Ep 20. Battle of the Sexes (2)

In Family Ties season 5 episode 20, titled "Battle of the Sexes (2)", the Keaton family continues their gender war with a series of pranks and competitions. Elyse is determined to prove that women are just as capable as men, while Steven thinks that some tasks are simply better suited for one gender over the other.

The episode opens with the family gathering in the living room to watch Elyse and Steven compete in a "Sink-Off", where they both attempt to wash and dry the dishes as quickly as possible. Despite Steven's best efforts, Elyse wins the competition, much to the delight of Mallory and Jennifer.

Next, the family decides to have a "Wheelbarrow Race", with the girls facing off against the boys. The race is close, but in the end, the girls come out victorious. However, their win is tainted when the boys accuse them of cheating.

The pranks continue throughout the episode, with both sides trying to one-up each other. The boys steal the girls' bras and hide them, while the girls replace the boys' shaving cream with whipped cream. However, the pranks escalate when Elyse and Steven both decide to pull a huge prank on each other.

Elyse enlists the help of her feminist friends to stage a protest against Steven's business, while Steven hires a group of guys to fill the Keaton home with a bunch of "toys for boys". Chaos ensues as both sides try to outdo each other.

Meanwhile, Alex is dealing with his own gender issues. He meets a girl named Karen who shares his interests in politics and business. However, when they go out on a date, Alex is thrown off by her assertiveness and dominance. He finds himself struggling to reconcile his beliefs in traditional gender roles with his attraction to Karen.

Ultimately, the family realizes that their gender war has gone too far. They come together to make peace and apologize for their behavior. Elyse and Steven agree to work together on a project, and Alex learns to accept Karen's strong personality.

Overall, "Battle of the Sexes (2)" is a fun and lighthearted episode that explores the gender dynamics within a family. It touches on themes of feminism, traditional gender roles, and finding a balance between the two. With its witty humor and relatable characters, this episode is a great example of why Family Ties was such a beloved show in the 80s.