I wish that Alex would have ended up with Lauren. They could both have ended up with jobs in New York. Anyone else wish this?

Yeah. I think they should have stayed together. For the writers to break them up close to the end of the series, was kind of tacky and seemed strange, imo.

I didn't like the way the writers handled the end of the Alex/Lauren relationship either. But the romantic in me would like to think that Alex eventually got back together with Ellen, his first love. Perhaps after completing her dance training in Paris Ellen moved to New York to pursue a career as a professional dancer. And while living in New York she crossed paths with Alex who was now working on Wall Street. This meeting sparked a renewal of their relationship and they are now happily married in New York City. At least thats how I see things working out!

I think knowing that there was no way the writers could get Tracy (Ellen) back, I think Lauren was a good second girlfriend for Alex. I do think the way the writers broke Alex and Lauren up toward the end was abrupt. I don't know if maybe the writers thought Alex needed to start out on his own in New York or what. Just speculation.

I was a LOT more upset about him not getting back w/ Ellen. I really, really wanted to see her return to the show! So that episode in which he goes out on one date w/ that other woman who he tried to make like Ellen & then he writes Ellen a letter (when she had moved to Paris) at the end of the episode was really disappointing for me to watch. :mad: :(

Never cared for Lauren. I wish Ellen would have returned for the final.

Never cared for Lauren. I wish Ellen would have returned for the final.


Same here! I liked Ellen much better than Lauren!;)

I wish Alex would have ended up with the girl from Friday The 13th Part 2.

I think knowing that there was no way the writers could get Tracy (Ellen) back, I think Lauren was a good second girlfriend for Alex. I do think the way the writers broke Alex and Lauren up toward the end was abrupt. I don't know if maybe the writers thought Alex needed to start out on his own in New York or what. Just speculation.

Oh yes.

I HATED how he treated Lauren's character at the end. But oddly enough her acting in that episode where he dumped her was her best work on the show. I really felt her pain and frustration and hurt. Men can be real jerks, sometimes. :(

I thought Alex came up off as such an insensitive schmuck in the last few episodes, not only with Lauren but Elyse too.

I am glad she told her little boy off! :)

I was a LOT more upset about him not getting back w/ Ellen. I really, really wanted to see her return to the show! So that episode in which he goes out on one date w/ that other woman who he tried to make like Ellen & then he writes Ellen a letter (when she had moved to Paris) at the end of the episode was really disappointing for me to watch. :mad: :(

I really like that episode. I love when Alex says to his parents, “How could she leave me? We really loved each other.” And “Nobody knew me like she did. Nobody.” It feels so realistic.

I like that the writers realized that Alex and Lauren really didn’t have chemistry and broke them up at the end. It was a brave choice, as opposed to having them live happily ever after. Too bad they could never get Tracy Pollan to return, not even for a guest appearance. I wonder why she wouldn’t do it.

Too bad they could never get Tracy Pollan to return, not even for a guest appearance. I wonder why she wouldn’t do it.

Well, "Family Ties" last episode aired May 14,1989 and barely two weeks later on May 30, Miss Pollan bore her firstborn child Sam Michael Fox. Thus, it's a good probability that neither she nor the producers wanted to have to disguise/deal with the performer's late pregnancy (and what that might have meant for Ellen and Alex)when they simply wanted to wind down the show and have it end. Since the characters hadn't been together in over a year, it would have been a truly tacky note to have had it that Ellen had gotten pregnant by someone else(OR hide Miss Pollan behind props).

Since the characters hadn't been together in over a year.


Actually by the end of season 7 Alex and Ellen hadn't been a couple on the show for three years. She was only in Season 4.

I think a lot of people were hard on Courteney Cox [Lauren]. They were invested in the season long relationship of Alex and Ellen. Then when viewers learned that MJF and Tracy Pollan dated and wed in real life, no actress [character] had a chance. The Lauren character was overly scrutinized. Some viewers only wanted Alex and Ellen and refused to give Lauren a chance.

Men can be real jerks, sometimes. :(

So can women. Being a jerk is not exclusive to one gender.

The Lauren episodes made me miss Ellen.

Since the characters hadn't been together in over a year.



Actually by the end of season 7 Alex and Ellen hadn't been a couple on the show for three years. She was only in Season 4.


Well, three years IS 'over a year' which would have made Ellen's return while Miss Polan was carrying her and Mr. Fox's firstborn even more awkward.

Reuniting him with Ellen woulda been an ideal end to the show. If not married, at least have them meet again and say something like "lets try this again..."

I liked Lauren too and agree the ending with her was silly and kinda unrealistic.