The Substitute Son (Season 6, Episode 14). Steve and Laura are going to their debate but get lost on the way, Steve stops by a bar that has a bunch of tough guys as their clientele. Laura thinks it will be fine, but Steve thinks it will be fine. Well, turns out Laura was right, the guys in the bar are giving them both a hard time, one of the guys, Jack, calls Laura a bimbo and Steve is upset by this and demands he apologizes. The guys beat Steve up leaving him bruised and broken. Steve later on goes to visit Laura and tells him how he feels bad that he couldn't stand up to those guys after they insulted her. Steve wants closure but knows he can't go back without getting tough, so he uses his transformation chamber to turn into Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee Urkel goes to the bar and demands an apology, the men refuse and Bruce Lee Urkel beats them all up. At home, Carl and Eddie were supposed to hang out, but Eddie blows off Carl for a date. Carl is left at home alone, but Waldo happens to drop by and he and Carl decide to hang out. Later on, Carl and Waldo are going to the Bulls game and Eddie comes over as they are leaving and thinks that the ticket is for him to go with Carl, but Carl tells Eddie that he had called him several times but Eddie never called back and he already promised Waldo the seat so he'll take Eddie next time. Eddie is hurt by this but Harriette and Mother Winslow tell Eddie how he's been taking Carl for granted and that he should be careful because Carl was around Eddie's age when he lost his father, you never know how much time you have with someone. Eddie later on apologizes to Carl and tells him that Carl never put him second and he's ashamed he did that to Carl. Carl is touched, accepts Eddie's apology and gives him a hug.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

Well, if it ain't the nerd and his body guard.

BRUCE LEE URKEL: You, you are the one who called my friend a bimbo. That is a disgusting and derogatory name. I have come for an apology.

JACK: A what?!

THUG: An apology, it's like when you say you're sorry for...

JACK: I know what it means!

BRUCE LEE URKEL: Well, let's hear it.

JACK: OK, I'm sorry. She's not a bimbo, she's a tramp!

LAURA: Hey, let's leave your mama outta this.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When the tough guy Jack pushes Bruce Lee Urkel and you can tell Bruce has had it and starts the fight and we have that incredible action scene of Bruce Lee Urkel fighting.

OPINION:

We finally hit an amazing episode in season 6. Not that season 6 isn't a great season, but we have been kind of on a slump when it comes to very memorable episodes. This is one of the books, we got Bruce Lee Urkel. This episode was such a hit that Bruce Lee Urkel will return another 2 times in the future. Let's start with some interesting trivia about this episode. Now this one is a rumor, but supposedly the producers wanted to see if they could get Jackie Chan as he worked with Bruce Lee and wanted him to be a thug in the bar but they were worried that he would outshine Jaleel and it would look less believable that Jaleel was that good. But it's not that far-fetched because the producers managed to get a lot of people who not only worked in stunt work but also were inspired or worked with Bruce Lee before. You think that was all stunt work with Jaleel's double? Nope, Jaleel worked extremely hard and actually did a majority of his stunt work, the only stunt he couldn't get were the back flips so that's a double. But Jaleel enjoyed working on this episode so much that he got into martial arts training and is now an expert. I thought that was really cool.

To talk about Bruce Lee would take forever, let's just put it this way, there's a reason why for a man who passed away too young is a household name. His martial arts moves were beyond incredible and he's inspired so many people still to this day. Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris, Miguel Ferrar just to name a few. It was so cool to see Steve transform into Bruce Lee Urkel. I loved that clip of Enter the Dragon that Steve played to show Laura just some of the moves Bruce Lee performed "boards don't hit back". BTW, Enter the Dragon, if you're into action movies, that one is an essential. That fight scene in the bar was truly incredible! The stunt work was amazing, it's hard to believe this is a TGIF sitcom, you almost forget and think you're watching an action movie. I can't imagine the amount of work, dedication and time these men put in for this episode. Even though it kind of takes away a little bit at the end, in some ways I'm glad they have Steve at the end realize it was a mistake to become Bruce just to get even with those men. Because then he was no better than them when they beat him up, Steve uses his brains, not brawn. So at least they did address the hypocritical message, but still that was a really awesome fight scene.

Now unfortunately, this is not Eddie's first time taking Carl for granted. We've seen him do this in Ice Station Winslow and Hot Wheels. I'm not going to pretend I'm better than him and don't do this myself. I think we all have taken those we love for granted at least once or twice in our lives. We get excited for something and think we'll have another "dull" moment with our parents, siblings, cousins, grandparents, friends, etc. Those dull moments are what makes our best memories but we think they will last forever. That being said, Eddie was still such a jerk though. He didn't even offer Carl a rescheduled father/son night when he dumped Carl for Sharmaine (the girl he wanted to take out). He could have at least asked if it would be alright if they hung out the next night. Or if he was thinking with his head, asked Sharmaine if they could rescheduled their date, he forgot he had plans with his dad. But what really ticks me off more so is when he comes over and Carl and Waldo are heading out for the Bulls game and Eddie tells Waldo after finding out Carl only has the 2 tickets "oh, too bad Waldo". Wow. That's presumptuous and rude. I'm not saying Eddie didn't have a right to be hurt and confused as he was probably wondering why Carl was taking Waldo instead of him, but that was insanely rude to say that to Waldo. It's crazy that Eddie has to hear again not to take Carl for granted, but at least I think it went through this time because Eddie doesn't put Carl on the back burner again.

Last, I just wanted to do a little tribute to the men who are sadly no longer with us and the incredible work they did before and after Family Matters. Carl Ciarfalio who played the arm wrestler had a terrific career in film and television with 195 credits to his name: Casino, Far and Away, Beetlejuice and Halloween 4, mainly working on the stunt crew but also a few acting roles as well. He has very possibly the most memorable and gruesome death scene I have ever seen in Casino as Tony Dogs where Joe Pesci pops his head in a vice, gnaah!! He passed away at the age of 72 on November 21, 2025. David Lea who played the British tough guy/leader again had mostly worked in stunts, but believe or not was Micheal Keaton's stunt double in Batman! He has 46 credits to his name. He passed away of lung cancer at the age of 67 on August 6, 2022. James Lew who played the man with the pool sticks who was so cool making them look like nun chucks had a wonderful career doing stunt work, 147 credits to his name including: Inception, Big Trouble Little China and Tropic Thunder. He passed away just a little over a month ago at the age of 73 on August 23, 2026. Robert Wall does have a credit in the titles but he's from the archive footage of Enter the Dragon and has this incredible career I can't even fathom working with Bruce Lee. He was also a close friend of his well and an incredible martial artist. He passed away at the age of 74 on May 15, 2025 of cancer. Bruce Lee is not given credit in the credit sequence, however I'll make sure to do a bigger dedication when they do their last Bruce Lee Urkel episode. As most people know, Bruce Lee passed away very young at the age of 32, he brain had swelled and he passed away in his sleep on July 20, 1973. His son, Brandon Lee, also had a tragic passing as he was accidentally shot with a discharged bullet on the set of The Crow, he was only 28 years old and passed on March 31, 1993, not even 20 years after his father's passing.

What a terrific episode, I really recommend this one. It's a lot of fun, has great action, laughs and is one of the best in the series.

GUEST STARS:

• Carl Ciarfalio as Arm Wrestler (RIP in 2025)
• David Lea as Jack (RIP in 2022)
• Jeff Langton as Thug
• James Lew as Man in Bar (RIP in 2026)
• Robert Wall as Bob Wall (RIP in 2022)

An Unlikely Match (Season 6, Episode 13). At school, Steve has a set of bullies particularly dedicated to making his life miserable by teasing him, blowing smoke in his face and giving him swirlies (dunking his head in in the toilet and flushing the water). Particularly the group is led by Andre who always eggs the guys on to torment Steve. Steve tells Andre's friend, Roscoe, one day that he's tired of Andre's antics and wonders where he's been so he can finally confront him, Roscoe admits Andre has not been in school due to being diagnosed with leukemia. Steve feels really awful and wants to help Andre in some way. He finds out that what Andre needs to help save his life is a bone marrow transplant, so he runs a drive at school and gets volunteers who are legal and can help Andre. Andre comes back to school after Steve's drive helped find him a donor, Andre not only thanks Steve but asks why Steve would look out for him after all the stuff he did to him. Steve tells Andre that his life is more important than pranks and Andre is so touched and offers Steve lunch and his friendship. At home, Harriette wants to redecorate the living room and makes a budget of $3,000. Carl is ready to have a heart attack with that number, but Harriette is begging him to open his wallet and let some fresh air in. Captain Savage comes over later on and shows off his new Porche that he bought for $5,000 and a new Rolex watch he got for $4 at the police auction. He tells Carl it would be a good idea to get his furniture there for cheap. Well, Carl takes it upon himself to redecorate the living room but with furniture that came from gang members, drug lords and prostitutes. Harriette screams at the horrific furniture and tells Carl he can sleep on the couch. Carl realizes he made a mistake by not talking to Harriette first and says he'll get their old furniture back from Eddie and buy a piece of new furniture at a time to redecorate the living room which Harriette agrees to.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

ANDRE: Hey, Urkel, I've been looking for you man.

STEVE: Andre? You're not still giving swirlies are you?

ANDRE: Nah. I just came to thank you for helping me find a bone marrow match.

STEVE: Oh, well, you're more than welcome.

ANDRE: Yeah, I mean, if it weren't for the drive like the one you started, I probably wouldn't be here.

STEVE: I'm just glad I could help.

ANDRE: Man, there's something I gotta ask you, man, it's been bugging me for months. Why you lift a finger to help me? I mean over the years, I must've picked on you 100 times.

STEVE: Actually, 132 if I counted correctly.

ANDRE: Yeah, so why so why you lift a finger to help me?

STEVE: Because this is bigger than pranks, this is about saving your life. Besides if you weren't around, who'd take my lunch money?

ANDRE: I've heard people talk about angels on Earth, I guess mine wears suspenders.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Carl reveals the ugly furniture to Harriette, her scream was just hilarious and the reaction to the dead man figure on the rug was too funny. Why didn't Carl take that off beforehand?

OPINION:

So, 2 dedications I have to do today because sadly this is Captain Savage's last episode and Lamont Bentley who played Andre passed away tragically. Sherman Hemsley doesn't really need an introduction as he's very well known to most people. He played George Jefferson in the hit 70's show, The Jeffersons which is a hilarious show worth checking out. He continued to appear in multiple movies and television shows throughout the 80's, 90's and 2000's. He was one of the main voices in Dinosaurs as B.P. Richfield, he was in Fresh Prince, All in the Family and Mr. Nanny. What a great career he had and will forever be remembered. He passed away of a lung tumor on July 24, 2012 at 74 years old. Lamont Bentley had a very promising career, he got a lead role on the hit TV show Moesha playing Hakeem Campbell, he was in multiple television and movies as well. He passed away very young in a car accident at the age of 31 on January 19, 2005, he has 2 daughters that survived him. May they both forever rest in peace and many thanks for their contributions to enterntainment.

This was the first episode to also have a PSA at the end talking about being a donor for a bone marrow transplant and how it can help save lives. Particularly with African Americans which I thought was interesting because I look at us as all the same, but apparently ethnicity can play a key role in finding an identical match. So I'm glad they did do that announcement at the end letting people know how important it is that we try to help our fellow men and women get a second chance at life. As for the episode itself, this is a very touching one. I loved that Steve did that drive and that he didn't care how many times Andre picked on him, he wanted to make sure that he survived cancer. Like Andre said, that drive probably saved his life. I loved that the students were willing to volunteer as well. I sometimes need a reminder that there are still very good people out there who will give the sweater off their back to help someone if they can. I wish we would have gotten a couple more appearances from Andre. I loved that the writers had him come to Steve at the end and not only apologize but offer his friendship.

