The series is coming to an end, and Katie Ford delivered a two-part episode that aired as one special broadcast on 23 April, 1989. And it wouldn’t be the end of the series if it didn’t give us yet another clip show, and the fact that they had to make it an hour-long… ugh.

Andy (Brian Bonsall) is throwing together a time capsule, and of course, that means everyone is sharing tales of the past as they select certain items to help out. The clips are pulled from the entire run of the series and has lots of fun moments with Alex (Michael J. Fox), Mallory (Justine Bateman), Jennifer (Tina Yothers), Elyse (Meredith Baxter) and Steven (Michael Gross), and it would have been really something if the series hadn’t done so many clip shows in the past.

It’s cute and charming and with the runtime, everyone gets a chance to shine, including the supporting characters of Skippy (Marc Price) and Nick (Scott Valenine).

There’s been a lot of great moments over the seven years, with some wonderful laughs, and great character bits, and here it is two episodes to go. Wow, it really was the end of an era.

Mr. Keaton Takes a Vacation is the penultimate episode of the series. It first aired on 7 May, 1989 and was written by Shannon Gaughan.

Elyse is resisting the urge to ask Alex to do the family’s taxes, as she isn’t sure she wants him to exploit any of the loopholes that she would consider unfair.

Meanwhile, Nick’s apartment is being painted so he needs a place to stay, so he moves in with the Keatons. Steven is less than sure about this, and between that and worrying about his latest documentary he’s feeling the stress. And while he’s worried about what these new living conditions mean for the Nick/Mallory relationship things will have to come to a head eventually.

Steven is less than thrilled to have Nick at the house, but soon he begins to see things in a different way, and maybe the pair will come to an understanding and be able to foster a better relationship, as it seems they are going to be in one another’s lives for some time to come.

Or at least for one more episode, because it has all led here to this final moment…

Alex Doesn’t Live Here Anymore is the series finale for Family Ties. It was broadcast on 14 May, 1989 and was written by Susan Borowitz, Katie Ford, Marc Lawrence and Alan Uger. It was aired as an hour-and-a-half-long finale (with ads) and this is where we wrap everything up.

Will everyone get a moment to shine?

Alex is packing to move to New York; he’s scored an executive job at an investment bank. He’s been driving his sisters crazy, but he’s ready to go, ready to head out and explore his life.

Over the course of this event, each and every member of the family comes to see him. Elyse is less than thrilled that is seems to be happening so quickly. Each of the family spends time with him, including Skippy, Nick, and surprise! Lauren (Courtney Cox).

Characters hint at what they plan to do with their future, goodbyes are made, hugs and well wishes are exchanged, and we get ready to say goodbye to the Keatons. It makes great use of the characters, and the tension between Alex and Elyse is wonderfully executed as the characters try to figure out how to say goodbye to one another.

As Alex’s taxi and future awaits, he, and we, make our final goodbyes to the Keatons. The episode closes out, and the cast are given a final, emotional current call, which I got wrapped up in, and I now leave Family Ties behind.

I loved this show, it’s iconic and classic.