One of TV’s sharpest and funniest sitcoms, “Family Ties” cast Meredith Baxter Birney and Michael Gross as Elyse and Michael Keaton, two liberal baby boomers from Ohio whose children in the 80s exhibit very different attitudes than their parents did in the 60s. Alex (Michael J. Fox) is a republican, Mallory (Justine Bateman) is self-obsessed, and Jennifer is a cynical tomboy.
Elyse is shocked by her soon-to-be-divorced mother's quick and free-spirited plunge into the singles world
Alex discovers that his idol, young Uncle Ned, has a serious drinking problem
When Alex's pal Skippy discovers he's adopted, Alex helps him cope with the shocking news
Alex pretends to support the Equal Rights Amendment to impress a pretty feminist
Alex is so sure that he will be named valedictorian of his class that he can't cope with the thought of being defeated by a girlu2014especially his girl
Alex anxiously awaits a crucial college recommendation from his English teacher
Mallory turns to Alex for some advice when she begins to fear she'll lose her new boyfriend unless she agrees to his pleas for a more "adult" romance
Steven and Elyse realize how lucky they are when their friends come over for a visit, but are unaware that it will be for the last time
When Alex takes diet pills for a lift during midterms, his dependency level increases daily
When Mallory's boyfriend Jeff arrives home from college and wants to go steady, she's elated, but it's soon apparent that he's a little awed by school and merely grasping at the familiar
Mallory secretly submits a picture of Elyse and herself to an ad agency for a mother-daughter-modeling contest
Steven and Elyse worry that the Jennifer's softball team coach is pushing the girls too hard
Steven's assistant at the station is bright, talented, funny, and witty...and in love with him
On his 18th birthday, Alex defies his mother and goes off with some of his buddies to celebrate at an out-of-town nightclub
A cynical Alex finds the spirit of Christmas in a dream
In the hospital awaiting a tonsillectomy, Jennifer fears she may never see her family again
When a blizzard forces the Keatons to spend Christmas at home, Elyse's gift to Steven an album filled with fascinating old photos sparks flashbacks to the births of their three children.
Seduced by an "older woman" of twenty-one, the hitherto inexperienced Alex is devastated to learn that she thinks of their relationship as casual.
To the dismay of the Keaton children and their equally conservative grandparents, Steven and Elyse take time out Thanksgiving Day to attend an anti-nuke rallyu2014and end up spending the holiday in jail.
Elyse's younger brother and Alex's idol, Ned, makes a surprise visit. However, everyone is puzzled by the go-getter corporate executive's suspicious behavior.
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