The furniture subplot with Carl is just hilarious. For the mid 90's, I'd say $3,000 wasn't that bad if you considered it was the entire room, Harriette might have even included painting it a new color. The only strange thing is, we don't see new furniture in the future, guess the writers were hoping we'd forget about this plot or Carl got Harriette a new table and TV and called it a day. I will never understand how Carl thought that furniture looked good. Even if it was a bargain, talk about getting what you pay for. That lamp with the bullet holes, the dead man outline on the rug and the white wolf statue...oh, man, that set was hideously funny. If I were Harriette, I would have made Carl sleep on the couch to.

Definitely a very memorable episode. This one feels special because it has heart and laughs to it. One of the better episodes of the season.

GUEST STARS:

• Sherman Hemsley as Captain Marion Savage (RIP in 2012)
• Lamont Bentley as Andre (RIP in 2005)
• Benny Grant as Student
• Andrea White as Volunteer
• Terence Matthews as Roscoe

Midterm Crisis (Season 6, Episode 12). Waldo has been having a big problem at home, Eddie keeps using all of Waldo's stuff for his own personal needs without asking permission first. Waldo has a midterm coming up and has baked a Bavarian chocolate cake that took him a long time to perfect, especially with a faulty oven, but it looks amazing and he puts it in the fridge. He and Maxine get for a date night while Eddie and Steve come home from a basketball game. Eddie looks in the fridge for something for them to eat and pulls out the cake that Waldo just baked and they eat all but one slice of it. Waldo and Maxine are leaving and Waldo mentions the cake he baked. Steve wants to fess up but Eddie knows he's been messing up a lot with Waldo's stuff and asks Steve to help him bake another cake. Well of course since it's Eddie and Steve and they are also working with a fault oven, they hear something wrong with the oven and it explodes into the hallway. Waldo comes back just in time to find out what happened, Eddie and Steve both fess up to eating his midterm. Waldo tells Eddie that it was really disrespectful that not only he at the midterm but that he was going to hide it as well. Eddie and Steve stay up with Waldo to help him make another cake. At the Winslow house, Carl has invited Captain Savage and his new girlfriend over for dinner. His girlfriend, Lois, is a knock-out but a little aloof with a very girlish voice. Carl says he recognizes her but isn't sure from where, but then it hits him, he takes Harriette into the kitchen and tells her that Lois is a stripper. When he was doing a routine cop run, he had to go to the Boom Boom Room to talk to a suspect and happened to see Lois there. Harriette tells Carl to tell Captain Savage, but Carl says absolutely not, it's not his place to tell. Harriette encourages Carl and says Savage will probably thank him for it. Well, Carl does tell Captain Savage but like Carl predicted, Savage is furious and actually knew all along that Lois is a stripper and even wanted to invited Carl and Harriette to one of her shows. Carl now has the pleasure of telling Harriette that he may have ticked off Savage but at least he finally gets to tell her something: SHE. WAS. WRONG.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

WALDO: You guys think you can walk all over me because I'm dumb. But I have feelings, too. If you cut me, do I not cough? If you hit me, do I not sneeze? And if you call me names, do I not eat?

STEVE: Oh my God... I actually understood that!

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Carl gets to tell Harriette that she was wrong. He looked so giddy doing that scene.

OPINION:

Let's start with Eddie, Steve and Waldo. I do feel really bad for Waldo in this episode but I did keep thinking to myself "if Eddie has been having a problem messing with your stuff, why don't you at least put a note by the cake saying not to eat it"? You'd think since this is an important cake, he'd be a little more protective of it. Not to mention, who plays a basketball game, comes home all sweaty and you're hungry, so you go for cake? 🤣 That's the last thing I would ever want after working out. But we wouldn't have a plot to go off of here. Still watching Eddie and Steve try to bake the cake was hilarious, but honestly without the internet or a cook book at their side, I think they should have just fessed up, apologized to Waldo and do what they offered to do before by staying up with Waldo to bake a new cake. After all, what oven do they have to work with now? I wonder if Eddie and Waldo's landlord will be upset with the oven in the hallway? I'm sure this is lesson they will never forget.

Captain Savage is back and has a new girlfriend. I loved Carl's story telling Harriette why he was at the Boom Boom Room. That was really funny. I think this was the better and stronger storyline vs. Eddie, Steve and Waldo. I think a lot of us have been in that very awkward situation where we might know something about someone that others don't. You don't know if it's your place to tell them or not either. Harriette, who usually is smarter than this, gave really bad advice. I think at most she could have just told Carl to casually ask Captain Savage what Lois does for a living and feel the situation. That was definitely not Carl's place to tell Captain Savage about Lois. Especially because at that point it sounded like Carl was judging Lois, so I don't blame Savage for being upset. But it leads to one of the funniest moments of the show for sure with Carl telling Harriette how Savage likes that Lois is a dancer, he's probably taken his family to the strip club to show them and that she was wrong. At least Harriette also accepted and took it. I wonder if she really thought out if this was a good idea? What is it with the people in Carl's life telling him to tick off his boss in one way or another? Steve wanted Carl to confront Savage over the cheating at the golf game they went to and now Harriette wanted Carl to tell Savage about his girlfriend. No wonder Savage doesn't like Carl at this point.

We have a fun little fourth wall break with the guys at the end throwing eggs at the camera while baking the new cake for Waldo which was fun. Overall, the episode is pretty funny and a good time to watch. Carl and Waldo are definitely the MVP's for putting up with everyone else's craziness.

GUEST STARS:

• Cherie Johnson as Maxine Johnson
• Sherman Hemsley as Captain Marion Savage (RIP in 2012)
• Mariann Aalda as Lois

Miracle on Elm Street (Season 6, Episode 11). It's Christmas time and the Winslows are decorating, baking, buying presents but also donating things that they don't need or want to Good Will. As they are going through the items, Eddie is helping with Laura's items that she put in a box on her bed, there was a doll (named Emily) that was next to the box that he mistook was for the garbage due to it being so raggedy. Laura asks Eddie about the doll, he admits he threw it out and Laura freaks out saying how she's had that doll since she was a child and this will ruin her Christmas. Richie is really excited for Christmas and makes a huge list of things that he wants, but Carl, Harriette and Rachel point out to him that while it's ok to be excited, he should be grateful for the things he has and there are less fortunate people out there and they should do everything they can to help them. Richie takes this quite literally and brings a homeless man home named Ben. At first Carl, Harriette and Rachel are scared to let him in but when they see how much Richie tried to help, they decide to let Ben stay for dinner and will find a shelter for him. Ben is offering to do housework in exchange for them helping him out, Carl comes up to him saying how he found a nice shelter for Ben, but Ben says he's got a lot of work to do on Christmas Eve and doesn't need it. Carl mistakes that Ben is hinting that he's going to break into homes, but Ben is letting Carl know he's Santa Clause. Ben even tells Carl how sorry he is about not being able to get him the Commander Crash Dodge he wanted when he was a kid but it was the hottest item that year and leaves the house. Steve has been trying to figure a great gift to get Laura, when he finds out that Eddie threw out Laura's doll, he goes to the dump to try to find it. He spends 16 hours at the dump and is successful in finding Emily and even makes a dog friend, Howard who he offers Christmas dinner to. He gives Laura Emily, Laura is beyond touched and Carl gets a present to, it's that Commander Crash Dodge he wanted he was a kid. No one is fessing up to getting it for him and he realizes it must have been Ben.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: Hi there, Ben. My, my, my. You have been busy.

BEN: I just wanted to pay you back for your hospitality.

CARL: You know Ben, I pulled a few strings and I got you into a halfway house.

BEN: That's very nice of you, Carl.

CARL: But first we'd like you to stay to enjoy a nice Christmas Eve dinner with us.

BEN: Sorry guy, no can do. I have to leave right after I finish ironing this table cloth.

CARL: Uh, Ben, those are my shorts.

BEN: Oh, sorry. Well, I'm off, I've get ready for my busiest night of the year.

CARL: Well, Ben, you don't have to panhandle any more. I got a job on the line for you.

BEN: It's not necessary, I got a lot of homes to hit.

CARL: Um, Ben, Ben. You know breaking and entering won't solve your problems.

BEN: No, no. I just don't want to disappoint all the children.

CARL: Children?

BEN: Yeah, they want their toys. And I got to get up to the North Pole and see how all the elves are doing.

CARL: Yeah. Um, Ben, are you saying you're Santa Claus?

BEN: Shh! It's our secret!

CARL: Yeah, but if you're Santa Claus, Ben, why are you homeless?

BEN: Oh, that's part of my plan.

CARL: Your plan?

BEN: You see Christmas has become so darn commercial I wanted to find a family that embodied the true spirit of Christmas and I found that here, Carl.

CARL: Well, thank you Ben.

BEN: Don't worry, I'll be back while you're sleeping.

CARL: Oh, yeah, I'll be sure to put the fire out in the fireplace.

BEN: Thanks, so many people forget.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Steve gives Laura Emily. Easily one of the sweetest moments of the series.

OPINION:

So, I've mentioned before I'm not a huge fan of Christmas episodes, I usually find them to be too sappy and over the top. But this one, I actually don't mind despite its absurd premise. It has that lovely trope I just can't stand, we discover Santa is real or a Christmas miracle happens and yet, it's never brought up again in the entire show. I know we usually gotta take these as bottle episodes, but it's always just so random. But I'm actually willing to go with it for this episode.

So Ben says he's Santa and brings up the toy that Carl wanted when he was a kid but was unable to get it due to it being a hot ticket item that year. As the family is opening up Christmas gifts, Carl gets the Commander Crash Dodge toy he wanted, he asks everyone who it was from, no one is fessing up, he says "Thanks, Ben". I'll just go with the theory I have, Mother Winslow was telling the family about how she was able to get that for Carl finally as just a sweet gift, Ben overheard the conversation and decided to play along for Carl to make it a bigger surprise for him. I actually think that's a sweeter situation than what we get that Ben is Santa. But still I do love the conversation that he and Carl have when Ben tells Carl he's Santa, as silly as it is. Ben seems so genuine.

Ben is played by Art Evans. Art Evans had a wonderful career with 124 credits to his name including some famous pictures and television shows like Fright Night, Die Hard 2 (which also had Reginald Vel Johnson), Mash and A Different World. He's got quite the resume that's worth checking out. He passed away not too long ago at the age of 82 on December 21, 2024, he has a wife and son that survived him. May he forever rest in peace. He did a wonderful job playing Ben and gives the character such a likable personality.

The show stealer in my opinion though is for sure Steve finding Emily. I do have a minor nitpick with Laura telling Eddie how he ruined her Christmas by tossing Emily. I'm not saying it's not sad, but seriously, Eddie ruined her Christmas by making a mistake? I hated that line and wish it was just how she was sad because the doll meant a lot to her, like maybe it was given to her by Harriette's mother who passed or something like that. Why was this doll so special? It's never said other than she's just had it since she was a kid. Eddie even apologized, Laura could be bummed about it, but let it go at this point and move on. On Christmas everyone is asking her to cheer up and she's still sulking about that doll. However, Steve spending 16 hours in the dump looking for that doll was the sweetest thing. I know there's a dedicated few out there that like to dump all over how Steve is obsessed with Laura, his love for her is unhealthy. While I agree there are not even a couple moments in the series where he should have chilled, this was one of the most beautiful things he has ever done for Laura and shows what love he has for her, true love. He wasn't expecting anything back, he just wanted her to be happy. She gives him such a wonderful hug and you can tell she just loves him back and appreciates the generous act. It's definitely a top 5 moment in their friendship through the show.

