Ep 1. Tender is the Knight

Family Ties is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from September 22, 1982, to May 14, 1989. The show follows the Keaton family, a liberal family living in Columbus, Ohio, and their conservative son, Alex P. Keaton. The show explores their family dynamics and differing attitudes towards politics, love, and life.

Season 2 premiered on September 29, 1983, with the episode "Tender is the Knight". In this episode, the Keatons are preparing for a visit from Steven's old friend from college, Ted, who has just come back from England. Ted has become a successful businessman and wants to show off his new life to his old buddy.

Alex, who is still living at home while attending college, is interested in meeting Ted's daughter, Tricia. But when he meets her, he is disappointed by her lack of sophistication. He takes it upon himself to teach her how to be a "real" woman, but his efforts backfire when Tricia realizes that she doesn't need to change herself to impress anyone.

Meanwhile, Elyse is trying to convince Steven to take her out dancing. But Steven, who has been working hard at his job, just wants to relax at home. Elyse finally convinces him to go out, but their evening doesn't go as planned when they get into a fight at the club.

Mallory, who has just started high school, is worried about fitting in and being popular. When she hears that her friend, Lauren, is throwing a party, she is desperate to be invited. But Lauren has only invited the "cool" kids, and Mallory feels left out. She decides to throw her own party, but it turns out to be a disaster when no one shows up.

Finally, Jennifer is having trouble with her science project. She decides to build a cardboard castle, but her mom and dad tell her that she needs to use her imagination and be creative. Jennifer takes their advice and builds a castle out of paper cups, toothpicks, and ribbon.

"Tender is the Knight" is a classic episode of Family Ties, showcasing the various personalities and quirks of the Keaton family. Whether it's Alex's attempts to impress Tricia or Mallory's struggles with popularity, the episode explores the themes of self-acceptance and personal growth. With its witty dialogue and relatable storylines, this episode is a must-see for fans of the show.