Cameron throws a 25th anniversary party for Colleen and Wendal which turns out to be a disaster. Meanwhile, Sharon and Don struggle with intimacy issues, which their children soon become all too aware of.
Colleen learns the truth about Wendal's plan, and confronts him at their traditional bowling night. Meanwhile, Sharon and Don attempt to improve their sexless marriage, which have disappointing results.
In an effort to support their awkward son Henry, Cameron and the family attend his school film festival, despite Henry's wishs. Upon watching the film, it becomes painfully obvious why he didn't want them there in the first place. Meanwhile, younger sister Jenna tries to prove to Cameron that she is a ""grown-up.""
Cameron throws his annual barbeque, which quickly becomes a comedy of errors with one miscommunication after another among family members turning what should be a fun family get-together into a group therapy session.
Cameron borrows money from his sister Sharon, which doesn't come without a price of its own. Meanwhile, instead of coming to his father, Cameron, with his problem of a very personal nature, Henry opts to confide in his stepmother, Liz... which irks Cameron. And Whitey takes a job at Don's auto parts store, but it soon becomes apparent that things aren't working out.
Cameron's lack of enthusiasm at wife Liz's acceptance into graduate school and his mockery of younger sister Jenna's aspirations to be a singer put him on the outs with the family.
In the middle of an argument with Cameron, Colleen is rushed to the hospital with chest pains. Fearing she's had a heart attack, the family rushes to be by her side, leaving Cameron with feeling especially guilty that the stress of their fight brought it on.
On the eve of his 40th birthday, Cameron gets laid off from work and keeps it a secret from his family… who are planning to throw him a surprise party. Liz finds out she might have a surprise of her own which causes a huge fight between her and Cameron, which in turn the party into anything but the happy affair his family hoped for.
When Don and Sharon go away for the night to rekindle their romance, Jeff throws a house party. Concerned about what is going on, Carrie calls her Uncle Cameron to put an end to it. However Cameron sees this as a chance to escape the house for the night, so he decides to join in the fun and brings his reluctant son Henry with him.
After 35 years, Cameron and Sharon's father, Merv, returns out of the blue. They decide to have dinner with him to discuss where he's been all these years, but a sudden turn of events leaves their questions still unanswered. Meanwhile, when Jenna finds out that Whitey is dating a stripper, she forbids him from seeing their Danny.
Cameron's ex-wife Paige returns.