MovieChat Forums > Family Ties (1982) Discussion > 'Uncle Arthur' makes a play at Mallory! ...

'Uncle Arthur' makes a play at Mallory! Wow.

posted 12 years ago by GotMilk00
30 replies | jump to latest

I just saw a Family Ties episode recently on the Hub called "Don't Kiss Your Uncle Arthur" (I'm pretty sure it's season 1). Steven's longtime friend Arthur (he's so close to the family, the kids call him "Uncle Arthur") makes a pass at Mallory. While alone with her once, he remarks how much older and more beautiful the now-teenage Mallary looks. Then he gives her a crazy hug and awkward tap on the rear. Later he apologizes but makes matters worse when he kisses her.

Wow. REALLY inappropriate. Turns out "Uncle Arthur" was a creep. Looks like Family Ties took on serious topic with this one, but it seemed like Justine Bateman did a good job portaying the confusion/devastation Mallory would feel. Also, I'd think this episode would actually be uncomfortable for Bateman as an actress of that age to be involved in those type of scenes with a middle-aged guy. Well-executed but disturbing episode. Arthur needs help. And if I was Steven, instead of just telling Arthur that, I would have punched him in the face (pacifist or not).

[–] Mister_Anderson 12 years ago

Family Ties had its share of serious episodes. And Steven did punch someone once, Alex's jerk teacher, although that was actually a comedic episode.

MOVIES BY THE MINUTE --> http://moviesbytheminute.blogspot.com

[–] magellan333 12 years ago

I thought Uncle Arthur really got a free pass with Steve and Elyse when they found out what happened. All it took was an apology and an understanding he was going through hard times. We all have our rough patches, but to resort to pursuing underage women who we previously thought of family is a bit extreme.

[–] pantherfan99 12 years ago

I don't remember that episode

Boston and Philly love to slander us, but they don't have as many fans as us

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Wardman3 12 years ago

Obviously it was a very superficial resolution that was only touched upon very lightheartedly... It was 1982 and it was a different time... This wouldnt be portrayed this way today... Actually its kinda sad that this is how they handled it meaning that the prevalence and social awareness of such issues in 1982 is nothing like today where it is so pervasive in society

[–] GotMilk00 11 years ago

I thought Uncle Arthur really got a free pass with Steve and Elyse when they found out what happened. All it took was an apology and an understanding he was going through hard times. We all have our rough patches, but to resort to pursuing underage women who we previously thought of family is a bit extreme. [/quote}

Exactly.

[quote] Obviously it was a very superficial resolution that was only touched upon very lightheartedly... It was 1982 and it was a different time... This wouldnt be portrayed this way today... Actually its kinda sad that this is how they handled it meaning that the prevalence and social awareness of such issues in 1982 is nothing like today where it is so pervasive in society

Right again.

It's actually weird that the show would even put Bateman in position to do this kind of creepy episode.

[–] Der_Schnibbler 11 years ago

If you haven't noticed, an apology is usually all it takes in this show, since it is completely foolish and unrealistic. Only someone who grew up in a playpen could take these scenarios seriously.

--
"Den Gleichen Gleiches, den Ungleichen Ungleiches."

[–] animositisomina35 11 years ago

These cheesy 80s shows should have left subjects like pedophilia, drug abuse, and racism alone. They just handled these subjects rather clumsilly and ended up having no lasting impact. They are now just ripe for parody and are cringeworthy if you try to take them at face value.

[–] jason-m-cook 11 years ago

It resulted in that really bizarre moment when Elyse reveals on the air during their PBS pledge drive that Arthur tried to seduce Mallory. Which was played for laughs.

[–] happipuppi13 11 years ago

I do recall this episode,from watching
it then and having just seen it on DVD about 3 weeks ago.

It was a pretty shocking episode for the time and Arthur knowing he needs to seek help may seem like an easy answser today but that's the stuff of TV sitcoms. We like the character at first,as do the Keatons but then we see this side of the man.

He obviously has troubles in his life and he's more than likely lonely (to put in a G-rated context). He let's these things out in a very inappropriate manner but can't stop himself.

Steven punching Arthur would be no solution to the problem,all that does is make matters worse. A person who is usually good by nature and makes a mistake deserves a chance to redeem themselvs and make up for it.

Steve & Elyse,being the people they are,"are" angry at first but strongly reccomned to Arthur that he has a serious problem and should seek help for it. We of course never know if he actaully did so or ..if he did,can they ever trust him again?

