For those who didn't take my recommendation on the last season set, or who just need a bit of a memory jog, Family Ties is the story of Steve (Michael Gross) and Elyse Keaton (Meredith Baxter-Birney), two 60's era radicals who find themselves raising a family in the radically different '80s. Their oldest son, Alex (Michael J. Fox) is a business-oriented, ultra-conservative Republican, while his sister, Mallory (Justine Bateman) is more interested in fashion and the current trends, while the youngest, Jennifer (Tina Yothers), is a bit of a tomboy.
Season Three sees the family go through a number of changes. Alex enters college, Mallory begins to discover that there is more to life than shopping and clothes, and Jennifer starts to notice boys. However, none of these changes compare to the addition of a new family member - baby brother Andrew.
The season begins with Steve and Elyse planning a family camping trip in hopes of spending some quality time as a family. On the morning of the trip, Elyse says she is feeling ill and the trip is called off. Only later does she discover that she's pregnant. Most of the season revolves around the family coping with the unplanned pregnancy. Though Steve and Elyse are a big part of every episode, Alex still finds a way to take center stage in most of the episodes. The season finds him turning the house into a hotel, discovering the joys of fatherhood after meeting an unwed mother in Elyse's Lamaze class and taking a job alongside Steve at the local television station he manages. The arrival of Andrew also brings another memorable character, ditsy housekeeper Karen (Geena Davis). After Steve decides to not hire Karen, Alex goes behind his back and hires her because he has an enormous crush on her.
As with other TV shows, Family Ties does have a tendency to date itself with a few jokes. While more numerous than the previous season, the core humor of the show grows from the culture clashes that pop up between the two different generations, something that is still something most people can relate to. The number of memorable characters also helps to make the Third Season one of the more enjoyable of the series. Characters hang on to the traits that make them recognizable, though at the same time they change enough that they remain interesting.
Compared to the Second Season DVD, the Third comes up a bit short as far as extras. In addition to promos for episodes, the set also includes a gag reel that is enjoyable if you like outtakes.
Even though the show is over 20 years old, it is still enjoyable and something that nearly anyone can sit down and enjoy. You may not get all of the jokes, but the core story is still nice and produces some of the funniest and most memorable moments in 80's television.
