Family - Just Like Old Times (Part 2 of 2) aka Severing Ties

[@Tiger-One]

Buddy's comment: _"I wanna be little again!"_ It's why some of us binge on old shows like this one; we want the light from other, better days. 😞

[@user-mp4zs2by9m]

I agree. 🥹

[@JolieF]

🤔 Sometimes some of us wish we even ever had better days, yet watching a TV show here we watched as kids, can bring back some memories, some of which are happy, some sad.

[@sleepingwithcats5121]

Willie was Not or ever a bad or selfish brother. We all could only dream of a brother like he was on this show. He was not enabling her. It's called advice, support, an elder helping a younger person, in this case a sister, with life. My goodness.

[@SunrayStar]

I totally agree 100%! Through all these episodes, people have always ragged on Willie, but I always found him to be the VERY BEST son and brother imaginable. Who cares if he didn't want to go to college? His family actually WANTED him to live at home with them because they all loved him and wanted him there. And he was CONSTANTLY doing work around the house and running errands to help his family, and he offered all of his help willingly and cheerfully. He was always ready to help anyone in his family who needed help, and also even people who weren't in his family. Willie truly loved all of his family, and he showed it! And one last comment -- as for Willie's part, this episode was just simply touching.

[@XxowendanxX]

I don't even like Willie but Buddy was vicious to him. And he might be a big fat bum but he's never done her wrong and he always gave her good advice.

[@powerofloveism]

Nancy was too busy always feeding her own appetite then to take time to be there for Buddy during this whole series Willie has been there for her practically raising Buddy.

[@blairbeale7673]

I used to wish I had an older brother like Willie.

[@sleepingwithcats5121]

@@blairbeale7673 I still do, and I'm old now !

[@dmatrix9555]

Omg!!! I love this episode... I love Willie and Buddy's sibling relationship... That is one of my favorite thing about this show...

[@Tinkerlooful]

dmatrix95 100%

[@lynheimler4357]

Their relationship was unrealistic

[@scarlettohara5030]

I love this show....brings back really great memories

[@Alfredhyman19]

Ami foster ❤

[@silvanabullentini9273]

This episode was fantastic, it really touched a nerve somewhere in my heart... Willie really defines well at the end by saying: you can’t loose someone when this someone is part of you.That serves for all of us, when we love a person he or she will always be with you, no matter where you go.

[@stephaniegriffiths251]

God, I LOVE this programme... its stood the test of time... Buddy was awesome, her family respected her, I liked that....

[@debbieschultz2224]

James Broderick died not long after the show ended. This was a wonderful episode!! Thank you. RIP James

[@rodneysexton1034]

How did Kristy real with Jim Broderick's death? She loved him very much.

[@dandiacal]

www.nytimes.com/1982/11/03/obituaries/james-broderick-55-actor-was-in-brenner-and-family.html

[@gailreese4102]

Series ended in 1980 and James Broderick died two years later. He was a wonderfully talented actor.

[@parrmar1]

He died so young

[@tinabartlett6079]

I am sorry to hear that! He is a special or was such a wonderful actor. Dang!

[@corlissberger4883]

I absolutely loved " Family " ! I have thought about this show for all these years. Sada Thompson looks so much like my Mom did. Really wish the would put this series on dvds.

[@robinscott6963]

Corliss Berger I have thought so many times how Sada Thompson looked so much like my mom, right down to the dresses she wore in this series! Our last name was even Thompson! My mom loved this show so much and I have rewatched it over and over again. I’m about a year older than Kristi McNichol so I think I always identified with her while this show aired.

[@MizBryteEyez]

I bawled when Willie gave Buddy the jacket.

[@marjoriecohn3868]

definitely a tear jerker scene

[@heatherboster1937]

totally epitomized the series long special relationship btwn Willie and Buddy...Just a beautifully written and superbly acted scene!

[@Tinkerlooful]

I wanna live with the Lawrence’s.

[@dafdfasdfdfasfdfadfd]

Me too

[@terridemaio7334]

Me to

[@terridemaio7334]

Me to

[@MizBryteEyez]

He understood how hard it was growing up, living in his parents guest house rent free.

