"Return of the Native" is the twenty-seventh episode in the sixth season of the NBC family sitcom Family Ties. It originally aired on March 20, 1988, and is the hundred-and-forty-ninth episode of the series overall.
Synopsis[]
The Keatons' cousin arrives to tell of her adventures abroad, but she can't seem to get a word in edgewise.
Plot[]
Cousin June (Danielle von Zerneck) returns to the United States after three years abroad in England. She has lots to tell, but the entire family has stories of their own. Jennifer is doing a science project with her boyfriend Adam and arrives only late in the episode.
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[]
- Danielle von Zerneck as June
Co-Starring[]
Flashbacks[]
- "Love Thy Neighbor" - Jennifer "all grown up" with Scott.
- "The Fifth Wheel" - Alex loses Jennifer at a card game.
- "Sweet Lorraine" - Alex goes on a blind date with a much older woman
- "4 Rms Ocn Vu" - A house filled with people
- "The Harder They Fall" - Elyse goes for Parent/Teacher Conferences.
- "Birth of a Keaton" - Elyse is just about to go into labor.
Quotes[]
Trivia[]
- Because the episode was filmed in Season 3 but aired during Season 6, Andrew is still a baby.
- Elyse is busy cleaning the living room while waiting for Cousin June to arrive. She sweeps the dirt under the rug.
- Jennifer's fruit flies don't want to mate, so Elyse asks if they'll put on some Johnny Mathis records. Steven answers, "Chances are" (the title of a hit song sung by Mathis). Mathis, of course, sings the Family Ties theme song "Without Us", with Deniece Williams.