These days,we tend to throw away people who make mistakes once and they never get a chance to show that they understand their error and they can change themselves and move forward. ..but it seems from what I;'ve observed,no one wants to give anyone the benefit of the doubt anymore.

A pretty sad statement on our so called "modern" society.

MAN! One dream's come true,ready for another.
(MR.) happipuppi13 *arf,man!*!

[–] Lets_talk_about_that 11 years ago

In general, I too believe in second chances. But I also understand & can "feel" the essential gravity of certain transgressions: some are not so bad, others are so intrinsically awful that they are, perhaps, unforgivable. And many are somewhere in between those two extremes on the spectrum.

Making a pass at a teenage girl is forgivable.
But going through with molesting or raping a child is not. That's one of those pesky "mistakes" that once you do it, you will never, ever be looked at the same way again...if people can even bear to look at you at all. When you commit a "mistake" like that, you forfeit your right to even be called a human being IMO. Sorry.

I think Uncle Arthur deserves help and a second chance. :-)

Go scratch!

[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

sha la la la!!!

Aloha, Mr. Hand.

[–] popzeus78 10 years ago

[–] pioneergrrrl (2389) 10 months ago

there are two more creepy episodes

One from the very first season when Alex loses his virginity--to a college student while he is still in high school. He is underage but bc he is a guy there is no warning etc. It's just oh, this is live and let live.

And then ep i just very recently saw (twice actually) where a co-worker of Elyse's says he has a fixation on her even though she is married? He even tells Steven about this fixation in their house?? Maybe it's bc stalking etc is perceived differently now but this doesn't come off as 'charming'. It would make work very difficult too.

[–] tamyabonet2 10 years ago

I just watched this episode today on netflix season 1 and hated it. I hated how the parents handled this, Had it been my father he would have seriously beat that guy up or call the police on him and definitely stopped being his friend. The keatons basically told him to get help, like a slap on the hand. I didn't like the fact either that elyse didn't bother telling steven initially what happened, that should have been the first thing she should have done.

I also didn't like how alex was trying to rationalize arthurs behavior where as now, i think most teen older brothers would know to beat the sh8t out of some man thats molesting his younger sister.

very disappointed with this episode though

[–] Crossingthegulf 10 years ago

I think they also went too easy on Ned after his assault on Alex. Yes Arthur got off easier but both needed to turned into the police.

[–] KennyG420 9 years ago

It was very creepy!!! Saw it today for the first time on Netflix. At first from reading title I thought it was Steven's brother lol
But for Mallory as a 15 year old to kiss a 40 year old dude lol

"I left my heart in England, with the girl I left behind".

[–] andromache3 9 years ago

Arthur was a freaking predator. Remember, Mallory spoke to Arthur about how she felt when he inappropriately touched her, he pretended to understand, "apologised", then grabbed her and kissed her passionately. Poor Mallory! Elyse and Steven should've had the creep charged with indecent assault and taken out a restraining order on their daughter's behalf. How could they ever trust that slime to ever be alone with their children again?

Don't let anyone ever make you feel like you don't deserve what you want.

[–] Darthmauler_megaa 9 years ago

Yeah it was probably a little naive to just assume he'd get help. I think they didn't know as much about these problems back then.

"Our knowledge has made us cynical. Our cleverness, hard and unkind."

[–] hubcap18 9 years ago

I just watched that episode a couple of days ago. It was pretty brave for a new show, a sitcom, to tackle that kind of subject so early in tits run. It's probably my favorite episode.

_______
The sun is shining... but the ice is slippery.

[–] prolia705 9 years ago

Bill Cosby LOVED this episode.

[–] wilsonandrewc 9 years ago

Arthur should be in jail because what he did to Mallory was illegal.

[–] McGannahanSkjellyfetti 9 years ago

Was that the one with Tom Hanks being all drunk and then he slaps the air in front of Alex causing Alex to fly 50 feet backwards?

[–] andromache3 8 years ago

No that's a different episode. That was with Tom Hanks playing Elyse's brother and it turned out he was an alcoholic (and an abusive drunk).

In this episode, Arthur was a family friend (though the kids called him "uncle") but the point is, the kids trusted him. He then made two passes at Mallory. This jerk violated the poor girl's trust and Mallory actually felt guilty as if she'd led him on. Actually I think Elyse did turn mama bear but I felt like Steven was way too taciturn. I'd have kicked that douchebag's arse.

Don't let anyone ever make you feel like you don't deserve what you want.

[–] jefgg 8 years ago

Family Ties wasn't the right kind of show to deal with serious issues like that.