r/FamilyMatters

Brain Over Brawn (Season 3, Episode 2). Steve is jealous when the school heartthrob job, Alex, is interested in Laura. During gym class they have a rope climbing event which Laura goes to watch Alex. Alex can climb the rope with no problem, but Steve can barely move an inch up the rope. Steve gets upset and challenges Alex to a rope climbing contest. Steve is just having a hard time still even breaking an inch up the rope, but when Laura encourages him to use his brain instead of his "muscles", he comes up with a jetpack that helps him go all the way to the top within a couple of seconds. Meanwhile at home, there's a hole in the roof and Carl offers to fix it, but being a "tool of the month" member, Carl does more damage than good. He eventually is able to fix it except when Steve decides to demonstrate his jetpack inside the Winslow house.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

HARRIETTE: Well, it's gonna cost a fortune to fix a roof. We'll have to cancel our vacation.

CARL: No, no. Not cancel. Postpone. I'll fix the roof myself.

HARRIETTE: And I'll buy a sparkly gown and open for Diana Ross.

CARL: What are you trying to say?

HARRIETTE: I'm saying it's a nice idea that you wanna fix the roof yourself...but you just can't do it.

CARL: Ahem. And why not, if you please?

HARRIETTE: Remember when you put in that bathroom for your mother?

CARL: Yes. What about it?

HARRIETTE: Well, you ran the gas line into the toilet. The first time she flushed, it blew her into the basement.

CARL: Well, there you go again, Harriette. You know, whenever I try to fix something...do I ever hear, "Go for it, Carl. You can do it, Carl." "I'm behind you, Carl." No, you give me, "You'll be sorry, Carl." "Hire a professional, Carl." "You blew your mother into the basement, Carl." Well, I'm going to
fix the roof, Harriette. And I'm gonna fix it so well...that all of our neighbors are gonna come, just to look at it. And they'll "ooh" and "ahh" and applaud my work. And you know what you will say to me then, Harriette? Do you know what you'll say, Harriette?

HARRIETTE: Sure. "Wake up, you're dreaming, Carl."go again, Harriette.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Carl is looking for the weak spot in the roof poking at each spot but accidentally steps on the weak spot falling through the roof 🤣 Plus I love that these shows when something gives into the roof on a 2-story house, it always immediately surpasses the 2nd floor and goes right to the 1st floor, ah Hollywood logic.

OPINION:

This is an ok episode, not a particular favorite of mine. Don't get me wrong, it has some very funny moments but also some questionable conclusions.

So, we have Steve once again going crazy over Alex being interested in Laura and vice versa with her being interested in Alex. Steve honestly couldn't respect and keep his space just trusting that maybe in the end they won't like each other? Plus Laura was heavily into Alex, but on a sudden turn at the end during the challenge while Alex is flexing for Laura now she sasses him off and doesn't like him? Was there a deleted scene where he did something wrong? Yeah, he was cocky and full of himself, but she seemed to be fine with it at first and didn't bring it up at all during the episode to say that she was sick of it.

Then the challenge. First, I think this episode brings back bad memories. During gym class we had these physicals, the guys had to climb a rope or do chin ups and us girls had to either climb a rope or hold our chin above a bar for however long we could....yeah, I sucked at both of those. I love that Illinois, one of the most obese states, is required physical education in school BTW 🤣 Second, the challenge itself. Now Steve cannot climb the rope, fair enough, maybe a better moral would have been that he at least makes a few inches but cannot do it still and Laura tells him how much she admires that he tried and that he made progress from the last time. But no, we get the first of what will be a plethora of crazy inventions that Steve somehow manages to invent that is treated more like a weekend project: a friggin jetpack! The jetpack works and not only that, but Steve can navigate with no problem. He didn't climb the rope, he flew to the top of the rope and the coach yells "3.2 seconds! A new record!", wait, what? Again he didn't climb the rope, he flew to the top! How is that a rope climbing record? I get that Steve is the nerd we want to see succeed, but come on, this was a lot to chew on.

The only part for me personally that I enjoy is the family dynamic where Carl volunteers to fix the rooftop. Carl trying to fix things is always hilarious and how he fails miserably. I get a bit angry with Steve as well at the end where he is telling Carl that he wouldn't have fallen off the roof if he had the jetpack and decides that the smart thing to do is demonstrate his jetpack inside the house which breaks the hole that Carl just fixed in the roof! Friggin' Steve!

Again, not a terrible episode, just not one that I really enjoy personally. Does anyone else remember watching this on TGIF and Steve landed in the Step by Step episode where he landed in their living room? 🤣 I always loved as a kid watching those episodes that crossed over into the other shows. It makes for some confusing random streaming marathons though lol

GUEST STARS:

• Cherie Johnson as Maxine Johnson
• Shawn Harrison as Waldo Geraldo Faldo
• David Hayward as Coach Redding
• David Baur as Alex Phillips

Boom! (Season 3, Episode 1). Steve brings to the Winslow house an orangutang named Lowell. Lowell has been getting experimented on by scientists and Steve needs to find him a good home but asks Laura to hide Lowell until he can do so. Lt. Muraugh suggests to Carl to start working out and tells him to use his treadmill. When Carl is on his second work out, the treadmill activates and a stranger's voice comes on telling Carl (who is supposed to be Lt. Murtaugh) that he put a bomb in the treadmill to kill him since Lt. Murtaugh arrested him. Carl and Lt. Murtaugh now have to figure out which wire to cut to stop the bomb.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: Help! Help me! Help!

JAWORSKI: What's the matter, Carl?

CARL: Listen, we're all cops in this room, right?

COPS: Right!

CARL: I mean, we stick together, right?

COPS: Right!

CARL: Good, because there's a bomb in this machine. (ALL THE COPS, EXCEPT FOR JAWORSKI RUN FOR IT) Thank you, fellow officers. Jaworski, call the Bomb Squad, okay?

JAWORSKI: I'm on my way. You want me to get Lieutenant Murtagh in here?

CARL: Jaworski, if this bomb goes off, it'll kill anybody who's in the room with me. Get him in here. Okay. Just stay calm. I can walk forever. I feel good. I feel great. I'm gonna die!

