On the day before her big driver's test, Katie practices with her dad - and loathes every minute of it. He's having serious problems letting go of the fact she's older and ready to exercise her independence. She passes the test and receives her license, but Mel invites himself to accompany her every move. She manages to put up with his constant stream of annoyances until he embarrasses her in front of Connor, her latest crush and the stage manager in her high school play. Mel tries to apologize for his actions by recounting how he quit the rowing team in eighth grade, but Katie's heard enough. He's totally jeopardizing her teenage years.
Meanwhile, Joyce is having difficulty fitting in with her much younger classmates in a child psychology class. When she notices them studying at a cafe, Joyce amps up her awkwardness - saved only by their fascination with Henry, an actual child! Henry plays along, and Joyce quickly transforms into a great source of knowledge for the group. She invites them over for more observation of her real-life son (including photo albums), but Joyce pushes the ruse too far by embarrassing Henry on his way to "accidentally" running into Jenny. Just like his sister did to his dad, Henry unleashes his frustration on his mom.
Joyce and Mel, both feeling guilty, join Henry and Runyen in the high school auditorium for a production of the musical "Cats." Henry notices Jenny looking for a free seat, and in a surprise move, Joyce plays a little chair Tetris and coordinates the perfect seat right next to Henry, now smitten with his opportunity to be close to Jenny. Mel's luck falls short when the musical starts and Elvis barks at an actor in the aisle. The director of the play demands Mel and Elvis leave, but Katie (on stage in full "Cats" makeup) breaks the fourth wall and rails against her director in support of her father's presence. After the show, an emboldened Katie asks Connor out, and he agrees. And she makes one thing clear - Mel will not be coming with them.
