1The Real Thing: Part 1
Dad Steven understands while mother Elyse frowns when Alex decides to hunt for a girlfriend among the best-looking pictures in his college's freshmen directory. Alex's first pick Tricia Armstrong isn't in, her less attractive roommate Ellen Reed majoring in art seizes him almost instantly and makes quite an impression, leaving Alex confused. Tricia proves just what he wanted and rather empty, Ellen is engaged but still has doubts. Alex dates Tricia and hates it. Ellen is charmed seeing him play cutely with kid brother Andy and getting a painting from Alex, however ill-picked. They kiss at a dorm dance, but what about Trish and her fiancé?
2The Real Thing: Part 2
Alex is an emotional wreck, still with boring Tricia he doesn't care for after kissing her intriguing roommate Ellen, who turned back to accept her Dennis's proposal to marriage, yet without a single guest. Alex even worries so much that the whole time allotted for a Leland test essay he would have aced elapses without him writing a single line. Next Alex insists to drive Ellen the train-station hoping to stop her, but is once more unable to express his emotions. When Alex has gathered the courage at home and drives back, her train has left the station- yet she is there...
3Mr. Wrong
Mallory introduces her new boyfriend, Nick, to the family. He isn't well received, and Steven realizes that he needs to trust Mallory and let her make her own choices.
4Designated Hitter
Jennifer has a boyfriend and feels a bit self-conscious. When the boyfriend is teased at school by a bully, Jennifer steps in to defend him. Alex asks Mallory to take and IQ test and is chagrined when she scores higher than him. |
5Don't Go Changing
Alex is feeling insecure about not being a part of Ellen's world of art and dance. Fearful that he might lose her, Alex decides to learn all he can about art and dance...including auditioning for a part at Ellen's dance class. Meanwhile, Steven is upset about missing Monday Night Football games because he and Elyse have joined a book club.
6The Old College Try
Elyse is planning for Mallory's future by sending away for college applications. However, Mallory does not want to go to college. However, things change when an unlikely source (Nick) encourages her to go to college.
7My Tutor
Alex hires 13-year-old tutor, Eugene Forbes, to help him bring his grade up in advanced geometry from an 89% to 90%. However, Eugene is immediately distracted when he meets Jennifer, and he struggles to learn how to stop being an intellectual genius and learn to be a 13-year-old kid.
8Mr. Right
Nick is worried that the constant disapproval he receives from Elyse and Steven will ultimately cost him his relationship with Mallory. Eager to change, Nick turns to Alex for help. Unfortunately, Nick turns into another "Alex," and while he is now pleasing to Elyse and Steven, he turns off Mallory.
9Just One Look
Steven and Elyse are nostalgically excited by a visitor he arranged: Richard 'Richie' Schofield, from their Berkeley hippie days, which the kids find just silly, even embarrassingly. However Elyse and Richie share memories without Steven, who is not amused to find out about their fling 22 years later. Sleeping on the hall makes the jealous husband even crankier. The trio has a restaurant dinner, he looses control. Alex reminds him of his own life lessons...
10How Do You Sleep?
Alex hasn't slept in over a week. Lonely nights are spent triggering the smoke alarm, and even asking Skippy to spend the night. Elyse confesses that she has battled insomnia as well, and she is able to help Alex finally fall asleep.
11You've Got a Friend
While Alex is in the shop where Mallory works, they catch Jessie Blake shoplifting. Dad Steven points out Milford home where Jessie lives is not an orphanage but specialized in problem children, often abused; Nick knows that is true for one of his cousins who lives there, but cant't remember his name nor the abusive Uncle's. Mallory decides to make the criminal her friend, despite Nick's warning one can't understand such kid, and indeed is repaid by more shoplifting... Meanwhile little Andy's greater interest for a toy's box then for its content reminds everybody of Alex's attachment to an identical box, and even at 19 there is a weak spot left in his heart.
12Nothing But a Man
Dad Steven postulates for the job of regional PBS manager, interested in programming clout rather then the pay raise - despite his poor performance, he got the job, in fact in advance. The family is disappointed he's home much less, except Alex, who even acts as dad's though appointment book keeper. Alex is terribly worried for his beloved baby-brother Andy's manhood when the kid takes a ferocious fancy to a doll Ellen gave him. Steven starts feeling guilty never to be available for the children's activities, enough to...