LT. MURTAUGH: (BEING PUSHED IN BY THE OFFICERS) I came as soon as I heard.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Carl and Lt. Murtaugh are trying to figure out the wire to cut. The scene is very suspenseful for a sitcom, but I love Carl's guess of "Red, we're dead. Blue, we're through. Yellow, we're mellow." and after they disarm the bomb, Carl admits it was just a guess 🤣

OPINION:

We are officially in Season 3! Eddie, Laura, Judy and Steve are all growing and you can tell. You can tell the show is getting into it's speed with the comedy and the writers know what's going to be good for the episodes.

Lowell was just too cute. First, I love seeing Steve save him from the labs because I love animals. Second, Lowell and Steve dressing like each other was just too cute. Laura was such a sweetheart to cover for Steve and Lowell and let Lowell stay with her. It's a simple story but is very sweet and funny.

The story with Carl and Lt. Murtaugh is the show stealer though. I always get a laugh out of: Lt. Murtaugh's password Stallion for the treadmill, poor Carl having to run while trying to make sure the bomb did not go off, Lt. Murtaugh's leg cramp, them trying to figure out the wires and jumping for it. To think, this was before Speed... I wonder if this episode took any inspiration? But Reginald and Barry are just too funny together, I love their chemistry and the way they bounce off each other. I was always bummed that Lt. Murtaugh didn't become a regular, but I'm not sure how many crazy situations they could get him and Carl into.

A great opener and I'm so excited to start Season 3. We are going to be getting some good episodes!

GUEST STARS:

• Shawn Harrison as Waldo Geraldo Faldo
• Barry Jenner as Lt. Murtaugh (RIP in 2016)
• Julie Uribe as Jaworski
• Lowell as Himself

Making edits for all the characters, who should i do next?

I Should Have Done Something (Season 2, Episode 25). Carl is coming home and has been in a very bad mood and taking it out on everyone. Harriette takes Carl to the side to ask him what's going on and he finally breaks down and tells her that it's one year since "it happened". What had happened was Carl called into a hostage situation, the gunman had an elderly man at gunpoint and despite Carl's attempts to get the gunman to let the man go, he gunman still shot the hostage who passed away from his injuries. Carl is broken and feels like he failed the man that was killed, despite everyone telling him it wasn't his fault, he still can't let go of the guilt. He goes to the cemetery to pay his respects and while he breaks down in tears, the victim's wife, Mrs. Mallory, is there too and overhears Carl and his overwhelming guilt. She takes him to the side and tells him about the night he was killed and how she had to deal with the guilt of asking him to go out that night, but she realized that she was not guilty of anything and neither is Carl and tells him it's ok to let go. They embrace each other in tears over Mr. Mallory's grave but let go of the guilt. Carl comes home in a better mood and tells everyone he's ok.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: Mr. Mallory, my name is Carl Winslow, and I'm a police officer. Lastly, I guess you know who I am. But I came here to get something off my chest, Mr. Mallory. You know what happened. Happened a year ago. But what happened... happens again and again in my mind. I close my eyes at night. I see that man... holding you. I see that... that gun... pressed against your head... and I see the fear on your face. But what I don't see, Mr. Mallory... is that one second, that one... fraction of a second when I could've taken him down. It was there… it HAD to be there. If I had seen it, and done something, you might be alive today, Mr. Mallory. But I missed it! And I just wanna say... that I'm so sorry, Mr. Mallory. I'm so very sorry...

HELEN: Officer?

CARL: Oh, yes?

HELEN: I'm Helen Mallory, Charles was my husband.

CARL: Oh. Mrs. Mallory.

HELEN: Let's... sit a moment. I should apologize for listening to you.

CARL: No, that's all right.

HELEN: Can I ask you something?

CARL: Oh, sure.

HELEN: Do you ever ask yourself why you had to be the policeman who got there first?

CARL: Mrs. Mallory, I ask myself that question a million times a day. But I guess you ask yourself, why your husband had to be the one to be there that night.

HELEN: No, I don't. He was there because I asked him to go. We were home watching television and I mentioned that I wanted some ice cream, so Charles said he'd dash to the store. So he got up, cussed the dog for chewing on his hat and... left my life forever. For a long, long time, I found it difficult to live with the fact that if I hadn't asked Charles to go to that store, he would still be with me.

CARL: Oh, but Mrs. Mallory, there was no possible way you could've known what would happen. It wasn't your fault.

HELEN: I know, but it took me a long time to realize that and now you must realize that it wasn't your fault either. OK?

FAVORITE MOMENT:

It's easily the cemetery scene. I'm giving this both the favorite quote and moment because it's just way too powerful to deny. Reginald Vel Johnson just knocks this scene out of the ballpark and it's easily his best performance of the series. Beah Richards also comes in with a fantastic performance as Helen Mallory. The only downfall of this scene is how much it breaks me down in tears, it's a tough one to get through.

OPINION:

Alright everyone, we made it to the end of season 2 and what a banger to go on. I think almost everyone agrees this is one of the hardest episodes to make it through due to the emotional depth of it. While the police are criticized on a regular basis, it's still an insanely tough job. Long hours, underpaid, underappreciated and they put their lives on the line every day. While there are police officers who clearly shouldn't be in the profession, there are men and women out there that not only love their work, but take it very seriously and genuinely want to help their communities. One of my friends is a cop, he's a husband and a father and told me and my husband he's just happy to make it home alive and well each day. I've asked him if he ever had to deal with any horrific cases and he did have one hostage situation (here in Chicago) and thankfully the hostage made it out ok. But he has also gone to a crime scene that I'm sure I'm not allowed to talk about on here. We talked about how hard it must be to go home after that, he said he goes to therapy and makes sure not to take it home with him as hard as it can be at times. It's not a profession I would want or could handle, so I'm grateful to those who can do it for me.