[@IsidorusHispalensis]

He never did make it off the parents property. But I was hoping in the end he would have had one of his scripts signed by a big production company in Hollywood. Would have been fitting.

[@joycepino5346]

Willie was 22 when he moved into the guest house.

[@SnazzyDetritus]

@@joycepino5346 Yeah, and up till then he was 100 feet away living inside the parents' house proper.

[@Thatgirl1965]

Willie was a commitment-phobe. He couldn't commit to anything (graduating high school; writing; relationships, except marrying a woman he knew in advance had a terminal illness - the only time he moved out, by the way). Kate help to support Willy, because they shared having an "artistic" personality. Buddy was the "baby" of the family, and so she enjoyed favor from both Doug & Nancy (the business professionals); and Kate & Willy (the artists). Still, no family is perfect and neither was the family on FAMILY. That's why we loved it! ♥

[@reneebraxton1032]

Beautiful show. Beautiful family.

[@Alfredhyman19]

Debbie Gibson and Debbie Allen ♥️

[@ariasalvarezpeter1336]

MADE ME CRY SUCH A HAPPY FAMILY . I AM FROM ECUADOR IN LATINAMARICA . THEY LOOK LIKE A LATIN FAMILY UNITED IT IS THE WAY WE ARE OR WE WERE.

[@Alfredhyman19]

Debbie Gibson ❤

[@julieshelley-fd5kp]

Love this show and the simple vibes . Willie is a doll.

[@sharig1273]

The comments people leave make me laugh every time. Priceless! Love rewatching this show from episode 1. 🙃 I love how in this one, Buddy never says she will miss Nancy. It was so hilarious to watch every season how Nancy would treat Buddy like crap.. always selfish and coming to her only when she needed something, like a constant babysitter. So funny! 🙃 I love how Doug gets so obsessive over stuff. He loves his whiskey and baseball, and sex with Kate. Haha. And Kate is always such a drama queen. How dare Buddy want to go on a trip to relieve stress about college! Omg. Awesome.

[@mkp8942]

Kate always had a scowl on her face

[@SnazzyDetritus]

@@mkp8942 Yeah... I always thought Sada Thompson was wooden, just not a great actress, but somehow very effective at her role.

[@a.jlondon9039]

Imagine how many would be thrilled to be accepted to an Ivy League school and have mommy and daddy pay for it?

[@lynn1464]

@@Davey7358 she just didn't want to go to college right away she wanted an Adventure first why is that being selfish

[@rodneysexton1034]

There is nothing wrong with taking a road trip adventure. People do that every year.

[@chevydude658]

They were probably afraid of her becoming a flop like Willy.

[@valferguson8322]

@@lynn1464 These kids were always selfish

[@michaelleary9233]

I'm kind of glad the show ended not long after this, with Kristy doing movies and then Jim Broderick passing, it would've been too sad if it kept on much longer.

[@lynn1464]

@@Davey7358 I didn't like them either they never should have added her she was not my favorite character

[@XxowendanxX]

IDK man, I'd like to have seen the show continue through the early 80s. Buddy and Audrey going to college and dating dudes and dealing with jobs and careers. Annie growing up and stuff.

[@rah62]

@@XxowendanxX Um er no... Kristy McNichol turned out to be lesbian... (so did Meredith Baxter!). No "dating dudes" for her.

[@XxowendanxX]

@@rah62 Kristy Mcnichol was a lezbian but Buddy was a raging, boy crazy, hot blooded heterosexual she even hit on the dude in the hardware store and got his number. She could barely go one episode without crushing on some guy.

[@fabigrossi2976]

​@@rah62Do you know what actors do? They play a role. It was Buddy who would've dated boys, not Kristy. The character of Buddy had boyfriends before.

[@beckigreen]

This episode is weird. I don’t think Buddy would’ve been scared to go to college? She was seventeen years old, not twelve.

[@ourtravelingzoo3740]

Becki Green Buddy was written with a high anxiety level. Willie was her safe place to land. What I found the most off in this episode is the Dad acting coked out about something never mentioned in seasons before.

