Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 20, 2007
Number of Discs: 4
Number of Episodes: 22
Running Time: 615 Minutes
MSRP: $38.99
Creator:
Gary David Goldberg
Cast:
Michael J. Fox.. ..Alex P. Keaton
Meredith Baxter.. ..Elyse Keaton
Michael Gross.. ..Steven Keaton
Justine Bateman.. ..Mallory Keaton
Tina Yothers.. ..Jennifer Keaton
Marc Price.. ..Erwin ‘Skippy’ Handleman
The show:
Before Marty McFly, and before morphing into Teen Wolf, in 1982 Michael J. Fox was Alex P. Keaton, the young republican Reganite who popped onto the TV screens of families across America and, along with the rest of the Keatons, set a new standard for TV families.
The premise of the show is simple: hip parents, square kids. Steven and Elyse Keaton (Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter) were flower power hippies in the sixties who’ve now settled down and have three kids who are their complete opposite. The aforementioned Alex is a hardcore republican always getting in political debates with his parents. Mallory (Justine Bateman) is a shallow consumer culture child obsessed with music, cloths, and boys. And the youngest, Jennifer (Tina Yothers), being the most normal, is still a bit of a tomboy.
When the series was originally conceived the focus of the show was going to be on the parents, but after the first few episodes it became apparent that Fox was the true star and the focus shifted towards him. Which was a very wise decision. The episodes that do focus on the parents are always the least interesting.
Each episode tackles an issue of some degree, varying from peer pressure to teen pregnancy. Even in the more lighthearted episodes there always seems to be a moral or lesson to learn, thus making every episode feel like a “very special episode.”
Alex P. Keaton is a classic TV character that showcases Fox’s talents foretelling what he would do later in his career. This first season of the show has some great guest stars as well, the best being a two-parter featuring a young Tom Hanks as Elyse’s brother, who steals the show. Despite being an entertaining show, it is very dated and may only hold nostalgia value for those who watched it when it was still on the air. Anyone new to the show might not enjoy it as much.
Meet the Keatons
Episodes:
Note: All but one of the episodes are “very special.”
Disc One:
Pilot
Steven and Elyse are upset that Alex wants to attend a restricted and racist country club to impress a girl.
Not With My Sister You Don’t
Alex throws a party when his parents go out of town for the weekend. However, he starts to worry when Mallory leaves the party with a notorious womanizer.
I Know Jennifer’s Boyfriend
Jennifer gets her first taste of peer pressure when she starts hanging out with a boy she likes.
Summer of 82
Alex meets a college girl while delivering groceries and he ends up learning much in the ways of love.
I Never Killed For My Father
Steven’s conservative father comes to visit and they clash as usual, however things change when his father delivers news of his failing health.
Give Your Uncle Arthur A Kiss
Mallory is shocked and confused when a friend of the family, Uncle Arthur, makes a pass at her.
Disc Two:
Big Brother is Watching
Alex discovers a cheating ring at school and wants to expose it in the school newspaper, however Mallory will get in trouble if he does.
No Nukes Is Good Nukes
Steven and Elyse joing a No Nukes protest and end up spending Thanksgiving in jail.
Death Of A Grocer
Alex loves his job at Adler’s Market, but when he’s given the opportunity to work for the big competitor he must decide what’s best for his future.
NOTE: this episode also introduce the annoying yet lovable Skippy.
Have Gun Will Unravel
After the keatons are robbed Steven must decide whether or not he wants to buy a gun to protect his family.
A Christmas Story
A snowstorm traps the Keatons in their home so they reminisce about the birth of each of their kids.
Oops!
Mallory learns that a friend of hers is pregnant and her and Elyse have to help her out.
Disc Three:
Sherry Baby
A popular sorority girl befriends Mallory to get closer to Alex.
The Fugitive Part 1
Elyse’s brother Ned (Hanks), a successful Fortune 500 executive comes for a visit, but a dark secret of his past bring the FBI to the Keatons door.
The Fugitive Part 2
Turns out Ned stole millions from his company to save hundreds of jobs and he must take responsibility for his actions.
Margin Of Error
Wanting to the play the stock market Alex pretends to be his dad to use his stock. He earns them thousands of dollars then loses it all and has to fess up to what he’s done.
French Lessons
Mallory has a crush on her French tutor who is shy and turns to Alex for advice.
Disc Four:
I Gotta Be Ming (possibly the best title)
Alex becomes the big brother of a young Vietnamese boy but starts to realize he can’t handle the responsibility.
Suzanne Takes You Down
On a not so special episode Elyse hires a friend to work for her and it ends up not working out.
The Fifth Wheel
Alex and Mallory argue over who is going to baby-sit Jennifer and she ends up feeling unwanted when Alex drags her to a poker game.
Stage Fright
Alex must recruit Mallory to be part of his team when he goes to the high school quiz-off.
Elyse D’Arc
Elyse’s community service commitments leave Steven feeling neglected.
The DVD:
VIDEO: How does it look?
(Presented with a 1.33:1 full screen aspect ratio)
For 25-year-old episodes, these look pretty good. The picture is crisp and clean.
AUDIO: How does it sound?
(Dolby Stereo)
The sound is good as well. It is a testament to the production value of the show that it looks and sounds as good as it does after all thee years.
Extras:
None. Zip. Zilch. Nadda. No cast interviews. No retrospectives. Nothing.
Family Ties: The Complete First Season |
|
The Inside Pulse
This is a classic TV show from the 80’s that introduced Michael J. Fox to the world. It’s a funny, yet dated show that is worth watching for the nostalgia of it. Sadly there are no special features here which drop the over all score a lot.