Carl is genuinely a very good cop who cares about people and wants to serve the community. It's heart breaking when things don't turn out the way you hope. I'm sure he tried everything to save Mr. Mallory but you can't predict when someone is out of their minds and what their next move will be. Speaking of, for a fictional character who's not even on screen for the show, does my heart ache for Mr. Mallory. I think because you hear about this stuff on a daily basis in the news about someone who has been held hostage or in a very violent situation, and if they make it out, they are considered "lucky" but have to deal with the lifelong trauma. If they don't make it out, now their family and friends have to deal with the lifelong trauma. I'm sure Carl has dealt with situations like this before, but it was probably the first he had failed at. It's easy to tell him that it wasn't his fault, but when life or death is on the line it's easier said than done.

Reginald Vel Johnson hadn't done too much acting before Family Matters. We know him from Die Hard of course, Crocodile Dundee and Ghostbusters, along with a few bit parts in 80's cinema. He was almost on the verge of quitting acting, he told his mother that if he didn't get anything good that year, he was going back home. He got Perfect Strangers which lead into Family Matters. I'm so glad the fates worked out for him because he truly is a very gifted actor. He's funny, likable, relatable and emotional. This is a wonderful episode to end on and I love that it does leave us feeling better in the end, because after all is said and done: family matters.

Tomorrow starts Season 3! Season 2 was really a wonderful season and has some really iconic moments. But I think we are now getting into the heartbeat of the show.

GUEST STARS:

• Beah Richards as Helen (RIP in 2000)
• Tiiu Leek as Karen Kosta
• Ron Tank as Anchor Man

My favorite has to be "WE ARE LATE FOR CHURCH! LET'S GO NOW!"

Skip to My Lieu (Season 2, Episode 23). Lt. Murtaugh really wants to go on a date with Rachel, but she can't stand him, with promise that Carl might get promoted, Lt. Murtaugh asks Carl to set him up with Rachel. Carl asks Rachel to go out with Lt. Murtaugh and she begrudgingly agrees. Rachel has a horrible time, fakes a headache and even has to scream at Lt. Murtaugh to go home since he can't quite get the hint that she's just not into him. Steve buys an ID bracelet from Waldo for Laura and of course Laura rejects the bracelet and yells at Steve to go home. Lt. Murtaugh and Steve meet in the living room after being rejected and break into a song "Don't Take Your Love Away from Me". They relate to each other's heart break and toast to one day getting the loves of their lives.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

LT. MURTAUGH: You know, that dress looks stunning. It makes me think thoughts.

RACHEL: Uh, lieutenant, you know, I've tried to be nice. I've tried to be tactful. But now it appears I'm going to have to be blunt. You repulse me.

LT. MURTAUGH: So you wanna slow dance and neck a little?

RACHEL: GO HOME!!!

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Lt. Murtaugh picks up Rache for their date, first her being upset the family her telling her how beautiful she is, they ask her what's the problem and she says she doesn't want Lt. Murtaugh "thinking thoughts". Second, she goes to the door and he turns the police bright light on her and shouts from his megaphone how she looks beautiful and to come out with her dancing shoes on and throws her a bouquet of flowers 🤣 Rachel gives Carl the deadliest look and tells him not to be there when she gets back.

OPINION:

Ah, the 90's, such a simpler time where incels were more looked at as sympathetic losers who just needed that one shot and if only the women that they lusted over would give in for "we know you'll like him to have you get to know him" and get that happily after that we knew was in the cards. I love that we recognize now how unhealthy these plotlines are and that the lines "oh, she's only into A-holes" or "He just wants a s*ut" is not the healthiest way to look at whomever you're attracted to. There's a difference between pursuing and stalking and Lt. Murtaugh and Steve are definitely in that stalking category.

But hate me if you must, I love this episode. It always kills me in laughter. I love Carl begging Rachel to give Lt. Murtaugh just one chance and even the family telling her at least he has a job and can hold a conversation, so she gives in. Again, not the healthiest thing to do but we go with it for the show. Rachel goes on the date with Lt. Murtaugh and is blunt with him on how horrible he is: he ordered her food and cut her steak for her. He thinks Rachel wants a "take charge" kind of guy not realizing that she's perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Then her telling him that she thinks someone is stealing his car to get him to go away, he says "no way, we would have heard the explosion" 🤣 Lt. Murtaugh is just crazy! Then she finally has it and screams at him to go home!

Steve buys an ID bracelet from Waldo and of course since he got it on the cheap and it's being taken care of by Waldo the inscription reads "All my glove, Sleeve" 🤣 Laura of course has had it and has to scream for Steve to go home! I love and always die laughing from the scene where Steve and Lt. Murtaugh break into song together from Lt. Murtaugh's pathetic face to Steve's horrific singing voice. Then them bonding over their heartbreak over root beer floats, Lt. Murtaugh says they need women to crank out more men to where Steve finally realizes that there's a reason why Rachel isn't flipping over him. But they swear they will not give up until the women they love can stand the sight of them!

Yes, the episode is very problematic, but for the sake of the show, I always get a laugh out of this episode. I think it's because of how pathetic Steve and Lt. Murtaugh are and they know they're pathetic too, so it keeps us on board with their crazy fantasies that one day their crushes will love them too. And don't worry, we are going to get some equal opportunity crazies in the future.

GUEST STARS:

• Shawn Harrison as Waldo Geraldo Faldo
• Barry Jenner as Lt. Murtaugh (RIP in 2016)

Finding the Words (Season 2, Episode 22). The Winslows have a visitor, Jimmy Holmes who tells Carl that he's the father of a childhood friend. Carl has no memory of Jimmy but plays along not to be rude. Harriette and Rachel take a liking to Jimmy and ask him to stay for dinner and overnight while he's traveling around town. Jimmy and Carl have a private discussion later that evening, Jimmy confesses that his name is actually Jimmy Banes and that he's Harriette and Rachel's father. Carl is very upset and tells Jimmy to get out and that their father passed away, Jimmy confirms info that he would only know as their father, Carl is shocked and asks Jimmy why he ran away and why did Harriette and Rachel think he was dead. Turns out due to a rocky marriage, Jimmy left his family but now wants another chance. Carl convinces Jimmy to tell Harriette and Rachel the truth, he does so, but now this has opened up a box of wounds that Harriette and Rachel are unsure how to process.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: Let's say for the sake of argument...that somehow, you are Harriette and Rachel's father. Why do they think that you're dead?

