History Recap / FamilyTiesS2E14SayUncle

* ComicallySerious: When Ned finally agrees he has a drinking problem, and goes to call AA for help, he still can't help but make jokes about, like claiming maybe he can meet girls with common interests/struggles there. Even when he reaches AA, he jokes to them about their subscribing to Columbus Express, before finally admitting to them that he needs their help.

* HeelRealization: After he assaults Alex, he finally realizes he might have a serious problem that is causing his life to be destroyed.

* ManChild: In many ways, this describes Ned: He is a borderline {{Narcissist}} and has a grossly overblown sense of self-importance, particularly after he lost his job with Syntram Corp. in a previous episode (for theft), and also believes that successful speaking engagements before organizations such as the World Bank are all that should define him. When Alex (politely) declines his offer to help study for a test, Ned angrily calls him an UngratefulBastard who thinks he isn't good enough to help out. During his interview at [=WKS=] where he is completely drunk, Ned acts like a total fool, as though he were saying he thought this opportunity to regain his footings were beneath him. Later, when Ned starts tossing newspaper clippings of his past accomplishments in the fireplace and Alex tries to stop him -- he tries reminding him that he once was the top-ranking financial manager of a Fortune 500 company -- Ned punches him out. Moreover, Ned refuses to accept responsibility for his actions that got him removed from his job at Syntram and resulted in him being arrested on federal theft charges, regardless of the legal or ethical reasons behind a company merger that would have resulted in hundreds of jobs being lost, is perfectly willing to blame others for his own mistakes and actions, and doesn't seem to care that he is at (or near) rock bottom and burning his bridges, with less than zero desire to rebuild his life.

* ManChild: In many ways, this describes Ned: He is a borderline {{Narcissist}} and has a grossly overblown sense of self-importance, particularly after he lost his job with Syntram Corp. in a previous episode (for theft). When Alex (politely) declines his offer to help study for a test, Ned angrily calls him an UngratefulBastard who thinks he isn't good enough to help out. During his interview at [=WKS=] where he is completely drunk, Ned acts like a total fool, as though he were saying he thought this opportunity to regain his footings were beneath him. Later, when Ned starts tossing newspaper clippings of his past accomplishments in the fireplace and Alex tries to stop him -- he tries reminding him that he once was the top-ranking financial manager of a Fortune 500 company -- Ned punches him out. Moreover, Ned refuses to accept responsibility for his actions that got him removed from his job at Syntram and resulted in him being arrested on federal theft charges, regardless of the legal or ethical reasons behind a company merger that would have resulted in hundreds of jobs being lost, is perfectly willing to blame others for his own mistakes and actions, and doesn't seem to care that he is at (or near) rock bottom and burning his bridges, with less than zero desire to rebuild his life.

* ManChild: In many ways, this describes Ned: He is a borderline {{Narcissist}} and has a grossly overblown sense of self-importance, particularly after he lost his job with Syntram Corp. in a previous episode (for theft). When Alex (politely) declines his offer to help study for a test, Ned angrily calls him an UngratefulBastard who thinks he isn't good enough to help out. During his interview at [=WKS=] where he is completely drunk, Ned acts like a total fool, as though he were saying he thought this opportunity to regain his footings were beneath him. Later, when Ned starts tossing newspaper clippings of his past accomplishments in the fireplace and Alex tries to stop him -- he tries reminding him that he once was the top-ranking financial manager of a Fortune 500 company -- Ned punches him out. Moreover, Ned refuses to accept responsibility for his actions that got him removed from his job at Syntram and resulted in him being arrested on federal theft charges, regardless of the legal or ethical reasons behind a company merger that would have resulted in hundreds of jobs being lost, and doesn't seem to care that he is at (or near) rock bottom and burning his bridges, with less than zero desire to rebuild his life.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Ned is not seen nor referred to in future episodes, which has led to fan speculation as to the fate of his character. Some say he got help and was able to rebuild his career, while others suggest that he continued to burn his bridges, lost more than everything and eventually died a broken, haggard drunk.

** The night before, during the refrigerator run scene, Ned gets upset when Alex (nicely) turns down his offer to help him study for an economics final. Ned accuses Alex of being this, reminding him that he spoke before the World Bank and was a rising star in as a financial manager for a multi-billion-dollar company.

* UngratefulBastard: Steven tries giving Ned an olive branch to allow him to redeem himself, both personally and professionally, by creating a position as financial analyst for WKS's news program. Ned's response is to show up drunk for the interview and make a complete ass of himself and embarrass Steven.

* DrowningMySorrows: Clearly, the reason Ned -- having lost his previous job after embezzling millions from the company (purportedly to save the jobs he was ordered to cut) -- is an alcoholic. He can't find a job as a financial manager, having been blacklisted, so he has turned to drinking.

* QuickNip: Ned's drinking has progressed to the point where it becomes impossible for him to function without constantly ingesting anything with even a trace of alcohol.

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: When he sees he's assaulted Alex.

* HeelRealizationMoment: After he assaults Alex, he finally realizes he might have a serious problem that is causing his life to be destroyed.