The very title of one of television’s first domestic comedies, “Father Knows Best” (1954-1960), tells you everything you need to know about the early television versions of “family.” Fathers were measured voices of wisdom above all else; often, that’s all they were. Mr. Thicke’s character on “Growing Pains” could be a measured voice of wisdom too, but he was also frequently the butt of jokes, and he was fallible.

Take the Season 4 premiere. Dr. Seaver, a psychiatrist, is in Lamaze class with his very pregnant wife, Maggie (Joanna Kerns). Another woman in the class appears to go into labor. In an earlier television era, Dr. Seaver, with his smattering of medical training, would have taken charge, been in control and guided the story to a safe landing. What actually happens, though, is that Dr. Seaver tries to help but is punched out by the woman’s husband; he finishes the episode with a black eye. Take that, traditional TV authority figure.