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Charlie's widow, Victoria, makes friends with Charlie's secretary Jessie, and everyone is suspicious that they were in cahoots regarding Charlie's death. Daniel's father, who is also his Bishop, comes to dinner. Daniel's mother is suffering from dementia or some form of memory loss, though she has periods of lucidity, which makes things more awkward. It gets even more awkward still when the Bishop -- who doesn't know that Peter is gay -- starts grilling him about when he's going to settle down with a nice girl. And then Victoria and Jessie show up for dinner, to up the awkwardness quotient yet even more. Later, Daniel counsels an engaged couple: the woman can't have sex unless she's high. They decide not to get married, because the pressure of being engaged ruined their sex life. Adam gets busted sneaking out of his girlfriend Caroline's bedroom. Did I mention that Caroline is the neighbor's daughter? And the neighbors are nosy Roger and Nora? Nora forbids Caroline from seeing Adam, largely because Adam is Chinese, but the young lovers sneak around to see each other anyway. Grandpa Bishop sets Peter up with Bishop Burstyn's niece, but Peter would rather date Bishop Burstyn's nephew. Daniel starts handing out Vicodin to Bishop Burstyn. At her community-service job, Grace meets Wanda, who downloads a bunch of animation programs for Grace in return for the rest of Grace's pot. And Victoria reveals that she AND Charlie were both having an affair with Jessie, in an attempt to spice up their sex life. Except Victoria fell in love with Jessie, and now Jessie has taken off again. Just to complicate things even more, Grandpa Bishop is having an affair with Bishop Burstyn. The financial problems lead Daniel to try to take out a mortgage on his house, but it turns out that the house is still in his wife's mother's name. Father Frank has found the money Charlie stole, and he forces Daniel to use a Mafia-owned construction company to build his school in order to get it back. Want more? The full recap starts right below!
We open with the closing scene from the episode, where Daniel has arrived at Victoria's house to deliver the leftovers, and discovers Victoria and Jessie giggling together in the kitchen. Daniel leans on Jessie's car alongside Jesus, who advises Daniel to knock on the door and ask what's going on. Bishop Grandpa, who's been waiting not-so-patiently in the car, honks the horn in the universal sign for "Get the lead out, loser." This causes Victoria and Jessie to look out the window. Daniel tries to just drop off the leftovers without having an awkward conversation, but Victoria runs outside and makes the excuse that the cops let Jessie go, so she clearly didn't murder Charlie. So Victoria has decided to let Jessie stay at her house for a while. Daniel has to go, but promises that they will continue this conversation. Jessie picks that moment to join them, and lays a hand on Victoria's shoulder in a familiar way. Daniel asks her if she knows what Charlie did with the money. Jessie doesn't know, and Victoria promises to look into it. Bishop Grandpa shows up and bitches about having to wait. Victoria introduces Jessie, and Bishop Grandpa leaves, making it clear that Daniel needs to join him. Daniel tells Victoria again that they need to talk later.
As Daniel walks to his car, he fumbles with the lid on his jar of Vicodin. Before he can get one out, Bishop Grandpa starts haranguing Daniel for hiring Charlie in the first place. Bishop Grandpa thinks the whole thing makes Daniel look like he has poor judgment, which won't exactly inspire trust from his parishioners. Daniel can't even formulate a response. He looks back at Victoria's house and sees Victoria and Jessie watching them, clearly wondering if they pulled off whatever they were trying to pull off.
After services at the church, Bishop Burstyn pays Daniel a visit. She claims that she doesn't want to continue critiquing his sermons this way, but that Daniel needs her feedback. Daniel offers to let her give the sermons from now on, but she doesn't want that. She just doesn't want Daniel to keep bringing his own issues into the sermons. It seems that Daniel gave a sermon about forgiveness, and how he needs to forgive Charlie, and Bishop Burstyn didn't find that appropriate, preferring that Daniel "search [his] soul on [his] own time."
