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 7 Episode Guide
25 Episodes 1988 - 1989
Episode 1
It Happened One Night
Sun, Oct 30, 1988 30 mins
Steven and Elyse wants to take the entire family on a camping trip, but the three oldest do not want to go. After their parents leave, the children feel guilty and head out to the campsite. Unfortunately, they get lost.
Episode 2
Designing Woman
Sun, Nov 6, 1988 30 mins
Mallory gets an internship at a fashion company and is ecstatic. She is happy to share her ideas, but is shocked when her new mentor passes Mallory's designs off as her own. Mallory confronts her, but nothing seems like it will change.
Episode 3
Truckers
Sun, Nov 13, 1988 25 mins
Andy finds a new friend in Nick's nephew Rocco, who prefers trucks to finance, so Alex feels rejected when Andy seems to prefer Rocco. Steven is upset at the size of the family's bills, and tries to reduce costs around the house.
Episode 4
Beyond Therapy
Sun, Nov 27, 1988 25 mins
Lauren is upset over the lack of communication and emotional sharing between herself and Alex. She suggests that they see a therapist to discover the cause of their problem.
Episode 5
Heartstrings: Part 1
Sun, Dec 4, 1988 25 mins
After jogging with Elyse, Steven feels chest pains. He is taken to the hospital, and they find out he had a heart attack. While there, the family meets relatives of patients who suffered heart attacks, while facing the issue of mortality.
Episode 6
Heartstrings: Part 2
Sun, Dec 11, 1988 25 mins
Steven has an operation to clear a valve after his heart attack. As they wait and worry, Elyse and the kids remember life with Steven. They take comfort talking and sharing with other people, while their concerns over the future deepen.
Episode 7
Heartstrings: Part 3
Sun, Dec 18, 1988 24 mins
Family and friends continue their vigil while Steven has his operation. The operation is a success, and home they go. But Steven has to adjust to restrictions in food and activity, while the family treats him as an elderly invalid.
Episode 8
Basic Training
Sun, Jan 1, 1989 25 mins
Mallory and Skippy attend Career Day at Grant College. Skippy finds out he has no aptitude for any skill or job. He decides to join the Army. Skippy takes to Basic Training in usual form. Also, the family continues to treat Steven gently.
Episode 9
Deja Vu
Sun, Jan 8, 1989 25 mins
Jennifer is starting to see Josh, whose older brother Jeff used to date Mallory. Mallory remembers all the hurt feelings from when Jeff dumped her, and she urges Jennifer to stop seeing Josh.
Episode 10
Nick's Best Friend
Sun, Jan 15, 1989 25 mins
Andy celebrates his 7th birthday, and Alex tells him to just look for cash and not read the cards. Nick is reunited with his dog from when he lived at home. But after he runs in the street and is hit by a car, Nick faces difficult choices.
Episode 11
Get Me to the Living Room on Time
Sun, Jan 29, 1989 25 mins
Steven struggles for an idea for his next documentary. When Andy has his new friends visit, the Keatons find out they are from the retirement home, and Steven sees this as his idea. When Joseph proposes to Eva, his son protests.
Episode 12
The Job Not Taken
Sun, Feb 5, 1989 25 mins
With Alex looking for a job, his friend Paul recommends him to join his financial firm. Alex is offered the position, but finds out that Paul has been fired, and his new job is as his replacement. Alex feels conflicted about the situation.
Episode 13
The Wrecker's Ball
Sun, Feb 12, 1989 25 mins
Mallory has a new passion - massage. Also, Elyse finds out the first building she designed is slated to be torn down and the space used for a mall. Elyse and the family fight city hall to keep the building from being destroyed.
Episode 14
My Best Friend's Girl
Sun, Feb 19, 1989 25 mins
Skippy has trouble meeting girls, so Lauren decides to be a matchmaker. As they work together, he falls in love with her. Jennifer gets her learner's permit; Steven and Elyse compete to show who is the better driving instructor.
Episode 15
'Til Her Daddy Takes the T-Bird Away
Sun, Feb 26, 1989 30 mins
Mallory is ready to buy a car from Nick's father, but she needs a co-signer on the loan. Steven refuses to do it because Mallory wants to drive on a cross-country trip with Nick, so he turns to Nick's father for support in his decision.
Episode 16
Simon Says
Sun, Mar 5, 1989 30 mins
The 10-year-old papergirl has a crush on Alex, and he cannot escape her. Jennifer and Simon work together at a fast food place for a school project on teens in the workplace, but he's so smitten by Jennifer that he can't focus on work.
Episode 17
All in the Neighborhood: Part 1
Sun, Mar 12, 1989 25 mins
At Elyse's suggestion, Steven's black coworker Gus and his family move in across the street, but are met with resistance. After their family is threatened, the Keatons try to reason with neighbors and have Gus stay.
Episode 18
All in the Neighborhood: Part 2
Sun, Mar 19, 1989 25 mins
The Keatons try to persuade friend Gus and his family not to move, despite neighbors who object to a black family moving in. But when their house is vandalized, it's hard to convince them to stay, as the Keatons help to clean the house.
Episode 19
They Can't Take That Away from Me: Part 1
Sun, Apr 2, 1989 25 mins
Alex's girlfriend Lauren is attending a conference for a few weeks, and he is conducting an economics class at Leland College to finish his degree. A music student in the class needs tutoring, and she and Alex find a mutual attraction.
Episode 20
They Can't Take That Away from Me: Part 2
Sun, Apr 9, 1989 25 mins
Lauren returns from her conference, and Alex confesses he is interested in Marty more than he should be, forcing him to choose between the two women. As he graduates from college, Alex must makes decisions about his life and future.
Episode 21
Rain Forests Keep Fallin' on My Head
Sun, Apr 16, 1989 30 mins
Jennifer's science class is studying ecology, and saving the environment becomes an obsession for her. She wants to change everything the family does, but gets depressed about the future. Steven and Elyse have her talk to a counselor.
Episode 22
Wrap Around the Clock - Part 1
Sun, Apr 23, 1989 23 mins
Andy has to make a time capsule for a school project, and everyone contributes something unique to the box. As items go in the box, the family reminisces about the item and their lives at those times.
Episode 23
Wrap Around the Clock - Part 2
Sun, Apr 23, 1989 23 mins
While helping Andy make his time capsule for school, Nick, Alex and Skippy recall pivotal moments from their past - especially their romantic endeavors.
Episode 24
Mr. Keaton Takes a Vacation
Sun, May 7, 1989 25 mins
Nick needs somewhere to stay while his apartment is painted, and the Keatons take him in for the week. Steven, on vacation, warily monitors Nick and Mallory, but his longstanding distant attitude towards Nick leads to a confrontation, and a reevaluation of his opinion of Nick. Elyse resists having Alex do the family's taxes, not wanting to exploit what she regards as unfair loopholes - but how long can she hold out?
Episode 25
Alex Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Sun, May 14, 1989 60 mins
Alex announces he has accepted a job offer for his dream job in New York on Wall Street. While everyone is excited for him, Elyse is sad at her first child preparing to move out. As Andy practices for a school play, Alex's packing is stressful.