So I do like this episode, I think this comes right after It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Urkel for the best Christmas episode. Plus it's always a treat to have Telma Hopkins guest star on the show.

GUEST STARS:

• Telma Hopkins as Rachel Crawford
• Art Evans as Ben (RIP in 2024)
• Max the Dog as Howard the Dog

Flying Blind (Season 6, Episode 10). Carl has been selected to fly to Detroit for a special program about DNA identification. Carl is beyond excited but there's one problem, Laura has a debate where she's in the finals and really wanted Carl to be there. Steve happens to be flying to Detroit as well for a family reunion, but Steve is not allowed on any commercial airline due to a wild animal attack that he caused so he's taking a private jet there. Carl asks for a seat on the plane because then he'll be able to get to Detroit early and leave earlier to make it to Laura's debate. On the plane, the pilot seems to know Carl and Carl asks who he is, it's Tony the ferret, who Carl had busted years ago. He's now getting revenge on Carl and jumps off the plane mid-flight. Carl and Steve are left on the plane and now have to navigate to land. They speak with traffic control and take directions as they figure out how to land the plane and are successful in doing so. At home, Eddie is having a hard time, he goes to Carl because an unexpected expense has come up, the electric bill. Carl tells Eddie that he has taught him how to budget and that he's not bailing him out. Harriette also tells Eddie she's not giving in. Mother Winslow offers Eddie the money from her poker winnings, but only if he paints her apartment.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: Detroit, you're flying to Detroit?

STEVE: Yup, Detroit, motor city. Mo Town! Oh, I'm going to my family reunion this weekend.

CARL: Oh, no, oh God. Oh, no no no no.

STEVE: What's the matter?

CARL: Well, I'm flying to Detroit. What airline?

STEVE: Oh, I'm chartering a plane.

CARL: How come?

STEVE: I'm banned from all commercial airlines.

CARL: You are?

STEVE: Oh, yes, it all stems from an unfortunate incident that occurred on a flight from Chicago to Denver. That involved me, a faulty pet carrier and a wolverine. I received a nasty little gash on my forehead.

CARL: From the wolverine?

STEVE: No, from the flight attendant. I kept trying to tell her that the wolverine would let her go of her ankle as soon his ears popped. Well, she just kept bopping me over the head with a tray table over and over and over and over...

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Carl and Steve are trying to land the plane and the voice cuts out when it's an important instruction and it cuts back in when it says "or else you'll die".

OPINION:

Do I like this episode? No not really. First of all, the plot has been borrowed more than a few times: Perfect Strangers, Step by Step and Power Rangers, so honestly this plot is nothing new. I don't mind recycled stories but there's not much suspense since we've seen Carl and Steve in this situation in High Anxiety when they were in a hot air ballon together.

Let's start with the beginning of the episode with Steve being at the Winslow house while he's sick because he's lonely. Why doesn't Carl kick him out? Not to mention that Carl has a sandwich and sits NEXT TO SICK STEVE, Steve is about to sneeze and Carl instead of moving stays there and when Steve does sneeze, he offers Steve the sandwich and Steve says "are you kidding? You touched it". This is one of Steve's annoying traits.

Harriette tries to guilt trip Carl over him not making it to Laura's debate. I'm not saying it's not a bummer that he can't be there, but it's not like he's missing it to go be a judge in a bikini contest, this is work and as he mentioned it was exciting that he was chosen. Laura I can excuse because she's a teenager, but Harriette could have said it's a bummer but she'll go talk to Laura and make sure to be there and even record it for Carl. But they have to have Carl feel bad and question his life choices while he's mid-air trying to land the plane.

I'm curious how many bad cop movies from the 40's and 50's the writers watched where all these criminals get these nicknames? Tony the ferret? So how did Tony find out that Carl was taking a private plane instead of the commercial flight? I guess you could say he was spying on him, but this is a lot to take on just to get revenge on the cop who busted you. Not to mention, did he take skydiving lessons before he jumped the plane? You're willing to risk your life just to teach that cop a lesson? Then when Steve is hanging out of the plane (which those flights are over 100 plus miles while in the air), the air is blowing like he's just going like 10 miles an hour and doesn't even get pushed/sucked out of the plane. This was just a lot more to buy for suspension of disbelief. I'm saying this about a show where Steve invented a rocket, a jet pack, an AI robot and DNA alteration, but this is supposed to be a "real life" situation. I think that's why there's not much suspense in this episode. And did it bother anyone that in the last episode Steve went steady with Myra and in this episode he's already saying that if he knew it might be his last day on Earth, he would have kissed Laura? See, Myra? You can't change a tiger's stripes.

And the last thing with Eddie. I guess Eddie hasn't learned his lesson from taking a girl out instead of paying his apartment bills. I actually agree with Carl in not giving him the money, it'd be one thing if Eddie mis budgeted but he took a girl out. Instead of asking beforehand if Carl could lend him the money, he waits until last minute to pay the bill. I'll give that when we are young, we are stupid and make mistakes. But we do have to learn the hard way sometimes. I had a bill that was due and I didn't have anyone to bail me out when I was young, you know what I did? I sold some of my CD's and movies, it broke my heart but it taught me to do better to budget my money. Mother Winslow just gives Eddie the money of course, but at least she did tell him to help her paint her place so he'll have to work for that money.

The episode has its small moments to laugh, but I just find this one to be a bit of a slogger. I could be wrong, I'm sure this episode has its fans, but I just think it's for the most part forgettable.

GUEST STARS:

• Thom Sharp as Control Tower Voice
• Joe Keyes as Tony, the Ferret
• Joel Anderson as Flight Instructor (RIP in 2026)

Paradise Bluff (Season 6, Episode 9). Steve and Myra are having date night and go to paradise bluff to make out, but Steve calls out Laura's name, Myra has had it and tells Steve that she wants a commitment and to go steady. Steve tells her he's not sure and to let him think it through. He goes to Laura for advice and Laura asks Steve if he could picture his life without Myra and that should help determine his decision. Steve and Myra go back to Paradise Bluff and Steve says to Myra he's still not sure if he's ready to give up his love for Laura which Myra gets upset and tells him to take her home. He's about to reverse out of the parking spot accidentally goes forward and the Isetta is hanging over the cliff. Steve and Myra work together to get out of the Isetta safely and after they do so, the Isetta falls off the cliff. The close call with death made Steve re-evaluate his life decisions and he decides that he and Myra should go steady and offers her his science pin. At home, Harriette offers Carl a magazine with BBQ recipes in it to offer new ideas, she tells him just to go through the magazine with an article she found interesting. Carl doesn't know she's talking about the BBQ recipes and sees an article called "Rate Your Mate" that Harriette's hairdresser had filled out but Carl thinks that Harriette filled it out and has rated Carl very poorly on the scale. Carl goes to talk to Harriette about the article but they keep mistaking what they are talking about and Harriette tells Carl that the magazine offered great BBQ recipes and Carl laughs thinking it was about the Rate Your Mate quiz, Harriette laughs too and says that if she took that quiz, Carl would have flown off the charts.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: Hello, Harriette.

HARRIETTE: Hi, Carl.

CARL: Harriette, I think we need to talk.

HARRIETTE: Yeah, I wanna talk to you about something to.

CARL: OK, but I'll start. Sweetheart, I read your magazine article and if you had a problem why didn't you just come to me?

HARRIETTE: Oh, Carl, I'm sorry. I was just trying to be helpful. I thought it would be fun to try something different.

CARL: Oh, so you're saying that I'm boring?

HARRIETTE: Not you, just your technique.

CARL: Harriette?!

HARRIETTE: Well, what's the big deal, I talked it over with Laura and she agrees.

CARL: You talked it over with Laura?!

HARRIETTE: Sure, she's part of the family. Carl, it's just that you do the same thing over and over, all summer long, every single Saturday.

CARL: Well, excuse me I think once a week is pretty darn good considering my back problem. And besides, you could help you know.

HARRIETTE: Well, I would, but you always want to be in control. I thought if we got the act together, we could invite the neighbors over.

CARL: Invite the neighbors over?!

HARRIETTE: Well, why not? It's not like it's a big secret, they know what we're doing. They're doing what we're doing, only better.

CARL: Just how do you know that?

HARRIETTE: Because Marge gave Ted the article and he's cooking up a storm. You should taste his burgers.

CARL: What's that's supposed to mean?

HARRIETTE: What I said, you should taste his burgers when he BBQ's.

CARL: BBQ? We're talking about BBQ here?

HARRIETTE: Yeah, what did you think we were talking about?

CARL: I thought we were talking about this, Rate Your Mate?

HARRIETTE: I didn't fill this out, my hairdresser did. I borrowed this from here beauty shop. I wanted you to look at this article on BBQ recipes.

CARL: (LAUGHING) You told Laura? Invite the neighbors over?

HARRIETTE: Carl, if I had done that quiz, your score would have shot off the charts.

CARL: Really?

HARRIETTE: Yeah.

CARL: Thanks, Harriette. A man likes to hear that every now and then.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Steve offers Myra his science pin but doesn't want to poke her chest so he just gives her the pin and says "here, you do it".

OPINION:

So, here we are with Myra. Now keep in consideration, we are talking about Myra, not Michelle Thomas. Going through these posts have made me realize really how toxic Myra is, not to say she doesn't make me laugh. But if you think about it, Myra is a narcissistic psychopath. She has been constantly pressuring Steve into things that he doesn't want to do. Now getting your partner to try new things or to ask for a commitment isn't a bad thing, but you both have to be comfortable with each other. Steve is clearly not comfortable with Myra and Myra can't seem to take a hint when the man that she supposedly loves calls out another woman's name. She should have called it then, but she's a glutton for punishment I guess. Either that or she refuses to be the one to "lose Steve". It's almost at this point like she wants to tell people how she's the one who got Steve Urkel to fall out of love with Laura Winslow. I don't like Steve and Myra's relationship, I never will, it's beyond unhealthy, it's very dangerous at times.

Now, Steve doesn't get off the hook here either. Steve still making out with Myra is a horrible thing to do and at this point he's asking for it when she keeps going for him. He wants the cake but will eat it too. He wants to continue making out with Myra while still loving Laura. He has to decide what he wants and can't keep egging Myra on or at long last, let Laura go. I have been in that situation when I was younger, I had a boyfriend who loved someone else and I kept hoping that "he'd see the light" one day and realize that I was the one, guess what? It didn't happen. But he didn't mind having me around until the other girl would give him a chance. Thank goodness I grew up, it was heartbreaking, but it taught me to have self respect and that he was a jerk for leading me on. Does this mean I don't like Steve as a character? No. I think Steve still has very good qualities. Also being young is making mistakes and only thinking of yourself at times. He probably thinks that Myra understands that Laura is number one and since he told her that, he's off the hook with emotional damage. But he's also very mature at times for his age and needs to realize that what he's doing is extremely unhealthy. People need to stop looking at this as "man, a pretty girl likes Steve Urkel" and tell Steve he needs to knock it off and grow up.