13The Disciple
Jennifer is tired of being outclassed by classmates, so she asks academically always excelling Alex (who won the Thomas Dewey best student achievement award three years in a row) to help her prepare a social studies presentation on how a bill becomes a law. Alex accepts, provided they do it his way, all the way: after reading at Ivy league level, while he pretends in class to be a quarry worker too dumb to understand what he fetches, he attends -queing her- a brilliant show with lights, music, patriotic panache and the flawless story, complete with the printing on parchment. Afterwards both parents claim credit for the talent running in the family, and her teacher Pedroza enters Jennifer for the Deway award. Alas there Jen feels unable to go trough with the 'deceit', and gets an impossible question from lawyer Ralph Boswell, who bickers with Steven if his Timy is brighter then their toddler Andy, till Alex takes the floor, thus giving the game away for everyone. Alex is blamed by the ...
14Where's Poppa?
Alex is in charge of this year's Leland parents students day. His girl-friend Ellen is angry because Alex personally invited her father, corporate lawyer Franklin Reed, whom she rejected as 'foul materialist' years ago, he's happy to learn she has a rich family and gets her to agree. When Franklin drops by, the men prove birds of a feather, but will father and daughter make up?
15Fool for Love
Ma and Jen hardly notice the mustache Alex grows for the homecoming speech as former valedictorian in Harding High-school. Skippy hopes Mal just uses Nick to make him jealous, but of course she refuses to go with him to the homecoming dance; the sweet pup is heart-broken but convinces Alex to find him a blind date, any human female will do- it's Dr. Sylvia Wagner, a divorced psychiatrist who is researching adolescent social life and sees him as a voluntary study subject, even for him no catch but they go, hoping absurdly to make Mallory a bit jealous. Nick hates anything involving ties or school, the ball is both. Alex's speech refers repeatedly to facial hair. After vague encouragement from Sylvia, Skippy picks a fight with patient Nick for Mallory, who rejects him since 18 years; grumpy principal Bidney blames both and Alex, who only tried to separate them...
16Checkmate
When Alex, as Leland chess club champion, duels reputed Soviet guest Ivan Rozmirovich, he takes it as a personal and patriotic challenge, stirred by a telegram from the White House. The match is commented by desperate dad Steven and American chess-master Eric Nordstrom whose seemingly silent-succinct style at his debut is likely to be his undoing as commenter. After endless equal quality, Ivan's last move before adjournment is an obvious attempt to throw the game, but why? The boys meet in a bar, and Alex learns the official pressure totally spoiled Ivan's love for the game, feeling imprisoned. He decides such fine player, no longer a Red robot but a human in his eyes, deserves better, so they both try to loose, even end up wrestling to stop each-other give-away moves...
17Engine Trouble
Alex committed the surprising error to vent his conviction there are male and female fortes in the feminist home, so he gets stuck following the same elementary car mechanics course as ma Elyse, the architect, who proves more gifted at it. It gets embarrassing when Alex keeps bumbling like any self-respecting nerd covered in grease while she gets 'consulted' by Nick's hunky mate Clete... Meanwhile the girls must try to keep dad Steven in bed, who refuses to admit he's sick.
18A Word to the Wise
Alex and Ellen have been together for six months. The family decides to tell Ellen some of the things Alex has done in his life before she met him. |
19A Word to the Wise: Part 2
Part 2 continues with a memory show. Skippy joins the Keaton family to share some of his Alex-related stories to Ellen. |
20Art Lover
Steven accepts works of art for WKS's 1986 auction, reluctantly even Alex's 'fiscal-surrealist' bank yard eviction drawing (at age 5) and an abstract welded sculpture by Nick, which only gets a bid from filthy rich, glamorous art lover Victoria Hurstenberg, who calls him an irresistible hidden talent. Nick brings more of his works for a private show at the Keaton house, and becomes her protégé. Only Mallory and naive Nick need weeks to realize the airhead didn't get to see Nick since miss (!) Victoria offered her patronage not for his 'art' but for his company. Just when Nick sweetly told off Victoria's private attentions with a gentlemanly hug at a gallery, idiotic Mallory is there and dumps her true love...
