Creator:
Gary David Goldberg
Cast:
Meredith Baxter Birney ………. Elise Keaton
Michael Gross ………. Michael Keaton
Michael J. Fox ………. Alex P. Keaton
Justine Bateman ………. Mallory Keaton
Tina Yothers ………. Jennifer Keaton
Marc Price ………. Erwin “Skippy” Handelman
The Show:
I was kind of worried that a show such as Family Ties would lose something after nearly 25 years. After all, in 1983 things were incredibly different in terms of style, technology and even slang. But I think that it’s a real testament to the show that it holds up well in 2007.
Perhaps the reason that it holds up is the focus on family. Even though the characters have different viewpoints for (seemingly) everything, they always manage to come together as a unit. Alex and Mallory are polar opposites in terms of personality, but when push comes to shove you feel that they truly do care for one another. “Go Tigers” is a perfect example of how the two characters really feel about each other.
We don’t get too many guest stars this season – Marc Price as Skippy is really the only recurring character here, but we do get a memorable turn from Tom Hanks (“Say Uncle”) before the need to win Oscars consumed his life. And below, I point out a few guest stars whose names you may recognize from other projects.
The one thing I think that works against the show is the pace. Family Ties might seem slow to some viewers who are used to having quick payoffs or out of left field one-liners, and while obviously not moving at a glacial pace, it is a little more deliberate with how it goes about things, and instant gratification is not the order of the day. But if you stay patient and wait that extra minute or two, I think you’ll be rewarded.
Overall, I think this is a great nostalgia trip for the MTV generation, but also something that people might enjoy if they’re burnt out from the crass, dysfunctional group sitcoms of today (not that there’s anything wrong with that. But let’s be honest here – characters like Barney Stinson and Earl Hickey aren’t for everyone).
Episodes:
Disc One:
Tender is the Knight
Alex feels like he should ask a girl out to protect her dignity.
Homecoming
Mallory’s boyfriend Jeff doesn’t want to go back to Princeton.
The Harder They Fall
Both Elyse and Steven end up punching out Alex’s teacher.
This Year’s Model
Mallory gets jealous when Elyse gets some modeling jobs.
Not An Affair to Remember
Steven is tempted by an assistant at the station to have an affair. Some of you may recognize the assistant (Judith Light) as Angela from Who’s The Boss?, or one of the judges on Law & Order: SVU.
Speed Trap
Alex takes speed in order to study for mid-terms, and I’m sure you’ve figured out that this doesn’t go well for the young Republican.
Disc Two:
Sweet Lorraine
Alex has a blind date, who turns out to be a 40-year old divorcee with a daughter.
Batter Up
A Keaton Christmas Carol
The Christmas episode, which as the title suggests, is based off of Charles Dickens’ classic novella. I don’t need to tell you who Scrooge is, right?
To Snatch a Keith
Steven and Elyse’s friends the Baileys are divorcing, and the custody battle over Keith ends up taking a surprising turn. Keith, by the way, is a rather young David Faustino.
Birthday Boy
Alex and his friends go to a bar in West Virginia on his 18th birthday against Elyse’s objections, and she travels 100 miles to bring him back. Bizarre to see Crispin Glover as one of Alex’s friends. Even stranger when you consider that they were filming Back to the Future around the same time as this season of the show. (“This is heavy.”)
Go Tigers
Mallory accompanies Alex to Princeton to surprise Jeff, and ends up surprised herself.
Disc Three:
M is For the Many Things
Elyse’s parents are separating, and her mother goes out on a date and stays out all night.
Say Uncle
Tom Hanks returns as Elyse’s brother Ned, and he’s interviewing for a job at Steven’s station. But it would appear that he’s got a bit of a drinking problem, and the family has to try and straighten him out.
Ladies’ Man
In trying to impress an attractive feminist, Alex ends up in jail.
Ready Or Not
Mallory debates about the right time to have sex.
Double Date
Alex ends up with two dates for the prom. Those dates? Jami Gertz and Daphne Zuniga, who in some odd twist of fate also guest starred opposite Fox in Spin City.
Lady Sings the Blues
Elyse attempts to revive her folk-singing career.
Disc Four:
Baby-Boy Doe
Skippy learns that he’s adopted, and heads out to Dayton to find his birth mother.
The Graduate
Alex expects to be class valedictorian, but it’s his girlfriend Rachel (Daphne Zuniga) who gets selected instead.
Diary of a Young Girl
Jennifer writes in her diary before a tonsil operation.
Working At It
Elyse lands a job, but has trouble juggling the responsibilities of being a working mother.
The DVD:
Special Features:
Public Service Announcement – Michael J. Fox on Parkinson’s Disease.
The Making of Family Ties – Gary David Goldberg, Tina Yothers, Michael Gross, Michael J. Fox and Marc Price talk about the origin of the show and the characters.
The Best Gig in the World – Talking about the popularity of both Fox and Alex Keaton.
The Year of the Beard – In season one, Steven Keaton didn’t have a beard, but from season two onward, he did, and Michael Gross talks about the reasons behind it.
Family Ties – The Second Season |
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