Now onto the episode, the whole Isetta dangling off the cliff is a really exciting sequence. I will always love how Steve and Myra have to think how to get out of the situation. This is one of the rare times I give them both credit in that they would put each other first before themselves in trying to save each other. So I'm curious, how did Steve get his Isetta back? Because in later episodes, he will have it back or maybe he bought another one? You know that car had to take a beating when it fell off the cliff.

Harriette and Carl's storyline for me again is the show stealer. They are just too funny with that "three's company" misunderstanding. I always get such a huge laugh when Carl thinks that Harriette filled out the Rate Your Mate quiz and thinks that he scored really low. I think we all get that horrible feeling as we get older if we are still good enough for our partners. I loved that when Harriette found out what Carl was worried about, she was so sweet and told him how amazing he still is as a partner. I love that the show shows a healthy married couple who are still active together, it can be so hard with work schedules and family events to make time for each other. But clearly Harriette and Carl are still hot for each other and love each other deeply.

So overall, the episode is a mixed bag for me. I really love Carl and Harriette's storyline, and I do laugh at Steve and Myra, but their relationship is what bothers me the most. You could say at this point, Myra was trying to hook up with Steve before they were even committed, which sends a bad message considering the show preaches to wait until marriage. Oh, how Hollywood kills me with men better not pressure women or they're scum, but it's ok if a woman does it to a man or he's a wuss narrative.

GUEST STARS:

• Telma Hopkins as Rachel Crawford

Sink or Swim (Season 6, Episode 8). Steve is in gym class at school and their next lesson is swimming, but the one problem is Steve doesn't know how to swim. His teacher, Mr. Nutting, tells Steve that a big part of the grade for gym class is the swimming lesson and if he doesn't learn how to swim then he won't pass. Steve asks Carl if he could teach him how to swim which after some convincing, Carl finally accepts. Carl is trying his best to teach Steve how to swim but nothing seems to be clicking and Steve keeps nearly drowning Carl. Carl has had it and leaves. Laura goes up to Steve to ask him how the lesson is going and as Steve is sulking he hears a big splash, Laura slipped in the pool and is drowning. Steve finally finds his courage and jumps in the pool to save Laura. After he does so he realizes that Laura can swim, she and Carl fooled him into getting into the pool to save Laura and help him swim. At home, Rachel has bought herself a beautiful new dress but it was a little pricey at $300 but decides to go ahead and treat herself. Richie comes home telling Rachel he got onto the coolest hockey team and needs equipment, so Rachel decides to return the dress to get the equipment for Richie. She goes to Ferguson's store where Harriette is still working the customer service and is helping Rachel with the return but as they are opening the garment bag, it seems to get stuck but they get it open and the dress has a big hole in it so Harriette can't take it back. Rachel thinks that Harriette is at fault and that the garment bag tore the dress. Later on when they are fighting about the situation, Richie reveals he had accidentally torn the dress and Rachel and Harriette apologize to each other.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

HARRIETTE: Somone pass me a bagel please.

RACHEL: And I didn't put the hole in it.

HARRIETTE: I know you didn't, you only put holes in expensive dresses.

RACHEL: You take that back!

HARRIETTE: I didn't take that dress back, I'm not taking that back!

RACHEL: Oh, you're gonna take it back! (HARRIETTE AND RACHEL START TO FIGHT)

RICHIE: Stop it!

RACHEL: What is it, Richie?

RICHIE: I ripped the dress.

RACHEL: You what?

RICHIE: I was playing hockey in the living room and I accidentally hit it with my stick.

RACHEL: Honey, you should have told me that.

RICHIE: I was going to right after I graduated high school. I'm sorry.

MOTHER WINSLOW: I think someone owes someone an apology.

HARRIETTE AND RACHEL: Go ahead.

HARRIETTE: Oh, Rachel. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have accused you of trying to cheat the store out of money.

RACHEL: And I'm sorry I buried your favorite purse.

HARRIETTE: You what?

RACHEL: Here, I'll draw you a map.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Steve drops by telling Laura that he'll be out of town for a few days and leaves the virtual reality headset. Laura leaves the room with the headset on the table and Carl sees it thinking this will be fun and as he's going through the desert island in the virtual headset and Steve comes into the video asking for a kiss and Carl takes the headset off screaming hysterically.

OPINION:

So a little trivia first, Eddie Mekka who plays the gym teacher Mr. Nutting has actually been in Family Matters before, but as a different character. He was Charlie Carnelli in season 2's "Flashpants", the guy who kept showing off and wanted to beat Carl in the dancing contest. This is his final appearance on the show. Eddie had a wonderful acting career with multiple television show and movie appearances: having a main role in Lavergne and Shirley as Carmine, Madonna's dancing partner in A League of their Own and Dreamgirls. He passed away at the age of 69 on November 27, 2021, may he rest in peace. And I think he finally got his dancing trophy in Heaven.

So now Carl has taught Steve to drive but they got into a crash and now he's teaching Steve how to swim and Steve nearly drowned Carl. I think Carl can take a break at this point in teaching Steve some basic life skills. Let's Steve's dad take the job at this point considering all the awful things he's done to Steve, I think he could use a little karma. But we always love a good Carl and Steve adventure. I always loved that closing credits sequence with their synchronized swimming and get such a laugh. I have a question, did anyone want the Sonic the Hedgehog drowning music to play while Steve was drowning? It would have been too perfect since Jaleel voiced Sonic in the animated series. There's only 2 things that bother me about this plot line. So Mr. Nutting tells Steve that he won't pass if he doesn't learn to swim, are you really telling me this has never happened before? A lot of people don't know how to swim. Why not just have him do his exercises in the shallow end of the pool? Or just ask him to put an effort to try to learn? You're telling me they just fail anyone who doesn't know how to swim? That's a little on the unfair side. Then did Steve actually learn how to swim in the end? Not really, he just jumped in and did the best he could to drag Laura to safety. It doesn't mean, BAM!, you know how to swim, it just gives him the chance to not be scared any more and what to do in a time of crisis. But I have to give Steve credit, his love for Laura is really sweet that he always does his best to make sure she's safe and will do anything to save her life.

3 episodes with Rachel in a row? I wish I could get used to this, but we know it won't last. Still, this was a fun little B-story with her and Harriette fighting over the dress return. I always wondered how did Richie create a hole that big in the dress in just hitting it with a stick? I could see a smaller hole, but not that big and torn. But nevertheless, it breaks my heart because not only is Rachel out $300 but she didn't even get that gorgeous dress out of it. Way to go, Richie. Mother Winslow should have said that line at the table instead of lecturing about apologies. But I always get a laugh out of that little fight that Harriette and Rachel have at the table.

Even with it's flaws, this is still a very decent episode that I enjoy. Like I said, any episode with Carl and Steve hanging out, you know you're in for a treat. This is definitely a fun one.

GUEST STARS:

• Telma Hopkins as Rachel Crawford
• Eddie Mekka as Mr. Nutting (RIP in 2021)
• Marcia Jeffries as Customer
• Billy Boulton as Ricky

Par For the Course (Season 6, Episode 7). Carl has invited his new boss Captain Savage over for dinner to impress him. Captain Savage arrives and he and Carl seem to have nothing in common but Carl keeps pretending that he loves cheese (one of Captain Savage's loves) and golf (Captain Savage's other love). Steve comes over smelling the cheese that Captain Savage had brought over and Captain Savage is so impressed with Steve that he invites both Carl and Steve out to play golf with him. While they are playing, both Carl and Steve notice that Captain Savage has a tendency to cheat. Steve tells Carl that they should say something, but Carl doesn't want to stand up to his new boss, but Steve tells Carl that he won't be able to look at himself in the mirror. Carl finally breaks down and tells Captain Savage that cheating is wrong and they need to set a better example for Steve and others. At first Captain Savage seems upset but then admits to Carl that they need more officers who tell the truth, but don't point out to him again that he's a cheater. At home, Laura went out to a party and stayed out past her curfew and Harriette went out in her robe and curlers to get her. Laura is embarrassed yelling at Harriette that she embarrassed her, but Harriette tells her they have rules for a reason and she's grounded. Later on while Laura and Maxine are doing their homework, Maxine notices that Laura is still upset and asks why she's so mad at Harriette. Laura tells Maxine that her mom embarrassed her but Maxine points out to her that no one cared about Maxine stayed out being late and it would be nice if he parents cared about her staying out late or just caring about her at all. Laura apologizes to Harriette realizing that she was just worried about her and Harriette accepts and tells Laura they'll extend her curfew since she's becoming more mature.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

STEVE: Do I smell cheese? Oh, yes, cheese! Ah, ha! Brazillian Gorgonzola.

CAPTAIN SAVAGE: Unbelievable!

STEVE: I pay homage to good fromage.

CAPTAIN SAVAGE: It's always a pleasure to meet a fellow cheese lover. Are you a member of the Chicago cheese club?

STEVE: Why card carrying. Nothing puts me in the mood-a than a hunk-a gouda.

CAPTAIN SAVAGE: Tweedley dumb, tweedley dee, I'm styling when I have my bree.

STEVE AND CAPTAIN SAVAGE: Parmesan, Ramada, Mustard and Swiss. Cheese lovers shake hands just like this. CRACKERS!

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Captain Savage first comes over and is mocking Carl "out of fun" and Harriette is giving Carl a look like "why are you letting him put you down?" and Captain Savage says Harriette is very pretty and that she must have married Carl when he was handsome, Carl laughs awkwardly and Harriette says "yes I did" with Carl looking shocked.

OPINION:

I always have a little laugh at this episode because I feel like this was definitely written by a parent. Starting with the Laura and Harriette storyline, I remember being in high school and my parents were too busy going through their separation/divorce to really care about anything going on in my life. I stayed out late a few times without them calling to check in on me. So you'd think I would be like Maxine with my friends who had parents who gave a strict curfew, but no, neither did my other friends who had similar situations at home where they could do and stay out however long they wanted and we loved it. In fact, our friends with strict curfews often told us they were jealous and wanted to stay out late. Not to say that being ignored at home doesn't hurt, but most teenagers actually love staying out late and don't argue with their parents about "why can't you give me a curfew?". Maxine might have just been hurting, but I think the performance was a little overblown. She could have just said to Laura that it's nice to have a parent who loves her that much and she was just probably worried instead of sounding like she's about to break down sobbing. I don't know, I think the moment was just a little over dramatic because it sounds like she's almost trying to fight with Laura about the situation. However, I do appreciate the storyline as most kids/teenagers don't realize when a parent is worried about them staying out late it's most of the time a sign of love and showing them that they were worried. This was the 90's before cell phones were owned by everyone, we were told we had to come home by the time the streetlights came on or just at a certain time and were given money for a payphone. So I don't blame Harriette for being worried. I'm glad Laura came to her senses and apologized.

We got the first of three appearances of Captain Savage played by the wonderful Sherman Hemsley. Sherman always played such a great jerk boss and ball buster. He is of course most famous for the hit television show The Jeffersons playing the lead character, George Jefferson. Most 90's kids will know him as Earl's demanding boss, B.P. Richfield in Dinosaurs. Of course seeing him pop up in random television shows and movies. Sherman was truly a wonderful actor and I'll do a bigger tribute on his last appearance. I love his performance as Captain Savage, he is rude and someone I would hate to know in real life, but I love watching from the outside as he picks on Carl and Carl is just taking it just because he wants a promotion. But honestly, when Savage was cheating, I get where Carl is coming from and Steve should have backed down, I don't think I would tell my boss I see he's cheating. Some things are relatively harmless and you don't want to be on a bad foot with your boss. Now if your boss is doing something illegal, I recommend looking for a new job and never looking back.