21Teacher's Pet
While Andy's inability to handle a toy the box recommends from an age two month younger makes worried pa Steven determined the toddler needs to go to preschool, which ma Elyse forbids, Alex enjoys the rare honor to be picked as professor Spanos's teaching assistant for economics. An arrogant professorial air and ruthless strictness come naturally to 'Mr. Keaton, or Sir', but he talks Ellen out of changing to another course to assure impartiality. Once Alex grades her first paper C- their relationship -which is forbidden under college rules too- is in danger...
22My Buddy
As Jennifer is growing up, Steven is feeling that he is no longer an important part of her life. Meanwhile, Alex attempts to refute a traffic ticket.
23Once in Love with Elyse
Elyse is quite happy to collaborate closely at the architects firm with younger Paul Kenter, but he confides to their boss Raymond to have a problem: he fell secretly but passionately in love with the happily married mother of four. Unsuspecting Elyse asks him over for a family dinner to celebrate landing a major account. Paul confesses to Steven, but still keeps quiet to Elyse. When Steven tells her, she is first flattered, then hears Paul has quit his job and intends to leave the country...
24Paper Chase
Four weeks to graduation, and Mallory is in danger of flunking history and not graduating. She needs a "B" on the final exam. Mallory realizes that her future is on the line as she buckles down and studies for her exam.
1The Last of the Red Hot Psychologists
Back to school; Jennifer in high school and Andy in kindergarten. Alex and Mallory return to college. Alex is asked to participate in a psychology study by a co-student, Lauren. They get off to a bad start, but slowly find the attraction. |
2The Last of the Red Hot Psychologists: Part 2
Alex and Lauren continue with the psychology test, and their attraction to each other continues. Alex impulsively kisses her during a session. Worried about crossing the line, they are hesitant but work things out. |
3Dear Mallory
Mallory gets a job as an advice columnist. With the first issue, she includes her home address & phone number. Mallory gets constant calls and visits from everyone who wants help. Later, she finds out her advice has not been helpful. |
4The Other Woman
Andy is disappointed when Alex keeps missing their together time because he is with Lauren. Alex apologizes by taking Andy to a carnival, but also takes Lauren. The day does not go as planned. Alex and Andy talk, and things are worked out. |
5Dream Date
Jennifer has an admirer at school, Simon, who carries her books and buys her gifts. He likes Jennifer but she does not like him. She likes someone else who does not notice her. She decides to go with Simon to use him to get to the other. |
6Super Mom
Elyse gets caught up in work projects to the point of working a lot of overtime. This leaves little time for her family where everyone is confused as to who does what duties and keeping the house moving. Elyse realizes something has to give.
7Walking on Air
An intern job opens at the station where Steven works. He thinks Mallory should get the job. Mallory does not want to the job. She avoids her father so he does not keep asking. The Keatons try to solve a cereal contest to win a $5,000 prize.
8Invasion of the Psychologist Snatchers
Lauren's old boyfriend visits and Alex is insecure about his relationship with Lauren. Alex does not see what Lauren sees in him (Alex) when Eric seems better on every level. |
9The Way We Were
The Keatons are delighted by a surprise visit from Elyse's Aunt Rosemary. The Keatons start to notice a difference in her actions, and Rosemary finally admits she is becoming forgetful. A doctor diagnoses onset Alzheimer's disease |
10Mister Sister
Nick applies for the janitor position at Mallory's sorority and becomes an honorary sorority member. |
11Citizen Keaton
Mallory runs for class president and Alex becomes her campaign manager. |
12Father Time: Part 1
Steven's brother Rob and children, Marilyn & Jonathan, visit after his divorce is finalized. He now works as in outdoor telephone repair. His daughter Marilyn is having a hard time with her parent's divorce and takes it out on the Keatons. |
13Father Time: Part 2
While visiting the Keaton's, Rob's daughter Marilyn stays out all night with a guy she just met. Rob realizes he lost parental control. Rob and Steven talk about marriage, happiness, and children. Rob takes another chance to talk to Marilyn.
