Family Ties - Episode Guide

Alex escorts a pretty socialite to a dance at her country club.

With Steven and Elyse away for the weekend, Alex hosts a wild party and worries over Mallory going off with one of his womanizing friends.

Jennifer gets picked on when she befriends a boy at school.

Seduced by an "older woman" of twenty-one, the hitherto inexperienced Alex is devastated to learn that she thinks of their relationship as casual.

A visit from Steven's father evokes confrontation between the two.

Mallory is horrified and confused when a close family friend and older business associate of her father's makes a pass at her.

As the new editor of his school paper, Alex uncovers a cheating scandal and to everyone's chagrin, prints a list of students who were caught including Mallory.

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 rally-and end up spending the holiday in jail.

Though Alex loves working at Mr. Adler's "Mom and Pop" grocery store, to the old man's dismay, he quits to "climb the corporate ladder" at an ultramodern supermarket.

The Keatons consider buying a gun for protection after getting burglarized.

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.

Mallory resents Elyse for the advice she gives her pregnant friend.

When popular sorority girl Sherry Marshall befriends Mallory to get close to Alex, Mallory brings them together in hopes of joining Pi Nu but her plan backfires.

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.

With the FBI hot on Ned's heels for embezzling 4.5 million dollars in corporate funds, Elyse's ethical brother and Alex's idol tells the family why and where he hid the money.

Alex amasses a bundle by playing the stock market on paper for his economics class, and courts disaster by secretly investing his father's money.

Mallory's handsome but shy French tutor, Jeff, finally musters up the nerve to ask her out and then courts disaster by enlisting Alex's advice on how to behave on the date.

As Big Brother to a 10-year-old Vietnamese boy, Alex tries to mold Ming into his own image, and he learns an unforgettable lesson when he breaks a promise to the adoring child.

Soon after freelance architect Elyse Keaton hires her friend Suzanne Davis to handle clerical chores, she wants to fire the under-qualified, overly aggressive secretary.

Alex gets stuck babysitting for his little sister Jennifer, who is fed up with feeling in the way at his poker game and decides to disappear.

While gearing up to face the television cameras as captain of his high school's team on "Quiz-Em", Alex panics at first when a teammate drops out and then launches a tutoring program a la Eliza Doolittle for his sister Mallory.

Elyse gets so wrapped up in work that she neglects her family.

When pretty Carrie Newman and her mother Julia come to visit the Keatons, Carrie's forward behavior sends Alex into a panic.

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.

Alex anxiously awaits a crucial college recommendation from his English teacher.

Mallory secretly submits a picture of Elyse and herself to an ad agency for a mother-daughter-modeling contest.

Steven's assistant at the station is bright, talented, funny, and witty...and in love with him.

When Alex takes diet pills for a lift during midterms, his dependency level increases daily.

While working as a DJ at the school radio station, Alex strikes up a telephone friendship with caller Lorraine Ferrar.

Steven and Elyse worry that the Jennifer's softball team coach is pushing the girls too hard.

A cynical Alex finds the spirit of Christmas in a dream.

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.

On his 18th birthday, Alex defies his mother and goes off with some of his buddies to celebrate at an out-of-town nightclub.

Alex is both amazed and furious when a critical admissions interview at Princeton University is shattered by his hysterical sister Mallory.

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.

Alex pretends to support the Equal Rights Amendment to impress a pretty feminist.

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.

Alex courts disaster when he invites two dates to the senior prom. He devises an elaborate scheme for escorting each of the unknowing girls on a night to remember.

Elyse is excited at the prospect of reviving her folk-singing career at a local nightclub.

When Alex's pal Skippy discovers he's adopted, Alex helps him cope with the shocking news.

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 girl-especially his girl.

In the hospital awaiting a tonsillectomy, Jennifer fears she may never see her family again.

Elyse feels the need to expand her horizons.

Elyse is stricken with gambling fever on a business trip to Atlantic City. While on a roll with Alex's "foolproof" blackjack system, she's oblivious to her family and job.

The news that their mother is pregnant sends the three Keaton kids into an angry outburst resulting in a family battle.

Alex is thrilled to be taking a college course taught by one of his personal heroes, Professor Ephraim Bronski. In his eagerness to impress the teacher he gets off to a bad start and is humiliated by his idol when he fails the first class assignment.

Little Jennifer is thrilled about getting a visit from her former neighborhood pal, Scott, whom she hasn't seen in five years.

Alex reluctantly accepts a part-time job with his father at the non-profit station, and his dad is bursting with pride to have him following in his footsteps.

Mallory's enthusiasm for her part-time job at a boutique causes her grades to slip even lower than usual.

As an economics student, Alex finds it demeaning to be forced into a public service position, but his experiences at the crisis center gives him a new outlook on life.

While Steven and Elyse are away on vacation, Mallory accidentally crashes her parents' car into a telephone pole. The kids need to raise money for auto repairs and decides to turn the Keaton house into a hotel.

