Ribeiro's so good at being a goofball, and it seems by all accounts that he's a bit of a goofball in real life, but when Carlton has dramatic moments like this he always gives incredible performances (the scene where the fraternity president calls him a sellout immediately comes to mind). Look at the story he tells with only his facial expressions from 2:37 until he finally drops the gun on the bed; even in this low-quality video he conveys Carlton's inner monologue (which I imagine is basically: anger, sadness, humiliation, acceptance, all of which is underscored by his love for Will) so vividly.

“No more hugs, Will.” “YOU OWE ME!” “Oh okay.”

The saddest part was that it was fully loaded

"Give me the gun, I saved your life, I WANT THE GUN!!!!"

I saved your life YOU OWE ME, that was so powerful

Uncle Phil would go ballistic if he found out that Carlton had a gun.

'When a brother gets shot he gets a little emotional' haha.

why is he such a good actor

Still one of the funniest and yet emotional episodes to Fresh Prince of Bel air ever. I gotta say I feel for Carlton, but it's never the answer to using a gun if you've never used or held it. Will Smith's face after Carlton knocked his food out of the table was priceless.

A lot of people say that the scene involving Will and his father was the best in the whole show, and understandably so. It's an iconic scene and episode. But this, this was my personal favorite moment

There's many reasons to own a gun. Hunting, protection. But this was case a where it was neither. Carlton says protection but it's fear induced hatred of being powerless. The state of mind where at it's most strained from stress, can snap and can lead to something that would hunt him for the rest of his life.

So what was he going to say to the nurse when she came back and saw a gun there?

Will's facial expression was just so funny after Carlton, fliped over his tray.

"Will you make me a sandwich?" "No" 0:51

You could say he saved Carlton's life a second time. Carlton was a bit of a boob but he was a good person and I don't think he'd have been able to forgive himself if he killed someone. Not to mention his families reaction or going to prison.

1:07 "I was gonna eat that man!!"

If you watch this scene in reverse, Will is an assassin saddened by the burden of having to murder his cousin.

2:08 u can actually hear someone in the audience crying 😪

Man this was a great episode. What Carlton talked about with his dad right there, that's how I feel all the time. And I assume we all know the gun wasn't only for 'protection'.

God I miss the 90s.

The way Will Smith is able play so many emotions shows how strong of an actor he is.

"Will Smith can't act" Foolish people. He went from funny to serious within seconds. The audience was still laughing when he had changed his vibe.

To all the people saying "What's wrong with owning a gun?" It's not about owning a gun it's about the situation of owning the gun. Carlton was about to go into the streets with a gun with no training what so ever. and using a gun is a lot harder than it looks especially with your eyes closed as Carlton said he would do. That's why Cops and Military people go through training before doing a job that requires them to use a gun. If Carlton went through it, he could have accidentally killed an innocent civilian and have to live with the guilt for the rest of his life. God knows if would have been able to live with it, resulting in him committing suicide. It happens.

when will knew exactly how to unload the gun without a moments hesitation... shows a lot about where he used to life

"I was going to eat that man" even in that serious situation he's still funny

Carlton: *Throws Table Will: Welp, there goes my nutrients

This was one episode that put realism in my life, you know, even after the end, the whole carlton is traumatized thing is never resolved, in fact its never spoken of ever again, like a skeleton in a closet.

It's said that the reason he got so emotional was because he actually did lose friends to gun violence while growing up in Philly.

Carlton was always my favorite so it made me really sad to see him go through that. To feel so helpless and guilty, to flip out like that and plan to kill to get revenge, Will really saved him from losing himself.

*Given the next episode, I don't like how they didn't address Carlton not only carrying a gun but still being very shook up.*

I was gonna eat that man...haahahahah that face gets me every time

I remember seeing it back when I was a kid, it was powerful then. I never fully understood it, although I can understand the concept, but seeing this now, it brought some tears to my eyes; - Right when Will had to call in a favor and demand the gun from him. You can see Will tearing up a bit there, but very hard to notice with the bad quality camera they used for camera shooting. There's only a slight glimmer and you reallly have to look hard to see the streaks.

Wow, Carlton was clearly going through a lot. I feel bad for him. His naïveté about the world was shattered in an instant after that shooting, and it shattered him too.

Carlton took that fye off his hip pretty quick 😂😭

The only show during my youth where u can have comedy + drama together blended so effectively. Love the show. Made my youth worth remembering.

Rip to uncle Phil

Sometimes Will has more common sense and wisdom then ppl him credit for

We sometimes forget how good the entire crew was at acting, especially Carlton aka Alphonso

1:00 It's funny how he could get the audience to laugh with just a look!

No one seems to grasp the intensity of this scene. Will took a bullet for carlton, as it says in the description. But what it doesnt literally say is that will thought that carlton was about to create the same situation for another person by simply carrying that gun around. Ugh the writing in this show is incredible. "That's not you that's them." That's the perfect answer to someone who starts carrying a gun around for protection after someone gets shot. The one who shot that person is responsible, and since that person took a bullet for another person, and that other person starts carrying a gun, imagine how the one in the hospital would feel that it could now be someone else who does that. Someone could innocently be shot by another out of whatever reason, and end up in the same situation or worse than will. I love this show, and i think some people nowadays, especially cops, could learn a thing or two from this.

One of the best scenes in tv history

This is when the world knew Will was gonna be a STAR

One of the most funniest and emotional shows because of scenes like this. Not only does Fresh Prince of Bel Air have some intimate moments, but also scenes involving real life applications.

Holy cow. THIS much emotion in a supposed comedic sitcom? I didn't watch this show growing up, but I think I might consider starting from the beginning. Damn, my eyes nearly welled up.

Carlton was ready to war for his cousin. Real one was ready to get into business even it's out his field. 💪🏾💪🏾

“everything’s a damn joke to you” *laugh track *