Daniel glances over and spots a couple waiting for him outside his office. Bishop Burstyn doesn't see the couple and keeps going on and on about Charlie stealing the money and possibly having an affair and so on until Daniel kind of yells to get her attention and then introduces her to the young couple, who are there for premarital counseling. They offer to come back if it's a bad time, and Bishop Burstyn says she just needs to speak to Daniel privately for a moment. Once they're alone, Daniel pops a Vicodin, lying that it's headache medicine. Bishop Burstyn asks for one, and Daniel claims that they're " a bit stronger than your garden-variety headache pills." Bishop Burstyn reminds him that she lived through the '60s, so Daniel claims that they're "Canadian headache pills" and contain codeine. Which is true! You can buy that over the counter in Canada! ["And yet, I still buy my Excedrin in the U.S. Caffeine works better, yo!" -- Wing Chun] Bishop Burstyn won't take no for an answer, so Daniel hands over a Vicodin, which she tosses in her mouth and swallows dry. Once she's gone, Jesus appears and sarcastically suggests that Daniel open a roadside stand.
Grace is picking up litter as part of her community service. She's made a new friend, who got busted for internet piracy. The friend knows some guy, "the king of the geeks," who "hacked into his parents' pension plan and bought himself a co-op in the city." Grace asks if the guy might be able to help her obtain some animation programs. The friend asks if Grace has any pot left, and it looks like they might have a deal.
Daniel sits down with the couple to talk about communication in a marriage. He ascertains that the couple doesn't have any money issues and that they both want kids. The problem is apparently in the bedroom, although the woman isn't quite willing to discuss it. The man reveals that the woman can't have sex with him unless she gets stoned first. Daniel's first reaction is that this isn't a big deal, but then he realizes that it is for them, and backpedals. He counsels that every couple has their quirks. The wife asks what's weird about Daniel and his wife. Daniel reveals that, no matter what happens all week, they always have sex on Friday night. The couple doesn't seem to be convinced that they are normal.
Daniel's family has dinner with Grandpa Bishop and their heretofore unseen Grandma Kate, who is suffering from some form of senility or dementia or Alzheimer's or something. Everyone comments on how well Grandma is doing, and Grandpa Bishop reports that their daughter Libby got them some new drugs that have helped a great deal. Grandma kind of disproves that theory when she says that she has a daughter named Libby. Awkward silence. Everyone says that they wish Grandma Kate would come for dinner more often, and Grandma Kate says that she'd like to, but that Grandpa Bishop won't let her. She clearly has some animosity toward him, which may be entirely due to her health issues. Grandma Kate also reports that Grandpa Bishop is always showing her his penis. Everyone tries to change the subject and it's still awkward. Grandma Kate reports that she has to pee, and Rainy offers to show her where the restroom is.
Judith gets another martini to deal with the stress, and then changes the subject to Grace's new hobby. (Art, not selling pot.) Grace is looking for a job to help pay for her new computer. Adam is delighted to hear that Grace will be working retail, and Daniel reveals that Adam will help to organize an upcoming church event. Peter thinks Adam is only helping so that he can share a tent with Caroline. Adam refers to Peter's being gay, which Grandpa Bishop clearly doesn't know about, because he keeps bringing up how Peter needs to meet a nice girl. Adam and Grace keep bringing up Peter's sexuality, and Daniel, Judith, and Peter keep trying to quash it.
The whole thing is interrupted when Victoria and Jessie show up, just to ratchet up the awkwardness. Judith makes Victoria help her in the kitchen, and Daniel shows Jessie to the restroom to freshen up. The kids take the parentless opportunity to continue discussing Peter's choice in partners. Grace says that Peter likes tomboys, and Adam adds that Peter likes his women with "great big arms, and...things." Grandpa Bishop still doesn't catch on, and offers to set Peter up with Bishop Burstyn's niece. Peter has no choice but to accept, and agrees to meet the niece at choir practice that evening.
Daniel waits for Jessie in the hallway, and takes the opportunity to pop a pill while telling Jesus that he really does mean to tell his father that Peter is gay, but that the timing hasn't been right. Jesus thinks Daniel should just go for it, but Daniel says he doesn't have the energy to go through it right now. Jesus points out that it's kind of about Daniel, and not his father. Daniel thinks Jesus should tell his father, then.
In the kitchen, Victoria defends Jessie to Judith, who primly says that she would like a little more notice when Victoria plans to bring a guest to Sunday dinner. Victoria simpers some more. Man, she really is annoying.
