Hot on the trail of last week’s clip show comes an episode that was produced in 1983 for the second season. For some reason it sat on the shelf until 1987. Written by Alan Uger, this episode was finally broadcast on 16 December, 1987.

It’s Steven (Michael Gross) and Elyse’s (Meredith Baxter) 20th Anniversary. While both of them want to celebrate the occasion, Steven is hoping for something quiet, but Elyse wants a bigger party. Is there a common ground?

Things are complicated with problems at the party venue, a leak in the kitchen ceiling, and Mallory (Justine Bateman) and Alex (Michael J. Fox) bickering over Alex having read Mallory’s diary. Tensions and arguments escalate and the kids start to worry about how things are going to play out.

The viewer isn’t because we’ve seen how things play out in the sixth season and this is a season two episode. The other reason is that no matter what happens with Elyse and Steven, things will even out and they will continue to love one another.

It’s cute, but feels out of place here because the writing and characters have changed over the seasons, even for a sitcom. It’s almost a slapstick level of comedy as opposed to the banter and character comedy we see in later seasons.

Miracle in Columbus returns us to the present (1987) with a Christmas episode written by Rob Okun. It first debuted on 20 December, 1987.

Always eager to make some cash, Alex takes a job as a mall Santa. He’s intent on earning as much as he can, but things take a holiday magic turn when he wants to help a little girl, Michelle (Ellen Latzen) with her Christmas wish, to get his father home in time for the holiday.

Apparently, Jennifer (Tina Yothers) and Mallory got jobs with Alex as they serve as his elves. As Alex worries about Michelle and her mother (Lee Garlington) he wonders if there is some way to help get Michelle’s dad home in time, but his work schedule is keeping him away from Michelle and his wife.

At the Keaton household, there is a discussion about supporting small businesses selling Christmas trees instead of going to a bigger lot and supporting a corporate sale.

But what happens when Nick (Pete Schrum) shows up to chat with Alex about helping Michelle out, and…. could he be the real St. Nick? He definitely knows things, and he definitely has a Christmasy effect on Alex, but will it be enough to help Michelle’s Christmas?

It’s light, it’s fun, it’s Christmas with the Keatons.

The Play’s the Thing was written by Diane Dixon, and debuted on 10 January, 1988. It seems back in the 60s Steven wrote a predominantly autobiographical play, A Draft Card for the Burning. He’s going to direct it and wants Elyse to play the female lead, but as happened when it was first performed he gets jealous of anyone playing opposite of her.

He also wants her to succeed in the role but is anxious about everything around her. He loves Elyse but doesn’t seem to be comfortable in letting her portray the character the way it was written because he’s jealous of anyone being romantic with her, even if it’s only for the stage.

The whole thing comes apart between acts and Steven has to take on the role of his alter-ego, and then the kids have to help out to limp the performance to its questionable end. On reflection, it comes down to the fact that Steven was just trying to find a way to express his love for Elyse something he can do much better now than he did when he was younger.

More Keaton hijinx next week.