Family Ties: Season Two

There is a dilemma built into being a parent. While we want to raise our children to be able to think on their own we also need them to be reflections of our own ideas and values. American television sit-coms are typically a reflection of us as a society and this dichotomy in parenting has frequently been used to drive comedy. One of the very best examples of this schism between the values of parents and their children is the mid-eighties hit, ‘Family Ties’. This series juxtaposed two liberal baby boomer parents with their far more conservative and reserved children. At the time this series premiered the social landscape of the country had changed radically. The Viet Nam war was over and so was the major cause for social activism. The ‘greed is good’ generation was growing rapidly on Wall Street and the nation was in the midst of President Reagan’s economic and political conservatism. Families like the one shown on ‘Family Ties’ existed in every state of the union. While this series did endeavor to address serious and relevant issues, everything from pedophile to drug abuse it was ultimately there to make us laugh. It did succeed in that goal and it did so extremely well. It was not only one of the most popular shows of its day but it remains fondly in our memories as an example of what a sit-com should be like. Sure it usually had an overly pat solution to any problem presented but there was humanity in these characters that drew us in. Season two is now on DVD and this is a real prize. The network was aware of this giving the series the prime spot in the listings; on Thursday night following the ratings juggernaut ‘The Cosby Show’. Aficionados of the series often site this season as the best in its long run. This was one of those times in television history where the right cast, crew and writers where assembled for a real piece of Americana.

The Keatons are a typical suburban family living in Ohio. Initially it was in Cleveland but in later seasons they were mysteriously teleported to Columbus. The parents, Steven (Michael Gross) and Elyse (Meredith Baxter-Birney) are former hippies and social activists. They served overseas in the Peace Corps, were part of the Woodstock nation and are liberal to the core. Steven still holds on to his ideals by working for a local public television station while Elyse is an architect. They have three children, all of whom have their own priorities that frequently are in opposition to the parents. Eldest child, Michael P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox) is a conservative republican in training. His idols are Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, not the usual for a boy in his mid-teens. He doesn’t see the point to the altruistic goals of his parents. His middle sister, Mallory (Justine Bateman), is cute and popular. Like many girls her age she is driven by popular fashion. Although she is innately smart she comes across as scatted brain and is an underachiever. The youngest of the Keaton family is Jennifer (Tina Yothers). Like her siblings she is precocious; bright with a quick, sarcastic wit. Despite their different world views this family loves each other as evident by the number of hugs given out each episode.

In the opening episode of season two the Keatons receive a visit from a friend of the parents the world traveling Julia Newman (Susan Bay) and her teenaged daughter Carrie (Talia Balsam). Carrie has always had a big crush on Alex much to his chagrin and panic. Jennifer likens the visits by the Newmans to ‘My Dinner with Andre’ a reference that bewilders Mallory. Alex is late for dinner because he was talking the school principal to institute a dress code. These are typical of the repartee of the series defining the social placement of each of the Keaton kids. The normally confident Alex is noticeably flustered as soon as Mallory mentions she is in the living room. For all his confidence he is not well socialized especially when it comes to strong willed girls. As much as Alex is afraid of Carrie when he meets Victor (Chris Nash), a parolee, he gets jealous and overly protective. In another episode Mallory is selected to model in a mother-daughter fashion shoot. This is a dream come true for her; a gateway for her to model professionally. The one obstacle is Elyse is not aware that she was even entered. The family appears to not fully appreciate just how important this is to Mallory. While they think that fashion is trivial for Mallory it is a life long ambition. Sometimes the story focuses more directly on the parents. In ‘Not an Affair to Remember’ Elyse is extremely busy with work leaving Steven feeling neglected. Since mid-life crisis episodes were almost required back then Steven finds himself tempted by the amorous attention from his assistant at the TV station, Stacey Hughes (Judith Light). He says he has no interest but seems to be putting on a little more after shave lately.

In so many sit-coms the parents were idiots, absent all always correct; there was little if any room for change or variation. With the Keatons each family member is well defined and completely human. The parents are prone to error while the kids do have their moments of being correct. Initially this was supposed to be more centered on the parents, particularly a vehicle for Ms Baxter-Birney. To their pleasant surprise the first season acclaim was garnered on Fox. In this second season the writers still treated it as an ensemble cast but the focus was shifted to the Alex P. Keaton show. This may be one reason why this is the best season; it still highlighted the talents of the whole cast but it allowed Fox to develop his character.

This was the series that made Michael J. Fox a household name. Fox has a natural way to his comedy; able to appear to be self centered and even snobby but never to the point of turning the audience off. He is the cute little guy that women want to smother and men never feel threatened by. There is something about his delivery that makes you laugh. He plays Alex as pompous but underneath there is an insecure little boy. Justine Bateman is another case of being perfect for her role. She gives far greater depth to Mallory than most sit-coms of the time would have allowed. She is living in a household where everyone is self assured but she holds on to her dreams of entering the fashion industry. The youngest sibling played by Tina Yothers is brilliant casting. She may be only a kid but her portrayal of Jen is a person who is well read and does not suffer fools lightly. She is not quite the right wing fanatic as her brother but she is also not into the girly things like Mallory. Yothers manages to play Jennifer in such a way that a great balance is achieved.

Paramount seems to have listened to the reaction to their plain vanilla first season box set. While this release does not have as many extras as a typical Paramount season set sports at least it is a move in the right direction. Each episode can be optionally preceded by its original promo spot. There is a featurette called the ‘Making of Family Ties’ which gives a little retrospective of the production. Michael J. Fox describes why they role of Alex is the ‘best gig in the world’. He knows that this is what made him famous and is still appreciative. Lastly there is a funny little bit called the ‘Year of the Beard’ which looks at Michael Gross’ expanding facial hair. In all this is the best season of one of the most beloved and memorable series. No collection could be complete without this one.

Posted 09/26/07