JIMMY: I was only 18 when I married Darlene...and, man, we had problems from the get-go. She thought it might help if we had kids. But in lots of ways, it just made things worse. I stuck it out for five years... but when Harriette was 3 and Rachel was 1, I bailed out.

CARL: You abandoned them?

JIMMY: I sent money, and I called. But one day, Darlene told me to stop calling. She said she had told Harriette and Rachel... that their father had been shot down over Korea.

CARL: Well, why did she do that?

JIMMY: She said she didn't want her little girls to grow up thinking...that their father had run out on them. Man, and that hurt. I mean, that...

CARL: Well, you know, it's tough for me to sympathize with you, Jimmy. I mean, no marriage is easy. There were many times when I wanted to pull my hair out.

JIMMY: I can see that. I'm sorry, Carl. I'm a little nervous here, you know?

CARL: Well, the point is, I didn't run away.

JIMMY: And for what it's worth, Carl, I wish I hadn't, either.

CARL: Well, why are you here now?

JIMMY: I wanted to see my kids. I wanted to give my grandson a piggyback ride. Well, I'll be leaving tomorrow, and I won't bother you ever again.

CARL: Wait a minute, wait a minute. You mean you're not gonna tell them who you are?

JIMMY: Carl, I can't. I want them to remember me as a hero instead of a heel.

CARL: I see. But you know, Jimmy, it seems to me that you're still only thinking about yourself.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Harriette and Rachel are talking about the pain of knowing that their father was alive all this time and why is he coming to them now. Jo Marie and Telma's acting is phenomenal here, particularly Jo Marie. It's truly a very heartbreaking scene and it gets me teary eyed.

OPINION:

We never did hear anything about Harriette and Rachel's family or parents before this episode, so this was an introduction to find out that they have been so sad not having a father growing up. The way this episode ends, you would think that we would get more Jimmy in future episodes but nope, this is the last time we see or hear of Jimmy. From what I read, the writers did want Paul Winfield to come back for more episodes, but he couldn't make the commitment, and they would change the ending to where he says he couldn't come back, but they didn't like that and decided to stay with the original ending of he and the girls saying they will try to heal their relationship. I'm mixed on that ending because while it is a nice ending, there's no real closure later in the show. I wonder if they could have just hired a different actor or at least have Harriette or Rachel have some throwaway line in a later episode saying they were getting together with Jimmy for lunch.

Paul Winfield does a terrific job as Jimmy and even though his character is horrible, he brings a sympathy to him when you can see he is genuinely trying to connect with the family. Paul Winfield was a marvelous actor who I remember from The Terminator. It's too bad he couldn't do more episodes; I think he would have been a marvelous addition to the cast.

About 3 years later, Fresh Prince of Bel Air would have a similar episode called Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse where Will's deadbeat father comes back. I think the reason why that episode gets more credit than that one is due to the closure of the episode, not to mention that I hate to say it, not every abandoned child gets a happy ending with their parent who left and a nice song to play in the background. Fresh Prince had the message that family isn't just who your biological parent is, it's the people you make family, the people who accept and love you unconditionally. Family Matters has a great message about healing wounds but never actually does any healing.

I don't know, I'm very mixed on this episode. The acting is great and the story is good; it's just due to no future episodes with Jimmy or any mention of Jimmy that taint my view of it. I would love to hear other opinions as well.

GUEST STARS:

• Paul Winfield as Jimmy Baines (RIP in 2004)

Taking Credit (Season 2, Episode 21). When Judy and Richie have a debate on taking credit for making a cake, Rachel wants to teach them a story about taking credit, when to take it and when to give it. She starts with Eddie, Eddie has been doing unusually well in English class. His stories have gotten so good that they even got selected to be in the newspaper. Harriette is thrilled but Laura is confused. It's eventually revealed that Steve has been doing Eddie's homework with the promise that Eddie will be Steve's best friend and they can go camping together. But when Eddie says his friends don't want Steve to go, Steve has had enough and stands up to Eddie saying that he will not be a doormat. Eddie says not only will he tell his mom the truth but that he still wants Steve to hang out with him and go camping. The second story involves Carl and Lt. Murtaugh on a bust, Lt. Murtaugh tells Carl that he needs the bust to get in the good graces of their captain. Carl is treating the bust seriously, but Lt. Murtaugh keeps messing up, Carl is able to make the bust but when the news crew comes to interview them, Carl graciously gives Lt. Murtaugh the credit to look good.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

LT. MURTAUGH: I've met your lovely wife, Hannah...

CARL: Harriette, sir.

LT. MURTAUGH: Your son, Edmund...

CARL: Edward, sir.

LT. MURTAUGH: Your daughter...Leslie?

CARL: Laura.

LT. MURTAUGH: And your sister-in-law, Rachel.

CARL: Rachel, sir.

LT. MURTAUGH: That's what I said. Rachel's very... pretty. Maybe I'll give her a call sometime. How do you think she feels about me?

CARL: Well... Well, I... I am sure that Rachel feels exactly the same way...that I do, sir.

LT. MURTAUGH: Excellent. Even though I know we're on duty here...I think we should be on a first-name basis. That okay with you, Kevin?

CARL: Uh, Carl, sir.

LT. MURTAUGH: Fine.

CARL: Sir, you know, I don't believe I know your first name.

LT. MURTAUGH: It's Lieutenant.

CARL: Excuse me?

LT. MURTAUGH: I had my first name legally changed when I achieved my present rank.

CARL: Sir, what was your name before?

LT. MURTAUGH: Sergeant.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

I think the news segment where Lt. Murtaugh has no clue what to say when the reporters keep asking him questions and he has no clue how to answer. Carl was such an insanely nice guy to not only answer the questions but to give Lt. Murtaugh the credit.

