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Family Ties

TV·1982–1989·7 seasons, 176 episodes·NBC·Drama, Comedy, Family·30m·7.3·Created by Gary David Goldberg

Streaming on (US) Paramount Plus PremiumSee all

Steve and Elyse Keaton, once 1960s radicals, now find themselves in Reagan-Era American trying to raise a traditional suburban family. Son Alex P. Keaton is an ambitious Young Republican and his sister Mallory is a shallow victim of the corporate culture, obsessed with music, clothes and boys. Their only normal kid is young Jennifer a bit of a tomboy.

Highest-rated episodes all ranked

  1. 01Family Ties S01E09Death of a GrocerS01E09 · 8.7Though 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.
  2. 02Family Ties S01E10Have Gun, Will UnravelS01E10 · 8.7The Keatons consider buying a gun for protection after getting burglarized.
  3. 03Family Ties S01E18I Gotta Be MingS01E18 · 8.7As 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.

Cast

Episodes by season

Season01Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode22Episodes1982–83Aired 8.1Season avg
  1. S01E01Family Ties S01E01PilotSeptember 22, 1982 7.7Alex escorts a pretty socialite to a dance at her country club.
  2. S01E02Family Ties S01E02Not With My Sister You Don'tSeptember 29, 1982 7.7With Steven and Elyse away for the weekend, Alex hosts a wild party and worries over Mallory going off with one of his womanizing friends.
  3. S01E03Family Ties S01E03I Know Jennifer's BoyfriendOctober 6, 1982 7.7Jennifer gets picked on when she befriends a boy at school.
  4. S01E04Family Ties S01E04Summer of '82October 27, 1982 8.0Seduced by an "older woman" of twenty-one, the hitherto inexperienced Alex is devastated to learn that she thinks of their relationship as c
  5. S01E05Family Ties S01E05I Never Killed for My FatherNovember 3, 1982 8.0A visit from Steven's father evokes confrontation between the two.
  6. S01E06Family Ties S01E06Give Your Uncle Arthur a KissNovember 10, 1982 8.0Mallory is horrified and confused when a close family friend and older business associate of her father's makes a pass at her.
  7. S01E07Family Ties S01E07Big Brother is WatchingNovember 17, 1982 8.0As 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
  8. S01E08Family Ties S01E08No Nukes is Good NukesNovember 24, 1982 8.3To the dismay of the Keaton children and their equally conservative grandparents, Steven and Elyse take time out Thanksgiving Day to attend
  9. S01E09Family Ties S01E09Season's bestDeath of a GrocerDecember 1, 1982 8.7Though 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 a
  10. S01E10Family Ties S01E10Have Gun, Will UnravelDecember 8, 1982 8.7The Keatons consider buying a gun for protection after getting burglarized.
  11. S01E11Family Ties S01E11A Christmas StoryDecember 15, 1982 7.7When a blizzard forces the Keatons to spend Christmas at home, Elyse's gift to Steven an album filled with fascinating old photos sparks fla
  12. S01E12Family Ties S01E12OopsDecember 22, 1982 8.3Mallory resents Elyse for the advice she gives her pregnant friend.
  13. S01E13Family Ties S01E13Sherry BabyJanuary 12, 1983 8.3When popular sorority girl Sherry Marshall befriends Mallory to get close to Alex, Mallory brings them together in hopes of joining Pi Nu bu
  14. S01E14Family Ties S01E14The Fugitive (1)January 19, 1983 8.3Elyse's younger brother and Alex's idol, Ned, makes a surprise visit. However, everyone is puzzled by the go-getter corporate executive's su
  15. S01E15Family Ties S01E15The Fugitive (2)January 26, 1983 8.3With 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 fam
  16. S01E16Family Ties S01E16Margin of ErrorFebruary 9, 1983 8.0Alex amasses a bundle by playing the stock market on paper for his economics class, and courts disaster by secretly investing his father's m
  17. S01E17Family Ties S01E17French LessonsFebruary 16, 1983 8.0Mallory's handsome but shy French tutor, Jeff, finally musters up the nerve to ask her out and then courts disaster by enlisting Alex's advi
  18. S01E18Family Ties S01E18I Gotta Be MingFebruary 23, 1983 8.7As 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 br
  19. S01E19Family Ties S01E19Suzanne Takes You DownMarch 16, 1983 8.3Soon after freelance architect Elyse Keaton hires her friend Suzanne Davis to handle clerical chores, she wants to fire the under-qualified,
  20. S01E20Family Ties S01E20The Fifth WheelMarch 28, 1983 7.7Alex 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
  21. S01E21Family Ties S01E21Stage Fright (a.k.a. Video Jitters)April 4, 1983 8.0While 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 drop
  22. S01E22Family Ties S01E22Elyse D'ArcApril 11, 1983 7.7Elyse gets so wrapped up in work that she neglects her family.

