While Steven (Michael Gross) is planning a surprise birthday party for Elyse (Meredith Baxter) in Love Me Do, Skippy (Marc Price) falls for one of Mallory’s (Justine Bateman) classmates, Amy (Sonia Curtis).

Written by Marc Lawrence this episode was first broadcast on 30 April, 1987. It’s fun to see Skippy happy and that the relationship after a bit of a rough start seems to be a good one. Skippy comes to Alex (Micheal J. Fox) for some help and advice, as Skip starts to navigate his first real romantic experience.

It’s cute, charming and heartwarming. Skippy and Amy are so nervous about their expectations of the relationship, that they aren’t enjoying the moment. There are lots of real moments portrayed here, despite the fact that it’s played for laughs, and I absolutely delight in the fact that Skippy and Amy seem so happy.

The surprise party doesn’t quite come off as planned, but it’s a goofy little story. In fact, both narratives feel like b-storys by they work, and they make for a light-hearted enjoyable episode. I hope Amy isn’t a one-and-done character, because Skippy deserves to be more than just the goofy neighbour forever in love with Mallory, it’s great to see his character growing.

The Visit was written by Lawrence and Alan Uger and was first broadcast on 7 May, 1987.

Elyse’s sister, Michelle (Karen Landry) is coming for a visit, and the Keaton family are more than happy to welcome her. Unfortunately, she’s coming with her husband, Marv (Stuart Pankin), kids Monica (Dana Andersen) and Marv Jr. (Jeff Cohen – his second appearance on the show, but as a different character), and the large family dog, a St. Bernard named Bingo.

This is not going to end well.

As the family struggles through five excruciating days with Michelle and her brood, things seem to get worse and worse. Will Steven explode? Except for Michelle, the rest of her family is loud, oafish, and rude. How will the Keatons survive?

The characters are just broad stereotypes and most of the episode is played for laughs, which doesn’t quite do the series justice after the previous episode. It’s not quite as funny, and sharp as it could have been.

Arguably my least favourite episode of the season. It’s just a little too cartoonish to be enjoyable. Family Ties has spent a lot of times showing its not a regular sitcom, and this episode seems to want to rail against that.

Matchmaker first aired on 23 July, 1987. It was written by Bruce David and Helford.

This episode was filmed and produced during the third season run, Nick (Scott Valentine) isn’t in the series yet, and Mallory is reeling from a break-up previous to his introduction. She can’t meet anyone, she can’t make a romantic connection. Alex suggests going out with an engineering major he knows and then chaperones the date. And of course, none of it goes well.

Because we know how it will all play out, and the fact that this episode is glaringly older than anything we’ve seen to date this season, it feels completely out of place. The writing doesn’t feel as strong as we’ve seen either. They even use the painting introduction as opposed to the photo frames that have played over the credits for the past couple of seasons.

Why wasn’t it aired in the third season? I dunno. Is it okay? It’s alright, but jars any viewer who has been watching the season as it airs. And coming two months since the last episode it’s just an odd duck.

Next time we finish up season five.