OPINION:

After the last sad and dark episode, we definitely needed a pick up with the comedy, so it was good to laugh again. I know there's a poster on here that is doing a "your least favorite character" survey and it was interesting to see people putting Lt. Murtaugh towards the bottom, I thought a lot of the fans liked him. He's always a joy for me and makes me laugh in almost every scene he's in. Barry Jenner had great straight comedic timing. I loved how dirty Lt. Murtaugh could be, but he also recognizes when someone has done something kind and will thank that person for it. He could have been a jerk to Carl and just walked away without thanking Carl for giving him the credit for the bust, but he does thank and hug him, which makes Lt. Murtaugh likable. I always get a laugh out of his and Carl's conversations and how Lt. Murtaugh blows the bust and yells at Carl he should have warned him about the bad guys stealing the merchandise before getting shot at. As Carl said "I dodged bullets while you got donuts, it evens out" 🤣

I think this is the first time we see Steve really stand up for himself, at least against Eddie. It was interesting to see Steve be so non-chalant about helping Eddie out and not getting any of the credit for his good work. I'm glad he stood up to Eddie though when Eddie tried to bail on Steve for the camping trip. Even as a kid though I wondered if Eddie only was nice because there was a good chance he was going to be grounded and not be allowed to go camping. The story just seemed to end too cleanly: Eddie bails on Steve, Steve stands up for himself, Eddie says Steve is right, he'll tell the truth and Steve is still going camping? But still it's a nice story with a good moral attached to it. So, over all this is an enjoyable episode and I always get a good laugh out of Carl and Lt. Murtaugh's story line.

GUEST STARS:

• Barry Jenner as Lt. Murtaugh (RIP in 2016)
• Christopher Darga as Reporter #1
• Mary Ingersoll as Reporter #2 (RIP in 2005)

Fight the Good Fight (Season 2, Episode 20). Laura is at school while they are learning about black history during black history month and is really enjoying it. She finds out a lot of interesting facts and wonders why they don't teach black history more often and asks the school if there can be a black history course offered in the curriculum. The school board says if she gets a petition going, they will consider it. She and Steve are getting a lot of signatures but the petition backfires when Laura goes to her locker and sees it open with a hate note telling her if she wants black history to go back to Africa, even worse is she closes her locker and someone spray painted the N word on her locker. She comes home devastated, humiliated and feeling defeated and mentions that now all the kids are hating each other because of what happened. Mother Winslow takes Laura to the side and tells a powerful story about how when she was a child she got her library card from a whites only library, that her going there every day made a difference and for Laura not to give up. Laura gets the strength and courage to try once again to get the school to unite, she, Maxine and Steve post black history facts on the wall in the cafeteria and it seems to actually bring the kids together and start talking peacefully again.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

ESTELLE : Laura, when I was about your age, I loved to read. Just like you. But our little town only had one library and it was for whites only.

LAURA: You couldn't check out a book?

ESTELLE: I couldn't even go in. And even then I knew it wasn't right. So one day, I decided to do something about it. So I walked in the library. Sugar, I couldn't believe my eyes. There were thousands of books just sitting there waiting to be read.

LAURA: Did they let you take one?

ESTELLE: The librarian, a white man that I had known all my life, pushed me out into the street and told me never to come back.

LAURA: Did you cry?

ESTELLE: All the way home. And the next day, I cried all the way back to the library.

LAURA: You went back?

ESTELLE: Every day for six months. People stopped and stared. They called me names, and some even spit at me.

LAURA: Weren't you scared?

ESTELLE: Was I ever. And sometimes I was sorry I ever started the whole thing. But I didn't quit. Finally, one rainy day, I walked in dripping wet. And that same man that pushed me out shook his head and gave me a library card.

LAURA: Wow.

ESTELLE: And from that day on, everybody could use that library. Sugar, I realize you're having a hard time, but you've got to stand up for whatever you believe in or things will never change. This library card... is proof that one person can make a difference.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

It is in my favorite quote, but I have to say it again, Mother Winslow's whole speech to Laura. I couldn't trim it or pick a different quote because this is easily one of my favorite moments of the entire show. Rosetta just knocks it out of the ballpark with her performance and when we talk about moments in the show that can make you cry, this one always gets me. I'm even getting a little teary eyed as I type this review.

OPINION:

Racism is a very tough topic to touch and handle, especially in America. We are still to this day deal with a lot, but that's a topic I do not wish to discuss right now because I want to focus on the show. But this episode came out not even a year before the LA riots and was not even 2 weeks aired before the Rodney King beating, so even at the time America was dealing with a lot of tension. I don't know if we will ever get past it.

I'm back onto the show, this is easily one of my favorite episodes if not my favorite, it's definitely in my top 3. The whole cast does a phenomenal job of acting, but the gold goes to Rosetta followed by Kellie. Harriette and Carl bring up the pain of being children when racism was more open towards them, they were dealing with the protests, the assination of Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X and were fighting for equal rights. Mother Winslow was being raised when segregation was legal and it was perfectly fine, even necessary, to treat African Americans less than human. I can't imagine how hard this must have been for Rosetta, Jo Marie and Reginald to bring this subject up and what they must have endured growing up.

Another thing was bringing this tough subject into the home. When I was a child (I'm white BTW) one of my dad's best friends (RIP Willie) was black and he had a daughter Jennifer, who is still my friend to this day, but she came over and her color was never even an issue to me. What the heck is racism? I love her very much and being a child, we don't look at color ever. Hate is taught. This episode I'm sure caused a lot of discussions, as uncomfortable as it is, we need to learn that this was wrong. I know there were some reruns that cut the scene with the N word on Laura's locker out which I didn't like because it hammered home more how ignorant and horrible people can be.

This is a fantastic episode and always makes me cry. The acting, the writing and directing is just top notch and shows that Family Matters was more than just a silly sit-com. It could handle tough subjects and in a very mature way that could open up conversations. I'm sorry this one went on a little long, I just love this episode very much.

GUEST STARS:

• Cherie Johnson as Maxine Johnson
• Clyde Kusatsu as Principal Edgar Shimata
• Susan Krebs as Ms. Steuben
• Patrick J. Pieters as Gary
• Jay Bradford as Mark
• David Markus as Darryl

Life of the Party (Season 2, Episode 18). Maxine is throwing a party on her rooftop and everyone is going, including a few party crashers that include Willie Fuffner and Waldo Faldo. Maxine is thrilled she has party crashers but Laura is concerned when they show that they brought alcohol. Steve comes to the party as well and notices no one is dancing so he takes the girls by the hand and does THE URKEL DANCE 🕺💃Apparently the stereo has the song available and everyone knows the choreography immediately, that's how cool the dance is and it really gets the party going. Willie is upset that Steve stole the party and spikes Steve's drink. Steve gets drunk and is wondering around the rooftop eventually falling down and hanging from the building. Thankfully Rachel is there and tightrope walks across the building to save Steve. Meanwhile, the family is trying to decide where they want to go for vacation and finally give into Carl's dream vacation and goes fishing at Lake Geneva.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

HARRIETTE: Oh, Carl, we've decided where to go on our vacation.