Daniel finds his mother exiting the bathroom. She is delighted to see him, and confides that her husband always liked Daniel's brother Worth the best, but that she likes Daniel the best. No one really liked Libby, apparently. Daniel tells his mother that he loves her, and she asks, "Am I your mother?" Aw. That's actually sad. Jesus puts his hand on Daniel's shoulder. Daniel says that he misses his mom, and asks if Jesus can do anything for her. Jesus says it doesn't work like that, and Daniel wonders why it doesn't.
Daniel is traveling tonight on a plane. I'm sorry, I've wanted to type that ever since I started writing this recap and I had to get it out there to remove it from my brain. Now back to your regularly scheduled recap.
Judith walks Grandpa and Grandma to their car. Grandma seems to be doing better, and thanks Judith for having them over. She also thanks her husband, and he's shocked to hear such kindness from her. It spurs him to suggest that they find a place to live closer to Daniel and Judith. The touching family moment ends when Grandma hauls off and slaps Grandpa for touching her, reminding him that her husband is the Bishop. Grandpa looks stunned, more by the sudden reversal in mood than by the slap itself. Judith calms Grandma down and gets her in the car.
Later that night, Daniel has a cigar outside and talks to Jesus. He asks if Jesus ever talks to Bishop Grandpa. Jesus says he used to, a long time ago. Daniel asks Jesus to let him know if Daniel ever does anything to really piss Jesus off. Jesus promises that Bishop Grandpa is a good man, deep down. The conversation is interrupted when Scott, the male half of the engaged couple, stops by as he's out for a jog. Daniel is surprised, since Scott doesn't even live in the neighborhood. Scott admits that he has something he wanted to discuss without Michelle, his fiancée.
Once they're inside, Scott says he's worried that Michelle doesn't love him unless she's high. Daniel says that Scott and Michelle seem like they really fit together, and Scott actually agrees. Daniel urges Scott to "get creative" and "make her feel safe." Adam calls out that he's going over to Caroline's house, which reminds Scott that he should get home before Michelle starts to worry. Daniel pretends that he's all upset that the couple is living together in sin, and sees Scott out.
Adam pops up and says that he's going to visit Caroline. Daniel is seriously slurring his words, and I don't know if it's just the way Aidan Quinn talks, or one of the effects of the Vicodin. Daniel points out that Adam seems to be getting pretty serious with Caroline. Adam tries to laugh it off, but then admits that he really likes her. He goes back into joke mode, claiming that Caroline likes Adam's "killer smile." ["I know I do. Rrrowr." -- Wing Chun] Daniel says that Adam got that smile from him. Adam says that he thought he had Daniel's eyes. I'm glad that they're so open about Adam being adopted and all, but it seems off somehow. Maybe it's the fact that the actor playing ostensibly teenaged Adam appear to be, like, thirty. Daniel assures Adam that he's a good kid, and urges him to take things slow. Adam takes off on his skateboard. Daniel tells Jesus that he worries about Adam. Jesus says that Daniel needs to let Adam be a kid. Daniel thinks that Adam's tough guy act is just that -- an act. Jesus reminds him that everyone needs to make his or her own mistakes.
Adam and Caroline are up in Caroline's room, totally doing it. Caroline is worried that they're making too much noise, but Adam reminds her that no one is home. That's the cue for Caroline's parents to come home. Adam tries to escape out the window, and he makes it onto a branch, but just as Roger walks in, the branch breaks off and Adam lands on Roger's car. He moves a little bit to show that he's not dead. Caroline's mom stands on the steps with a drink (which she must have mixed in the ten seconds since they got home) and tight-asses, "Oh, for God's sake."
Judith meets up with Roger and Nora (Caroline's parents) at the emergency room. Judith reports that Adam is going to be okay. Roger seems inclined to forgive and forget, but Nora offers to give Adam "a good, stern talking-to" if necessary. Judith thinks she can handle it. Daniel walks out with Adam, who has a banged-up shoulder and a cracked rib. Adam says that he has some painkillers, but that he doesn't really need them, and Daniel quickly offers to hold them for him. Daniel leads Adam over to apologize to Roger and Nora, but Frank the Catholic priest shows up and interrupts. Daniel heads off to talk with him. Frank whispers that they have a good idea where the money went. Adam asks where Caroline is, and Nora and Roger says that they didn't think she should come there, and in fact, they think that Adam and Caroline should take a break. Adam doesn't think that's fair, and Nora drops the bomb that Caroline will be going to a private boarding school. Daniel returns and apologizes to Roger and Nora again. He and Roger walk out together. Adam starts to confront Nora about continuing to date Caroline, but Judith pushes him off and says that she'll handle it. Judith sits down and says that she doesn't think it's unreasonable for Adam and Caroline to see each other from time to time. Nora reminds me of that Ana Gasteyer character from SNL, the stereotypical WASP-y Connecticut denizen who barely opens her mouth when she speaks. Anyway, Nora says that she "has no intention of watching little Oriental grandchildren running around [her] Christmas tree."
