Despite obviously being sick, Alex decides to persevere in pulling an all-nighter to complete an assignment on the Declaration of Independence. Once he inevitably falls asleep, he finds himself dreaming that he is a stable boy who has to assist and convince Thomas Jefferson (played by Steven) to write the Declaration.
Examples:
- Actor Allusion: At the time of this episode's filming, Michael J. Fox had received the offer to play Marty McFly in Back to the Future.
- All Just a Dream: Justified. Alex is sick during this episode and therefore wakes up confused that it was a dream, albeit it was a dream about real events with his family members substituting for real people.
- But You Were There, and You, and You: After he wakes up from his time-travelling dream, Alex tells each of his family members and Skippy what their role in his fantasy was, much to their confusion:Alex: Skippy, you cracked the Liberty Bell.Skippy: I'm sorry! I hardly touched it! I just…I just sort of…Wait a minute.
- Costumer: The Keatons and Skippy are dressed in 1700s clothing and wigs during Alex's dream.
- Dream Episode: Alex falls asleep while studying.
- Field Trip to the Past: Alex dreams that he has travelled to 1776 to witness the signing of the Declaration of Independence, with Steven as Thomas Jefferson and Skippy as a stable boy who assists Alex. Elyse, Mallory and Jennifer appear as members of Jefferson's household.
- Overly Long Gag: While trying to convince Steven to testify at Congress for his television station, Alex uses Thomas Jefferson as an example of how a seemingly-small event can transform a man's identity:Alex: Dad, Thomas Jefferson wasn't Thomas Jefferson until he was Thomas Jefferson, you know? He didn't know he was gonna be Thomas Jefferson. I mean, one day he was Thomas Jefferson, and the next day, he was...Steven: I know, Thomas Jefferson.Alex: Yeah!
- Sick Episode: In typical Alex fashion, he thoroughly denies that he has a cold and tries to pull an all-nighter to finish an assessment, leading to his vivid dream about 1776.