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

Season02Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode22Episodes1983–84Aired 8.1Season avg
  1. S02E01Family Ties S02E01Tender is the KnightSeptember 28, 1983 8.0When pretty Carrie Newman and her mother Julia come to visit the Keatons, Carrie's forward behavior sends Alex into a panic.
  2. S02E02Family Ties S02E02Season's bestThe HomecomingOctober 12, 1983 8.3When 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
  3. S02E03Family Ties S02E03The Harder They FallOctober 19, 1983 8.3Alex anxiously awaits a crucial college recommendation from his English teacher.
  4. S02E04Family Ties S02E04This Year's ModelOctober 26, 1983 8.0Mallory secretly submits a picture of Elyse and herself to an ad agency for a mother-daughter-modeling contest.
  5. S02E05Family Ties S02E05Not an Affair to RememberNovember 2, 1983 8.0Steven's assistant at the station is bright, talented, funny, and witty...and in love with him.
  6. S02E06Family Ties S02E06Speed TrapNovember 9, 1983 8.0When Alex takes diet pills for a lift during midterms, his dependency level increases daily.
  7. S02E07Family Ties S02E07Sweet LorraineNovember 16, 1983 8.0While working as a DJ at the school radio station, Alex strikes up a telephone friendship with caller Lorraine Ferrar.
  8. S02E08Family Ties S02E08Batter UpNovember 30, 1983 8.0Steven and Elyse worry that the Jennifer's softball team coach is pushing the girls too hard.
  9. S02E09Family Ties S02E09A Keaton Christmas CarolDecember 14, 1983 7.0A cynical Alex finds the spirit of Christmas in a dream.
  10. S02E10Family Ties S02E10To Snatch a KeithDecember 21, 1983 7.7Steven 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.
  11. S02E11Family Ties S02E11Birthday BoyJanuary 5, 1984 8.3On his 18th birthday, Alex defies his mother and goes off with some of his buddies to celebrate at an out-of-town nightclub.
  12. S02E12Family Ties S02E12Go TigersJanuary 12, 1984 8.3Alex is both amazed and furious when a critical admissions interview at Princeton University is shattered by his hysterical sister Mallory.
  13. S02E13Family Ties S02E13"M" is for the Many ThingsJanuary 19, 1984 8.0Elyse is shocked by her soon-to-be-divorced mother's quick and free-spirited plunge into the singles world.
  14. S02E14Family Ties S02E14Say UncleJanuary 26, 1984 8.3Alex discovers that his idol, young Uncle Ned, has a serious drinking problem.
  15. S02E15Family Ties S02E15Ladies' ManFebruary 2, 1984 8.0Alex pretends to support the Equal Rights Amendment to impress a pretty feminist.
  16. S02E16Family Ties S02E16Ready or NotFebruary 9, 1984 8.0Mallory 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
  17. S02E17Family Ties S02E17Double DateFebruary 16, 1984 8.3Alex courts disaster when he invites two dates to the senior prom. He devises an elaborate scheme for escorting each of the unknowing girls
  18. S02E18Family Ties S02E18Lady Sings the BluesFebruary 23, 1984 8.0Elyse is excited at the prospect of reviving her folk-singing career at a local nightclub.
  19. S02E19Family Ties S02E19Baby Boy DoeMarch 8, 1984 8.3When Alex's pal Skippy discovers he's adopted, Alex helps him cope with the shocking news.
  20. S02E20Family Ties S02E20The GraduateMarch 15, 1984 8.3Alex 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
  21. S02E21Family Ties S02E21Diary of a Young GirlMay 3, 1984 8.3In the hospital awaiting a tonsillectomy, Jennifer fears she may never see her family again.
  22. S02E22Family Ties S02E22Working at ItMay 10, 1984 8.3Elyse feels the need to expand her horizons.