CARL: Oh, you have. Have you? You know, I come home from a hard day of fighting crime...and do I hear, "Hi, Carl, could I get you some trail mix?" No, I do not. Well, I guess my vote doesn't count around here. But may I remind you two that I bring home... darn close to 50 percent of this family's bacon.

ESTELLE: And you eat darn close to 90 percent.

CARL: Well, thank you for those kind words, Mother. But I am merely trying to point out... that whenever vacation time rolls around... my desires, my wishes are never even considered. And why? Because I don't matter, do I, Harriette? I don't matter. Once, just once, can we go where I'd like to go? All I'm asking for is one measly little week... at one measly little lake.

HARRIETTE: Carl, Carl? Cork it. We already made a reservation.

CARL: You already made a reservation. Typical. Well, let's see what hellhole you're dragging me to this time. Lake Geneva?

HARRIETTE: Yes. We all decided that it would be nice if for once we went...where you wanted to go.

CARL: Well... Gee, thanks, guys. That's swell.

ESTELLE: Especially since you've always been so gracious about not getting your own way.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

Yeah, it's easy, it's the Urkel dance. Call it cheesy and very 90's, but that's what makes it so special and iconic. Like I mentioned it's just too funny how the radio is already playing the song and the party goers already know the dance 🤣 Of course this dance became huge due to Urkel mania and it was performed also in another TGIF show Step by Step as well as Jaleel White performing with Bea Arthur at the American Comedy Awards which is available on YouTube, how could you not love Bea doing that with Jaleel?

OPINION:

So an interesting fact that I came across is that Larenz Tate and Shawn Harrison were both offered contracts after this episode. Larenz turned it down (so this is the last time we see or hear of Fuffner, he must have gotten life in prison for that spiked drink) and Shawn of course accepted making him a soon to be main cast member. I wonder what the show would have been like if both he and Larez would have said yes. I always found it interesting that no one ever brought up or threw in Waldo's face on how he helped spiked Steve's drink considering that it almost killed him.

Speaking of which we have 2 episodes in a row where Steve is hanging from a tall height that could kill him. First Carl had to save him and now Rachel...I'd say Steve owes the Winslows a big one. Again, the writers were just trying to put some excitement in the show, but at least this one was a little more believable where people who are drunk tend to do stupid things. Small flaw but I was curious how again very smart Steve Urkel couldn't tell that his drink was spiked? I go with it for the sake of the show but come on, there's no way he couldn't have smelled or tasted the alcohol.

Laura got on my nerves a small bit in this episode, I get the writers definitely had to have Laura not drink and show she's a good kid, but was it necessary for her to stand there and give Willie and Waldo dirty looks while she's not enjoying the party? I remember being a teenager and there were kids who brought alcohol to parties I went too. For personal reasons, I don't drink, but I never gave dirty looks to those who did. You gotta love Laura lecturing Willie and Waldo while they are getting arrested as well 🤣 But I get it, the writers had to remind younger viewers the dangers of alcohol. From what I've heard a lot of shows had to have an "after school message" or a "very special episode" which was in deal with the American government and it helped get more funding for the shows. I loved hearing that because of all people, I love Hollywood lecturing the public on how to behave considering how much drugs, alcohol and bad behavior they do in 1 day 🤣

To sum up though I really still enjoy this episode. I loved how Carl behaved before finding out the family wanted to surprise him with the vacation he wanted. Despite how silly the situation is, I love the whole party sequence because after sticking out my pelvis I found out that it's better than Elvis, DO THE URKEL DANCE! 💃🕺❤️

GUEST STARS:

• Cherie Johnson as Maxine Johnson
• Shawn Harrison as Waldo Geraldo Faldo
• Larenz Tate as Willie Fuffner
• Robert Balderson as Cop

Busted (Season 2, Episode 19). While Eddie is driving, he scratches the car and gets estimates, he thinks he can get the car fixed before Carl notices. He needs money fast and asks Steve who is tapped out, but Steve brings up the idea going to an illegal casino due to the Urkels having massive good luck when it comes to gambling. Eddie gets excited, Steve is hesitant until Eddie tells him they'll be best friends. They go the casino and are up in thousands and thousands of dollars, right when Eddie wants to leave, the casino is raided by the police and Eddie and Steve are arrested. Meanwhile, Harriette and Rachel's Aunt Clotilda has passed away and come home with her ashes to help spread over Lake Michigan later on. Mother Winslow was cleaning the fireplace and has ashes in a garbage bin to the side. As the ladies leave the room, Carl comes home seeing the urn thinking it's a candy jar and accidentally drops it in the garbage bin mixing Aunt Clotilda with the log ashes. After realizing what he did, he doesn't tell Harriette at first, he just mixes the ashes together to spread on Lake Michigan.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: Now Edward, stop looking around for Steve. He's having the same discussion with his father. Now let me get this straight, you dented the car then instead of admitting to it, you got yourself involved in gambling. Does that about cover it?

EDDIE: Yes, sir.

CARL: Sit down, Edward. Edward Arthur Winslow, son, I'm ashamed of you. Don't you know when you make a mistake, you fess up to it? Trying to cover it up only makes things worse.

EDDIE: Yes, sir.

CARL: But, apparently you seem want to learn it the hard way. Well, so be it. You're grounded for three weeks and you are to stay away from my car until it learns self-defense. Okay hit the sack. Well that's taken care of.

HARRIETTE: Now let me get this straight. You dumped one of my relatives in a Hefty bag. Then instead of admitting it, you let us spread a log in Lake Michigan. Does that about cover it?

CARL: Yes, ma'am.

HARRIETTE: Sit down, Carl. Carl. Carl Otis Winslow, I'm ashamed of you. When you make a mistake, fess up to it! Trying to cover it up only makes things worse.

