In their younger days, Steve (Michael Gross) and Elyse (Meredith Baxter-Birney) were radicals swept up in the social and political climate of the 1960's. In Family Ties the couple, now married, find themselves trying to raise a family in the "Reaganized" early 1980's. The most visible sign of the changing times are their kids; Alex (Michael J Fox) is a overly-conservative young Republican while his sister, Mallory (Justine Bateman), is a shallow underachiever wrapped up with important issues like boys, music and the latest fashion trends. Even their youngest daughter, Jennifer (Tina Yothers), isn't quite normal and is a bit of a tomboy.
I always get apprehensive when reviewing TV shows I enjoyed when I was young. This has proven especially true when it comes to shows that aired in the 80's given the decade's trend of building current events into its writing. Most of the time this results in dated jokes that aren't funny, negating most of the show's appeal. Though Family Ties has its fair share of references, they are used sparingly. The show instead focuses on the strange brew created between clashing cultures and the core family values that bind the two generations together - something that continues in society today.
Although I watched the show almost religiously when I was younger, I was surprised by how little I remembered about the second season, which was a nice surprise since it made them even more appealing to watch. In one of the season's more memorable episodes, Elyse, who is a pacifist, ends up punching Alex's teacher. When Steven, also a pacifist, goes to apologize, he also ends up punching the teacher - making things rough for Alex, who not only worships the teacher, but is also counting on him for a college recommendation letter. The great thing about the show is that it finds a good balance between being funny and trying to convey a message. An example of the latter type of episode involves Alex getting hooked on caffeine pills while trying to study for mid-terms. Surprisingly, this was one of the few episodes from the season that I actually remembered, and not in that Saved by the Bell, "I'm so excited/ I'm so scared" way. The episode simply works and does a good job of doing what it intends.
Another surprise are the extra features, something that I've rarely seen in most season sets. Since most of the episodes in the season feature Alex as the main focal point, it is fitting that the set feature an interview with Michael J. Fox about his experiences with the show and its impact on his early career. The season also includes a "Making of..." feature and the humorously titled "Year of the Beard," which talks about the season's major addition - Michael Gross's iconic beard.
Although it does date itself in a few areas, these are rare and never impact the show's humor. In fact, some of the referential humor is handled in such a way that even if you don't know the reference, the delivery is still humorous. Family Ties: The Second Season is a great example of what TV could, and probably should, be and good for family viewing.