14The American Family
Lauren is writing a paper on the family unit and uses the Keatons as an example. With Lauren's questions, the family reminiscences about the events that help demonstrate the answers. |
15Anniversary Waltz
With their 20th wedding anniversary, Steven wants a small gathering, Elyse wants a large party. Everything goes wrong, from the party planning, roof leaks, plumbing issues, to everyone arguing about everything. |
16Miracle in Columbus
Money-hungry Alex gets a job as a mall Santa. While Alex sees the holiday as a financial event, he gets caught up in the reason for the season when a little girl only wants her father home for a Christmas gift. |
17The Play's the Thing
The local theater is producing a radical play that Steven wrote in the 1960s. Steven wants Elyse to play the lead. At the first performance, things go wrong and it ends up with two leading men. The audience is underwhelmed. |
18The Spirit of Columbus
Nick is ecstatic when one of his art works sells for $200. Alex sees a money making venture. He convinces Nick to mass produce his "one of a kind" artwork. As Nick works, he loses his interest in art because it is no longer fun. |
19The Blues Brother
Alex is DJ for a radio show for his college. He plays a blues track and announces the singer/player is dead. The blues singer calls the station and says news of his death is premature. He agrees to visit the radio station for a talk. |
20Read It and Weep: Part 1
Jennifer writes a report on "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" for her English class even though it's now on a list of banned books. She becomes the focus of a battle over rights of free speech. |
21Read It and Weep: Part 2
Jennifer's actions spur on a public meeting with the School Board to discuss if "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" or other books should be banned from being read by students. |
22Quittin' Time
Mallory finds a box of old love letters between Steven & Elyse. Andy copies them to send to a school girl he likes. Lauren stresses from working on senior thesis. Alex tells her to take a break. She does, and starts watching soap operas. |
23Spring Reminds Me
A former neighbor, Evelyn, visits the Keatons. Her daughter was Mallory's friend, but recently committed suicide. Evelyn begins to think Mallory is her own daughter. Steven finds a box of magic items and tries all the tricks with the family.
24The Boys Next Door
Roger, a former childhood neighbor of Elyse's visits. Roger was considered a nerd as a child, but is now a millionaire. He wants Elyse to be his date for a college reunion. |
25Sign of the Times
Andy becomes the official School Buddy for a new child starting at the school. Josh is deaf. He and Andy become good friends. When the other classmates tease Jose, Andy refuses to talk anymore until the teasing stops. |
26Return of the Native
Cousin June visits the Keatons, on holiday from her university studies in London. Memories bubble up when she starts talking about dating boys and a trip to Florence, mostly embarrassing moments for Keatons (from previous episodes), such as weird dates and teachers or the 'home hotel' Alex ran with Skippy and the girls...
27Father, Can You Spare a Dime?
Nick's art class at the community center has ended, and he wants to open his own art school to continue working with children and art. Nick is refused a loan, and he asks his father to lend him money. His father is hesitant. |
1It Happened One Night
Steven & Elyse wants to take the entire family on a camping trip, but the three oldest do not want to go. After Steven & Elyse leave, the children feel guilty and head out to the campsite. Unfortunately, they get lost. |
2Designing Woman
Mallory gets an internship at a fashion company and is ecstatic. Mallory is happy to share her ideas with her co-worker, but then finds out the co-worker is stealing her ideas. Mallory confronts her, but nothing seems like it will change. |
3Truckers
Steven is upset at the size of the electricity bill, and tries to reduce costs around the house. Andy finds a friend with Nick's nephew. Alex feels left out when Andy prefers to play with the nephew rather than him. |
4Beyond Therapy
Lauren is upset over the lack of communication and emotional sharing between she and Alex. Lauren suggests that they see a therapist to discover the cause of their problem. |
5Heartstrings: Part 1
After jogging with Elyse, Steven feels pains in his chest. He is taken to the hospital and they find out he had a heart attack. While in the hospital, everyone starts to meet other family members and patients who suffered a heart attack. |
6Heartstrings: Part 2
