Ep 13. Karen 11, Alex 0

Karen 11, Alex 0 is the thirteenth episode of the third season of the iconic American sitcom, Family Ties. The episode opens with the Keaton family gathered around the kitchen table, discussing the upcoming basketball game. Steven (Michael Gross) and Elyse (Meredith Baxter) are excited to see their son Alex (Michael J. Fox) play, while their daughter Mallory (Justine Bateman) is preoccupied with making plans with her friends.

As the family prepares to leave for the game, Alex receives a call from his girlfriend Ellen (Tracy Pollan) informing him that her sister Karen will be joining them. Karen is known to be a talented basketball player, and Alex is worried that her presence will detract from his own performance on the court. His fears are not unfounded, as Karen proves to be an disruptive force during the game, continuously stealing the ball from Alex and scoring baskets for their team.

As the game progresses, Alex becomes increasingly agitated and frustrated by Karen's success. His competitive streak gets the best of him, and he starts making wild and reckless attempts to win back possession of the ball. His teammates start to lose faith in him, and he begins to feel like a failure.

Meanwhile, Elyse starts to suspect that Karen's presence on the court is causing tension between Ellen and Alex. She tries to intervene, but her efforts are fruitless. Mallory, on the other hand, is too engrossed in making plans with her friends to pay attention to the game.

In the end, Karen's superior skills lead their team to victory, and Alex is left feeling defeated and dejected. However, as the family gathers around the kitchen table once again, they remind him that winning isn't everything, and that the value of a game lies in the fun and camaraderie of playing together.

Overall, Karen 11, Alex 0 is a charming and relatable episode of Family Ties that explores themes of competitiveness, jealousy, and the importance of good sportsmanship. It showcases the talented cast's comedic and dramatic chops, and draws on the nostalgic appeal of classic family sitcoms.