When Dino quits the hockey team for no apparent reason, Michael confronts his son about what is really upsetting him. Meanwhile, Jackie has trouble admitting to herself that she's living in a very dysfunctional household. And, at Ms. Young's suggestion, Ben auditions for the school play, so when he expresses concern about landing a plum role, his teacher finds it necessary to comfort him in a very personal way.

Ben and Sue's newfound chemistry encourages Sue to make a stunning admission. Meanwhile, Dino's anger about his parents' separation lands him in a counselor's office (guest starring Peter Dinklage as Dr. Belber), and Jonathan is intrigued by Deb's out-of-town visitor, on "life as we know it," airing in its new time period.

Jonathan considers making a move on another girl, while Ben is forbidden from seeing the person he has grown to like. Meanwhile, Dino begins to come to terms with his feelings about his family.

Despite being grounded, Sue and Ben hatch a scheme to be together on the sophomore class ski trip, and Dino sees a new opportunity to win Jackie back. Meanwhile, Deborah aggressively pursues an exciting internship that her mother has forbidden.

When Jonathan crashes the car, the boys have to resort to desperate measures to pay back the 'mean lady' they crashed into. Mr Miller grows frustrated by the swarm of teenage girls living in his house, Deborah meets her father for the first time in six years as a result of her internship and Annie and Michael individually accept that their relationship is over.