Season 2 ranked & reviewed

Season03Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode24Episodes1984–85Aired 8.0Season avg
  1. S03E01Family Ties S03E01The GamblerSeptember 20, 1984 8.3Elyse is stricken with gambling fever on a business trip to Atlantic City. While on a roll with Alex's "foolproof" blackjack system, she's o
  2. S03E02Family Ties S03E02Here We Go AgainSeptember 27, 1984 8.3The news that their mother is pregnant sends the three Keaton kids into an angry outburst resulting in a family battle.
  3. S03E03Family Ties S03E03Little Man on CampusOctober 4, 1984 8.0Alex is thrilled to be taking a college course taught by one of his personal heroes, Professor Ephraim Bronski. In his eagerness to impress
  4. S03E04Family Ties S03E04Love Thy NeighborOctober 11, 1984 8.3Little Jennifer is thrilled about getting a visit from her former neighborhood pal, Scott, whom she hasn't seen in five years.
  5. S03E05Family Ties S03E05Keaton 'N SonOctober 18, 1984 8.0Alex 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
  6. S03E06Family Ties S03E06Fabric SmartsOctober 25, 1984 8.3Mallory's enthusiasm for her part-time job at a boutique causes her grades to slip even lower than usual.
  7. S03E07Family Ties S03E07Hotline FeverNovember 1, 1984 7.7As an economics student, Alex finds it demeaning to be forced into a public service position, but his experiences at the crisis center gives
  8. S03E08Family Ties S03E084 Rms Ocn VuNovember 8, 1984 8.3While Steven and Elyse are away on vacation, Mallory accidentally crashes her parents' car into a telephone pole. The kids need to raise mon
  9. S03E09Family Ties S03E09Best ManNovember 15, 1984 8.3Alex cannot accept the fact that he and everyone around him are growing up, and desperately clings to his old ways.
  10. S03E10Family Ties S03E10Lost WeekendNovember 22, 1984 8.0Steven and Elyse plan a nostalgic weekend with the kids before the baby arrives, and are crushed to discover that the children are not at al
  11. S03E11Family Ties S03E11Don't Kiss Me, I'm Only the MessengerNovember 29, 1984 8.0Alex 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 fa
  12. S03E12Family Ties S03E12Help WantedDecember 6, 1984 8.0Alex hires a nanny and housekeeper who is inept at her duties.
  13. S03E13Family Ties S03E13Karen II, Alex 0December 13, 1984 8.3Alex's chances for acceptance into a smug college fraternity are dependent upon him having a knockout date for the pledge dance.
  14. S03E14Family Ties S03E14Oh DonnaJanuary 3, 1985 7.7Alex befriends Donna, a young, unwed expectant mother from Elyse's natural-childbirth class.
  15. S03E15Family Ties S03E15Auntie UpJanuary 10, 1985 8.0Mallory is crushed when her favorite aunt dies suddenly, but her feelings of sadness turn to anger when family and friends at the funeral se
  16. S03E16Family Ties S03E16Philadelphia StoryJanuary 17, 1985 8.0Alex falls asleep while working on a college term paper on Thomas Jefferson and dreams that his family and friends are living 200 years ago.
  17. S03E17Family Ties S03E17Birth of a Keaton (1)January 24, 1985 8.0To help Steven during pledge week at the television station, the Keatons reluctantly agree to be part of the entertainment. The audience get
  18. S03E18Family Ties S03E18Season's bestBirth of a Keaton (2)January 31, 1985 8.7A snowstorm prevents Elyse from getting to the hospital in time to deliver her baby.
  19. S03E19Family Ties S03E19Cry BabyFebruary 7, 1985 7.0Jennifer is jealous over the attention paid to Andrew.
  20. S03E20Family Ties S03E20Don't Know Much About History...February 14, 1985 7.7Alex and his good friend James go into business together as tutors for their fellow students at Leland.
  21. S03E21Family Ties S03E21Bringing Up BabyFebruary 21, 1985 8.0With Elyse back at work, Steven is frustrated when her schedule and the baby's schedule aren't allowing them any free time together.
  22. S03E22Family Ties S03E22Cold StorageMarch 7, 1985 7.3With the rest of the Keaton family away for the weekend, Mallory is excited about having the house to herself-until she is accidentally lock
  23. S03E23Family Ties S03E23Remembrances of Things Past (1)March 28, 1985 7.7Steven takes a nostalgic trip to his hometown following the death of his father. With the support of Elyse and the children, he tries to pre
  24. S03E24Family Ties S03E24Remembrances of Things Past (2)March 28, 1985 7.7Steven takes a nostalgic trip to his hometown following the death of his father. With the support of Elyse and the children, he tries to pre