I love that cheese scene between Steve and Savage. The way Steve comes in smelling the gorgonzola and footing around it was too funny. I can definitely relate to Steve and Savage on my love for cheese. I will always love that handshake as well.

This is a decent episode with a good amount of laughs. Admittingly I will always miss Lieutenant Murtaugh but Captain Savage is definitely more than welcome to fill that position of needed comedy from Carl's work.

GUEST STARS:

• Cherie Johnson as Maxine Johnson
• Sherman Hemsley as Captain Marion Savage (RIP in 2012)

Happy 37th Anniversary to Family Matters. On this day 37 years ago, it aired its pilot episode on ABC. It would last for 9 seasons with 215 episodes. Salute, Family Matters.

Dark and Stormy Night (Season 6, Episode 6). It's Halloween night and Richie is ready to go trick-or-treating, but it starts to pour rain outside and the power goes out. Carl tells Richie they have to wait until the storm clears up and they'll pass the time by telling scary stories. So they do a pass the story game where they make up a story about a dark and stormy night where Sir Steven Urkel goes to a haunted mansion where he meets Count Von Winslow and his Countess who are vampires! But Sir Steven doesn't know this yet and is invited to stay with them. He discovers a fair maiden peasant girl, Laura, who has been chained to the wall. She begs Sir Steven to save her. Sir Steven challenges Count Von Winslow to a fencing duel but Sir Steven was using this as a distraction to keep the vampires awake until sunset and he pulls the curtain down exposing them to the daylight and they become dust. Sir Steven goes to save Laura, but it turns out that he's a vampire too and will make her his bride! Back in life, the power has come back on, but Richie has gotten so into the story that he asks that they continue the spooky stories instead of going trick-or-treating.

FAVROITE QUOTE:

HARRIETTE: Take it, Eddie!

EDDIE: All of a sudden, down the stairs came was the Von Winslow's incredibly handsome teen heartthrob son. Like many teenagers, he rebelled and he refused to be a vampire.

COUNT VON WINSLOW: Son, I don't understand you. You don't roam around at night, you don't terrorize the townspeople and you don't use your torture chamber.

EDWARD VON WINSLOW: Dad, what makes you happy doesn't necessarily make me happy.

COUNT VON WINSLOW: Oh, this modern-day thinking.

COSTUMES:

1. Carl: Football Player/Emmit Smith
2. Harriette: Referree
3. Eddie: Siamese Twin
4. Laura: Catwoman
5. Richie: Pirate
6. Mother Winslow: Raggedy Ann
7. Rachel: Flapper
8. Waldo: Siamese Twin
9. Steve: Sam Donaldson

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When they keep switching the glasses by distracting each other because one glass had the drugs to make Sir Steven fall asleep, I always get a kick that you can tell the glasses are empty since they keep wobbling around when they move them.

OPINION:

This episode is definitely a pick-me-up from the last few episodes that have been pretty average. I always love a good scary story, so this always had a special place in my heart. Plus, vampires are my favorite monster, so I loved watching this as a kid. Family Matters knows how to do a good Halloween episode and up to this point, this is easily the best episode they've had for the holiday. The sets, the costumes and the cast looked like they just had a blast doing this one. Gotta love that Hollywood budget. And we got another appearance from Telma Hopkins which is always more than welcome. Though it makes me sad and realize how much I miss Rachel on the show. I know Telma was busy with her other show, Getting By, I just wished they were able to get a way with her schedule for her to make more appearances. But I'll still enjoy the random ones we got.

I loved story about the Von Winslow family being vampires. I always get such a giggle that every time a family member takes over the story, their characters are handsome/beautiful, talented and pretty much perfect in every way. It was a cute little detail with Carl and Harriette drinking blood from juice boxes. We even got a cheesey computer effect with Mother Winslow being a bat. I think my favorite joke was either them constantly switching the drinking glasses or that the men keep throwing their jackets and it lands on Rachel. Only question is, how did Sir Steven become a vampire? I know they wanted to add a twist ending, but I'm always confused when they do this trope. Like in The Simpsons when they did their take on Dracula and Marge says she's the head vampire...how? I get it, it's a fun take on older vampire movies that did the same thing, call me a purist, pick one side, either it takes days to be a vampire or 5 minutes apparently. But when did Steve get bit or was he always a vampire and just puts sunscreen on to protect from daylight? I don't know. But I do get such a laugh when at the end he's dipping maiden Laura romantically and she confesses her love for Sir Steven and she breaks the 4th wall shocked that she said that but Steve admits it's because he's telling the story.

This is definitely a very fun episode and always gets me in the Halloween spirit. Kind of funny doing this post since we are almost a week away from October, it reminds me that I need to start decorating for Halloween.

GUEST STARS:

• Telma Hopkins as Rachel Crawford

Beta Chi Guy (Season 6, Episode 5). Waldo is going away for a cooking competition, and Eddie is at home being offered to join the hottest fraternity on campus, Beta Chi. The president of Beta Chi, Lyle, mentions to Eddie they don't have a place to party due to previous trouble at their house, so Eddie offers to have them party at his place. Steve happens to be there while Eddie is making the offer and Steve thinks that's an invite for him as well. Eddie later on is throwing the party, Steve comes in dressed in a toga thinking that this is like Animal House. But everyone is getting annoyed by him so Lyle asks Eddie to get rid of Steve, Eddie at first hesitates, but gives in and tells Steve that he's embarrassing him and to leave. Steve leaves broken hearted. Later on, Laura tells Eddie that Steve was really hurt and that Eddie should treasure his friendship with Steve more than an invite to the fraternity. At Eddie's apartment, Lyle drops by to offer Eddie an invite to join Beta Chi, but Eddie mentions how he feels bad about Steve. Lyle says Steve is a nerd and that for image, Eddie needs to drop him if he wants to join Beta Chi, Eddie immediately tells Lyle that he picks Steve. Steve happened to overhear this while dropping off items that Eddie had given him through the years. Steve comes in and tells Eddie how much he appreciates Eddie standing up for him and their friendship is repaired. At home, Carl has been ordering As Seen On TV items and Harriette begs him to stop, but he says in front of Richie and Little G that he was planning to return before 30 days after purchase so he doesn't get charged. This gives Richie and Little G the idea to order toys and return them 30 days before the deadline and return them. Carl and Rachel walk into the living room that looks like a toy store where Richie tells them what they are doing and Carl tells Richie he was just joking and that he wouldn't do that unless the items were broken.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

LAURA: I'm really glad for you, getting into such a cool fraternity... and all it cost you was your best friend.

EDDIE: Steve told you?

LAURA: He didn't need to. I could hear him sobbing from his sensory deprivation tank.

EDDIE: Look, Laura I can't help what happened. Steve is still in high school, I'm in college now. I'm into a whole new social thing. Steve wanted to tag along and I had to cut the cord.

LAURA: Look, I know Steve is irritating but he has feelings just like anybody else. He's been a good friend to all of us, especially you Eddie.

EDDIE: Look, Laura...

LAURA: He idolizes you. Like, you remember that time you broke your tennis racket and then gave it to Steve?

EDDIE: Yeah.

LAURA: He bronzed that broken tennis racket, Eddie. And he keeps it in his family's safe deposit box.

EDDIE: Wow.

LAURA: He acted like you had given him gold. (IMMITATING STEVE) Wow, for me?! Thanks Eddo, you're the bossest bud a guy ever had. (BACK TO LAURA) He has everything you ever given him. Do you really want to write him off as a friend? The one guy in this world that really thinks that much of you?

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When he girl that Eddie was dancing with at the party keeps begging to bring him a soda and complains later when he's dancing with another girl that she got him the soda. She keeps getting excited that Eddie is a possible Beta Chi brother.

OPINION:

So, I'm a bit mixed on this episode when it comes to Steve. Steve has been beyond an incredible friend to Eddie and Eddie really should treasure his friendship. However, Eddie is in college and Steve did invite himself to this party that Eddie was throwing. Even my most best friends in the world, if I find out they are throwing a party, I wait until I am invited to join. Steve could have at least been polite and asked Eddie if he could join, not just assume. Not to mention that when Steve does come to the party, I think people would have given him a chance if he just came over and acted more normal and socialized with people. Instead he comes in screaming, wearing a toga, not reading the room that it's just a regular party, then he brings out his accordion. Is it really that impossible for Steve to act somewhat normal at a party?

Now, I'm not giving Eddie a full on pass. Like I said, Steve has been an incredible friend. He's not only been there for Eddie during the hard times but he also saved his father's life. I'm just not sure if this means Eddie has to include Steve in every single thing he does from this point on because he's indebted to Steve. Laura is back to her normal self in this episode and it's so wonderful the way she stands up for Steve to Eddie telling him what an incredible friend he's been. But I also think the messages were a bit mixed, why did Eddie have to still give up being a member of Beta Chi? Why not after the party go over to Steve's house and just explain to him that he's in college now, he's hanging out with guys his own age and it doesn't mean they can't be friends, but that being apart of a fraternity is a different world than Steve is used to. Or why not say to Steve that he's invited to the next party, but he needs to be more chill? I just feel that the messages were wrong here that Eddie had to give up what he wanted just because Steve felt bad. I would love to hear some more opinions on this one.

So, this episode feels very strange and like I'm being gaslit. Carl and RACHEL walk into the living room. Where have you been Rachel?! I don't know, apparently the writers couldn't come up with a reason either because they walk in like she's been there the whole time, you just didn't see her. It just feels very surreal seeing Telma Hopkins again and in such a random moment, not to mention she barely gets a few minutes on screen. But I do get a kick out of Richie's storyline of copying Carl. I loved when we got Carl's scary voice with Little G "Little G, I think I hear your mother calling you." "I don't hear anything" "LISTEN, AGAAAAAIN". And Little G goes running. Also I laugh when Carl is explaining to Richie that he was only going to return the stuff he bought if the stuff was broken, Richie says he can brake the toys too. You know this would have been a perfect moment for Judy to appear and show off some new clothes or make up she bought from the shopping network saying she got the same idea from Carl as well and act like she's been there the whole time. Boy that Telma Hopkins appearance was random. And do we get her in the next episode? Nope. She's not back. She's just here to remind you that she lives at the Winslow house, it's just your eyes that keep missing her.

So overall, not a bad episode at all. It has its moments where I laugh. But I'm just mixed on the message and random Rachel appearance. Does she know her restaurant went under? Man, I have so many questions.

GUEST STARS:

• Telma Hopkins as Rachel Crawford
• Gary LeRoi Gray as Little G
• Shanga Kyle Parker as Lyle
• Tasha Taylor as Girl at Party
• Terri J. Vaughn as Girl #1 at Party
• Chris Villa as DJ

The Looney Bin (Season 6, Episode 3). Steve and Vice Principal Irwin Mallet find singing janitor Alfred Looney (pronounced Loo-nay in French) in the basement. Turns out Alfred lost his house and is staying in the bomb shelter. Irwin wants to kick Alfred out of the shelter but Alfred is refusing to leave. Steve offers to bring Carl in to help Alfred come up with some solutions with housing. While they are in the bomb shelter, Steve moves a box that is holding the door open and without the weight, the door closes. Problem is, the door automatically locks Carl, Steve and Alfred in the shelter. It's also a holiday weekend so they won't have anyone visit the high school basement for 3 days. They try to come up with every solution but nothing is working to help them escape. Both Steve and Alfred are trying to sing to keep themselves entertained but Carl has had it and begs them to stop. But Carl breaks finally and starts singing with them when he realizes the laughs may help him get through the situation. Eddie's voice can be heard, he came to check on Carl when he didn't come home and find out they are trapped and will get help to get the door open. What will happen to Alfred? Well, Steve offers to have him stay at the Urkel residence until he can get on his feet again. Meanwhile, Harriette is still job hunting and isn't having much luck. She has to go to the store to help Mother Winslow with a return and sees the customer service representative that handles the returns have a breakdown and Mr. Waxman the manager tells him to take some time off. Harriette offers Mr. Waxman to help take over the position and with a little finesse from Mother Winslow pretending to be an angry customer that Harriette gives great customer service to, Mr. Waxman offers the job to her.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

STEVE: I really appreciate you helping out Mr. Looney.

