Elyse D’Arc finishes up season one. It closed out on 11 August, 1983 and was written by Micheal J. Weithorn. There’s a little trouble in the Keaton household as Steven (Micheal Gross) and Elyse (Meredith Baxter) have some marital difficulties as they are troubled by the fact that they aren’t getting enough time with one another.

Both sides have a number of commitments and schedules but for some reason, Elyse is getting the blame for most of it. She has a lot on the go, and Steven wants to spend time with her and an argument flares up around it.

It’s a relatable argument and it seems unfair that Elyse is getting the blame for it.

As the pair attempt to make things up to one another, and have a quiet evening, one of Elyse’s groups shows up and interferes constantly as they have an emergency meeting. But that may be one step too far for Stephen.

They’ve been taking each other for granted, and realize that they need to balance their lives to find time for one another. It’s a tough line to walk, and a number of people struggle with that. It’s an important lesson, and sure, it may not be as delightful and fun as some of the previous episodes of the first season. It could be argued that it’s not the best episode to end the season on, but this was before finales were a big thing, and it shows how important keeping relationships going is.

Season Two got underway with Tender is the Knight. Written by Ruth Bennett, this episode opened the season on 28 September, 1983.

Hey, look! Steven has grown a beard!

Alex (Micheal J. Fox) is troubled when a childhood playmate is visiting and staying over at the Keaton household. It’s troubling because Carrie (Talia Newman) is unlike any girl Alex has interacted with before, he’s intimidated and attracted to her.

Carrie is forward, confident and more than Alex can handle, and despite the fact that they agree to go out on a date, she is also dating a big motorcyclist (Chris Nash). So Alex is determined to go out with her to find a way to save her from the biker. He has a whole plan on how to change Carrie into a ‘proper’ lady.

It’s fun to see such a strong and attractive woman portrayed in the series and able to keep Alex’s horrible views in check.

Unfortunately, the date Alex has planned for the pair doesn’t go the way Alex wants and Carrie can’t help but be disappointed in everything. Alex has a set view of how a woman should behave, and it’s up to Steven to start pushing himself in the right direction of accepting that people have to be honest to who they are not some ridiculous beliefs someone has pushed on them.

It’s a great way to start the season, putting Alex front and center and dealing with his ongoing troubles, issues and beliefs. It’s too bad that Carrie won’t be a regular to keep Alex in check.

The Homecoming has Jeff the Tutor (John Dukakis) coming home from Princeton in this episode written by Douglas Wyman. It first aired on 12 October, 1983.

Jeff reveals to Alex that he’s not happy at Princeton he thinks he may not want to go back. Alex doesn’t believe him at first, but when the truth comes out, Alex is aghast, and Jeff goes with a plan to make sure that he doesn’t have to go back.

He decides to ask Mallory (Justine Bateman) to go steady with him, and he plans to use that as an excuse to not go away and transfer to a school in town.

Fox as Alex gets to have a lot of fun in dealing with his blind date, Inga, who remains unseen throughout the episode.

Jeff reveals that he’s homesick, and scared of being out there on his own. It’s a real thing, and again, something that everyone can relate to.

It’s up to Elyse to have a heart-to-heart with Mallory about Jeff and his future, and the need for him to go out there and be willing to risk things to achieve, even if he is a little homesick. If Mallory loves him then she has to learn to let him get out there and do. So does that mean we won’t see him again? Let’s stay tuned and find out.

Season two is off to a great and solid start, I can’t wait to see where the season goes.