Season 3 ranked & reviewed

Season04Best seasonEpisode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode24Episodes1985–86Aired 8.1Season avg
  1. S04E01Family Ties S04E01Season's bestThe Real Thing (1)September 26, 1985 8.5Alex picks out his dream girl from the school directory and falls for her roommate.
  2. S04E02Family Ties S04E02The Real Thing (2)October 3, 1985 8.5Alex takes drastic measures to stop Ellen from getting married.
  3. S04E03Family Ties S04E03Mr. WrongOctober 17, 1985 8.5Mallory brings home her new boyfriend, Nick, a Rambo-type environmental artist, to meet her family.
  4. S04E04Family Ties S04E04Designated HitterOctober 24, 1985 8.5Jennifer takes on a class bully to defend her boyfriend.
  5. S04E05Family Ties S04E05Don't Go Changin'October 31, 1985 8.0Alex does some fancy footwork on the dance floor to impress Ellen when he thinks he is losing her because of their divergent interests.
  6. S04E06Family Ties S04E06The Old College TryNovember 7, 1985 8.0When Mallory informs her parents that she has no intention of going to college after graduation, they are sure her boyfriend, Nick, a high s
  7. S04E07Family Ties S04E07My TutorNovember 14, 1985 8.0Alex 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 Jen
  8. S04E08Family Ties S04E08Mr. RightNovember 21, 1985 8.5Nick 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 e
  9. S04E09Family Ties S04E09Just One LookDecember 5, 1985 8.0Steven looks forward to reminiscing about the good old times when an old college buddy, Richard Schofield, comes to visit.
  10. S04E10Family Ties S04E10How Do You Sleep?December 12, 1985 8.0Alex, who prides himself on being in control of his life, is embarrassed to admit that he is having a problem with insomnia, which is creati
  11. S04E11Family Ties S04E11You've Got a FriendDecember 19, 1985 8.0Mallory begins to feel severe guilt after reporting a young girl to the police for shoplifting, especially when she learns that the girl is
  12. S04E12Family Ties S04E12Nothing But a ManJanuary 2, 1986 8.0Steven 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
  13. S04E13Family Ties S04E13The DiscipleJanuary 9, 1986 8.0Jennifer seeks Alex's help on a speech for her class.
  14. S04E14Family Ties S04E14Where's Poppa?January 16, 1986 8.0Alex creates conflict by inviting Ellen's father to Parent's Day Weekend.
  15. S04E15Family Ties S04E15Fool for LoveJanuary 23, 1986 8.0Skippy refuses to accept that Mallory is in love with Nick.
  16. S04E16Family Ties S04E16CheckmateJanuary 30, 1986 8.0A chess tournament between Leland College students and a visiting Soviet team turns into a wrestling match when Alex and his opponent, Ivan
  17. S04E17Family Ties S04E17Engine TroubleFebruary 6, 1986 8.0Elyse 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 hi
  18. S04E18Family Ties S04E18A Word to the Wise (1)February 13, 1986 7.5The Keaton family fills Alex's girlfriend, Ellen, in on some of the more humorous events in Alex's life before they met.
  19. S04E19Family Ties S04E19A Word to the Wise (2)February 13, 1986 7.5The Keaton family fills Alex's girlfriend, Ellen, in on some of the more humorous events in Alex's life before they met.
  20. S04E20Family Ties S04E20Art LoverFebruary 20, 1986 8.0Mallory suspects there's more involved than "art appreciation" when a wealthy and beautiful older woman takes a special interest in Nick's c
  21. S04E21Family Ties S04E21Teacher's PetMarch 2, 1986 8.0Alex lands an assistant teaching position and runs into big trouble when he has to grade a student who also happens to be his girlfriend, El
  22. S04E22Family Ties S04E22My BuddyMarch 6, 1986 8.0Steven has a very difficult time accepting that his youngest daughter, Jennifer, is growing up and no longer wants to "pal around" with him.
  23. S04E23Family Ties S04E23Once in Love with Elyse (a.k.a. Loan Arranger)May 1, 1986 8.5Elyse must deal with Paul, a young architect associate who falls in love with her.
  24. S04E24Family Ties S04E24Paper Chase (a.k.a. Mallory's Graduation)May 8, 1986 8.5Mallory's poor grades jeopardize her high school graduation.