CARL: Yes ma'am.

HARRIETTE: But, apparently, you seem to want to learn these things the hard way. So be it. You're taking me to dinner at Chez Josephine's.

CARL: Yes, ma'am.

HARRIETTE: Okay, let's hit the sack.

CARL: Yes, ma'am!

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Carl fesses up to Harriette and says "Harriette, darling, honey bunch..." my husband loves this clip so much that if he messes up he does the exact same thing except says "Kristine, darling, honey bunch..." 🤣 I think because he knows this clip makes me laugh so it's a good way to lighten if he did something wrong 🤣

OPINION:

So it's only been a few episodes and Eddie still hasn't learned from his gambling problem. He almost got beat up the last time, now he's been arrested...I wonder if he'll learn this time? 😒 I have a feeling we will be revisiting this problem again in the future. But at least his addiction makes for an amusing plot line. I do get such a kick out of the casino scene, especially when Steve is making up a rhyme before he throws the dice. He is just too funny and at least Steve is smart and it only takes him once to learn this was wrong and has no gambling problem in the future. Although I would have just waited till I was 21 and make it rich with his good luck 🤣Darius and Jaleel really have good chemistry and I love when they are put together.

So for the sake of the show, I have to buy that Carl really has never seen an urn before. Not to mention the way he was so "surprised" by his daughter saying hi to him causing him to drop the urn in the garbage can. But that's how a lot of those shows went, you just had to go with the flow despite how contrived the situation can be. But it makes for a hilarious B-Story. Like I mentioned before my husband quotes this scene a lot and loves the name Aunt Clotilda. Rachel losing while she and Harriette are coming into the house with the urn always gets me too. Again, it's funny to me how contrived it is considering they say that they never met her...did this woman have any actual family or friends that would miss her? 🤣 But you gotta love when Carl fesses up about the ashes and says he'll make it up to Harriette and she shouts "HOW?!" 🤣 And like my favorite quote today, because it's so long, I love the whole closing speech Carl gives to Eddie about right and wrong and then Harriette following up with the same speech.

It's a lot to buy for an episode but it's hilarious and I do love this one very much!

GUEST STARS:

• Felicia M. Bell as Woman
• John Mariano as Stickman
• Ken Kerman as Cop (RIP in 2009)
• Tom Milanovich as Guard (RIP in 2003)
• Georgy Paul as Mom
• Jeri Gray as Older Lady in Casino (RIP in 1997)

https://youtu.be/OSKmsgwC46M

High Hopes (Season 2, Episode 17). Carl had a horrible day at work when he finds out that he has a severe fear of heights that stopped him from doing his job. Lt. Murtaugh suggests therapy, the doctor is telling Carl to take one step at a time and gradually go up several flights of stairs, but Steve has a different suggestion, treat the fear like a BAND-AID and rip it off. So Steve takes Carl hot balloon sailing, Carl decides to go for it. While they are waiting for their instructor to grab a map, Steve is curious what the pull string does on the balloon and pulls it, which lifts the balloon into the air. So Carl and Steve are now stuck in the air until the balloon deflates but Carl has to come to terms with his fear when Steve is almost knocked out of the basket by a jet. Meanwhile at home, Harriette gets a phone call from a radio station where they ask her what is the song playing on the radio, Rachel knows the answer and gives it. Harriette wins the car, but now it's a question of who gets the car since Rachel got the answer, but Harriette got the phone call. In the end they decide to sell the car and split the funds for the family.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

LT. MURTAUGH: You look familiar.

STEVE: We met once. You showed me a picture of your dog.

LT. MURTAUGH: Right.

STEVE: So, how is old Bloodfang?

LT. MURTAUGH: He's dead.

STEVE: I'm sorry.

LT. MURTAUGH: Yeah, like that's gonna bring him back.

STEVE: They actually give this guy bullets?

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Carl is trying to take the height fear step by step, he's only a few feet from the ground but Steve comes in and distracts Carl and Carl falls on Steve and nearly flattens him 🤣

OPINION:

So, one of my favorite movies is Wolf of Wall Street and Family Matters has been one of my favorite shows since I was a kid. I was watching Wolf of Wall Street when it came out and got such a kick that during the quaaludes scene Jordon and Donny were watching this episode of Family Matters 🤣 Back onto the episode. Although I like the episode, this one makes me angry with Steve. I know they have to have some exciting situations happen in the show, but when someone has a fear of heights, you don't tell them to conquer their fear by taking them thousands of feet into the air to "get over it". My husband has a huge fear of heights, and we vacationed to London last year and got to the eye of London that my husband wanted to try with me. As soon as we approached it, he turned white🤣 But I told him I'd do it by myself, because doing that to someone who has a fear of heights is just cruel. But show has to show so again I just have to go with it. Also, I'm not sure I buy that Steve was that stupid to pull the lever that lifts the balloon. So in general, I'm always mixed on this plot line.

As for Harriette and Rachel, I loved the compromise at the end, it worked best. But if I were to pick, I think Rachel probably deserved the car more, Harriette did answer the phone but Rachel could have easily picked the phone. Rachel had the correct answer and if it wasn't for her, they wouldn't have won anything. But Jo Marie and Telma have such good chemistry and act like real sisters. Their fights are always so petty but very funny. Overall, it's an ok episode, just not one of my favorites due to the mass amount of "pleasures of disbeliefs" that throws me. There are some genuine good laughs in this episode and it is exciting to watch with Carl and Steve trying to figure out how to get the balloon down and the episode has heart with Harriette and Rachel's compromise. But I would love to hear other opinions on this episode as well ❤️

GUEST STARS:

• Barry Jenner as Lt. Murtaugh (RIP in 2016)
• Jim Doughan as Jimmy

https://youtu.be/lP64S9lt1Qs?is=oHviwGdNA0rLVcwK

Came across this on YouTube and thought it was a pretty interesting concept.

It’s basically a psychological horror/thriller reimagining of Steve Urkel from Family Matters.

What do y’all think? Could a concept like this actually work as a TV series?

