Family Ties (1982)

Episode Overview

When Uncle Rob's daughter Marilyn spends the night with a Marine she met during her visit to the Keatons, the family realizes the extent of her unresolved anger towards her father stemming from her parents' divorce. Rob is left shocked and hurt, while the Keatons recognize that communication between him and Marilyn has completely fallen apart. The next morning, when Marilyn returns home and shuts down any conversation with her dad, the Keatons step in to mediate. Elyse takes the family out for "a walk," leaving Steven to talk with Rob about his guilt over the divorce and his anxiety about facing Marilyn. Tensions rise further when Marilyn attempts to leave early for her mother's place, leading to a heated argument with Rob. Feeling distressed, Rob finally confronts Marilyn to have an open conversation. As he expresses his feelings, she finds it hard to resist his genuine love and concern.