The Kids Are Alright

The household is turned upside down when oldest son Lawrence returns home and announces he’s quitting the seminary to go off and “save the world.” Times are changing and this family will never be the same.

Mike proudly introduces a new microwave to the Cleary household; Lawrence attempts to apply lessons from a psych class at school to psychoanalyze Mike and Peggy.

Timmy must choose between his dads dreams for him and his own dreams of showbiz glory; feeling rusty after being at the seminary for so long, Lawrence asks Eddie to help prepare him for a date by taking him on a practice date.

Mike and Peggy debate whether they should have another child; Pat overhears that he is going to have a little sister, leading the kids to dig deeper into the situation.

The Cleary boys beg Peggy to tell them she loves them; Mike invites a co-worker to help compel a confession from the child who broke the dining room light fixture.

Eddie becomes distraught when Wendi breaks up with him over disagreements on how they want to handle their future; Peggy contemplates whether she has to sever ties with Wendi.

Peggy tries to trick Timmy into taking better care of his personal hygiene; Mike fears that Peggys meddling is causing Timmy to develop insecurities; Timmy receives a Valentines Day card from a secret admirer and becomes unnerved.

Peggys knack for reusing wax from old birthday candles to make new ones lures her outside the home for the first time. Her newfound candle-making work takes up more time, prompting Mike to get angry that her focus is straying from the family and the domestic duties. Meanwhile, Timmy is determined to get audience tickets on his birthday for a taping of "Boxcar Billys Hobo Jamboree" in the hopes of making it on TV.

Timmy enters a contest to appear on a TV show and takes matters into his own hands when he doesnt hear back; Peggy takes a driving test to get her license.

A concerned Peggy manipulates William into joining the church choir to keep him engaged in Catholicism after learning he’s questioning his beliefs. Meanwhile, Timmy learns that the choir will be appearing on television and once again sees his opportunity to make his way into the spotlight. Elsewhere, Eddie and Joey are determined to get a hold of Led Zeppelin tickets but keep missing their chance.

Peggy’s competitive side kicks in when she learns that Helen’s husband’s professional accomplishments are getting high recognition, so she decides to get Mike into the limelight. Elsewhere, always seeking glory, Joey acts as Timmy’s manager to make sure he performs his magic act at the Pioneer Day Carnival, while Eddie is determined to prove to Frank that the carnival games aren’t all rigged.

Peggy struggles with Lawrences decision to move out of the house, especially after she discovers that he is secretly moving in with a girlfriend she’s never met. Lawrence’s determination to keep Peggy out of his personal life only causes her to investigate further, while Mike welcomes his departure. Meanwhile, Timmy cant find his ventriloquist dummy, Knuckles, and learns that Joey took him without asking.