Family
Ties: The Seventh and Final Season
(1988 – 1989/CBS DVD Set)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: D Episodes: B+
The
season finale of Family
Ties
(a hit for NBC, not CBS, the latter of whom now has the rights) wraps
up everything as the Keaton family gets ready to say goodbye, the
children grow up and leave the nest. Their 'family ties' are tested
as Steven suffer from a heart attack. As Jennifer learns to drive
and become an environmentalist, Mallory gets a job in the fashion
industry, and Alex prepares to leave home to work on Wall Street. It
is a season of final memories as little Andy creates a time capsule
looking back over all the years they spent laughing, growing and
loving each other.
As
Michael J. Fox begins a new series, it is an ironic coincidence that
Family
Ties
finishes its DVD arrival (shot on analog videotape, there will be no
HD or Blu-ray versions) making it a past of 1980s past, a TV family
comedy drama situation comedy with The Keatons are an upper middle
class family (read original Yuppies) lead by Steven and Elyse, both
from the baby boomer generation and former hippies, Steven works for
a TV station and Elyse is an independent architect. Alex (Fox) is
the oldest of the Keaton children is a money obsessed, egotistic
megalomaniac; Mallory second eldest is an airhead who loves fashion
and drives her father (and family) wild with her even more airheaded
fiance Nick (Scott Valentine). Jennifer (Tina Yothers) is the
athletic tomboy activist and most impulsive, and finally Andy is the
youngest in which everyone dotes on.
A
comedy based on the 1980s and the American family values (whatever
your opinion of them), you could really tell when this series was
made based on all cultural references, and political/social campaign
ideas. While the characters personalities and political affiliation
gave no end to the laughter and to family grief and drama, the main
point of the series always returned to how the family holds together
under all sorts of conditions. So does the show, even as a time
capsule. There are no extras. The 1.33 X 1 color analog NTSC shot
videotaped image and Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo are a little on the
weak side and could use some work.
---------------------------------------------------------
It
Happened One Night - Steven and Elyse goes for a family camping which
the older children opt out, but then feeling guilty the try and join
them, only to get stuck on the side of the road.
Designing
Woman - Mallory gets a job, but then finds out her boss stole her
ideas.
Truckers
- Andy make friends with Nick's young nephew which gets Alex all
jealous.
Beyond
Therapy - To improve Alex and Lauren's relationship, they join a
couples therapy group.
Heartstrings
(Part 1) - The family pulls together as Steven suddenly has a heart
attack and goes into surgery.
Heartstrings
(Part 2) - As Steven's surgery continues, the family holds a vigil
for him at the hospital.
Heartstrings
(Part 3) - Steven returns home from the hospital but must adjust to
new restrictions in his life.
Basic
Training - Skippy joins the U.S. Army.
Deja
Vu - Jennifer has a crush on a guy who's older brother broke
Mallory's heart.
Nick's
Best Friend - Nick's dog dies and the Keatons help him get over his
loss.
Get
Me to the Living Room On Time - Andy does a documentary on senior
citizens.
The
Job Not Taken - Alex gets a job at a firm, but is it worth it when he
realizes he took his friend's job?
The
Wrecker's Ball - A building Elyse designed is to be destroyed, and
the Keatons stage a protest.
My
Best Friend's Girl - Lauren tries to help Skippy meet a girl but
Skippy ends up falling for Lauren instead.
'Til
Her Daddy Took Her T-Bird Away - Mallory wants a to buy car, but
Steven refuses to co-sign the loan when he finds out Mallory and Nick
are planning to take road trip with it.
Simon
Says - For a school project Jennifer works at a fast food restaurant
and her partner has a crush on her.
All
In The Neighborhood (Part 1) - An African America family moves into
the neighborhood, but the Keatons are shocked when they find out
their neighbors are racists.
All
In The Neighborhood (Part 2) - The new neighbor's home was broke into
and vandalized, the Keatons rally to protect their neighbor.
They
Can't Take That Away From Me (Part 1) - While Lauren is away at a
conference, Alex tutors a young music major and falls for her.
They
Can't Take That Away From Me (Part 2) - Alex has to make a choice
between two girls on the eve of his graduation.
Rain
Forests Keep Fallin' On My Head - Jennifer becomes an extreme
environmentalist.
Wrap
Around The Clock (Parts 1 & 2) - The Keaton help Andy prepare a
family time capsule.
Mr.
Keaton Takes A Vacation - Nick lives with the Keatons while his
apartment gets repainted.
Alex
Doesn't Live Here Anymore (part 1 & 2) - Alex gets ready to leave
home and move to New York. Elyse must come to terms with letting go
her children.
-
Ricky Chiang
