Ep 3. The Freshman and the Senior

The Freshman and the Senior is the third episode of the fifth season of Family Ties, an American sitcom that originally aired on NBC from 1982 to 1989. The show focused on the lives of the Keaton family, a liberal ex-hippie parents and their three kids, as they navigate the challenges of growing up and living in the 1980s.

In this episode, Alex (portrayed by Michael J. Fox), the eldest Keaton sibling, is enjoying his senior year of college and his new position as editor of the school newspaper, The Pendulum. Alex is initially dismissive of the incoming freshman class, but his perspective changes when he meets Ellen (portrayed by Tracy Pollan) – a new student with a passion for journalism and a talent for writing.

Despite their age difference, Ellen and Alex quickly develop a connection and begin working together on the paper. As they collaborate, their relationship becomes more flirtatious, but they struggle to define their feelings for each other. Alex is torn between his desire to pursue a romantic relationship with Ellen and his reservations about dating someone so much younger than him.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Keaton family is dealing with their own struggles. Alex's parents, Steven (portrayed by Michael Gross) and Elyse (portrayed by Meredith Baxter), are faced with a dilemma when their neighbor asks them to take care of her dog for a few days. Their youngest son, Andy (portrayed by Brian Bonsall), becomes attached to the dog and begs his parents to let them keep it permanently.

The middle Keaton sibling, Mallory (portrayed by Justine Bateman), is struggling to manage both her job at the mall and her classes at school. Her boyfriend, Nick (portrayed by Scott Valentine), is not able to help her as he is busy working on his art projects. Mallory's stress and exhaustion begin to take a toll on her relationship with Nick.

Throughout the episode, the Keatons grapple with issues of self-discovery, responsibility, and love. The Freshman and the Senior is a heartfelt portrayal of the complexities of relationships and growing up, and showcases the strong writing and acting that made Family Ties such a beloved and enduring show.