Mallory (Justine Bateman) is less than happy to be helping her dad, Steven (Michael Gross) out at the station, something Alex (Michael J. Fox) tried to warn her not to do. It seems to be a rite of passage for the Keaton children.

Written by Katie Ford, this episode debuted on 25 October, 1987. Mallory isn’t having a good time, and her fashion and love of style keep pushing their way into her work, fouling up her dad’s broadcast. Thank goodness it’s a public television station.

The b-story follows Alex, Jennifer (Tina Yothers), Elyse (Meredith Baxter) and Andy (Brian Bonsall) get wrapped up in trying to solve a cereal contest that involves the disappearance of it’s missing character, Captain Crackle. There’s five thousand dollars up for grab, and Alex determinedly leads the charge.

In the end, there’s a nice wrap-up with Steven and Mallory as both realize that Mallory isn’t suited to public television, and she’s leading the life she wants to live. The father-daughter relationship is nice, but the b-story definitely overshadows it, though Bateman does get to do some entertaining bits.

It just goes to show what a great cast the show has, and the fact that they all get a chance at the limelight.

Invasion of the Psychologist Snatcher was written by Marc Lawrence and debuted on 1 November, 1987.

Alex is a little troubled when Lauren’s (Courtney Cox) ex, Eric (Campbell Scott) is in town and would like to catch up with Lauren. He is insecure about Eric, especially when he seems to be better than him in every way. Or at least as far as Alex is concerned.

While Steven tries to help Jennifer with her philosophy assignment, something Jennifer doesn’t really need the help with, Alex worries and panics about whether or not Lauren is going to go back to Eric.

But when Eric and Alex have a conversation, Alex realizes he could be like Eric, but that he’s got something that Eric doesn’t, room in his heart for something more than money, Lauren. And Lauren is very in love with him.

She’s less than happy when she finds out that Alex didn’t trust her, but soon realizes it was because he was insecure and worried about losing her. The two talk, and smooth things over, and the viewers realize that this may be the one for Alex. He seems genuinely happy, and invested in the emotional well-being of not only Lauren but their relationship.

The Way We Were is a bit of a message episode. Elyse’s Aunt Rosemary (Barbara Barrie) has come for a visit and the whole family is delighted she’s there. But something doesn’t seem quite right.

Written by series creator Gary David Goldberg, this episode first aired on 8 November, 1987.

Rosemary is becoming increasingly forgetful, and it soon comes out that she’s suffering from early onset of Alzheimer’s. Elyse is upset that the family storyteller is losing her memory, and we get an honest look at a sad and horrifying disease and its effects on the victim, and their loved ones.

Each of the characters gets a moment to pontificate on it, and voice concerns and questions that everyone must think when they learn someone they care about, or themselves, have been diagnosed with the disease.

A solid, well-written, and acted episode. The series, six seasons in, is still going incredibly strong, has some brilliant, and funny writing, has the ability to balance a message with laughs, and has a wonderful stable of characters brought to life by a great group of actors.

I love this series. Let’s see how the season plays out.