Out in the hallway, Roger threatens Daniel about what might happen if they don't find the missing money. Daniel is happy to report that Father Frank might know where it is. Roger isn't happy about the alliance with the Catholics. Nora marches by and tells Roger to join her. He tries to put her off, and then realizes what he's done as she glares at him. He follows his wife without another word, so clearly she's in charge there. Maybe Grace should have drawn Nora in the dominatrix outfit instead of her mother.
Choir rehearsal. During a break, Peter befriends a cutie named David, who is studying to be a veterinarian. They exchange compliments on each other's singing talent until Grace shows up to ask Peter where his new girlfriend is. Peter stammers a bit and says that Grandpa must have forgotten. He says he's going to show David around the church. Grace snarks, "Oh, I bet. Don't forget to show him your..." "Peter!" interrupts Grandpa Bishop, who has just walked up. That was my one laugh-out-loud moment in this episode. Anyway, Grandpa Bishop is accompanied by Bishop Burstyn's niece, Adele, who also happens to be David's sister. Peter doesn't have much to say, and Bishop Grandpa thinks that Peter is a little old to be tongue-tied by the ladies; he reminds Peter to give Adele "the tour." David tells Peter, "Be nice to my little sister or I'll be all over you." Grace whispers, "Oh, we wouldn't want that" to Peter, who looks disappointed, to say the least.
Bishop Burstyn is rummaging through Daniel's desk, and finds a prescription-pill bottle, which she is overjoyed to find. Daniel walks in and finds her. Bishop Burstyn asks whether the prescription is for Adam, and doesn't even apologize for snooping. She explains that the pill Daniel gave her the other night really helped her headaches. Daniel says that the pills are Adam's, and tries to find his own stash. Jesus pops up to tell Daniel where the pills are. Bishop Burstyn asks for two. Daniel advises her to take it easy, because they can cause liver damage. Bishop Burstyn says that brandy will too, and that she figures the damage to her liver has already been done. Michelle, the female half of the engaged couple, shows up, and Bishop Burstyn takes her leave.
Daniel escorts Michelle into his office and asks what's going on. She wonders how you can tell if you love someone, since she's been wondering that ever since Scott proposed. Daniel asks what getting high does for her. Michelle says that it relaxes her and makes her less frightened. Daniel advises her to tell Scott that marriage scares her, and then talk it over. Michelle asks if she can get high first. Daniel says no, but then flashes back to all the times he's popped pills, and realizes that he's being a hypocrite. He tells Michelle that she might want to be clear-headed for this conversation. As Michelle goes to leave, she says that she might have told someone about Daniel and Judith's Friday-night sex thing. Turns out that Michelle knows Jessie because they used to work together, until their company went bankrupt. Michelle adds that Jessie was accused of taking that company's money, but that Michelle doubted it.
Daniel arrives at Victoria's house and knocks on the front door, hard. He gets no response, so he pounds again. Judith answers and tells him to chill the fuck out. Victoria called her, crying as usual, so she came over to see what was what. Sometimes Susanna Thompson, who plays Judith, has this really weird, almost Shakespearean, line delivery that doesn't really jibe with the show or the character. And I know she's a great actress from her work on Once And Again, so I don't know what the deal is. I think it's how she talks when she's trying to be funny. It's not working. Anyway, Daniel comes in and insists on talking to Victoria. Judith stops him short when she asks if Daniel's been telling people that they have sex every Friday, since Jessie and Victoria seem to know all about it. Victoria pops up, and Daniel turns on her, demanding to know what's going on with Jessie. Victoria admits that Jessie left her. Daniel is shocked at the phrasing, but Judith doesn't seem surprised, and reminds Victoria that she promised this wouldn't happen again. Daniel can't believe he didn't know that Victoria likes chicks that way. I can't believe that Judith, who has a gay son, seems so disapproving of Victoria here. I mean, it is possible that Jessie killed Charlie, but that doesn't seem to be Judith's issue. Victoria tells them that Charlie wanted to spice up their sex life, so he hired Jessie to work in his office, and eventually they all became friends. Or more than friends. And then Victoria fell in love with Jessie. Daniel asks where Jessie is, and starts yelling and getting all het up. Victoria remembers that there was a message on Charlie's office machine about a safe-deposit box. Daniel whips out his cell phone and calls Father Frank.
