Recently, for the first time in 10 years, I watched the season 5 episode “‘A’ My Name Is Alex.” Even though there were potential eye-rolling moments (maybe it's aged a little?), I did find myself wondering about it. Actually, I wasn't sure what to think. Was this a great episode? Was it pretentious? Did Alex (and the audience) get any message here? Was there a point? This episode seems heavy compared to other sitcoms in 1987.

I did some research and found the episode actually was BIG.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/family-ties-a-my-name-is-alex,56598/

Are you a fan of this very serious episode? Was it a big deal at the time? Thoughts on the episode?

I thought it was a great episode and one of the best acted of the series. MJF won an emmy for this episode.

I admire the creative risks taken by the writers and producers in creating this episode. And I admire the performances by the actors in this episode. Especially Michael J. Fox. But in the end this episode had relatively little to say about life and death so the risks and performances were kind of wasted.

I admire the creative risks taken by the writers and producers in creating this episode. And I admire the performances by the actors in this episode. Especially Michael J. Fox. But in the end this episode had relatively little to say about life and death so the risks and performances were kind of wasted.

I'm sorry that you didn't really enjoy the episode. I thought it was a good episode. It was different, but good.

It was one of the best episodes that Family Ties ever did. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if we had actually heard about this friend before.

It was one of the best episodes that Family Ties ever did. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if we had actually heard about this friend before.

I thought it was a phenomenal episode. I liked the format and thought it was refreshing.
But, I agree. It probably would've had added impact on it if we had seen the character in previous episodes and gotten to know him.
I don't like when sitcoms do that...they have a character whom we have never seen or met before die in an episode and while we feel for the characters who are in mourning, we can't really feel what they are feeling because we don't know said character. It's more random than tragic.

Did they ever show Aunt Trudy before she died? She obviously had a HUGE impact on Mallory. It would've been nice to have seen them interact.