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To Be or Not to Be (Part 1) is the first episode of the sixth season of Family Matters, which aired on ABC on September 23, 1994. It was directed by John Tracy and written by Jim Geoghan.

Synopsis[]

Harriette asks Carl to go see an eye doctor after he complains about having problems seeing. However, he balks at the idea and takes Eddie's advice by asking Urkel for some help. Urkel, meanwhile, has been perfecting his "Boss sauce" serum and transformation chamber to enable him to be Stefan all the time. Carl asks Stefan to let him step into the transformation chamber to fix his eyesight problems. However, a jealous Myra – wanting to snare herself a certain nerd – tampers with the machine by switching the dial thinking Stefan will use it to change back into Steve. Unbeknownst to her, Carl is really inside and once she learns the truth, she tells Stefan to stop the chamber. Sure enough, the chamber is broken and Myra realizes what she has done when Carl Urkel (instead of Carl Winslow) steps out!

Plot[]

In the B-Story, Steve takes Myra out to Chez Josephine's. During that time, they have an argument about Laura and his plans to remain Stefan for a prolonged period of time. Myra tells Steve that he needs to stop pleasing others to gain their acceptance of him because she thinks he's wasting his time and not everyone will change their opinions of him. She mentions he already has one person who accepts him as he is, thus she doesn't want him to change a thing about himself. Myra tells Steve all he needs is a little encouragement to love himself for who he and mentions that hiding behind his alter-ego, Stefan, isn't working with her. This is because she sees others caring about appearances more and to her Laura like everyone else has proven her point. When Steve begins to argue back against Myra's wishes, his clumsiness causes a mess at Chez Josephine's. The maître' d orders him to pay up, leave and never come back here again. Steve pays up in cents and leaves the restaurant. He is chasing after Myra to try and explain himself. She tells Steve to drive her home at once, intending to give him the cold shoulder.

Meanwhile, Carl is complaining about his dwindling eye sight since he's getting old. However, he balks at Harriette's recommendation to do the right thing, go to the optometrist and get his eyes checked for glasses. Carl fears that glasses makes him look old.

The next day, Steve is seen improving his boss sauce and transformation chamber with Laura, who is yearning to see Stefan again. She tells him how much she appreciates him doing this favor for her, despite all of this. Steve admits he'll do anything for Laura as her friend. He mentions that Myra is ignoring him after a fight they had last night at the Chez Josephine's restaurant about her and Stefan. Before he could test the improvements, she shows up begging him to forgive her and stop changing himself. Steve argues that he's sick and tired of her being a commitment control freak and her constant disrespect of him and his friends. Laura tells Myra to leave at once, but she refuses. She demands he doesn't go through with the transformation chamber and he is perfect the way he is. Steve tries to argue for some space, but she forcibly kisses him to prove her point. Eventually Laura forces Myra to back off as he is able to get inside the chamber and she pulls down the lever to start the process. When Stefan comes out, she is smitten to see him again. However, Myra isn't impressed and calls her a lovesick puppy for a handsome face.

Stefan and Laura spend some time together. One night, they agree to have a romantic night at her place. Carl and Harriette are dressed up to go to Chez Josephine's. Before leaving, she tells Stefan and Laura to behave themselves while she and Carl are out. They agree to do so.

At the restaurant, Carl's antics and behavior humiliate Harriette. It all starts with him mistaking her expensive broach for a bug, forcing the sommelier to bring the bottle closer to his face just to see better and accidentally burning the menu. When Harriette demands that Carl stops being stubborn, set up an appointment to see an optometrist and get fitted for glasses, he refuses.

Later on, Eddie is home from college and is hanging out with Mother Winslow. Carl comes downstairs with some water and pills. When Eddie asks him if he's all right, Carl says no and is about to leave. Mother Winslow admonishes him for nearly destroying her favorite 4 star restaurant. Like Harriette, she asks him to do the right thing, see an optometrist and get glasses. Carl puts the pills in his water, refuses and claims that he doesn't need glasses. Eddie is perceptive in his refusal. Learning from personal experience, he tells Carl that being near-sighted is a sign of old age and thinking that if he were to get glasses, he'd be admitting that he's getting old. He tells Eddie that he's right about it on the first try. He suggests that Carl asks Stefan to let him use the transformation chamber to fix his eye sight. When he gets skeptical and asks why, Eddie explains that Stefan has perfect vision and doesn't need to worry about wearing glasses. When he mentions that Steve couldn't see anything without glasses, this convinces Carl of a 2nd option. He takes Eddie's advice and asks Stefan to let him use his chamber to fix his eye sight, unaware that advice is the one he will forever regret.

However, Myra misses her perfect Steve and decisively tampers with the chamber as revenge against Laura for her misery. Resetting the chamber, she thinks that Stefan will use it to return to Urkel and ensnare him. Unfortunately, she overhears Carl thanking Stefan in using his chamber, which worries her. Once Carl is in the chamber, Myra quickly tells Stefan to stop the machine because she tampered with it. When Stefan asks her why, Myra revealed she rewired the transformation chamber and it was reset to nerd, rather than remain on cool. He tries to stop it and it circuits short fuse. After Stefan opens the door, Myra realizes what she has done when Nerd Carl steps out of the chamber.

Adopting a nerd personality, Carl comes out as in a stereotypical nerd fashion, hitched up underwear, pocket protector, sagging pants and suspenders. Stefan asked Carl if he's still there. Nerd Carl that he hopes so and attempts to pull his pants up, but gives himself a wedgie. He laughs and snorts while Stefan is embarrassed and Myra is horrified by what she did to Carl.

Cast[]

Main[]

Guest[]

  • Lisa Grant as Photographer
  • Victor Wilson as Waiter

Trivia[]

  • This is the first two-part episode of the series.
  • As of this episode, Michelle Thomas joins the main cast and is included in the opening credits theme.
  • Myra's full name is revealed to be Myra Boutros Boutros Monkhouse.
  • This marks the first time that the Urkel Transformation Chamber is sabotaged.
  • Chez Josephine's makes it actual appearance in this episode and in the end of To Be or Not to Be (Part 2). In the earlier seasons, it was mentioned.

Quotes[]

Eddie': Too bad you can't pull a Stefan.
Carl: A what?
Eddie: Well, Stefan Urquelle doesn't need glasses, but when he was Steve Urkel he couldn't see zip without 'em.
Carl: That's right.
Eddie: Sounds like what you need is a transformation chamber.

Stefan: Myra, what have you done?
Myra: Okay, I rewired the chamber, and instead of cool, it's set on nerd.
[Stefan tries to stop the chamber and the chamber ends up being busted. When the door opens Carl appears dressed up as Steve normally dresses with his glasses]
Nerd Carl: Hi-diddly-dee. It's me.
Stefan: Carl, is... is that you?
Nerd Carl: I sure hope so. 'Cause I'm wearing his underwear.
  v - e - dFamily Matters Season 6
To Be or Not to Be (Part 1)To Be or Not to Be (Part 2)Till Death Do Us ApartmentThe Looney BinBeta Chi GuyDark and Stormy NightPar For the CourseSink or SwimParadise BluffFlying BlindMiracle on Elm StreetMidterm CrisisAn Unlikely MatchThe Substitute SonThe GunWedding Bell BluesAin't Nothing but an UrkelMy Uncle, the HeroMy BodyguardCheers Looking at You, KidWhat's Up Doc?We're Going to Disney World (Part 1)We're Going to Disney World (Part 2)They Shoot Urkels, Don't They?Home Sweet Home
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