Grace entertains her new friend, Wanda, who is checking out Grace's drawings, including one of a new character called Super Priest. Wanda is sort of flattered that Grace drew a picture of her, but asks to be removed from the comic anyway. Wanda finishes downloading some animation programs for Grace and then gives her the name of the geek who taught her everything, which is Yoda. Grace starts looking for her weed to complete the transaction, but it's gone. She remembers that she has a little bit that she found in Adam's room, and hands it over, effectively ending her pot business.
Daniel walks by Peter's room and overhears him making a deal to buy some tickets for $240. He questions Peter about it, and Peter says that pretending to be straight is expensive, but that it's not a big deal. Daniel promises to talk to his father once everything calms down. Peter says that he's not interested in "becoming some sort of poster boy for the movement," and doesn't want "to be defined as the Reverend Webster's openly gay son." Daniel is accepting of this. Peter insists that he's not closeted, but says he also doesn't want to march in parades.
Bishop Burstyn pours herself a drink while wearing a dressing gown. Bishop Grandpa walks in, putting his clothes back on. So they're doing it! Nice. Bishop Grandpa talks about how his wife doesn't even recognize him, and is even afraid of him. He wonders why he feels guilty anyway. Bishop Burstyn is kind to him, and he semi-jokingly asks her to marry him. Bishop Burstyn laughs it off, but they hug anyway.
Daniel and Judith finish doing it, and it's a Monday! Judith says that they can be spontaneous too, but that Daniel should keep it under his hat, so to speak. They both laugh. Judith has something serious she needs to discuss. She's feeling unfulfilled now that the kids are older, and she wants to figure out how she can work again. Daniel isn't arguing, since they could use the money, and suggests that they consider taking out a mortgage on the house. Where in the hell did that come from? Daniel wants to use the money to start construction on the school until Father Frank can find the money Charlie stole. Judith is worried, since the house has been in her family for generations, and that if Frank doesn't come through, they'll lose the house.
Adam and Caroline secretly meet up in a parking lot somewhere. Caroline says that she can't stay long, and adds that she's not going away to school, despite her parents' threats. Adam says that he doesn't want to lose her, and Caroline is touched. They start making out some more, and the camera pans over to reveal the Nora is parked nearby, watching them. Perv.
Oh, yeah. The actual storyline in the episode needs to be resolved. They really need to remove about a third of the plotting, because it's a little ridiculous. Anyway, Michelle and Scott, the engaged couple, visit Daniel in his office. They report that they've called off the wedding, because it was the pressure of marriage that was ruining their sex life. They still plan to get married someday, but they've removed the expectations of others. Daniel clarifies that they're not getting married due to his advice, and in the background, Jesus gives him a sarcastic double thumbs up.
Judith goes to a bank and gossips with the loan officer about mutual friends. They finally get down to business, and the loan officer reports that Judith can't take out a mortgage on their house, because the deed is still in Judith's mother's name. Judith is clearly shocked, but covers well and makes up some story about how they meant to file the new deed but were distracted on their wedding day and forgot. The loan officer pretends like she believes it, and Judith walks out, promising to return with the deed. As soon as she's gone, the loan officer walks over to share the gossip with a co-worker.
Rainy stands outside, behind a tree, smoking a joint. So she stole Grace's pot. A car pulls up, and Father Frank gets out. Rainy hides her stash and says that she'll get Daniel for him. Daniel comes out and invites Frank inside, but he won't come in. Daniel joins him, and Frank makes it clear that he's only the messenger. His good news is that they've found the money. Daniel is overjoyed. Frank says that the more good news is that his guys aren't charging any fees or anything. But the catch is that Daniel needs to use the mob's construction company to build his school. Daniel isn't really excited about getting into bed with the mob, but Frank says that if he doesn't, he won't get the $3 million back. Nice. Blackmail by a Catholic priest.