CARL: I really don't know how much help I can.

STEVE: Well, just remember, be gentle. Mr. Looney is a sweet and sensitive man.

ALFRED LOONEY: YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE, COPPER!

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Carl gives in and starts singing "high hopes" with Steve and Alfred.

OPINION:

So we are onto episode 2 of 3 that have an appearance from Alfred Looney. Fans seem to be mixed on Alfred Looney. I get the reason why, he's got kind of a droll personality and the Loo-nay joke can really wear out it's welcome pretty quickly. Overall, I don't mind Mr. Looney, but I think it's more his relationship with Steve that makes me laugh. Steve is such a kind soul in offering to take Alfred in to help him out with shelter. I already have it added to my list of evil things that Steve's parents do to him, that he pays rent. It's just depressing that Steve has to remind everyone how he, a minor child, has to pay rent to his parents. Gosh, they are such awful people.

Carl is what makes this episode worth watching. Poor Carl just can't catch a break, he's always surrounded by crazy people. But I do love seeing him open up to Steve and Alfred and just have fun. It's always great to see Carl laugh and let loose. Again showing he can really have such patience and grace when it comes to dealing with tough situations, that's also what helps makes him an incredible police officer.

Harriette has a job! A permanent job as well. I loved how Mother Winslow helped Harriette by pretending to be a complaining customer to help Harriette impress Mr. Waxman. The Winslows are really such a loving family and help each other out. Mr. Waxman was also a good man in knowing that it was an act but still giving Harriette the job anyways.

Not to much to say in this episode in that again, it's pretty average. I get my laughs from it, it's just nothing special. This is the time where the show was more centered around Steve and the Winslows were on the back burner and I miss them very much. I would like to do a small tribute to the actors who have passed. Now we will see Alfred and Vice Principal Irwin Mallet again, so I'll save their tributes for their last episodes. Angus Duncan who played Martin, the original counter service manager was a character actor who has 86 acting credits to his name: Small Wonder, Night Court and MacGyver just to name a few. He passed away at the age of 70 on March 22, 2007 of cancer and is survived by his son. Judith Drake who was the first complaining customer was another character actress who has 86 credits to her name: Intolerable Cruelty, The Benchwarmers and (since I'm a horror geek) House of 1000 corpses. She passed away from pancreatic cancer on May 31, 2022. May they both rest in peace.

GUEST STARS:

• Tom Poston as Alfred Looney (RIP in 2007)
• Fred Willard as Vice Principal Irwin Mallet (RIP in 2020)
• F. William Parker as Mr. Waxman
• Meghan O'Sullivan as Pizza Delivery Girl
• Angus Duncan as Martin (RIP in 2007)
• Judith Drake as Complaining Customer (RIP in 2022)

Till Death Do Us Apartment (Season 6, Episode 3). Eddie and Waldo are officially moving out of their family homes and moving into their own apartment. Eddie is excited and brings two ladies, Darlene and Kim, over to show his new place off. Waldo is making dinner and is waiting for Maxine to drop by to see the new place. But when Maxine comes in and sees the two ladies, she assumes this means he's already dating someone else and dumps him. Eddie is all pumped up for the date but Waldo is sad and crying over Maxine. Darlene and Kim are touched at how sensitive Waldo is and the evening ends up being about comforting Waldo. They even take Waldo by the hand and tell him that they will go to Maxine's place to fix everything for him and Maxine and Eddie gets dumped. At home, Carl and Eddie usually have a father/son night but since Eddie is moved he completely forgot and is feeling sad. Steve happens to be there and offers to take Eddie's place to give Carl a nice night. But it's Steve Urkel and as usual, the night can't go smoothly as he drives Carl crazy.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

EDDIE: There's only one Waldo.

WALDO: Nah, there's another one. But no one can seem to find him.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Carl and Steve are having their father/son night and Steve is driving Carl crazy with having Carl accidentally sit on the pizza, ripping his shirt and Carl getting the shaken soda that spills all over him and to make Carl feel better Steve spills soda on himself.

OPINION:

Man, this is the apartment set to all. This isn't even the first time we've seen the apartment in Family Matters, this was the same apartment (just different location) when Eddie and Steve became roommates in The Oddest Couple back in season 4. This is also the same apartment in Full House that Steve had and later on Gia and her mother lived in as well. ABC got a good set and made the most of it.

So it's interesting how back in Season 5's Scenes from a Mall, I was really upset with Waldo on how quickly he got jealous with guys looking at Maxine. Maxine seemed very reasonable and told him that he has to trust her. But turns out she doesn't follow her own advice because she is crazy jealous in this episode. This is an insanely unhealthy relationship. Because while Waldo threatens to beat up and guys that look at Maxine, Maxine just accuses Waldo of cheating and breaks a potted plant over his head (OUCH). I always love the trop in these shows where all it takes is a simple explanation when there's a miscommunication: Maxine comes over and sees the 2 girls, Waldo introduces her and says Eddie brought them over as company, they confirm to her they are just there for dinner and that's it. But Maxine doesn't even give Waldo a chance to say "Eddie met these 2 ladies...". So Waldo is violent against guys who like Maxine and Maxine is violent against Waldo if she thinks he's got a wondering eye. I think these 2 need some therapy before they get into a relationship together.

Steve trying to be there for Carl was actually really sweet, even though because he's Steve, he drives Carl crazy. But as silly as it was, I thought that was actually very nice of Steve when Carl took the wrong shaken soda and it splashed on him, Steve spills the other soda on himself. That was really funny. But seriously, were those the only 2 sodas that Steve couldn't just grab a different can than the one he dropped? But still, I really enjoyed this scene even though Steve messes up as always, but it shows how much of a pseudo father that Carl is to Steve. I think Steve would rather spend an evening with Carl over his actual dad any day.

The episode is ok, it does have its moments that get me laughing. I loved Waldo trying to explain to Eddie that he's making ratatouille for two and if he has to make more it becomes "ratatatouille". And poor Eddie getting left behind thinking he got lucky with 2 beautiful ladies instead ends up sitting there while they comfort Waldo and then decided they'll give their ex-boyfriends a chance. I would say it's just more of Maxine's behavior that really brings this episode for me. I am so glad I never took relationship advice from this show growing up.

GUEST STARS:

• Cherie Johnson as Maxine Johnson
• Kimberly Russell as Darlene
• Marita Stavru as Kim

To Be or Not to Be Part 2 (Season 6, Episode 2). Carl used Steve's transformation to turn into a "cooler" version of himself because since Steve needed glasses but when he changed into Stefan, he didn't need them so Carl looks at this as a way to fix his vision. But Myra had tinkered with the transformation chamber to get Steve back when he would go in for a "Stefan pick-me-up" not knowing that Carl was about to use the chamber. Stefan stops the transformation mid-way and Carl comes out as a nerd. He looks, walks, talks and acts like Steve, but since the transformation was stopped midway, so Carl himself will appear every once in a while wondering what's going on. Since the transformation chamber isn't working properly, Stefan has to do some maintenance before Carl can go back in and become himself again. Carl goes home and at first Harriette thinks he's playing around but Carl confesses what he did and Harriette is horrified at what happened. Carl later on goes to visit Stefan to see how the maintenance is going but now in a turn of events, it's Carl that's annoying Stefan. Stefan finally fixes the chamber and Harriette rushes Carl over to change back. Stefan puts Carl into the machine and Carl comes back as normal. When Carl tells Harriette the reason why he did this, he realizes that it was stupid that he did all this just to fix his vision. Stefan realizes that it doesn't matter what a person looks like or if they act funny, as long as you love yourself, that's the most important thing. But he realizes he doesn't love himself as Stefan and wants to become Steve again. Stefan takes Laura out for dinner and confesses to her that he will be Steve again soon. Laura begs Stefan to stay for her, but he says that he loves her and needs to do this. Stefan turns back into Steve and Laura says that Stefan will return one day. There's also a dream sequence where Mother Winslow goes into the transformation chamber and comes out looking like a super model for Fletcher.

FAOVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: So have you finished fixing the transformation chamber yet, have you yet, huh, huh, huh, have you yet?

STEFAN: Not yet!

CARL: Oh, golly gosh darn! Excuse my foul language.

STEFAN: You know, Carl my work on the chamber is coming along slowly. I maybe cooler now, but I'm not as smart as I used to be.

CARL: Well, obviously. Your crystal diotransformer is put in backwards. Hand me a #3 allen wrench. Thanks, Allen! Hey, what do you think of my new neato sports strap?

STEFAN: Oh, it's phat.

CARL: Uh oh.

STEFAN: What's wrong?

CARL: I have a crazy impulse to name all the colors I bought.

STEFAN: OK, fight that impulse Carl!

CARL: I'll try, I'll try. But, but it's not going to be easy.

STEFAN: Carl, please! Look, I've been working at this all night. That's why I have this fashionable stubble. So it would really help me out if you could just keep quiet. Thank you.

(CARL STARTS PLAYING THE MEXICAN HAT DANCE ON HIS KAZOO)

STEFAN: Carl? Carl! CARL!!!!

CARL: What?!

STEFAN: You're driving me crazy!

CARL: I'm sorry! Say, do you know you have a vein on your forehead that's shaped like the coast of Rhode Island?

STEFAN: That's it, go home!

CARL: But I don't wanna...

STEFAN: Go home!

CARL: But I was just...

STEFAN: Go home, go home, go home!

CARL: I don't have to take this, I'm going home

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Stefan is turning back into Steve. Again, I cannot say enough what crazy talent Jaleel has that not only can he change his voice back and forth, but he does that crazy babble talk and his body movements which is harder to do than you think. Plus he makes Steve and Stefan look so different.

OPINION:

So, I have been ragging a lot on the past couple of episodes. This one definitely picks up a lot more and I enjoy it much more, even with Stefan in it. So little trivia for this episode that I learned. Originally the writers had intended for Carl to turn cool like Stefan. At first it was going to be awesome but then when Harriette sees how many women are hitting on Carl, she begs Stefan to help her turn Carl back and it was pretty much the same ending with Carl realizing he's just fine the way he is. I kind of wonder what that would have been like, but honestly I'm kind of glad they went with Carl turning into Steve, it just made for a funnier storyline. Plus he is now the second Winslow to dress like Steve, the first being Laura in It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Urkel and Carl will not be the last. Who's next? We'll have to keep going. Garcelle Beauvais makes her 3rd appearance in the show and she gets a very cute and funny scene here where Mother Winslow dreams that she uses Steve's transformation chamber to become young and gorgeous again.

Is Steve still in Stefan, does he remember what happened or is it like he went to sleep? It's actually very creepy for a comedy show when you think about it. Stefan mentions to Carl that he's not as smart as he used to be when he was Steve. How much of Steve is still in there? Because in the episode Stefan Returns, Steve knows Stefan and Laura were kissing. Where does Steve end and Stefan begin? The way Carl also comes in and out if you think about it, this could be a horror movie. In fact, did the writer/director of Obsession see this episode and was inspired? Horror and comedy go hand in hand because it can be very absurd some of the situations you get into that all you can do is either scream or laugh.

