Forgetting the ridiculous television movie, the fourth season got underway on 26 September, 1985 and was written by Micheal J. Weithorn. It brought about a change for Alex and for the actor who portrayed him, Micheal J. Fox.

Alex is in his second year at Leland and he’s trying to decide what freshmen to ask out. He’s settled on Tricia (Suzanne Snyder) but finds himself immediately clashing with her roommate, Ellen (Tracy Pollan), an art major whom he has nothing in common with.

After the clash, he can’t stop thinking about her, and the attraction does seem mutual despite the fact that both of them have other relationships. There’s a real chemistry between the two, one that existed off-screen as well and the two have been happily married for decades now.

It’s fun to watch the two of them begin to fall in love with one another, and it’s wonderful to see how real the chemistry is. Their interactions, their comic timing, everything is delightful.

Tricia begins to wear on Alex’s nerves even as he begins to fall for Ellen

At a college dance, where Ellen is working the refreshment table, they share a tender moment during a slow dance that ends in a kiss that Ellen breaks from and delivers us with a To Be Continued as Tricia reveals that Ellen has agreed to marry her boyfriend.

It’s a great episode, and it erases the ridiculous tv movie, gives us a new opening credit sequence, and changed Fox and Pollan’s life.

The Real Thing: Part 2 aired a week later on 3 October, 1985 and was also written by Weithorn.

Alex is completely at a loss with his feelings and what to do with Ellen’s impending marriage. She plans to get married this Sunday and he reminiscences over the events that led him here, even some that didn’t happen, at least we didn’t see them.

Alex offers to drive her to the station, as he tries to find a way to talk to her out of getting married, and explain his feelings for her. She leaves, and he’s left worrying about what to do, he consults with his mom, Elyse (Meredith Baxter) and then he jumps in his car to beat the train to the station.

Ellen finds Alex in the station, and he is finally able to admit to her how he feels for her, and she deals with her own feelings about him.

Now if this is a regular sitcom we might never see Ellen again, but there is some nice continuity in the series so lets see if we see more of her. I love watching those two crazy kids together.

It’s also a great new character expansion for Alex, he’s actually feeling emotions, he’s going through things, and he’s growing as a character, something Fox makes looks really easy.

Everyone else got pushed to the side for this story, letting Fox stand center stage and have a number of fantastic character beats, but it still remains an ensemble show, so let’s see where the rest of season four takes us.

Mr. Wrong ups the tension in the Keaton household as Mallory (Justine Bateman) begins seeing a new guy, and the series brings in another new recurring character, Nick (Scott Valentine). Written by Alan Uger this episode debuted on 17 October, 1985.

Steven (Micheal Gross) is less than thrilled about the presence of Nick in Mallory’s life, and despite some cautioning from Elyse, and lots of support from Alex, he doesn’t do right by his daughter. He has trouble letting go and is anxious about the decisions she is making about her love life.

The story brushes against the sexism involved in the difference between the way boys and girls begin dating and what is expected of them.

Scott Valentine brings Nick to life in a delightful way, and it’s a lot of fun to see the way the character interacts with the Keaton family. There’s some great banter and some great tension between him and Steven as they talk about Mallory.

It’s obvious that the cast is having a great time with the new addition, and it seems that both Alex and Mallory are going to continue to develop, which leaves us to wonder what will become of Jennifer (Tina Yothers) and how things will change for her.

The fourth season has brought about a number of changes, so let’s see how things play out this year for the Keaton family.