Joel is failing in Biology and his parents think he needs a tutor, who happens to be very attractive. Joel works hard to impress his tutor, Abby, so that he can ask her out on a date. The two start to spend more time together after Abby's boyfriend dumps her. Joel gives her advice about how to get over her breakup, hinting that she should take him out. When she does invite him (after she is no longer tutoring him due to Joel going so well in Biology) to see a movie he is shocked to see that she has also invited her ex because of Joel's advice. Later, Joel tracks down Abby to tell her that she is doing the wrong thing but changes his mind after seeing that she is too "old" for him, he then goes to tell her boyfriend to treat her right. Meanwhile, Pat believes (because of Joel's vague prediction) that he and Isabelle will both break their virginity together. He tires as hard as he can to impress her, with failed results.

Joel Larsen competes in the science fair in order to not flunk the class. He tries to ride the coat-tails of Andrew Wages, a brainy science kid who supposedly invents the technology for satellite TV in the future and owns millions. The side-story is about the Larsen family coming together after Joel helps them steal cable TV from the Nachman's.