Ep 20. The Fifth Wheel

The episode "The Fifth Wheel" of Family Ties season 1 follows the Keaton family as they adjust to their new house guest, Skippy, who is Alex's best friend. Skippy comes to stay with the Keatons after his parents go on vacation and he has nowhere else to go. At first, the family is welcoming, but as time goes on, Skippy's presence starts to become a nuisance.

Alex, who is usually able to handle any situation, starts to feel overwhelmed by Skippy's constant presence in his life. He tries to avoid him as much as possible, but Skippy always seems to be around. As the week goes on, he finds himself becoming more frustrated and annoyed with Skippy.

Meanwhile, Elyse, the Keaton matriarch, tries to help Skippy feel more at home by inviting him to dinner and attempting to engage him in conversation. However, Skippy's lack of social graces and offensive comments make things awkward and uncomfortable for everyone at the table.

Mallory, the daughter of the family, starts to develop feelings for Skippy and tries to win his affection. However, Skippy is oblivious to her advances and only seems interested in spending time with Alex.

As the week comes to an end, the Keatons start to feel the strain of having an extra person in the house. Alex confronts Skippy about his behavior, and they have a heart-to-heart conversation about their friendship. In the end, Skippy realizes that he has overstayed his welcome and decides to leave.

Overall, "The Fifth Wheel" deals with themes of friendship, social awkwardness, and the importance of boundaries in relationships. Through the character of Skippy, the show explores the struggles that come with being an outsider and trying to fit in with a new group of people. The episode also showcases the strengths and weaknesses of each member of the Keaton family and their individual approaches to handling difficult situations.