The Baxters are back with their usual witty banter. “Stud Muffin” centered on the Baxter’s Maltese impregnating The Larabee’s German Shepherd, Mandy’s lack of self responsibility, and The Larabee’s marital trouble. The episode’s theme seemed to be focused upon integrity.
Chuck stops by to inform the Baxters that Muffin has impregnated his purebred German Shepherd Lady. Chuck wants to know how this could happen. Mike sarcastically replies, “When two dogs really love each other and they have enough tequila…” Mike says it can’t possibly be Muffin because Muffin is a female. Vanessa quickly corrects him, informing him that Muffin is in fact a male. Surprise! Vanessa questions if Chuck is sure Muffin is the father, which causes Chuck to ask her what she could possibly be insinuating. Never missing a chance for a witty comeback, Mike says, “That Lady is a tramp.” The girls want to make sure Chuck doesn’t terminate the pregnancy. Mike heads on over to the Larabees to tell Chuck he’ll take responsibility for the puppies. Carol informs Mike that Chuck moved out about a week ago. Mike is shocked, but believes it’s really none of his business. Before going to bed, he remembers to tell Vanessa about the Larabee’s split. Vanessa immediately rushes over to see Carol, even though it’s quite late. Carol tries to explain she’s a private person and doesn’t want to talk about it. Vanessa doesn’t listen and is upset Carol didn’t tell her. Once inside, it’s Vanessa that needs more consoling than Carol.
At the begging of Vanessa, Mike reluctantly stops at Chuck’s apartment before taking Muffin to be neutered. Chuck explains that he didn’t retire in order to do all of Carol’s work around the house, like planting oregano. He’s also worried about starting something new and failing. Mike tells him he needs to go home and be with his family. It’s not a time to give up. There’s no integrity in leaving one’s responsibilities behind. Mike sarcastically adds, “You might want to give Carol a courtesy call in case someone is there planting her oregano.”
Continuing with the theme of integrity, Mandy hits a parked car and refuses to leave a note with her information on it. Thankfully, Eve made the good choice to leave the note. Mike and Vanessa tell Mandy she needs to take responsibility for her actions and self because it’s a basis of your integrity. Mandy doesn’t listen. She receives a call from the owner of the car she hit. When she goes to meet with him, he gives her an iPad for being a responsible and nice person. Eve is angry that Mandy received a gift for doing nothing. However, Mandy goes back to the man’s shop to return the iPad for cash. She tells him it doesn’t have a lot of memory or retina, so she’d rather have the money. He’s outraged. He takes the iPad back and tells her he’s going to report the accident to the insurance company. She tells him that the joke is on him because her dad gets that bill. He then tells her the joke is on her because her car is being towed from the handicap parking spot.
For his video blog, Mike uses the Larabee’s situation as inspiration. He’s promoting a “marriage saves sale.” He encourages customers to come on down and purchase something that will help them spend time away from home. He includes that there’s nothing better for marriage than a little time apart. There’s a sale on backpacks, “Pick up one of these and take a hike before the wife tells you to.”
image: ABC
