From the 1980s, Family Ties is a sometimes funny, but also surprisingly deep dramedy about family and the ties we have to that relationship. family ties series review
Family Ties (1982) TV Series Review
Running a successful household is something Elise Keaton (Meredith Baxter-Birney) does very well. She balances this with her at home architecture firm, while giving her attention to her three happy children. Eldest Alex (Michael J. Fox) is ambiguous and smart, but opposes almost everything his parents believe socially. Daughter Mallory (Justine Bateman) is happy shopping and gushing over boys. Then there is young Jennifer (Tina Yothers), the baby who may, quite unexpectedly not be the baby for much longer.
They all rely on and are anchored by dad Stephen (Michael Gross), the man who is working his way up in promotions at a public TV station, much to Alex’s embarrassment. Into their lives walks boyfriends and girlfriends, the silly but loveable neighbor Skippy (Marc Price), family relations and all kinds of typical challenges.
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‘FAMILY TIES,’ SERIES REVIEW: THE GOOD WITH THE BAD IN TOUCHING FAMILY DRAMA. Review of the 1980s comedy with #MichaelJFox. #Comedy #TVShow #ComedyShow Click To TweetA kind of breakout role and story for Michael J. Fox, Family Ties is a familial drama that, for the most part, balances its genres decently. It also has a cast that’s solid and quite talented too. Meredith Baxter-Birney (as she was at the time) is always good and the kids are, quite surprisingly good. Also lovely and fun is seeing so many of the stars we saw rise to fame in guest roles here.
In my journey of watching shows from this era (and before), what is surprising me most is the things they tackle. These shows don’t steer clear of serious topics. From sex to simpler teenage challenges, death to politics, the episodic scripts deal with serious things. The characters suffer from emotional turmoil and are presented with choices that are tough to make. Some of their challenges even hit me hard. I relate to some even with this being a thirty-plus year old show. The actors also play these roles so very well and memorably, too. Even the youngest eventual addition is fabulous.
While I typically prefer my movies or television to entertain minus the preaching or dealing in politics, Family Ties does this (mostly) well, so I don’t mind. It balances everything well and has a good grip on being serious and showing how family’s deal with these kinds of things as well as being able to laugh and make fun of itself. Probably not something in my or the generation after would like, I still think Family Ties is a good watch. It’s memorable, and the final season, while sentimental, does a nice job tying everything up neatly.
You can stream Family Ties on PlutoTV, at publication, or select seasons on Paramount+
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Content: this show deals with some serious issues like teen sex or death (emotional fallout) or serious health scares. Other social issues like book banning and politics come up too. Nothing is ever graphic though the writer’s do dive into these kind of topics. The show is TV-PG.