Family Ties
Steven and Elyse Keaton, once 1960s radicals, now find themselves in Reagan-era America trying to raise a traditional suburban family. Their three first kids are Alex (a very ambitious Young Republican), Mallory (a ditzy and boy-crazy fashionista), and Jennifer (whom we first get to know as a precocious nine-year-old tomboy). Later on, a fourth child (Andrew) was added to the family. Most of the comedy arose from the conflict between the ex-hippie parents vs. the conservative Alex and the brainless beauty Mallory.
- Metascore68
- 1982-1989
- 7 seasons
- NBC
- Comedy, Drama
- TV-G
Steven and Elyse Keaton, once 1960s radicals, now find themselves in Reagan-era America trying to raise a traditional suburban family. Their three first kids are Alex (a very ambitious Young Republican), Mallory (a ditzy and boy-crazy fashionista), and Jennifer (whom we first get to know as a precocious nine-year-old tomboy). Later on, a fourth child (Andrew) was added to the family. Most of the comedy arose from the conflict between the ex-hippie parents vs. the conservative Alex and the brainless beauty Mallory.
Season 2 Episode Guide
22 Episodes 1983 - 1984
Episode 1
Tender Is the Knight
Wed, Sep 28, 1983 25 mins
Alex must contend with a childhood playmate staying at the house who is unlike any girl he's known - or been attracted to - before, and has to decide whether to try and change her personality to his liking.
Episode 2
The Homecoming
Wed, Oct 12, 1983 30 mins
Mallory's boyfriend Jeff returns to Columbus and confesses to Alex he hates Princeton and is willing to do anything to get out of it--even ask Mallory to go steady with him.
Episode 3
The Harder They Fall
Wed, Oct 19, 1983 25 mins
Teacher/parent interviews at Alex and Mallory's school become interesting when both Steven and Elyse contend with a rude, insufferable teacher.
Episode 4
This Year's Model
Wed, Oct 26, 1983 30 mins
Mallory enters herself and Elyse in a Mother/Daughter Modeling contest but ends up regretting it when they win and Elyse steals her thunder.
Episode 5
Not an Affair to Remember
Wed, Nov 2, 1983 30 mins
Steven faces temptation at work when his new production assistant takes a liking to him.
Episode 6
Speed Trap
Wed, Nov 9, 1983 30 mins
Alex turns to amphetamines to get through a particularly stressful period of exams and scholarship applications.
Episode 7
Sweet Lorraine
Wed, Nov 16, 1983 24 mins
Working at the school radio station, Alex sets himself up a blind date with a fellow music enthusiast who ends up being 39-year-old Lorraine. The two enjoy themselves as their relationship blossoms, but Alex's parents have problems with the age difference between the two.
Episode 8
Batter Up
Wed, Nov 30, 1983 30 mins
When the pitcher drops out of Jennifer's softball team, she asks Arlene to be on the team. Arlene is not a sports person, and she's unaware that she is only needed to fill the team with another player so they don't need to forfeit.
Episode 9
A Keaton Christmas Carol
Wed, Dec 14, 1983 25 mins
Christmas is just around the corner, but Alex lacks holiday spirit as the rest of his family prepares to celebrate. On Christmas Eve he is visited in a dream by ghostly messengers who give him a view of his past and future Christmases, along with a different perception of the holiday.
Episode 10
To Snatch a Keith
Wed, Dec 21, 1983 25 mins
Steven & Elyse play mediator between a friend and his ex-wife. Steven & Elyse argue each others sides and begin their own arguments. The mediation does not work, but Steven & Elyse realize they need to always keep their marriage fresh.
Episode 11
Birthday Boy
Thu, Jan 5, 1984 30 mins
Steven must be in Washington for PBS on Alex's 18th birthday, so Elyse throws him a surprise party a few days early. On his big day, Alex fails to pass 'taking out the trash' down to one of his siblings, then declines a restaurant dinner because he wants to go to Camelot Inn in West Virginia with Neil and Doug, where the 18-year-olds can drink legally. Elyse forbids this blatantly, but the guys' taunting lures him along anyway, and just as they're pretending to be pilots about to invade Canada, Elyse arrives to drag him home. Alex is beyond furious for days, but they end up talking it through.
Episode 12
Go Tigers
Thu, Jan 12, 1984 25 mins
Alex decides to apply at the college where Mallory's ex Jeff is. So when he goes for his interview she decides to go with him so that she could see Jeff. When she sees him she finds him with another girl. After seeing him she goes looking for Alex so that they could leave but Alex is having his interview with the Dean which she can't help but disrupt.
Episode 13
'M' Is for the Many Things
Thu, Jan 19, 1984 30 mins
Alex is placed in charge of his high school's class souvenirs for graduation. He wants to turn it into a millionaire making project. Elyse is upset when her not-yet-divorced mother starts enjoying the prospect of being single.
Episode 14
Say Uncle
Thu, Jan 26, 1984 30 mins
Uncle Ned pays the Keatons a visit. However, it becomes quickly evident to Alex that Ned has developed a drinking problem. Alex tries to convince his reluctant family of Ned's addiction before it's too late.
Episode 15
Ladies' Man
Thu, Feb 2, 1984 25 mins
Alex pretends to be a feminist to impress a girl he likes.
Episode 16
Ready or Not
Thu, Feb 9, 1984 25 mins
Mallory considers taking a big step in her relationship with her boyfriend, Rick.
Episode 17
Double Date
Thu, Feb 16, 1984 25 mins
Alex is turned down when he asks his dream girl Jocelyn to the senior prom, and then invites the more unassuming Rachel. But when Jocelyn becomes available again, Alex finds himself with two dates, and devises a plan to take them both.
Episode 18
Lady Sings the Blues
Thu, Feb 23, 1984 25 mins
Elyse tries to revive her collegiate days as a folk singer, but her initial outing leaves her humiliated and filled with self-doubt. Alex and Steven are traumatized by Mallory's driving lessons.
Episode 19
Baby Boy Doe
Thu, Mar 8, 1984 25 mins
Skippy finds out he is adopted, and decides to meet his birth mother.
Episode 20
The Graduate
Thu, Mar 15, 1984 25 mins
Alex is stunned when his girlfriend is named valedictorian instead of him. He thinks the man should be superior in the relationship, and his attitude threatens to break them up. His father teaches him that love is not about competition.
Episode 21
Diary of a Young Girl
Thu, May 3, 1984 25 mins
Jennifer is in the hospital to have her tonsils taken out and is worried she will not survive. Awaiting the surgery, she writes down her thoughts and memories of her family.
Episode 22
Working at It
Thu, May 10, 1984 30 mins
Elyse gets a new job at an architectural firm and experiences challenges at work and at home.