Edward doesn't feel like celebrating his birthday after Rick beats him at tennis for the first time. Kate struggles to learn Japanese for an overseas conference.
Kate feels left out when her old college friend, now an editor for a rock magazine, seems to have more in common with Rick - which only gets worse when she and Edward start to worry that she's interested in more than Rick's friendship.
Rick tutors a star football player, who must pass a history test in order to play for the championship. Edward gets the flu, and is getting on Rick and Kate's nerves.
Rick agrees to take care of a friend's boa constrictor for the night, but it happens to fall on the same evening as Kate's dinner with a toy dealer who can't stand women in business.
After going out to a comedy club as a reward for his success in school, Rick is invited to join a comedy class. But his homework is no joke, since he's cutting up in class as well as at home, and thinking of foregoing college.
Rick has a girl from school over to study, but they fall asleep in his room. After she gets grounded, Rick allows rumors to spread about what happened in their late study session.
When Brad's father goes out of town for a few days, Rick invites him to stay with the Strattons despite Edward's misgivings. But after Brad creates constant chaos in the house, even Rick finds it difficult to defend him.
When Rick decides to cook an elaborate Mother's Day dinner for his mother, Kate fears that her place in Rick's life is secondary, and that she won't ever compare to his real mother.
The Strattons' new neighbor is a rookie basketball star, and Rick is thrilled wen he offers him some coaching and invites him to games. But the family is stunned when their new friend is suspended after a drug possession arrest.
When Kate's grandmother arrives with her new boyfriend, everyone is shocked that they are sharing a bedroom - especially after Edward just criticized Rick for going a bit too far with a girl while he was out.
Disappointed by Rick's interest in party schools, Edward steers him toward a more rigorous all-male college. But when Rick and Brad attend an open-house weekend, they have a hard time restraining their interest in the local female students.
Kate and Edward try to have a romantic weekend in the snow, but Rick, Alfonso, Brad and Dexter spoil their plans. Getting time alone is impossible, especially when a blizzard hits their cabin.
