Family Ties: Heartstrings is a television film and the episode #149, 150, and 151 - Season 7, Episode 5, 6, and 7 released on December 4 - 18, 1988. It was the only television film special that can catch up to it's feature film counterpart, Family Ties Vacation.
The tv film's plot starts when Tragedy strikes the family when Steven suffers a major heart attack in his living room. To pass time, the family recall how Steven and Elyse met.
Plot[]
Part 1[]
After jogging with Elyse, Steven feels very uncomfortable physically. While Alex discusses politics with (a picture of) George Bush, Steven collapses in the living room. The doctors declare that he had a serious heart attack and needs bypass surgery. The family goes through all their emotions about Steven's condition. Steven goes into surgery, and things look shaky as the episode ends.
Part 2[]
The surgery takes longer than it was scheduled to, and the family worries in the waiting room. In a flashback, Alex remembers his love of his grandfather, who had died from a heart condition. They share the grief of the family members of other patients as well. And during the surgery, the doctors determine that Steven needs a quadruple bypass.
Part 3[]
The surgery is completed, and the doctor brings good news to the family. Steven comes home, and it is clear that the family will have some changes to make to accommodate him. He has a flashback (to when they buy the house - with young versions of Alex and Mallory).
Promo codes[]
The episodes promo code for all 3 episodes in one-movie is 151, 152 & 153.
Funny Moments[]
- The potential dangers of tofu buckwheat loaf.
- Andy's understanding of a "massive coronary".
- Alex's long-winded explanation of the economic situation, followed by "I think the Browns got a shot."
- Skippy arrives right on cue.
- Steven wonders if he's in heaven, until he see Nick.
- A great buyer's report from young Alex.
Trivia[]
- This episode begins with Alex and Andy admiring a picture of George Bush. Earlier episodes had already talked about Bush's victory in the election. These three episodes were actually filmed before the rest of the season.
- Steven sports a California-Berkeley T-shirt.
- Michael David Wright also appears in "Diary of a Young Girl" and "My Back Pages".
- In a flashback, Alex and Steven watch the 1984 World Series (both hoping the Tigers will win, which they did). During the game, Steven gets the call that his father died. He had been informed of his father's heart condition in "I Never Killed for My Father " and also in "Remembrances of Things Past".
- In a Part III flashback, the family wants to see E.T. again. The movie was first released in 1982 and then re-released in 1985 and 2002. Andy is the same age, so it was apparently recent to the current episode. it's not clear why the movie would be showing at a theater at that time (1988).
- In another Part III flashback, Tim Eyster plays young Alex and Shannon Macpherson plays young Mallory.
- In Part 1, Billy Morrissette plays a waiter. The actor appears again as Paul in "The Job Not Taken ".
Reviews[]
The IMDb team give the All three episodes in one film based on the show a 4 out of 5 stars.