[@debbieschultz2224]

They were very close and she’s going away for the first time. He was her safe place to fall. I don’t see anything weird about that

[@lynn1464]

@@debbieschultz2224 I don't either they're really close and she doesn't want to leave

[@Leesaloves]

Yes, they wanted Buddy drama and they got it! It is weird because they're all extreme compared to what we did. In the end they are actors, DRAMAtizing other artists words.

[@ravenpoe7093]

A lot of shows seemed to do this type of plot. Genius kid gets straight As then moves on to the next chapter and they freak out and that was mostly going from Jr High to High School, things change classes are harder, new students to make friends with and new experiences. When u finish High School thats it u start entering the real world. College or get a job. Many move away from home either to the dorms or their own apt. Willie dropped out early, Nancy IDK how long after HS she got pregnant and married Jeff so Buddy would be the first to really fly the coop without her family and without her best bud Willie. Buddy doesnt do well with change no matter how tough she tries to be on the outside

[@UnownLeaf]

I think that the show lost some of its heart when Buddy grew up. I'm unconvinced that she is that attached to Willie at this point. Maybe I missed the good Buddy-Willie episodes after season 2?

[@Tinkerlooful]

UnownLeaf Totally agree.

[@janethunter664]

But remember, Willie dropped out of highschool, which likely could have added to Buddy's insecurity/reluctance to cleave from big bro & mommy & daddy to go to college.

[@michaelleary9233]

Gotta agree, Davey, everyone's problems seemed trivial, and you could tell they didnt know what to do with the kids leaving.

[@Alfredhyman19]

Ami foster ❤️

[@Alfredhyman19]

Ami foster ❤

[@philipreynold1316]

I think every girl needs a brother like willy

[@blairbeale7673]

Everyone regardless of gender could use a Brother like Willie.

[@cidweinberg]

I totally remember watching this episode! I was nine years old…my older cousins used to watch this show & Charlie’s Angels. This was the series finale…Kristy driving and smiling & popping away in the VW…it’s etched in my mind.

[@annehajdu8654]

It wasn't the series finale.

[@girlgeniusnyc272]

Willie still lives at home and dropped out of high school!!

[@tracyweaver7256]

This brother-sister relationship is a little bit too intense.

[@debbievaldez168]

Buddy almost has a crush on him🤢

[@cherylthomas2459]

How could Buddy get into college when Willie used to do all of her homework?

[@Alfredhyman19]

Debbie Gibson and cherie Johnson ❤

[@lindaoscutt62]

How can Buddy afford to buy that van?

[@alianagutierrez2733]

Yes life goes on we all grow up & change the world

[@ddivincenzo1194]

I thought Buddy was a very good student, but Stanford has the status of an ivy league school. She would have to be a top notch candidate.

[@Alfredhyman19]

Ami foster ❤️

[@Carolyn-qm4nb]

Happy Birthday Beautiful ❤

[@dem9259]

I remember how it was, when Audrey said her parents wanted her to stay home because once she goes to college they were afraid she wouldn't come back. It is sad to me, that the world has changed so much that kids can't afford to go off to school, have fun, and leave home. There was so much excitement in these rites of passage, so much to look forward to and be proud of. It is the way my own life worked out- being about the same age as Kristy. I hope someone can meet my comment with a more optimistic outlook. I didn't have children so I don't know what the kids think today.

[@Alfredhyman19]

Ami foster ❤️

[@farhanarahman7834]

Sometimes being your own person is hard to do when 🤔 people are constantly doleing out advice 😕. Farhana

[@mysteryislandstreasureches2847]

What could ABC do? Build a second guest house, and keep Buddy around as a groundskeeper? Awkward....hmm, i'd be curious to know if their contracts were up, ratings were down, actors wanted out...or? This episode did have an odd Flowers in the Attic feeling between brother/sister. Many scriptwriters for this show, giving some a weird flavor but the best episodes allow Kate to go full drama queen, Willie to flip Exercist Angry, or for Buddy to face a MORAL CRISIS with the handsome mysterious Audry lurking nearby in a plaid shirt over her husky shoulders....

