The Other Woman has some problems developing between Andy (Brian Bonsall) and Alex (Michael J. Fox) when Alex is spending too much time with Lauren (Courtney Cox) and he is missing spending time with his brother.

Written by Susan Borowitz this episode first debuted on 27 September, 1987. The b-story sees Nick (Scott Valentine) getting a job, selling lightbulbs and Steven (Micheal Gross) talking about all the dreams he’s having hoping that Lauren can interpret them for him.

Andy wants more attention from Alex and he’s incredibly unavailable because his relationship with Lauren is still developing. When Alex really screws up and forgets that he and Andy were supposed to a coin fair, Alex tries to make things better by taking Andy to PlayLand, but when Lauren comes along, Andy is less than happy.

Lauren doesn’t take it personally because she knows Andy is just acting out because of the change in Alex and that he isn’t quite as available as he used to be. And he is jealous of the relationship between the two.

Of course, the problem has to be wrapped up within the runtime of the episode, but it definitely deals with a very familiar problem, while it doesn’t hit you over the head with the message, it does feel like classic Family Ties when there was a bit of a helpful family message mixed in with the laughs.

Dream Date sees Jennifer (Tina Yothers) having some romantic problems. Written by Katie Ford, this episode was first broadcast on 4 October, 1987. Once again, Family Ties walks into some very familiar territory for anyone who was ever a teenager.

Simon (Jason Naylor) has a crush on Jennifer, Jennifer has a crush on Roger (Tony Crane) and Roger doesn’t know Jennifer exists. To get closer to Roger she’s not above using Simon. She agrees to go to a school dance with him just so that she can find a way to get next to Roger.

While it’s understandable, the episode also shows how these actions affect the others involved.

There are some fun sequences, even Alex is supportive of her manipulating Simon but is absolutely crushed when Jennifer reveals that there is no Santa.

Simon is actually a well-written and fun character, and of course, Jennifer realizes what she has done when Roger treats her the same way she’s treated Jennifer. But let’s be honest things would never work out the way this one does, Jennifer and Simon sort themselves out and decide to remain friends. A little communication goes a long way, but I don’t remember much of that happening in my teen years.

There’s also a lot of fun to be mined from Andy and Alex reading a Republican pop-up book for the entire episode.

Super Mom first aired on 18 October, 1987 and was written by Alan Uger.

Elyse (Meredith Baxter) is putting in tons of overtime at her job, which leaves the rest of the family out of sorts on the homefront as they can’t figure out who is supposed to do what, and how things are supposed to get done around the house.

They all begin to realize how much Elyse does around the house. She does that and has a full-time job. Maybe everyone can help out around the house and chip in? Something that really isn’t talked about at all. Instead, it’s all on Elyse. She can only do so much until she reaches a breaking point.

It’s not going to be an easy go of it. There are going to be arguments about gender roles and the times. It’s also an interesting commentary on the way the family has been forced to change over the years as both parents have to work.

And holy!! It’s Suzie Plakson as one of Elyse’s co-workers.