"Heartstrings, Pt. 1" is the fifth episode in the seventh season of the NBC family sitcom Family Ties. It originally aired on December 4, 1988, and is the hundred-and-fifty-fifth episode of the series overall.
Synopsis[]
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[]
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.
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Meredith Baxter as Elyse Keaton
- Michael Gross as Steven Keaton
- Michael J. Fox as Alex P. Keaton
- Justine Bateman as Mallory Keaton
- Tina Yothers as Jennifer Keaton
- Brian Bonsall as Andrew Keaton
Guest Starring[]
- Christina Pickles as Ruth Hobart
- Philip Baker Hall as Dr. Harrison
- Richard Kuss as Mr. Meyers
- Margaret A. Marx as Young Elyse
- Michael David Wright as Young Steven
- Carolyn Mignini as Peggy Vincent
- Bever-Leigh Banfield as Nurse
Co-Starring[]
Quotes[]
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 ".
- Billy Morrissette plays a waiter. The actor appears again as Paul in "The Job Not Taken ".
Gallery[]
