"My Tutor" is the seventh episode in the fourth season of the NBC family sitcom Family Ties. It originally aired on November 14, 1985, and is the seventy-fifth episode of the series overall.
Synopsis[]
Alex hires a 13-year-old tutor, Eugene Forbes, to help him bring his grade up in advanced geometry from an 89% to 90%. However, Eugene is immediately distracted when he meets Jennifer, and he struggles to learn how to take a break from being an intellectual genius and to be a 13-year-old kid. Meanwhile, Steven is struggling to keep the family's spending in check.
Plot[]
Alex needs help with his Advanced Geometry class at Leland. His professor recommends a tutor, who turns out be thirteen-year-old genius Eugene Forbes (played by River Phoenix). Alex is quite intimidated by the boy's knowledge and accomplishments, but recognizes that his only hope for a good grade is to work with Eugene.
Eugene, however, recognizing that his abilities have never given him the chance to grow up, falls in love with Jennifer at first sight. She politely (but against her wishes) attends a math department reception with him. There Eugene shows himself for the thirteen-year-old that he is. Later, he and Jennifer decide to do some things that normal teens would enjoy.
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
Guest Starring[]
- Tracy Pollan as Ellen Reed
- River Phoenix as Eugene Forbes
- Peter Hobbs as Walter Jenkins
- Kim Sebastian as Eunice
- Chip Hammack as Ronald
Co-Starring[]
Quotes[]
Trivia[]
- Parts of this episode are used as a flashback in "The American Family".
Gallery[]