Season 4 ranked & reviewed

Season05Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode30Episodes1986–87Aired 8.1Season avg
  1. S05E01Family Ties S05E01Season's bestBe True to Your PreschoolSeptember 25, 1986 8.5Alex objects to the teaching style at Andrew's elite pre-school.
  2. S05E02Family Ties S05E02Starting OverOctober 2, 1986 8.0Alex is on the rebound when Ellen leaves for Paris.
  3. S05E03Family Ties S05E03The Freshman and the SeniorOctober 9, 1986 8.5Mallory gets paired with a senior citizen for a class project.
  4. S05E04Family Ties S05E04My Back PagesOctober 16, 1986 8.0Steven revives the left-wing political magazine he established in college.
  5. S05E05Family Ties S05E05Beauty and the BankOctober 30, 1986 7.5Alex jeopardizes his career at a bank when he falls for his boss.
  6. S05E06Family Ties S05E06Mrs. Wrong (1)November 6, 1986 8.0Nick and Mallory plan to elope when the Keaton's oppose their marriage.
  7. S05E07Family Ties S05E07Mrs. Wrong (2)November 13, 1986 8.5The Keatons try to stop Mallory and Nick from eloping.
  8. S05E08Family Ties S05E08The Big FixNovember 17, 1986 8.0Elyse tries to fix up her co-worker with one of her friends.
  9. S05E09Family Ties S05E09My Brother's KeeperNovember 20, 1986 8.0Skippy is the victim of a cruel fraternity prank when Alex intervenes.
  10. S05E10Family Ties S05E10High School ConfidentialDecember 4, 1986 8.5Alex tutors Nick to help him earn his high school diploma.
  11. S05E11Family Ties S05E11Paper LionDecember 11, 1986 8.0Alex faces a moral dilemma while assisting his professor on a research project.
  12. S05E12Family Ties S05E12My Mother, My FriendDecember 18, 1986 8.0Mallory gets jealous when her friend forms a bond with Elyse.
  13. S05E13Family Ties S05E13O'Brother (1)January 8, 1987 8.0The Keatons are devastated when Uncle Rob announces he's getting a divorce.
  14. S05E14Family Ties S05E14O'Brother (2)January 15, 1987 8.0The Keatons hear the other side of the story about Uncle Rob's separation.
  15. S05E15Family Ties S05E15Higher LoveJanuary 22, 1987 8.0Mallory joins a poetry club and falls for the leader of the group.
  16. S05E16Family Ties S05E16Architect's ApprenticeJanuary 29, 1987 8.0Nick competes in a local art competition at Steven's station.
  17. S05E17Family Ties S05E17A Tale of Two Cities (1)February 5, 1987 8.0Alex accompanies his boss on a business trip to Chicago.
  18. S05E18Family Ties S05E18A Tale of Two Cities (2)February 12, 1987 8.0Alex's boss makes a pass at him while on a business trip in Chicago.
  19. S05E19Family Ties S05E19Battle of the Sexes (1)February 19, 1987 8.0The Keatons have their own own battle of the sexes.
  20. S05E20Family Ties S05E20Battle of the Sexes (2)February 19, 1987 8.0The Keatons reminisce about their relationships gone awry.
  21. S05E21Family Ties S05E21Band on the RunFebruary 26, 1987 8.0Alex is unsuccessful at managing Jennifer's all-girl band.
  22. S05E22Family Ties S05E22Keaton vs. KeatonMarch 5, 1987 8.0Mallory goes head-to-head with Alex in a scholarship competition.
  23. S05E23Family Ties S05E23A, My Name is Alex (1)March 12, 1987 8.0Alex questions the meaning of life when his friend dies in a car accident.
  24. S05E24Family Ties S05E24A, My Name is Alex (2)March 12, 1987 8.0Alex questions the meaning of life when his friend dies in a car accident.
  25. S05E25Family Ties S05E25"D" is for DateMarch 20, 1987 8.0Jennifer plays dumb to impress a star athlete at school.
  26. S05E26Family Ties S05E26Love Me DoApril 30, 1987 8.0Skippy makes a fool of himself over Mallory's new college friend.
  27. S05E27Family Ties S05E27The VisitMay 7, 1987 8.0Elyse's sister and her obnoxious family visit the Keatons.
  28. S05E28Family Ties S05E28MatchmakerJuly 23, 1987 8.0When Mallory goes through a string of bad dates, Alex attempts to find her someone who seems perfect "on paper".
  29. S05E29Family Ties S05E29It's My Party (1)August 6, 1987 8.5On Jen's birthday, she is unusually un-eager for the usual party ingredients, clearly only pretends to appreciate the hand-puppet show dad r
  30. S05E30Family Ties S05E30It's My Party (2)August 13, 1987 8.0Jennifer feels out of place at her own thirteenth birthday party.