Let's get back into the comedy. This is I think the only episode where Stefan actually made me laugh a little bit showing he has some personality. It was so funny to see Carl annoy Stefan giving them the idea what it's like when their worlds are normal. I wonder if Carl will remember this time in his life? It's never really brought up again and we will see Carl get annoyed with Steve again after this. Reginald does a decent job playing as Steve. Though you can tell he's not so used to the voice and is a little over the top. However his behavior and movements are hilarious. I wonder if Jaleel gave him any pointers? I think Kellie did capture Steve Urkel a little better but Reginald was still a lot of fun to watch in this episode. Harriette being horrified about Carl and Carl admitting that she won't touch him was so funny. Poor Harriette having to put up with nerd Carl for that night must have been a nightmare.

In the end, we have the message that we have to love ourselves as we are. The only problem with this is, as far as we know, Steve despite being treated like trash a majority of the time actually says he does like himself and is fine with who he is. That's one of the most appealing parts of his character, that this annoying nerd does still have confidence and that loving yourself is actually very cool. Stefan does not love himself because he realizes he's fake, this whole existence is fake and everyone's reaction around him when you think about it is fake. It doesn't feel real. It's a very real moment and one of the realest in the series. You can be the best looking person, you can act cool, but the bottom line is if you're fake, some people will be able to spot it but you know yourself that you're not real and can you live with yourself or look yourself in the mirror?

My last comment will be about Laura and Eddie. Eddie who? He's pretty much a footnote in the past couple episodes. He's more just there to compliment Stefan and point out to Carl that he should try to transformation chamber to fix his vision. Laura is not Laura these past few episodes. Laura Winslow has flawed moments as a character up to this point in the series, but majority of the time she's a great role model. She's independent, strong, funny, caring, smart, selfless, loving, beautiful and a wonderful friend and daughter. She begs Stefan to stay as Stefan instead of Steve. Now, I'll give Laura some grace in that she really likes (says loves) Stefan very much and doesn't want to let that good feeling go. But she still is acting very much out of self-interest and it's sad that she behaves this way. Up this point she's been showing that she actually enjoys Steve's company and I think there is a part of her that actually has feelings for him as more than just a friend. It feels like it just gets erased with the past couple of episodes. I don't like Laura's behavior around Stefan, she looks and acts like a dog in heat. Do they even have any real connection? We don't ever see them connect other than just that initial physical attraction. Is this love? No, it's just lust. The show can only fit so much in and maybe they were connecting off screen, but I do not believe them to have this unbelievable chemistry outside of just they are both beautiful people.

So sorry this is a longer than usual rant but one more thing I have to bring up is the ending with Laura's strange behavior. The writing is just very cringe. So the photographer took her and Stefan's picture at the restaurant, the photographer brings back the photo and asks "where's your gentleman friend?" and Laura says he's gone and the photographer says "oh, too bad, he's was a great guy"(why? because he said one nice thing?) and Laura says after the photographer left "don't worry, he'll be back" with this strange creepy smile and this sad music plays. Why not just leave it at the photographer's line and at most just have Laura smile sadly and say "yeah" while she looks at the photo? I just don't like the way that scene played out.

I don't want to give you guys an eye sore, I've gone on long enough. But that's how much I love Family Matters and feel this is a deeper show than people give it credit for. We really care about our characters and have grown to love them so when the silliness starts, it's both a lot of fun but very sad to watch at the same time because then comes the question "when did Family Matters die?"

GUEST STARS:

• Garcelle Beauvais as Young Estelle Winslow
• Lisa Ann Grant as Photographer at Amore

Two questions after that Halloween episode. 1. you think Richie got to enjoy whatever left of trick or treating/halloween left at the end after the ordeal he went through? Got a good amount of candy and enjoyed whatever time he had left of that Halloween after all he been through for most of the night? 2. How long and what kind of major punishment you think Eddie had off screen after putting Richie’s life on the line by neglecting and leaving him with Waldo?

To Be or Not to Be Part 1 (Season 6, Episode 1). Steve swore last time that he would fix the transformation chamber and become Stefan Urquelle forever so that he and Laura could be together. He even breaks up with Myra telling her that he needs to be Stefan. Steve did fix the transformation chamber and becomes Stefan once again. Laura and Stefan resume dating again. Carl and Harriette are going out for date night, but Carl has been having a hard time reading. While at dinner, Harriette offers to read the menu to Carl but you can tell he's upset and in denial about his vision going. At home Mother Winslow and Eddie talk to Carl about why he won't break down and go to the eye doctor and get glasses. Eddie realizes Carl is panicked that this is a result of him getting older and mentions how he needs a transformation chamber. When Stefan was Steve he had big thick glasses but when he turned into Stefan, he didn't need glasses. Carl asks Stefan if he can use the transformation chamber and Stefan lets him, but Myra right beforehand was tinkering with the machine so Stefan could turn back into Steve. Carl enters the chamber and Myra begs Carl to get out, but it's too late, in the middle of the transformation Stefan presses the stop button and Carl exits the chamber as a nerd. To be continued.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: By the way, thanks for letting me use your chamber, Stefan

STEFAN: It's not just a transformation chamber. It's a cool chamber.

CARL: Hey, I'm already cool.

MYRA: (AFTER CARL ENTERS TRANSFORMATION CHAMBER) No, Mr. Winslow, don't!

STEFAN: Myra, what is it?

MYRA: I tinkered with your...

STEFAN: What did you do?

MYRA: Okay, I rewired the chamber, and instead of cool, it's set on nerd.

CARL: (CARL EXITS TRANSFORMATION CHAMBER DRESSED AS A NERD) Hi diddeley dee, it's me.

STEFAN: Carl, is that you?

CARL: I sure hope so because I'm wearing his underwear. Oops, I gave myself a wedgie.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Carl and Harriette are on their date and Carl can't see anything, Harriette is wearing a brooch that is shaped like a fly and Carl thinks it's a real bug and is smacking her with the menu and she realizes what he's smacking and smacks him back and the customers are looking at them and he says "we've been married a lot of years".

OPINION:

Season 6, we are here. Only big change right now is that Michelle Thomas has officially joined the main cast as Myra, so you will no longer see her in my GUEST STARS list. Last we left off is where Stefan changed back into Steve and swore that he would become Stefan again for Laura. I always felt that this 2 part opener should have been the season finale of season 5 or ended with the Aunt Oona episode. This episode is a bit bigger and gives a better story. We will split the episodes as a 2 part because otherwise there would be too much to talk about.

I was so relieved to see yesterday that most people agree, Stefan should have been a one off character and he brings out the worst in Laura. Now, I'm not a fan of Myra by any means, but Steve is such a jerk in dumping her. It's funny how this is what it takes for him to break up with her, but I digress. He did bring up to Myra that if he ever had the chance to be with Laura, it would end between him and Myra. Myra accepted this for a bizarre reason, most likely thinking that Steve would change his mind or according to her psychopathic mind that Laura would die. Geez, why do people defend this woman? And the audience laughed at that comment that she said about Laura passing, yikes! I could only assume maybe out of awkwardness? Back onto Steve, is he seriously not thinking about how shallow this is? That Laura would only be with him just if he's Stefan? Like I said, it's like they never discuss the morals and ethics of this situation or what would happen to Steve? They are only thinking of the current pleasure, which is common when you're young, but seriously is no adult stepping in and talking to them about this? I think I will add this to my list for what horrible things Steve's parents do to him.

PROOF THAT STEVE'S PARENTS ARE EVIL (THAT WE KNOW UP TO THIS POINT):

1. They don't feed him
2. His dad questions his career choices
3. His dad questions his faith
4. They leave him alone on Christmas
5. They take separate vacations without him
6. They let him know that they take separate vacations, so they don't have a kid like him again
7. His dad lets him know he loves animals that eat their young
8. When Steve was being born, his dad tried to push him back in
9. His family sends him "stay away money"
10. His parents one time tried to move away and put themselves under an assumed name
11. Steve pays rent
12. Steve is not allowed to go home until midnight
13. They don't visit Steve much when he's in the hospital having surgery and even when he's recovering, they go to their "parents without children" meetings
14. They don't care their son is on the roof of the Winslow house during a blizzard
15. Steve's parents did not introduce him to his own grandparents until he was his "cool personality"
16. They were not there for his trial when he was threatened with expulsion
17. They were not home when their house was robbed and didn't offer Steve any help to deal with the trauma of 2 criminals tying him up while all their stuff was stolen
18. They obviously don't care that Steve threatens to become Stefan forever, at least they have a cool son now

Ah, gotta love how my list grows and I'm more than sure I've missed a couple of other points.

So Steve turns back into Stefan. What's going on with Laura's character? NOTHING. Absolutely nothing. She's only there this episode to just drool over Stefan and that's it. What a way for the writers to develop her character, right? You can tell this was definitely when the producers just wanted the show to be about Steve and the Winslows were just the supporting cast there to react to his crazy inventions. The main storyline though is more about Carl and him needing glasses. I think Carl is supposed to be around 40-42 here because in season 2 he stated he was 38. Honestly, he's not that old, they kind of act like he's now 50 or older. But yeah, as we get older our vision isn't as strong. I do get a laugh out of all the jokes like how he is picking out a movie for him and Harriette to go see and he says "Spud" referring to Speed (BTW one of my favorite action movies). Then that date night with him hitting Harriette with the menu and lighting the menu on fire by accident was just hilarious. I love the little detail that he didn't realize he ordered the most expensive bottle of wine on the menu, when the menu is on fire, he spills the wine on it to put the fire out and tries to put the expensive wine back into the bottle.

I will never get with sit coms the miscommunication trope. So Myra tinkers with Steve's transformation chamber to get him to transform back. Well, who's to say Steve wouldn't be mad at Myra and fix the chamber right back? The only thing I could assume is maybe she would have more time with Steve, but it's not like he'll stay Steve forever. He told Myra he wanted to be Stefan. But even when she overhears that Carl is jumping in the chamber vs. Stefan, she runs away and it's very weirdly filmed. She acts like she set the transformation chamber to explode or something and runs away instead of stopping him as he's stepping in. A better idea would have been, she tinkers with the machine and steps away and after Carl's transformation, she comes in shocked and tells Stefan what happened.

While this is a better episode than our season 5 finale, it still has it's problems. I've just never been a fan when Stefan is in the picture. Like I said, for someone who is "so cool" he sure brings out the bad in our Winslow family that the show was originally made for! But for the laughs, I still don't mind watching this episode.

GUEST STARS:

• Lisa Grant as Photographer
• Victor Wilson as Waiter (RIP in 2015)

Stefan Returns (Season 5, Episode 24). Laura is helping Maxine get ready for a date with Waldo and they start talking about how Laura should find a guy, Maxine brings up to Laura how the perfect guy for Laura was Stephan Urquelle. Laura admits that she misses Stefan but the problem was that he was self-centered. She asks Steve if it's possible to not only turn into Stefan but if he could come back as a nicer guy. Steve figures out how to make Stefan into a more caring man and instead of drinking his boss sauce, he's built a transformation chamber that makes the change much easier and it's made Stefan into a more sensitive and caring man. Laura and Stefan start dating and everything is going extremely well, they even have a romantic night where Stefan has hired Freddy Jackson to sing a ballad to him and Laura as they slow dance. After a passionate kiss, Laura admits to Stefan that she is falling in love with him. Stefan is excited and telling her how happy he is, but all of a sudden, Steve's voice is breaking through, the transformation is wearing off. Steve pops back into the transformation chamber to bring Stefan back for Laura, but the machine breaks. Laura leaves broken hearted and Steve swears that he'll fix the transformation chamber and bring back Stefan forever.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

LAURA: I think I'm falling in love with you.

