When Robert and Neesee learn that Bobby doesn't socialize with the other kids in his school, they immediately book a playdate for Bobby with the most popular kid in class, Sammy, but things get awkward when Sammy's mom Traci comes on strong to Robert right in his own house. Meanwhile, after discovering that Bobby's shyness stems from a fight with Alex's son, Neesee and Alex attempt to reconcile the boys' friendship, but end up arguing over whose son should apologize first.

Close to the wedding date, Robert and Tia start having vivid nightmares involving Neesee, making Tia realize that spending the rest of her life with Robert also means spending the rest of her life with Neesee, causing her to re-examine her relationship with Robert. Tensions at home affect the tired couple, putting them out of sync at the gang's tango lessons, taught by Antonio.

Tia tries to explain why she needs some space, Robert successfully seduces her, thinking their problems are solved only to be disappointed the next morning when Tia tells him nothing has changed. But when Neesee attempts to get Robert and Tia back together, her plan backfires, not realizing that she is the reason for their separation. Later, when Jonelle decides to take Tia out to take her mind off of the separation, Robert shows up at the club and begs Tia to reconsider, only to find her being hit on by an annoying guy named Hale.

Coping with heartache means moping for Robert---until he sees his son copying his depressive behavior. A fireman takes an interest in Tia after a classroom visit.

After learning that Robert has started dating again, Tia immediately asks flirty fireman Rick to join her on a double date with Dirk and Jonelle, but when Robert decides to keep tabs on Tia by calling Dirk in the middle of dinner, he gets more than an earful when Dirk accidentally blurts out that Tia kissed Rick. Later, thinking Tia has moved on, Robert goes in for a passionate good night kiss with his date Sheena, but pulls back at the last minute after his eye catches a photo of Tia.

When Neesee nurses ailing Robert and Bobby Jr. back to health, Robert gets to see a more caring and nurturing side of his ex-wife, which brings back all of the old feelings he had when he first fell in love with her. Later, when Tia sees an ugly side to Rick, she realizes she is still in love with Robert and wants to reconcile, only to find out that Robert now needs space.

Eddie tells Carl that he wants to quit school and become a policeman.

Spurned by Steve, Myra devises an elaborate scheme to sabotage the relationship between Steve and Laura.

When Steve and Laura finally go on their first official date together, Myra interrupts it--dressed exactly like Laura.

The Winslow's foster child, 3J, yearns to know his biological parents.

Laura refuses to attend a polka festival with Steve, but when she sees how important it is to him, she dons a silly dress and accompanies him.

Laura is suspicious of Maxine's wealthy new boyfriend, D'Andre Moore.

A woman, known in the projects as the "Wiggler" asks J.J. to paint a nude portrait of her as a birthday gift for her husband. However, Florida has a hard time understanding why a woman would pose in the nude and why she has to pose in the Evans' apartment. Meanwhile, Florida is also not too happy that James is taking such a liking to "the Wiggler."

Realizing his mechanical skills, Florida suggests that James open a fix-it shop but when they go to the bank, they're turned down for a loan. This leads James to set up shop right in the apartment, despite a clause in the lease and pretty soon Bookman begins nosing around trying to put an end to the family business.

J.J. is enchanted with his new girlfriend, Clarissa, and is all set to take her to a ritzy debutante ball. However, Clarissa has come to the Evans' apartment with some bad news, her parents won't let her go with J.J., citing that they think she's too good for him.

An elderly resident of the projects appears to be living on pet food after Michael takes out her garbage. The Evans family's attempt to do something for her is complicated when she brings a meat loaf to dinner and the kids suspect it is made from dog food.

A childhood friend of James' arrives for a visit and quickly his gambling problem becomes an Evans family problem when two hoods show up looking for him to pay off a $5000 debt. Meanwhile, with a houseguest, J.J., Michael and James must learn to share the pull out couch in the living room.

Florida thinks it's strange that she has never met the often talked about Henrietta, J.J.'s girlfriend. So when she calls the Evans home, Florida invites her over for dinner. Meanwhile, J.J. makes an announcement that he has been thinking of asking Henrietta to marry him. This sends shockwaves through the Evans household, but things really get touchy when Henrietta shows up at the door, pregnant.

While Florida is away in Cleveland for a family funeral, the Evans' family is hit with a double dose of unemployment blues after both James and J.J. lose their jobs. James' boss at Brady's puts him on a temporary lay-off and the movie theatre where J.J. works is closing down. Wanting to support his family, J.J. decides to join the U.S. Army.

Thelma has a chance at winning a scholarship to an exclusive boarding school in Michigan. However, even before she knows she won, a snobby girl from a fraternity comes around wanting Thelma to join and quickly discovers they just want her because she's black.

It seems crime has been at an all time high in the neighborhood, causing the Evans family to take extra precautions, like for instance, installing extra locks on their doors. However, James has taken a step that Florida and the kids aren't ready for, he has bought a gun. Later, when the gun disappears, all hell breaks loose, as James tears the apartment apart, looking for it.

After taking some courses at a trade school, James has graduated and now has a chance at getting better paying jobs. However, James soon, finds that he's still in the same old situation, of having a hard time finding work period. So, when he is finally offered a job, he accepts it despite the fact that there is one catch, it's in Alaska.