Season 5 ranked & reviewed

Season06Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode28Episodes1987–88Aired 8.0Season avg
  1. S06E01Family Ties S06E01The Last of the Red Hot Psychologists (1)September 13, 1987 8.0Alex falls for a pretty psychology student.
  2. S06E02Family Ties S06E02The Last of the Red Hot Psychologists (2)September 13, 1987 8.0Alex falls for a pretty psychology student
  3. S06E03Family Ties S06E03Dear MallorySeptember 20, 1987 8.0Mallory writes an advice column for a local shopper's guide.
  4. S06E04Family Ties S06E04The Other WomanSeptember 27, 1987 8.0Andy feels ignored when Alex spends time with Lauren.
  5. S06E05Family Ties S06E05Dream DateOctober 4, 1987 8.0Jennifer uses a nerdy admirer to make another boy jealous.
  6. S06E06Family Ties S06E06Super MomOctober 18, 1987 8.0Elyse's job starts to interfere with her family life.
  7. S06E07Family Ties S06E07Walking on AirOctober 25, 1987 8.0Steven pushes Mallory to take a job at the station.
  8. S06E08Family Ties S06E08Invasion of the Psychologist SnatchersNovember 1, 1987 8.0Alex is intimidated by Lauren's old boyfriend.
  9. S06E09Family Ties S06E09The Way We WereNovember 8, 1987 8.0Elyse's aunt faces a tragic illness.
  10. S06E10Family Ties S06E10Mister SisterNovember 15, 1987 8.0Nick takes a job as a janitor at Mallory's sorority house.
  11. S06E11Family Ties S06E11Citizen KeatonNovember 22, 1987 8.0Mallory decides to run for student body president.
  12. S06E12Family Ties S06E12Father Time (1)November 29, 1987 8.0The Keatons get involved in Uncle Rob's divorce.
  13. S06E13Family Ties S06E13Father Time (2)December 6, 1987 8.0Uncle Rob's daughter can't cope with his divorce.
  14. S06E14Family Ties S06E14The American Family (1)December 13, 1987 8.0Lauren writes paper on the Keaton family for her class.
  15. S06E15Family Ties S06E15The American Family (2)December 13, 1987 8.0Lauren writes paper on the Keaton family for her class.
  16. S06E16Family Ties S06E16Anniversary WaltzDecember 16, 1987 8.0Elyse and Steven have a nasty fight on their 20th wedding anniversary.
  17. S06E17Family Ties S06E17Miracle in ColumbusDecember 20, 1987 8.0A breaded visitor turns Alex into a believer at Christmas.
  18. S06E18Family Ties S06E18The Play's the ThingJanuary 10, 1988 8.0Steven gets jealous of Elyse's leading man in a local play.
  19. S06E19Family Ties S06E19The Spirit of ColumbusJanuary 17, 1988 8.0Alex turns Nick into an assembly line artist.
  20. S06E20Family Ties S06E20The Blues BrotherJanuary 24, 1988 8.0Alex tries to help a struggling musician regain his fame.
  21. S06E21Family Ties S06E21Read It and Weep (1)February 7, 1988 8.0Jennifer fights the school for banning a book.
  22. S06E22Family Ties S06E22Season's bestRead It and Weep (2)February 14, 1988 8.5Jennifer faces the music after reading a book that the school banned.
  23. S06E23Family Ties S06E23Quitting TimeFebruary 21, 1988 8.0Lauren drops her college thesis to spend more time with Alex.
  24. S06E24Family Ties S06E24Spring Reminds Me (a.k.a. Rosalie's Legacy)February 28, 1988 8.0Alex questions the meaning of life when his Mallory deals with a friend's tragic suicide.
  25. S06E25Family Ties S06E25The Boys Next DoorMarch 6, 1988 8.0Elyse's high school friends can't move on from the past.
  26. S06E26Family Ties S06E26Sign of the TimesMarch 13, 1988 8.5Andy takes drastic measures to help a deaf friend.
  27. S06E27Family Ties S06E27Return of the NativeMarch 20, 1988 7.5Cousin June returns to visit the Keatons after a three-year stay in London.
  28. S06E28Family Ties S06E28Father, Can You Spare a Dime?May 1, 1988 8.0Nick asks his estranged father for a loan to open up his own art school.