Steven has an operation to clear a valve from his heart attack. As they wait and worry, Elyse and the others remember events with Steven. They take comfort talking and sharing with other people waiting for their spouses. |
7Heartstrings: Part 3
Family and friends continue their vigil while Steven has his operation. The operation is a success and home they go. Steven has to adjust to restrictions in food and activity, while the family treat him as an elderly invalid. |
8Basic Training
Mallory and Skippy attend Career Day at Grant College. Skippy finds out he has no aptitude for any skill or job. He decides to join the Army. Skippy takes to Basic Training in usual form. Also, the family continues to treat Steven gently. |
9Deja Vu
Jennifer is starting to see Josh - whose older brother Jeff used to date Mallory. Mallory remembers all the hurt feelings from when Jeff dumped her and she advises Jennifer to stop seeing Josh. |
10Nick's Best Friend
Andy celebrates his 7th birthday and Alex tells him how to look just for gifts and not read the birthday cards. Nick is reunited with his dog from when he lived at home. One day with Nick, he runs in the street and is hit by a car. |
11Get Me to the Living Room on Time
Steven struggles for an idea for his next documentary. When Andy has his new friends visit, the Keatons find out the friends are from the retirement home. Steven sees this as his idea. When Joseph proposes to Eva, his son protests. |
12The Job Not Taken
With Alex looking for a job, his friend Paul recommends him for a job where he works. Alex is offered the position, but then finds out his new job is to replace Paul. Paul is fired, and Alex feels guilty having his job. |
13The Wrecker's Ball
Mallory has a new passion - massage. Also, Elyse finds out the first building she designed is slated to be torn down and the space used for a mall. Elyse and the family fight city hall to keep the building from being destroyed. |
14My Best Friend's Girl
Jennifer has her learners permit; Steven & Elyse compete to show who is better driving instructor. Also, Skippy has trouble meeting girls, so Lauren decides to be a matchmaker. As Skippy & Lauren work together, he falls in love with her. |
15Til Her Daddy Takes the T-Bird Away
Mallory is ready to buy a car, but she needs a co-signer on the loan. Steven refuses to do it because Mallory wants to drive on a cross-country trip with Nick. Mallory turns to Nick's father for a co-signer. |
16Simon Says
A 10-year old girl has a crush on Alex and he cannot escape her. Jennifer & Simon work together at a fast food place for a school project of teens in the workplace. Simon pays more attention to Jennifer than customers and is inept. |
17All in the Neighborhood: Part 1
Steven's black friend Gus & his family move into the neighborhood. Gus' family is threatened, the house vandalized. The Keatons try to reason with neighbors and have Gus stay. Neighbors gather to help clean the vandalized house. |
18All in the Neighborhood: Part 2
Steven's black friend Gus & his family move into the neighborhood. Gus' family is threatened, the house vandalized. The Keatons try to reason with neighbors and have Gus stay. Neighbors gather to help clean the vandalized house. |
19They Can't Take That Away from Me: Part 1
Alex's girlfriend Lauren is attending a conference for a few weeks, and Alex is conducting an economic class at Leland College. A student in the class needs tutoring. Alex and Marty find a mutual attraction. |
20They Can't Take That Away from Me: Part 2
Lauren returns from her conference, and Alex tells her he is interested in Marty more than he should be. Alex has to choose between the two women. As his graduation from college begins, Alex makes his choice. |
21Rain Forests Keep Fallin' on My Head
In Jennifer's Natural Science class, they study ecology. Jennifer goes from trying to save the environment to an obsession. She wants to change everything the family does or has. Steven & Elyse have her talk to a counselor. |
22Wrap Around the Clock Part 1
Andy has to make a time capsule for a school project. Everyone contributes something unique to the box. As items go in the box, the family reminisces about the item and their lives at those times. |
23Wrap Around the Clock Part 2
24Mr. Keaton Takes a Vacation
While Nick's apartment is painted, he needs to stay somewhere else. The Keatons reluctantly let him stay with them for the week. Steven takes off from vacation so he can monitor the stay. Being together for long periods, Steven and Nick bond.
25Alex Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Andy practices for a school skit. Meanwhile, Alex announces he accepted a job offer for his dream job in New York on Wall Street. While everyone is excited for him, Elyse is sad at her first child preparing to move out. Packing is stressful.