Cousin Urkel is the eighth episode of the second season of Family Matters, which aired on ABC on November 2, 1990. It was directed by Gary Menteer and written both by Pamela Eells and Sally Lapiduss.
Synopsis[]
After Steve recently disturbs and annoys the entire neighborhood with his late-night playing of "Feelings" to serenade Laura (at Eddie's encouragement), he is sent to live with relatives in Mississippi. Making the Winslows think that Steve would leave them alone for a few weeks but only to find out to be temporary, when in pops Myrtle Urkel, the splitting (albeit girly) image of her cousin (played by Jaleel White). Myrtle immediately sets her sights on Eddie, and Laura does everything she can to encourage her to get revenge. That is until Carl and Harriette upon learning about their pranks grounds both Eddie and Laura and forces them to apologize to both Steve and Myrtle when Steve returns from his visit to his Southern relatives.
Plot[]
While playing Gin Rummy with Carl (originally consenting to one hand at first, but deciding to play another game with him just for kicks), Steve watches Eddie come home angry with Laura for replacing his deodorant with Jheri Curl as a prank. Swearing revenge on her, he encourages Urkel to serenade her at night. He does that with his rendition of Feelings. However, it not only fails to impress Laura but also annoys the neighbors. They take action by not only forcing Steve down from the tree, but also threw a lot of stuff at the Urkel home. Laura realizes she was set up by Eddie as Urkel continues singing. Carl shows up and demands Steve stop singing at once and let everyone sleep.
Later on as the Winslows enjoy their meal, Steve's cousin from Biloxi, Myrtle arrives as an exchange for her father taking Steve for two weeks. Immediately she is enamored with Eddie much to his extreme terror and Laura's delight. After failing to impress him, Laura encourages her to sneak inside his room and kiss him. Later on that night, she does kiss Eddie, but he is horrified. Soon enough Carl and Harriette finds out about the prank war between him and Laura. They ask Myrtle to go back to her uncle's home, which she does, but then falls off the attic window. Carl call their children out for what they've done, including tricking Steve and Myrtle in their plans for revenge. Hariette agrees and mentions that Eddie and Laura's behavior is very selfish. Immediately Carl and Harriette grounds them for the prank war and makes them apologize to both Urkels, after Steve returns from visiting his relatives in Biloxi.
After Steve returns, Eddie and Laura apologizes to him and Myrtle. Myrtle wants some time with her cousin to discuss their plans. After Eddie and Laura leaves, she discusses their plan of action with Steve. While they agree that what Eddie and Laura did was wrong, both are convinced they love Steve and Myrtle. While that's going on, Eddie and Laura discuss about having two Urkels in their lives. Eddie is only happy at the prospect that Myrtle is going back home, while Laura must deal with Steve. The Urkel cousins forgive them, but Myrtle is convinced to tell Big Daddy to move up to Chicago so she can be with Eddie. He and Laura are disgusted as Steve and Myrtle cuddle up to them.
Cast[]
Main[]
- Reginald VelJohnson as Carl Winslow
- Jo Marie Payton as Harriette Winslow (credited as Jo Marie Payton-France)
- Rosetta LeNoire as Estelle Winslow
- Darius McCrary as Eddie Winslow
- Kellie Shanygne Williams as Laura Winslow
- Jaimee Foxworth as Judy Winslow
- Bryton James as Richie Crawford (credited as Bryton McClure)
- Jaleel White as Steve Urkel / Myrtle Mae Urkel
- Telma Hopkins as Rachel Crawford
Trivia[]
- First appearance of Myrtle Mae Urkel, though her middle name is not revealed until much later.
- This episode is the only time Steve and Myrtle supported one another in their pursuit in their respective Winslows. After what Myra put him through in season 5 by stalking him and invading his personal space on a worse scale, he accepted it was time for him to mature. Hence, Steve defended Eddie against Myrtle and told her to stay away from him during seasons 7-9.
Transcript[]
Quotes[]
- Laura: So, Myrtle, how long are you gonna be around?
- Myrtle: Oh, just two weeks. My parents would only take Steve if Steve's parents promised to take me.
- Rachel: Sort of an Urkel Exchange Program?
- Myrtle: Exactly, honey!
- Carl: He's all yours. [leaves]
- Laura: Well, he's all yours, Eddie. [leaves]
- Steve: [to Eddie] Face it. You're stuck.