Family Ties (1988) – The Spirit of Columbus, The Blues Brother, and Read It and Weep: Part 1

Charles J. Schlotter pens The Spirit of Columbus which first debuted on 17 January, 1988. Alex (Michael J, Fox) sees an opportunity when Nick (Scott Valentine) sells one of his pieces at a flea market for $200. However, when Alex keeps pushing him to work harder and harder to churn out more pieces Nick begins…

The Equalizer (1988) – The Child Broker, and Video Games

This week’s episode, The Child Broker, boasts a bevy of recognizable guest stars, Sam Rockwell, Jerry O’Connell, Frank Whaley, Max Casella, Lycia Naff and Anthony LaPaglia. Written by Mick Curran this episode debuted on 20 January, 1988. McCall (Edward Woodward) and Harley (Richard Jordan) are contacted by Irene Winters (Mary-Joan Negro) to help her son,…

Moonlighting (1988) – Fetal Attraction, and Tracks of My Tears

Hey look, we’re on episode nine of season four of Moonlighting, and our leads Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) and David (Bruce Willis) still aren’t sharing a scene together. Fetal Attraction was written by Charles H. Eglee and Roger Director from a story by Ron Osborn, Jeff Reno and Kerry Ehrin. It first debuted on 19 January,…

Moonlighting (1987/1988) – Father Knows Last, and Los Dos Dipestos

Will Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) and David (Bruce Willis) share a scene together this week? Let’s find out! First up is Father Knows Last, written by Kerry Ehrin, this episode first aired on 15 December, 1987. While Maddie deals with morning sickness, the Blue Moon Detective Agency is on the verge of being shut down, it’s…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1988) – Datalore, and Angel One

Captain’s log: stardate 41242.4 Ahhh, the melodrama trope of the evil twin. Datalore, written by Robert Lewin and series creator Gene Roddenberry from a story by Lewin and Maurice Hurley first aired on 18 January, 1988. This episode introduced two recurring creations of The Next Generation, while also giving us more of a history on…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987/1988) – Haven, and The Big Goodbye

Captain’s log: stardate 41294.5 Haven, written by Tracy Torme and Lan O’Kun first aired on 20 November, 1987 This one is a bit of a mixed bag. Deanna Troi’s (Marina Sirtis) mother, Lwaxana (Majel Berrett)  makes her first appearance in the series, accompanied by her manservant, the silent and very entertaining, Mr. Homm (Carel Struycken)….

Magnum, p.i. (1987/1988) – The Love That Lies and A Girl Named Sue

  The Love That Lies opens Magnum’s (Tom Selleck) case book this week. Originally airing on 18 November, 1987, this episode was written by Jeri Taylor (who would later go on to work on both Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Star Trek: Voyager). Brenda Babcock (Eileen Brennan) hires Thomas to find the child she…