Ep 14. Where's Poppa?

Where's Poppa? is the fourteenth episode of the fourth season of the American television sitcom Family Ties. The show originally aired on January 6, 1986, on NBC.

In this episode, Elyse's father (played by John Randolph) comes to visit the Keaton family. He has been estranged from his daughter for many years and wants to reconnect, but Elyse isn't too keen on the idea. When he arrives, Elyse is immediately uncomfortable and has difficulty communicating with him. The rest of the family, however, is excited to meet their grandfather.

Meanwhile, Alex is trying to find a way to pay for a car. He is determined to buy it himself, and doesn't want any help from his parents. He tries to get a job at a local car dealership, but nothing seems to be going his way.

Back at the house, Elyse's father begins to tell stories from his past, including how he left Elyse's mother and his family. He explains that he was never capable of expressing his emotions and didn't know how to be a good husband or father. Elyse still finds it difficult to forgive him, but begins to see a different side of him.

As the episode progresses, each member of the family has a different experience with Elyse's father. Jennifer is excited to have a grandfather and loves listening to his stories. Mallory gets to know him over a game of Scrabble. And Steven has his own heart-to-heart conversation with his father-in-law.

In the end, Elyse realizes that she can't hold onto her anger forever. She confronts her father about his past behavior and tells him how she felt when he left. He apologizes and tells her that he wants to be a part of her life again. Meanwhile, Alex's attempts at getting a job lead him to a surprising opportunity.

Where's Poppa? is a heartwarming episode that explores the complexities of family relationships. It's a reminder that forgiveness is possible, even when it seems impossible.