Jennifer (Tina Yothers) and the Keaton family prepare to confront the school’s principal, Dr. Hewitt (Bibi Besch) and the school board about the banning of books in Read It and Weep: Part 2. Written by Marc Lawrence and Alan Uger this episode first aired on 14 February, 1988.

The confrontation doesn’t go as well as Jennifer, Steven (Michael Gross) and Elyse (Meredith Baxter) wanted, and Jennifer has to deal with newspapers who want to interview her, and her disappointment in her teacher, Mr. Flaherty (Christian Clemenson).

The family brings aboard a lawyer, Susan (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).

Alex (Micheal J. Fox) is bemused by Mallory (Justine Bateman) and Nick (Scott Valentine) actually reading together.

It continues the important discussion about rights and the thought process (no matter how ridiculous I think it is) about banning books. With a gathering of parents at the school board the discussion continues, putting several viewpoints on display and trotting them out for examination and hopefully important dialogue in the home.

Yeah, this is a message episode, but it’s a very important message, and I honestly can’t believe that some would impose their own moral views and dictate what someone can and can’t read. Jennifer and the Keatons have a long fight ahead of them, but sadly we won’t get to see the rest of that journey as we’ll get a new story for the next episode.

Quittin’ Time was written by Susan Borowitz and debuted on 21 February, 1988. It’s definitely lighter fare than the previous episode, but still has some important things to consider.

Lauren (Courtney Cox) is having problems with her senior thesis and decides to quit. She plans to focus all her attention on Alex, something he enjoys first, but soon it makes both of them very unhappy. She doesn’t want to make an effort for anything now if there’s a chance she won’t succeed or it won’t make her happy.

Alex eventually confronts her about it, how she isn’t realizing her potential, and that she needs to do these things for herself, and it causes a rift in their relationship, but Lauren has to resolve this for herself. She knows she has to face the challenges, and Alex is happy to have a partner who is smart, determined and beautiful.

Mallory finds a collection of letters from Steven and Elyse, their love letters. Andy (Brian Bonsall) ends up copying some of them to send to a girl in her class.

Spring Reminds Me was written by Katie Ford and was first broadcast on 28 February, 1988.

A former neighbour, Evelyn (Constance McCashin) comes to visit, her daughter used to be friends with Mallory until she took her own life. When she begins to behave and refer to Mallory as if she were her own daughter, the family is troubled and tries to help Evelyn through her continued grieving.

Mallory is trying to process the loss as well, even as they all spend time together. Everyone has to learn how to deal with the loss and shock of a suicide. Things escalate when Evelyn confronts Mallory as Rosalie, her daughter, and we see how hurt and troubled everyone is about the loss.

Steven is going through his magic phase and none of the family are happy about it, and Alex is determined to put an end to it.

The balancing of the comedic aspects with the heartwrenching reality of teen suicide works nicely and once again Family Ties brings important discussions into the home. I love this series.