Control is an issue in Huff's life, professionally and personally. He goes to Russell's office who pulls no punches when hitting Huff with tough questions in preparation for the insurance hearing to help save his job. At home, Beth gets into a tangle with her mother-in-law Izzy about preserving family privacy early in the morning and Byrd heads off to help tutor Gail, a cute high-school senior. Meanwhile, day two of the hearing begins with a body blow as Huff's bipolar patient takes the witness stand.

Huff is not happy when Melody returns in his sexual fantasies, and at the most inopportune times. Russell is coming out of his body cleansing and purification regime in time to take Laura, one of the partners in his law firm, out to dinner. Byrd is under tremendous peer pressure to steal drug samples from his father. Meanwhile, Beth has a verbal run-in with the cops in a convenience store. Russell lobbies Izzy to sign her divorce papers.

Huff's optimistic enthusiasm for this year's Christmas celebration meets its match when Beth's family, including her sick mother and competitive sister, arrive for the festivities. Izzy strains to be hospitable and good-natured, particularly when Russell comes with an unusual date, and pays one last visit to her best friend in the hospital. Byrd plays host of his own when his lost flame Gail shows up with an unexpected present.