Andy starts his first day at preschool, where his favorite activity is Sharing Time. Alex feels he should learn how to deal with a dog-eat-dog world, and tells Andy he does not have to share, which does not go over well.

Alex's girlfriend Ellen left for Paris and Alex is heartbroken. He finally decides to ask someone out. Mallory & Jennifer help him to change his appearance for the date, and he tries to have Sharon change her appearance to look like Ellen.

Mallory has to work with a partner for a paper and is teamed with a senior citizen. The experience gives her a different outlook on college classes and life. Alex offers to help his father write his will, but gets a bit too involved.

A college friend of Steven & Elyse's visits. Matt wants to restart their college magazine. Steven agrees. As the staff talks about holding demonstrations and getting arrested, he realizes he has changed from the radical years of college.

Alex takes a job as a bank intern, but when he finds out his boss is a woman, he has a difficult time taking her seriously, and all their attempts to create a workable professional relationship seem to make the situation worse.

Mallory feels the pressure of college and home, and finds it too much. Talking with Nick, she dreams more of married life with a family than of college. They decide to get married, but her family is shocked and tries to talk her out of it.

Skippy is frustrated over not getting into a fraternity, so Alex talks to the brothers at his frat's local chapter, and Skippy gets accepted. But Alex is conflicted when he learns they only want to make him a laughingstock.

Nick wants a job at the YMCA, but is turned down because he does not have a high school diploma, so Mallory helps him study for an equivalency test. Jennifer is upset with her father for his carpool conversations.

Steven's brother Rob visits, but stuns everyone by announcing he and his wife have separated and are filing for divorce; he is dating a woman he just met on the plane. Mallory and Jennifer find excuses to see a cute paramedic at the mall.

Rob's wife Maureen arrives at the Keaton home, and tells Steven that Rob left home and his job two months ago without telling her where he was going. Steven struggles to decide where his relationship with his brother is headed.

Mallory is enthralled in a grad student in her poetry reading group at Grant College. Mallory's boyfriend Nick is concerned that he might lose her to the poet.

Steven's work has approved Elyse for remodeling the lobby of the WKS building. Also, they want a contest for sculptures submitted by local artists and will pick a winner. Against Steven's wishes, Nick is included. He has great ideas.

Alex attends a banking conference with his boss, but when his hotel reservation is lost, he shares a hotel room with his boss. The room is quite small. Elyse and the girls want to remodel the kitchen, although Steven is reluctant.

While Alex and Rebecca attend a banking convention, Rebecca is nervous about meeting her boss. She has some drinks to relax, but ends up getting drunk and ruins the meeting. Steven wallpapers the kitchen but makes a mess of the job.

Elyse, Mallory and Jennifer are upset after Alex orders for them at a restaurant, arguing that he was being chauvinistic. Alex and Steven disagree, so the women recall all the times they tried to be overly manly and the disastrous results.

After their recollections give Andy the impression that everyone in the family constantly argues, they tell him about occasions when they offered each other support and comfort, strengthening their relationships.

Jennifer talks Alex into letting her band audition for Leland College's dance. When the band turns out to be good, Alex sees it as a money-making proposition, and takes over as the band's manager, causing problems.

Steven's station offers one scholarship for a child of an employee. Alex happily applies, though Mallory must be talked into trying for it. Alex is certain he will be selected, but has unexpected emotions about Mallory's aspirations.

Alex's friend dies in an accident. As the family grieves, Alex tries to mask his pain, but he can't hide his sadness and other emotions forever.

Jennifer helps tutor a star athlete who is having problem with science class. She pretends to be dumb in other subjects so he does not think she is just a brain. He invites her out, and she continues her dumb act.

Steven wants to throw a surprise birthday party for Elyse, but everyone knows he never throws a good surprise party. Also, Skippy meets one of Mallory's friends and is attracted to her. He asks her out and she agrees. Then he is nervous.

Elyse's sister Michele is visiting with her family. Everyone looks forward to Michele, but not her husband and children; she is friendly and helpful, but the others are loud, rude, and obnoxious. On this visit, they also bring a large dog.