Alex cannot accept the fact that he and everyone around him are growing up, and desperately clings to his old ways.

Steven and Elyse plan a nostalgic weekend with the kids before the baby arrives, and are crushed to discover that the children are not at all interested in reminiscing about old times-they'd rather be with their friends.

Alex plays Cupid to help his shy pal Skippy get together with Jane, the girl of his dreams, but his good intentions go awry when the girl falls for him instead.

Alex hires a nanny and housekeeper who is inept at her duties.

Alex's chances for acceptance into a smug college fraternity are dependent upon him having a knockout date for the pledge dance.

Alex befriends Donna, a young, unwed expectant mother from Elyse's natural-childbirth class.

Mallory is crushed when her favorite aunt dies suddenly, but her feelings of sadness turn to anger when family and friends at the funeral seem to be taking Aunt Trudy's death too lightly.

Alex falls asleep while working on a college term paper on Thomas Jefferson and dreams that his family and friends are living 200 years ago.

To help Steven during pledge week at the television station, the Keatons reluctantly agree to be part of the entertainment. The audience gets an unexpected show when Elyse goes into labor right on camera while in the middle of a song.

A snowstorm prevents Elyse from getting to the hospital in time to deliver her baby.

Jennifer is jealous over the attention paid to Andrew.

Alex and his good friend James go into business together as tutors for their fellow students at Leland.

With Elyse back at work, Steven is frustrated when her schedule and the baby's schedule aren't allowing them any free time together.

With the rest of the Keaton family away for the weekend, Mallory is excited about having the house to herself-until she is accidentally locked in the basement with the person she'd least like to be with-her adoring neighbor, Skippy.

Steven takes a nostalgic trip to his hometown following the death of his father. With the support of Elyse and the children, he tries to prepare his mother for her new life.

Steven takes a nostalgic trip to his hometown following the death of his father. With the support of Elyse and the children, he tries to prepare his mother for her new life.

Alex picks out his dream girl from the school directory and falls for her roommate.

Alex takes drastic measures to stop Ellen from getting married.

Mallory brings home her new boyfriend, Nick, a Rambo-type environmental artist, to meet her family.

Jennifer takes on a class bully to defend her boyfriend.

Alex does some fancy footwork on the dance floor to impress Ellen when he thinks he is losing her because of their divergent interests.

When Mallory informs her parents that she has no intention of going to college after graduation, they are sure her boyfriend, Nick, a high school dropout, is influencing her.

Alex hires a tutor to help him with math, but his "teacher" turns out to be a 13-year-old genius who suddenly becomes more interested in Jennifer that in helping Alex.

Nick seeks Alex's help and advice on how to fit in more comfortably with the Keaton family, and ends up taking a "normal" job and going to extremes to be accepted.

Steven looks forward to reminiscing about the good old times when an old college buddy, Richard Schofield, comes to visit.

Alex, who prides himself on being in control of his life, is embarrassed to admit that he is having a problem with insomnia, which is creating stress in his personal life as well as in school.

Mallory begins to feel severe guilt after reporting a young girl to the police for shoplifting, especially when she learns that the girl is from a home for abused children.

Steven gets the promotion he has been waiting years for, but as the new regional manager of the station, he is required to put in long hours at the office and soon realizes he has no time for his family.

Jennifer seeks Alex's help on a speech for her class.

Alex creates conflict by inviting Ellen's father to Parent's Day Weekend.

Skippy refuses to accept that Mallory is in love with Nick.

A chess tournament between Leland College students and a visiting Soviet team turns into a wrestling match when Alex and his opponent, Ivan Rozmirovich, match wits and "fight" for their countries.

Elyse enrolls in an auto mechanics class to prove to Alex and Steven that women can be just as competent with cars as men, but to protect his own masculinity, Alex joins the class to prove her wrong

The Keaton family fills Alex's girlfriend, Ellen, in on some of the more humorous events in Alex's life before they met.

The Keaton family fills Alex's girlfriend, Ellen, in on some of the more humorous events in Alex's life before they met.

Mallory suspects there's more involved than "art appreciation" when a wealthy and beautiful older woman takes a special interest in Nick's creations.

Alex lands an assistant teaching position and runs into big trouble when he has to grade a student who also happens to be his girlfriend, Ellen.

Steven has a very difficult time accepting that his youngest daughter, Jennifer, is growing up and no longer wants to "pal around" with him.

Elyse must deal with Paul, a young architect associate who falls in love with her.

Mallory's poor grades jeopardize her high school graduation.

Alex objects to the teaching style at Andrew's elite pre-school.

Alex is on the rebound when Ellen leaves for Paris.

Mallory gets paired with a senior citizen for a class project.

Steven revives the left-wing political magazine he established in college.

Alex jeopardizes his career at a bank when he falls for his boss.