[@greenonions5296]

Main story with Buddy this episode not as entertaining as the lesser side story with Annie. So definitely starting to jump the shark?

[@mkp8942]

Lolol haha you got it spot on!!

[@XxowendanxX]

It was on in the middle of the week at 9 or ten PM. Actually ABC tried to give the show a push by switching it to Fridays at 8 and the ratings died after that.

[@heatherboster1937]

'handsome'??!! Audry P?!! 🤣🤣😅😂😂ok, yah....mysterious?! about as mysterious as cellophane

[@FMoran1966]

If you are not already, you ought to write for comedy, Modern Family style.

[@campbellsmom6787]

I’m wondering how a 17 year old can buy a car on her own.

[@spiritmatter1553]

Buddy was always very thrifty and worked and saved her money!

[@sueyardley7489]

It's the second vehicle she has bought. She bought the hot sports car as well, that turned out to be a dud.

[@snopesshop1903]

Buddy’s teeth suddenly got very white

[@XxowendanxX]

Kristy was doing the tanning thing so they may have appeared whiter in contrast to her skin

[@SnazzyDetritus]

The chick that plays Audrey is quite awkward and awful an actress in this show, but in the Tom Petty video she is amazing.

[@jilldolen6544]

I thought parents took their kids to tour colleges? This is odd to me that they let her go off alone.

[@BBQFanNo1]

The last season. Just as also 1980 was the departure of Ron Howard and Donny Most from Happy Days 1980 was the end of Family. Within the next 4 years the Top TV Sitcoms would switch from ABC Network to the NBC Network.

[@JolieF]

Buddy looks so young! Hard to believe she was old enough to be going to college, or driving, and especially a van! Some parents, and some other kids too back then, looked down on a young girl who drove a van to school, and around town too, to say the least. Buddy is a sweet girl on this show, and apparently she’s not ready to give up her childhood, and she feels like if she leaves that she’ll never be a kid again, and she loves her close knit and loving family. Willie could have said, “You’ll always be my little sister, peaches.” That would have helped some. This is a great show!

[@lisaryan4362]

Imagine having a brother like Willy

[@wholoveskitty]

Who has these brother/sister relationships? My brother is 8 years older than me and he was mean as shit.

[@lynn1464]

Some people have good brothers and sister relationships

[@marthahoward8254]

My brother was only 3 years older than me and we hated each other!! It continued throughout adulthood and now he' dead and has been gone 5 years. Can't say I miss him.

[@Xanthas71]

I think they formed a close relationship due to the death of their brother at a young age.

[@CathyBill]

I don’t remember the death of a brother..I wish they had these streaming or on DVD’S so I could watch from start to finish.

[@conceicaoferraz1785]

The Carpenters

[@briannumme9337]

Buddy needs to be on meds.

[@rodneysexton1034]

I agree. She is depressed. I do not think anybody can be happy 24/7. Kristy revealed that Buddy is really her in real life. Kristy heavily plays herself on Family.

[@XxowendanxX]

Why?

[@rodneysexton1034]

T Price The answer is obvious. Kristy made Buddy wear her her the way she did. Kristy made Buddy wear the same clothes like Donny Osmond like the color purple. Kristy made Buddy be the same age as her. Nothing wrong with that.

[@XxowendanxX]

@@rodneysexton1034 are we to the point where we put no effort into fixing things and meds are the first resort and not the last resort when all else has failed? Those meds are crap all they do is make bank for the Big pharma dope pushers. Whatever happened to natural healing?

[@jenifaburnley1385]

Buddy dressed boyish most of the time seldom ever in a dress......

[@paulgogo4985]

The Mom is nothing like a musician. The Dad is nothing like a lawyer. But the VW is convincing.

[@lizmagu3189]

Flares?? 🤣🤣

[@peterdurkin1499]

These parents. What that can't brag about college

[@stacystoltz8722]

Cool

[@kathywages8959]

Was this the last episode of the series

[@vcrcooking]

No but it was getting close.

[@spiritmatter1553]

Willy’s New Yawk accent though….

[@chelseaforever6843]

😊

[@Alfredhyman19]

Debbie Gibson ❤