Steve Urkel is a metaphor for all of humankind. Much like Urkel, we all have dreams, desires, and aspirations to reach our penultimate goal in life (his being Laura Winslow). And, much like Urkel, we fail over and over again; our sought after passion pushing us away or telling us to “go home.”
But Steve Urkel is not a metaphor for failure. He’s not a metaphor for losing. For you see Steve Urkel never gives up, he always tries again and again to reach his intended goal, and after nine years of trying he does finally succeed. Yes, my TV-loving friends; Steven Q. Urkel is a metaphor for perseverance.
Much like Urkel, we can’t allow the naysayers, rejection, and defeat stand in our way. We may feel as though all hope is lost, that no one wants us around, and that everyone thinks we are some freak who pops up uninvited and unwanted. Urkel doesn’t let any of this truly bother him. He keeps coming over. He keeps making his presence known. Despite a handful of times where he does get emotionally hurt, he bounces back before the credits begin.
Season Four of Family Matters is a testament to this very fact. Episode after episode this valiant nerd attempts to conquer the impossible: win over the heart of his lady love, Laura. And as he says time and time again, over the course of the season it does appear that he’s wearing her down. Well, almost wears her down and few times, but not for long.
Family Matters wouldn’t be the show we’ve come to know and love without Steve Urkel. However, the rest of the cast must be present in order to Urkel to be an effective force of comic nature. While he may be a constant buzzing in Laura’s (Kellie Shanygne Williams) ear, he’s definitely a thorn in the side of her father, Carl (Reginald VelJohnson). The comic timing and chemistry between White and VelJohnson is superb and makes each wacky moment that happens between them all the more entertaining.
This particular season also marks the final season for characters Judy Winslow (Jaimee Foxworth) and also Aunt Rachel (Telma Hopkins) as series regulars. Both Hopkins and Foxworth Hopkins would return on occasion in subsequent seasons, but their roles as main cast members end after season four.
If you’re like me, you grew up watching Family Matters as part of ABC’s TGIF line-up. It was a big part of my childhood, and it’s fun to watch it again and feel nostalgic (aka OLD). It’s crazy to think the series began over 25 years ago. And that is not a typo. Family Matters marks its 25th anniversary in 2014. How old do I feel now? REALLY old!
For a trip down TV memory lane and to see that I’m right about Urkel being a metaphor for perseverance, check out Family Matters: The Complete Fourth Season on DVD. I highly recommend it!
Family Matters: The Complete Fourth Season is on DVD now!
What is your favorite Urkel moment? Leave a comment and let us know!