Nick and Mallory plan to elope when the Keaton's oppose their marriage.

The Keatons try to stop Mallory and Nick from eloping.

Elyse tries to fix up her co-worker with one of her friends.

Skippy is the victim of a cruel fraternity prank when Alex intervenes.

Alex tutors Nick to help him earn his high school diploma.

Alex faces a moral dilemma while assisting his professor on a research project.

Mallory gets jealous when her friend forms a bond with Elyse.

The Keatons are devastated when Uncle Rob announces he's getting a divorce.

The Keatons hear the other side of the story about Uncle Rob's separation.

Mallory joins a poetry club and falls for the leader of the group.

Nick competes in a local art competition at Steven's station.

Alex accompanies his boss on a business trip to Chicago.

Alex's boss makes a pass at him while on a business trip in Chicago.

The Keatons have their own own battle of the sexes.

The Keatons reminisce about their relationships gone awry.

Alex is unsuccessful at managing Jennifer's all-girl band.

Mallory goes head-to-head with Alex in a scholarship competition.

Alex questions the meaning of life when his friend dies in a car accident.

Alex questions the meaning of life when his friend dies in a car accident.

Jennifer plays dumb to impress a star athlete at school.

Skippy makes a fool of himself over Mallory's new college friend.

Elyse's sister and her obnoxious family visit the Keatons.

When Mallory goes through a string of bad dates, Alex attempts to find her someone who seems perfect "on paper".
 

On Jen's birthday, she is unusually un-eager for the usual party ingredients, clearly only pretends to appreciate the hand-puppet show dad revels in, and actually gets completely obsessed with imitating the fashion-obsessed herd of 'cool kids' at school, even if that means abandoning all her rather tomcat habits. Stacie's gang and chasing boys seem to overtake her whole personality, she even takes lessons in 'cool' signals and talk from airhead Mallory.

Jennifer feels out of place at her own thirteenth birthday party.

Alex falls for a pretty psychology student.

Alex falls for a pretty psychology student

Mallory writes an advice column for a local shopper's guide.

Andy feels ignored when Alex spends time with Lauren.

Jennifer uses a nerdy admirer to make another boy jealous.

Elyse's job starts to interfere with her family life.

Steven pushes Mallory to take a job at the station.

Alex is intimidated by Lauren's old boyfriend.

Elyse's aunt faces a tragic illness.

Nick takes a job as a janitor at Mallory's sorority house.

Mallory decides to run for student body president.

The Keatons get involved in Uncle Rob's divorce.

Uncle Rob's daughter can't cope with his divorce.

Lauren writes paper on the Keaton family for her class.

Lauren writes paper on the Keaton family for her class.

Elyse and Steven have a nasty fight on their 20th wedding anniversary.

A breaded visitor turns Alex into a believer at Christmas.

Steven gets jealous of Elyse's leading man in a local play.

Alex turns Nick into an assembly line artist.

Alex tries to help a struggling musician regain his fame.

Jennifer fights the school for banning a book.

Jennifer faces the music after reading a book that the school banned.

Lauren drops her college thesis to spend more time with Alex.

Alex questions the meaning of life when his Mallory deals with a friend's tragic suicide.

Elyse's high school friends can't move on from the past.

Andy takes drastic measures to help a deaf friend.

Cousin June returns to visit the Keatons after a three-year stay in London.

Nick asks his estranged father for a loan to open up his own art school.

The Keatons camping trip turns into a comedy of errors.

Mallory discovers another employee is stealing her fashion designs.

Alex feels left out when Andy starts making new friends.

Lauren sends Alex to group therapy to get him to open up more.

Steven suffers from a serious heart attack.

The family anxiously awaits while Steven undergoes heart surgery.

Steven struggles with fear after returning home after his heart surgery.

Skippy decides to join the Army.

Jennifer dates Mallory's ex-boyfriend's brother.

Nick's devastated when his childhood dog is hit by a car.

Andy befriends two senior citizens from a retirement center.

Alex must choose between a friendship and his career.

Elyse races to save a building she designed from the wrecking ball.

Skippy falls for Alex's girlfriend Lauren when she begins counseling him.

Steven refuses to co-sign on a loan for Mallory's new car.

Jennifer is caught in the middle when she beings working with her inept friend.

Steve and Elyse face bigotry in their neighborhood.

The Keatons fight against bigotry in their own neighborhood.

Alex falls for someone else when Lauren leaves town.

Alex is forced to choose between Lauren and his new love.

Jennifer becomes obsessed with protecting the environment.

The Keatons share a laugh when they look back at their past.

Andy's time capsule revives some funny family memories.

Steven must confront his feelings about Nick when he moves in for a week.

Elyse gets upset when Alex gets a job in New York.

As Alex packs his items for a move to New York, each family members has a chance to say their individual goodbyes. Nick & Skippy show up for their goodbyes, as well as his former girlfriend Lauren.