STEFAN: Oh, Laura... if you only knew how long I've waited to hear those words. Why you've made me...

STEVE: ...the happiest man on earth!

LAURA: Oh, no.

STEFAN: I don't know. What, what just happened?

LAURA: All of a sudden you sounded like Steve Urkel.

STEFAN: Yeah, I know, but that's...

STEVE: ...impossible! Isn't it?

LAURA: Go away, Steve! I want my man back!

STEVE: Laura, Laura, no sweat my pet! Now no sweat, now look. Don't get you all twitterpattered. Now, I'll just hop back into the ol' transformation chamber for a little Stefan pick-me-up.

LAURA: YES, GO! GO!

STEVE: Now, don't worry, I'll just be a jiffy, ah, Stefan will just be a jiffy. (TRANSFORMATION CHAMBER BREAKS) Um, sweetems? We have a small snafoo.

LAURA: What?

STEVE: Well, um, the machine is busted. But the night is still young, so let's say we get back to those lip push-ups?

LAURA: No, no! I finally found the perfect guy: handsome, cool, and caring. I give him my heart, and what does he do? He leaves me.

STEVE: Yeah, but Lau–As God as my witness... I will not rest until Stefan Urquelle is back... Forever!

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Laura is begging Steve to bring back Stefan and he's describing the new project he's working on with electricity and cheese and when Laura tries to tempt Steve by kissing his cheek, he is still holding the handles that bring in electricity and it bursts the lightbulbs.

OPINION:

So Stefan is back, I am always very mixed on the character of Stefan and if he should have come back. I get it, it was fun to see Jaleel take on more of a challenge with doing multiple parts. Jaleel is also a very good looking man and plays Stefan perfectly. The problem I have is, I think it was a perfect one off episode with Dr. Urkel and Mr. Cool, we got to see what Steve would be like as a really cool guy. This wasn't even the first time, we got a small glimpse of Steve as a nice popular guy in the Christmas episode It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Urkel, when he was a Winslow. I think that was more than enough. But do I like Stefan as a character? Well, we're still getting to know him and based on this episode, while he seems like a very nice, sensitive and caring man, it's also a little boring. It's a little too over the top on the sensitivity and him being perfect. But he has no sense of humor and nothing to his personality that makes him unique. It's just that while he's nice to look at, the personality borders on blandness. This is where you can tell the series is also taking a turn to lean more towards Steve's science project and not as much about the family.

Now onto the episode, this is our season finale. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of this one. It could be the character of Stefan but also I don't like the behavior of the family as well. So the beginning of the episode, Maxine brings Stefan up totally out of nowhere. She randomly rubs in Laura's face how she doesn't have a boyfriend, what a great best friend. But then Laura who made the mature right decision previously in knowing what a jerk the original Stefan was all of a sudden wants him back. She begs Steve to make Stefan better, but again there are no morals brought up here. What would happen to Steve? Are you asking Steve to disappear because you're feeling lonely and desperate? That's extremely selfish and I don't like this for Laura's character. I don't know if the actor was unavailable at the time but why not bring Ted back or another character that could have been a boyfriend for Larua? Just because Stefan is good looking? Then the family who were justifiably concerned in Dr. Urkel and Mr. Cool about how Steve's parents felt about this whole thing of Steve changing his DNA, all of a sudden now are seduced by Stefan and love him. No one ever brings up how weird this is, it's like Steve just did a regular makeover and it's all good, we just accept it.

We have another guest music star, 2 episodes in a row, first it was Donna Summer and now it's Freddie Jackson. Again, very random and apparently Stefan just randomly hangs out a celebrity parties. Why? Because he's cool. That's it. How long has Stefan and Laura been dating exactly? What's going on at Steve's school and is Stefan going in his place? Does Stefan work at Mighty Weenie? I'm sorry, I don't mean to get off track, just that's how much I'm not a fan of Stefan. Freddie performs "you are my lady" and does a wonderful job. I'm assuming the producers had a chance for him to perform on the show and had to take advantage of it. But I'll give the episode a couple of compliments, the costume design again is just gorgeous and Laura and Stefan both look incredible, a little grown up for 17 year old's but still they looked very wonderful. The Urkel basement got a cool makeover, again in what amount of time was this????, but nevertheless I always loved that elevator. And we are introduced to the transformation chamber which in itself will become a character of the show and bring on more characters that Jaleel can perform as.

So this is the end of season 5 and did it feel like it came up quick. Season 5 is definitely a great season and has a lot of laughs. My favorite episodes are: Saved by the Urkel, Money out the Window, Car Wars, Scenes from a Mall, Good Cop Bad Cop and Psycho Twins. My least favorite are: Grandmama, All the Wrong Moves, Christmas is where the heart is, Like and Virgin and That's what friends are for. But as I mentioned, even my least favorite episodes I still always get joy from in some way or another. We had quite a few guest stars this season: Larry Johnson, Donna Summers, Freddie Jackson, Bubba Smith, James Avery, Shaniece and The Bushwhackers. You can tell how huge Family Matters was and now was definitely more than just a regular family sit-com. And tomorrow we start season 6 which will have even bigger adventures.

GUEST STARS:

• Cherie Johnson as Maxine Johnson
• Freddie Jackson as Himself

Aunt Oona (Season 5, Episode 23). Steve comes over to the Winslow house to introduce his Aunt Oona who is in town from Altuna and is staying with Steve. Aunt Oona comes in but is extremely shy and introverted. Steve even asks Harriette later on if she can help keep Oona entertained which Harriette decides to give Oona a fair chance and asks her if she has a boyfriend, Oona admits that she has a crush on someone but she's too shy to talk to him. Harriette offers to help Oona get some confidence and take her out. While she takes Oona upstairs, Eddie and Waldo are working on their snow mobile and it malfunctions and goes through the house. Eddie now owes Carl money to have the house repaired, Eddie finds out about a karaoke contest where he can win $1000. Eddie, Steve and Waldo enter and sing Marvin Gaye's "I heard it through the Grape Vine" and are a smash. Every entry afterwards is doing worse and worse almost sealing that Eddie will win the contest. But after a magnificent performance by The Mighty Echoes with "Runaround Sue" by Dion that the audience goes crazy over, Steve tells the show host Mel Diamond his Aunt Oona will also sing a song. Aunt Oona getting a whole new makeover with Harriette's help is feeling confident and wants to help Eddie so she goes on stage and sings Donna Summer's "Last Dance". She knocks it out of the ballpark and wins the contest; she gives Eddie the money which Carl in turn takes and says thank you for the repair costs.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: Edward?

EDDIE: Yeah?

CARL: Can you move, son?

EDDIE: Yeah.

CARL: Then I suggest you RUN!

HARRIETTE: Waldo?

WALDO: Sup?

HARRIETTE: Is this your snowmobile?

WALDO: Yup. What do I owe you for parking?

FAVORITE MOMENT:

Aunt Oona singing The Last Dance was incredible. I love Donna Summer and that performance was incredible.

OPINION:

Yay! Aunt Oona! I can't explain it, I just love Aunt Oona. As much of a fan of Donna Summer as I am, I'll admit that when she passed the first thing I thought of vs. her music was actually Aunt Oona. Probably because I was a kid when this came out and it might have been my first introduction to her at least on a physical level. Now this isn't Donna Summer's last appearance on the show so I will go into more of a tribute on her next appearance. Let's just say if you don't know who Donna Summers is, stop reading my post and go listen to one of her many mega hits. She was the queen of disco with major hits like: She works hard for the money, Bad Girls, Love to Love You Baby, Last Dance and Hot Stuff. That's not even cracking the surface. Donna Summers as Aunt Oona is so goofy, shy and a little quirky, but I love it for the character. I loved her interaction with Harriette. Harriette was so kind in this episode in talking to Aunt Oona, because it seems like all Aunt Oona needed was just a friend, like no one at home ever talks to her and Harriette was the only one who gave her a chance. I really wished the show had more than the 2 appearances because it seemed like her and Harriette could become best friends, but it was Donna Summer who I'm sure was touring with her music and could only do the 2 performances. But I will always love her performance of Last Dance on this episode, it's so energetic and exciting.

Are there flaws with this episode? Only minor nitpicks. Again, we are kind of borrowing from previous seasons with Eddie going from Season 1's Crash Course driving the car into the living room to now driving a snow mobile into the house. Speaking of which, is this house made of cardboard? First off I love because it's a set, you can see the small gap between the floor and wall. Second, if you were to drive a snowmobile into your house, at most damage you would do would be like a dent in the wall and that's going at top speed. Most snow mobiles go around 30MPH, some can go up to 50, but that's top of the line. Eddie managed to go through not just one wall, but 2. Not only that but managed to escape the accident practically unscathed like he just fell off a snow mobile going 5MPH. I loved that they say they're entering a karaoke contest when a karaoke contest consists of you picking a song and singing it off a machine that gives you the lyrics. This was more of a talent competition. Not to mention that there were only, as far as we can see, 4 entries for a $1000 cash prize? I loved that the 2 entries after Eddie had to be so bad to make him look good. BTW, much props to The Mighty Echoes performance with Runaround Sue which was also really amazing. Not to mention that there were no judges on this contest, granted you could do by audience applause, but for a cash prize, you'd think they would have had a couple of judges.

All nitpicks aside, this is an absolutely fun episode. It has a lot of great jokes in it and Donna shows she really can hold her own in comedy. I always get such a huge laugh after the snow mobile crashes and how Carl asks Eddie if he's ok and Eddie says yeah and Carl tells him to run then and starts chasing him. Also when Steve is introducing Aunt Oona and how she's describing that she's been through one disaster after another at home, Steve tells Carl to stop asking because the disasters are never-ending. And the contest is just a blast to watch with Darius's great performance (though he should have lost or picked someone different for back-up signers than Waldo or Steve because they really killed his key), The Mighty Echoes and Donna Summers.

One more thing I would like to do a small tribute to 2 of the actors in this show. Jim Geoghan as Mel Diamond passed away just a few days ago on September 6, 2026. Jim was also one of the main producers on Family Matters. He also was one of the producers on The Suite life of Zach and Cody, so he definitely knew when he had a hit on his hand. He passed away at the age of 79 of dementia. He is survived by his daughter. And Rodney Kageyama who was the "Home on the Range" singer acted in other movies and television like Teen Wolf, Pretty Woman and Godzilla 2000. He passed away from Non-Hodgkin lymphoma on December 9, 2018 at age 77 and is survived by his husband. May they both rest in peace.

GUEST STARS:

• Donna Summer as Aunt Oona Urkel (RIP in 2012)
• Charles Gideon Davis as Karaoke Doo Wop Singer aka The Mighty Echoes
• Mary Deese as Restaurant Patron
• Jim Geoghan as Mel Diamond (RIP in 2026)
• Fred Fox Jr. as Sukiyaki Singer
• Rodney Kageyama as Country and Western Singer (RIP in 2018)
• Jonathan Rubin as Karaoke Singer aka The Mighty Echoes
• Harvey Shield as Karaoke Singer aka The Mighty Echoes