While Mallory (Justine Bateman) discovers a new passion for massage, Elyse (Meredith Baxter) is troubled to learn that the first building she ever designed is scheduled to be torn down. It’s the Keatons versus City Hall in The Wrecker’s Ball. Written by Douglas Wyman and first aired on 12 February, 1989.

Even as the family comes together to protest the demotion, Steven (Michael Gross) and Alex (Michael J. Fox) can’t help but make jokes about Mallory’s massage intentions, but she actually seems to be quite good at it, except where Alex is concerned. Nick (Scott Valentine) really gets behind Mallory and enjoys the benefits of Mallory’s newfound skill.

Elyse is having a problem letting go of the building, and she shows the family how important it is to here, so of course, they chip in to help out, though Alex is only doing it because of his mother. Elyse goes to confront the building’s owner, Mr. Willis (Gary Grubbs, a familiar face), who simply wants more cookie cutter buildings. But she’s not sure she can get through to him.

Will Elyse have to say goodbye to that first building, or will something save it in the end? And will Alex survive Mallory’s massaging?

Steven is able to talk Elyse down, and they both realize that time has to move on, things will change, but they will always be there for one another, and share the memories and love, even if the buildings or people are no longer there.

My Best Friend’s Girl ends up being a bit of a Skippy (Marc Price) story, though it also sees Jennifer (Tina Yothers) getting her learner’s permit for her driver’s licence, and she wants Elyse to teach her instead of Steven after all the horror stories Mallory and Alex shared with her.

Written by Bruce Helford this episode debuted on 19 February, 1989.

Now apparently, Skippy has had trouble meeting women, we know that. Apparently, his old girlfriend transferred to Yale and kind of broke up with him. His latest attempt at a romantic connection is with Darlene (Maura Tierney), but Darlene puts a kibosh on any possibility.

Lauren (Courtney Cox) decides to help Skippy out and work as a matchmaker for him. Unfortunately, as they spend time together Skippy begins to fall for Lauren. When Lauren, Alex Skippy and Lauren’s match for Skippy, Pippi (Karyn O’Bryan) go on a double date, things go really badly, when Skippy tries to kiss Lauren.

He apologizes to Alex and Lauren gives him the advice of just being yourself. Something that always sounds easy for the attractive people to say to those who are having a tougher time.

Elyse is furious with the way Steven talks to her about driving and unfortunately leaves Jennifer to Steven’s tutoring. But after a session in the kitchen (which delivers some nice comic moments), Steven relinquishes his teaching position back to Elyse.

It’s a nice episode, it’s good to see Skippy and Lauren getting the main story, and the entire cast is so great at this point that everything just feels like it works.

‘Til Her Daddy Takes the T-Bird Away is the last episode for the week. Written by Susan Borowitz and was first broadcast on 26 February, 1989.

Dan Hedaya returns as Nick’s father, Joe, a used car salesman, who is in negotiations to sell Mallory her first car. Unfortunately, he tells her that she will need a co-signer on the loan for the car. When Mallory goes to Steven for help, he turns her down because she wants to go on a cross-country trip with Nick.

Steven goes to Joe in hopes of gaining his support against the car and the proposed trip.

The b-story follows Jennifer working on a play for her history class on Nixon, and Alex wants to help, desperately, to make sure it’s true to the ‘facts’ and that one of his favourite presidents wasn’t a joke.

Hedaya is so wonderful, as always, and there are some really great comedic bits for the entire cast.

And once again, Steven and Elyse have to realize that their family is growing up, and Mallory’s planned trip with Nick isn’t so different from one they took when they were the same age. They have to let Mallory do her own thing.

Somehow we’re coming up quickly on the end of the series, only a few weeks left. Man, do I love this series.