"Heartstrings, Pt. 2" is the sixth episode in the seventh season of the NBC family sitcom Family Ties. It originally aired on December 11, 1988, and is the hundred-and-fifty-sixth episode of the series overall.
Synopsis[]
The Keatons gets a scary reminder of what might be ahead as Steven's heart bypass operation goes longer than expected.
Plot[]
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.
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[]
- Courteney Cox as Lauren Miller
- Scott Valentine as Nick Moore
- Christina Pickles as Ruth Hobart
- Philip Baker Hall as Dr. Harrison
- Carolyn Mignini as Peggy Vincent
- Margaret A. Marx as Young Elyse
- Michael David Wright as Young Steven
- Richard Kuss as Mr. Meyers
- Jo Jean Pagano as Nurse
- John Moseley as Surgical Assistant
- Linda Klein as Anesthesiologist
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".
- In the flashback to Jacob's death, Steven mentions baby Andrew Keaton. But when Jacob died on August 3, 1984, Andy hadn't been born yet.
Gallery[]