Ice Station Winslow (Season 2, Episode 14). Carl is looking to spend more time with Eddie and asks him to go ice fishing with him. Eddie, who has been hanging out with his friends more, is reluctant but goes with Carl. Steve overhears about the trip and decides to come with. As they are ice fishing, Eddie is just miserable and wants to go home and Steve keeps annoying Carl with his knowledge of why they are not successful with ice fishing. Eddie complains again and Carl says they are going home, Steve tells Eddie to stop whining, Eddie gets mad and chases Steve which causes the ice to crack and Carl falls underneath. Eddie and Steve need to think quickly, Steve being the lightest asks Eddie to hold onto his feet as he pulls Carl from the ice-cold water and they go home. Meanwhile, at home while the guys are on the trip Judy is upset that Richie is getting all the attention. She and Laura have a talk about how tough it can be to be the older sibling but what good comes from it with the younger kid looking up to their older family member.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

HARRIETTE: You're old.

CARL: You didn't say I was old last night.

HARRIETTE: No, you went to sleep before I could say anything.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Steve and Eddie save Carl from the ice water. I think this was our first major life-threatening scene and it's pretty intense, has good choreography and excellent acting. Great job to Reginald, Darius and Jaleel.

OPINION:

This episode marks a couple of firsts: I think this was the first time the Winslows travelled out of Chicago for the show, this is the first time we see Eddie taking Carl for granted and this was the first life threatening situation where someone could have died. Carl really wants to hang out with Eddie but Eddie is now a teenager who wants to hang out with his friends, which is very normal. I think a lot of us experienced that growing up, I remember my dad being offended the first time I didn't want to hang out with him and wanted to be with my friends. It's just a part of growing up. Too bad Carl couldn't just ask him to go to a car show since we almost lost him. Steve and Eddie are put into a very tough situation and think as quickly as they can to save Carl. This is actually kind of a traumatic episode when you think about it. Judy actually gets a storyline again! You can tell the writers were trying as she was getting older to give her some kind of storyline, she just wasn't as interesting as Eddie or Laura. I hate to say this, but Jamie also didn't have as strong of acting skills as the rest of the cast. But to be fair, I don't think she was given many chances to practice. Say what you will that it was strange that Jamie was taken off the show and I know there are a lot of #justice4Judy fans out there, but I get the reason why she was written off. You have to admit, this wasn't a strong storyline for her. It seemed like they were always writing her into some kind of story with Richie and the writers just partnered them up for "random cute little kid" moment of the show just to fit it in. But still I do feel bad for Jamie that it didn't work out for her. Overall, this is still a very good episode and exciting, but as we all know, there will be more life-threatening situations to come in the future.

GUEST STARS:

• Shawn Harrison as Waldo Geraldo Faldo
• Michael Chambers as Himself

Son (Season 2, Episode 15). Rachel asks Carl if he could build a toy play house for Richie and Carl needs his screwdriver to do so. He asks Eddie if he was the last to use the tools, Eddie says yes but doesn't remember what he did with them and refuses to help Carl look for the screwdriver because he has a date he's trying to get ready for. Carl gets mad at Eddie's bad attitutde and lack of respect towards him and grounds Eddie preventing him from going on his date. Eddie sneaks out anyways and when he comes home, he finds Carl has been waiting for him. After a huge fight, Eddie is threatening to leave the house. Harriette begs Carl to calm down and talk to Eddie but both men are still very upset with each other. Harriette tells Eddie about the day he was born: it was a winter night with a bad blizzard that wouldn't allow Harriette and Carl to get to the hospital to give birth to Eddie. Carl and Harriette somehow manage and Harriette gives birth in the house to a healthy boy, Eddie. Carl tells Eddie how much he loves him and will do everything he can to be a good dad. Eddie in the present asks Carl if he really meant that, Carl admits he lost his temper, Eddie apologizes for his lack of respect and Eddie stays home.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: I took a class once. The baby was plastic. I put him on the radiator and he melted. (HARRIETTE SCREAMS) What happened? Tell me what to do.

HARRIETTE: Go boil some water.

CARL: Good idea. I could use some coffee. (HARRIETTE SCREAMS) Oh. Tea? Cocoa? Sweetheart, I'll drink anything you want.

HARRIETTE: Carl. Carl, the baby's coming. Hand me a pillow.

CARL: Pillow. Pillow. Pillow. I can't find a pillow! Harriette, you're falling off the couch! Get it together, babe! All right. What else you want me to do for you?

HARRIETE: Let's breathe. Let's breathe. Breathe, Carl. Breathe. Let's breathe, we're breathing.

CARL: I love you, honey.

HARRIETTE: I love you too. But you're never touching me again.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

My favorite funny moment is when Steve starts reading the building instructions for the playhouse in Korean and even points out there are 3 misspelled words. 🤣My favorite moment in general though is Carl's speech to Eddie, it's just so sweet and beautiful. I'm not a parent myself but I've been there for the birth of my friend's children and it's such a miraculous moment, you can't help but get the feels for the new life that's been brought into the world.

OPINION:

I think Eddie's birthday changed here, I think in the first season it was October, now it's January. 🤣 Gotta love that continuity, I don't fault the writers, it's not like they rewatch the episodes taking notes, it's just always funny when you're watching on a binge and notice these things. Steve did feel little shoehorned into the story because we really don't get much of the family except for Carl, Eddie, Harriette and Rachel. You can tell where the producers were starting to go with this. However, it's still a really wonderful episode. I loved the flashback with Carl and Harriette being newlyweds and how horrified they were that they couldn't get to the hospital. Again Reginald and Jo Marie just had terrific chemistry and could make a terrifying situation hilarious and memorable. I loved Carl's speech to Eddie, it's a very sweet moment. Again, gotta love Hollywood where newborn Eddie is already opening his eyes after not being born just a few moments earlier 🤣 But still it makes for a really beautiful moment. Eddie really can be a jerk, but it's a teenager thing, I think we have all experienced being a teenager and disobeying our parents. Being a teenager can be tough at times because you're old enough where you want to start doing more things and be more independent, but you're still young where your parents still tell you what to do. But I love that he and Carl come to their senses and make up in the end.

GUEST STARS:

• Lawrence Cook as Doctor (RIP in 2003)