Mel is feeling the pressure of balancing the massive home renovation with her duties at work. Determined to have the house fixed as quickly as possible, Joe convinces a reluctant Mel to put him in charge of the construction. But Joe's management style only makes things worse. Meanwhile, Lennox is thrilled when her school wants to put on her original play, but the reaction is not quite what she had hoped.

Mel is charmed by her "cabinet guy", but is less charmed by Joe's reaction to him, leading them to a fight about being too involved in each other's lives. However, their decision to give each other privacy does not turn out as planned. And Lennox is horrified at being appointed to her school's "spirit committee", until she meets the club's president.

Mel and Joe are shocked to discover that Lennox's boyfriend Aidan spent the night, and Joe is even more taken aback at Mel's reaction to the situation. Meanwhile, Ryder's girlfriend Holly declares it's time for him to start shaving.

Joe takes over Mel's finances and becomes convinced that her credit card statements reveal she is having an affair with a married man. Lennox tries to get along with her friend's new boyfriend, but is at a loss when he reveals his crush on her, and Ryder stresses about what to get Holly for her birthday.

Mel punches a man when she sees him hassling Ryder, leading her to become known as "Battling Burke", which delights Mel's campaign manager (Mazar) and helps her image. But Mel's new persona has unintended effect on Ryder. And Lennox attempts to befriend a new girl at school, but the girl takes advantage of Lennox's kindness, which dismays Joe.

Mel wants to dump her boyfriend, but she needs Joe to improve the guy's self-esteem beforehand. Elsewhere, Holly asks Lennox to keep a secret from Ryder.

Joe tells Mel she is way too picky when it comes to dating, and offers to set her up with his friend. But in return Joe wants Mel to help him score a date with her charming friend Ariel, leading to an uncomfortable double date for the group. Also, Lennox decides to start her own blog after being kicked off the school website, but it consumes all of her time, leaving her boyfriend Haskell feeling ignored.

Mel's pal wants Joe to be her sperm donor, and Mel and Joe try to change her mind. Elsewhere, Lennox and Haskell purchase a rare book, but they clash about how to proceed with their investment.

Mel's date thinks he's eating her cooking, but the food is prepared by Joe. Elsewhere, Lennox's friend becomes interested in Ryder.

After Lennox breaks up with her new boyfriend, Mel starts dating his father behind her back. Joe tries to teach Ryder a lesson about how to invest in the stock market.

Despite Mel's objections, Joe teaches Lennox how to drive - but then Lennox has a minor car accident and Joe tries to hide it. Meanwhile, Mel and Ryder have a secret of their own.

Mel is displeased with the advice Joe gives her mom, who's in town for a rare visit. Elsewhere, Lennox's gym teacher mistakenly thinks Lennox is pregnant.

Lennox gets a job with Mel and falls for an intern who reports to Mel's political rival. Elsewhere, Joe does some consulting work online.

Joe's Russian girlfriend visits him and causes tension in the household. Meanwhile, Ryder limits his diet to vending-machine food to comply with an experiment Lennox is doing.

Mel is shocked when Joe offers to marry Elena in order to keep her in the country, and refuses to take part in his scheme. But when it looks like everything will fall apart, Mel takes charge in order to protect both of them. But will Joe really go through with the wedding?