Season 6 ranked & reviewed

Season07Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode26Episodes1988–89Aired 8.0Season avg
  1. S07E01Family Ties S07E01It Happened One NightOctober 30, 1988 8.0The Keatons camping trip turns into a comedy of errors.
  2. S07E02Family Ties S07E02Designing WomanNovember 6, 1988 8.0Mallory discovers another employee is stealing her fashion designs.
  3. S07E03Family Ties S07E03TruckersNovember 13, 1988 8.0Alex feels left out when Andy starts making new friends.
  4. S07E04Family Ties S07E04Beyond TherapyNovember 27, 1988 8.0Lauren sends Alex to group therapy to get him to open up more.
  5. S07E05Family Ties S07E05Heartstrings (1)December 4, 1988 8.0Steven suffers from a serious heart attack.
  6. S07E06Family Ties S07E06Heartstrings (2)December 11, 1988 8.0The family anxiously awaits while Steven undergoes heart surgery.
  7. S07E07Family Ties S07E07Heartstrings (3)December 18, 1988 8.0Steven struggles with fear after returning home after his heart surgery.
  8. S07E08Family Ties S07E08Basic TrainingJanuary 1, 1989 8.0Skippy decides to join the Army.
  9. S07E09Family Ties S07E09Deja VuJanuary 8, 1989 8.0Jennifer dates Mallory's ex-boyfriend's brother.
  10. S07E10Family Ties S07E10Nick's Best FriendJanuary 15, 1989 8.0Nick's devastated when his childhood dog is hit by a car.
  11. S07E11Family Ties S07E11Get Me to the Living Room on TimeJanuary 29, 1989 8.0Andy befriends two senior citizens from a retirement center.
  12. S07E12Family Ties S07E12The Job Not TakenFebruary 5, 1989 8.0Alex must choose between a friendship and his career.
  13. S07E13Family Ties S07E13The Wrecker's BallFebruary 12, 1989 8.0Elyse races to save a building she designed from the wrecking ball.
  14. S07E14Family Ties S07E14My Best Friend's GirlFebruary 19, 1989 8.0Skippy falls for Alex's girlfriend Lauren when she begins counseling him.
  15. S07E15Family Ties S07E15'Til Her Daddy Takes the T-Bird AwayFebruary 26, 1989 8.0Steven refuses to co-sign on a loan for Mallory's new car.
  16. S07E16Family Ties S07E16Simon SaysMarch 5, 1989 8.0Jennifer is caught in the middle when she beings working with her inept friend.
  17. S07E17Family Ties S07E17All in the Neighborhood (1)March 12, 1989 8.0Steve and Elyse face bigotry in their neighborhood.
  18. S07E18Family Ties S07E18Season's bestAll in the Neighborhood (2)March 19, 1989 8.5The Keatons fight against bigotry in their own neighborhood.
  19. S07E19Family Ties S07E19They Can't Take That Away From Me (1)April 2, 1989 8.0Alex falls for someone else when Lauren leaves town.
  20. S07E20Family Ties S07E20They Can't Take That Away From Me (2)April 9, 1989 8.0Alex is forced to choose between Lauren and his new love.
  21. S07E21Family Ties S07E21Rain Forests Keep Falling on My HeadApril 16, 1989 7.5Jennifer becomes obsessed with protecting the environment.
  22. S07E22Family Ties S07E22Wrap Around the Clock (1)April 23, 1989 8.0The Keatons share a laugh when they look back at their past.
  23. S07E23Family Ties S07E23Wrap Around the Clock (2)April 23, 1989 8.0Andy's time capsule revives some funny family memories.
  24. S07E24Family Ties S07E24Mr. Keaton Takes a VacationMay 7, 1989 8.0Steven must confront his feelings about Nick when he moves in for a week.
  25. S07E25Family Ties S07E25Alex Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1)May 14, 1989 8.0Elyse gets upset when Alex gets a job in New York.
  26. S07E26Family Ties S07E26Alex Doesn't Live Here Anymore (2)May 14, 1989 8.0As 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

Season 7 ranked & reviewed

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