Florida has had a pain in her side for the last two weeks but doesn't want to see a doctor out of fear of the cost. However, when James learns of her dilemma he decides to pay any cost for Florida's treatment, even after he learns she has to have a gallbladder operation.

Florida plans on borrowing money from her cousin to help pay some unexpected bills. James's pride stands in the way causing him to storm out to a bar, leaving Florida to learn about the shocking news about her seemingly wealthy cousin by herself.

A feud erupts in the Evans' household when James and J.J. take the side of Alderman Fred Davis during his attempt at a re-election while Florida, Thelma and Willona take the side of his young opponent. It seems Davis is a shyster who gets nothing done in the neighborhood, which is why she can't believe James would back such a loser.

Thelma has great news, she's engaged to her latest boyfriend, but she's nervous about breaking the news to James and Florida. Later, her opinion of great news differs greatly with her parents who hit the roof after learning this, and in a surprise move, J.J. is on Thelma's side.

A friend of James' gives him permission to use his cabin to celebrate his and Florida's 20th wedding anniversary. However, the trick is trying to get Florida to stop worrying about the kids. Meanwhile, while James and Florida are away, J.J. takes over the household by force and acts like a dictator.

While James is out of town, Florida and the kids throw a baby shower for a friend, Loretta. However, the joyous occasion is dampened when Loretta announces her plans of giving the baby up for adoption. Meanwhile, while Florida, Thelma and Willona go out shopping, Loretta goes into labor, leaving J.J. and Michael panicking.

Fred wants a new stereo and tries to buy one on credit at a local electronics store. He soon discovers that they don't give credit to people over 60. This prompts him to take some action and befriends a rights group, The Gray Foxes and they begin picketing the store until they decide to change their policies.

In order to keep The Sanford Arms, Fred and Lamont must raise $4,000 in a week. They begin to scramble and Fred turns to gambling. First he puts together a card game and plays against a hustler and then he makes a little trip to the horse track and bets on the horses. Finally, a trip to a casino ends with unexpected results.

Fred is tired of everyone walking all over him especially since he proclaims that he built his junk empire to what it is today, thus making him a king of an empire. Bubba suggests that Fred pay money to an agency to have them trace his roots. A couple weeks later Fred is in for a shock, he is a descendant from Jewish African kings.

Lamont treats Fred to a dinner and a concert given by B.B. King. After the show, Fred wants to try to sell his songs to B.B., but fails, however, B.B. offers him a book about his life and why he sings the blues. This leads to an invitation for dinner at the Sanfords. While reading the book Fred panics when he reads the reason why B.B. sings the blues. He explains to Lamont that B.B. lost his girl in St. Louis to a guy who wanted to start a business in California. The girl's initials were EW (for Elizabeth Winfield).

Fred has been neglecting Donna and she decides to investigate and soon discovers Fred has been leading a secret life, not even telling Lamont what has been going on. Donna is convinced that he is seeing another woman but they soon discover Fred is really going to night school to earn his GED diploma, which he never got since he dropped out of high school to support his parents.

Lamont buys a porcelain figure for $15 from a silent movie star and after having it appraised, Lamont and Fred decide to take it to an auction to make even more money on it. Fred and Lamont attend the auction pretending to be buyers so that the price can be jacked up higher. However, things go awry to Lamont's dismay.

Lamont buys Fred a new hat for his birthday and then tries to take him out on the town to celebrate. However, a visit to a fancy bar, a movie theater to see Fiddler on the Roof and dinner at a Chinese restaurant are far from a celebration for Fred.

Engaged, Lamont is excited about his impending nuptials but on the wedding day he quickly finds himself the only one who is. The bride dumps him at the altar and he finds his relatives begging to get back their wedding gifts.

Fred and Lamont buy a load of copper from a man that has been stealing copper in the neighborhood. The man is late for a meeting with Lamont at the diner because he is ripping off the Sanford plumbing pipes, which he then sells to Fred and Lamont.

Lamont comes down hard on Fred to try to get him to quit smoking and has him go to the doctor for a chest x-ray. Later, the results are sent in the mail and Fred becomes convinced he has tuberculosis.

While cleaning the house, Fred knocks over Lamont's glass figurine collection. Trying to cover up the fact that he broke them, Fred makes up a story about how the house was robbed and how he fought them off. In the process, he is labeled as a hero and Fred takes advantage of it.

Lamont tries to have a quiet evening with his latest girlfriend, Darlene, but has little privacy thanks to an annoying Fred who keeps interrupting them. Fed up, Lamont decides to move into his own apartment, which at first worries Fred but then discovers he himself has privacy.

Fred does not feel like paying his bills and he throws them in the trash claiming that they never arrived, dragging out the services for as long as he can. After doing so, Fred receives threats that say that they will turn off the gas, electricity, and other utilities, and repossess his furniture if he does not pay.

Lamont purchases two coffins from an auction to try and get a profit if he sells them to a funeral parlor. In the process, Fred becomes paranoid by having the coffins in the house and refuses to sleep in the house with the coffins. Lamont doesn't think much of it, until he begins hearing strange noises at night.