Fri, Jan 5, 2001
Jim, who warned Robbie an address he asked about to deliver whiskey from O'Neill's could be a mob club, is testing a harmless mousetrap, but his rodent hunt only succeeds in wrecking half the house. The Italian customers sort of railroad Robbie into joining their poker table. They get grumpy when he outplays them every hand, but once they realize they mistook him for a don's son take him to the woods, stripped to his underwear, contemplating spy execution modes... Being preoccupied with a terminal cancer patient who feels guilty as an absent mother, Syd gets Joanie in her place to attend the Biltmore medical convention, for the free samples, but someone who remembers Syd gets her thrown out, and into jail with three hookers; they contemplate life and commiserate...
Fri, Jan 12, 2001
Infomercial presenter Earl Popper passes at O'Neill's and encourages fan Robbie to come up with a gimmick invention to enter it in his TV program and earn a fortune, but that' easier said the done, even for the most inventive Hansen... Syd's nice young paperboy David (12) is brought in with a gun-wound; according to elder brother and guardian Matt, David must have shot himself accidentally with a gun Matt bought after a recent wave of break-ins, but the wound indicates someone shot the kid and he can't move his feet without an operation. Matt asks him where the gun is, as the police asks for it, but... Joanie is tired of cleaning up etcetera for Jim, Robbie and Syd, so she eagerly hires Burt's sister Doreen Dunfey as professional 'life organizer', who presses the Hansens to sacrifice everything that doesn't fit in a lifeboat to a yard-sale next Saturday, which only makes them realize they really care for their memories, and Doreen...
Fri, Feb 9, 2001
Dr. Jim Hansen makes a big deal of accompanying morally good but legally incorrigible son Robbie to court, again, for some bookie deals, and actually convinces the judge to give him a better lesson then a fine: community service by coaching a boys ice-hockey team for the rest of the season. Initially reluctant coach Robbie generously adjusts his already busy time-schedule and proves the only optimist who ever dared insisting to them winning should be a serious option, and stands up against stressed player Billy's overbearing father, winning the boy's heart and the sympathy of equally uncertain teammate Pete Calcatera's attractive young mother Tina... After three failed white wedding productions, Joanie convinces fiancé Burt to follow Syd's flippant suggestion to 'elope' to Niagara Falls. The trip is terminated by cramps... Syd concentrates on lighthouse-keeper Graham Hollings, who refuses to allow plastic surgery on his badly scarred face, and can't even bring himself to visit his only true friend Mary in hospital after successfully giving her CPR together.
Fri, Feb 16, 2001
Robbie is now really interested in coaching, even changes shifts to be there early, but is also focusing on Pete Calcatera's mother Tina. Learning Pete's father will never return, and she runs a garage, he actually sabotages pa's muffler -alas accidentally also an expensive part- to have an excuse to drop by, but she refuses to go lunch together meanwhile; luckily Pete insists to have him invited at Chimp Fun Zone to celebrate his successful school project. Syd gets Joanie, who is impossible to live with, neglects the Barkery and can't face Burt since the miscarriage, to go in therapy. Syd can't drag Graham to Mary's funeral, but learns she owned his lighthouse, which is now to be sold; she gets him to plastic surgery consultation, but the teaching crowd scares him off after a few minutes; she finally gets him to the graveyard, facing his lasting nightmare, where he accepts surgery.
Fri, Feb 23, 2001
Robbie tries to be supportive now player Pete Calcatera is desperately nervous as his dad Peter promised to come watch his game on Friday, but private coaching seems to do the trick; on the big day Robbie's pep-talk gets the kid over his fear, but a brute knocks him over... Syd's doctor's orders keep Jim out of the surgery, but Heather must bring Graham's solitude-stressed Byron and other dogs to him, till after Graham's operation, which is a medical success, and he actually dares facing people again. Syd discovers the late Mary left something to Edward 'Eddie' Joyce, who isn't Graham's father in law as she assumed, that's Harold Joyce, but Graham's own son, Harold raised the now ten-year old lovely boy. Jim helps her gather the courage to tell grandpa, who initially wants the secret kept, then sends Eddie to Syd, who passes on his boat design, a source of pride for former professional Graham... Joanie is drinking too much, so the Barkery risks going down the drain and Burt is neglected even worse, she actually fails to open his gifts for their dating anniversary which she forgot about; yet Burt's patience even stretches to allowing her some time apart 'to think'.
Fri, Mar 2, 2001
Robbie's date with Tina falls through when Pete's dad Peter cancels last minute to chaperon his scouts event. Robbie is happy to be invited by the kid to his birthday party, but Peter demands he steps out of the divorced family's only annual event. Syd's clinic is selected as contender for a grant from the prestigious Medfund. The Barkery hires pastry chef Elliot Anderman, who finds cooking for animals beneath him, let alone cleaning, but lost his Chicago standing after malicious food poisoning. He proves sympathetic to Joanie's miscarriage-trauma and reorganizes efficiently and ergonomically.
Fri, Mar 16, 2001
Robbie's restaurant date with Tina is a lip-locked success. Yet the next day she's aloof again, Robbie sees she has another man, who drops by at O'Neill's. Gym coach Russell Banks brings in pupil Kylie with a strained ankle, later picks up his coat- and Syd for supper. It's love at first bite. After three years of therapeutic disillusions, a patient is determined not to try a new treatment that Syd insists on. Chef Elliot Anderman's cookie range "man's best friend" (for people and dogs) convinces banker George Blankenship to support the "Barkery's" $8,000 oven investment loan. Elliot even accepts to pose as a straight couple, but seems to overdo it.
Fri, Mar 30, 2001
Robbie looks forward to a weekend with Tina while Peter takes their son Pete camping, but she doesn't know he still lives in his old room at dad's. On her Saturday off Syd welcomes MD Rick Rozelli, back from Uganda, and shows him St. Clare clinic. Rick came to invite youth friend Syd to join a partnership running a clinic there, but suddenly falls gravely ill. The Health department determines it's serious, possibly hemorrhagic fever (Ebola?!) and immediately quarantines both clinic and Hansen house. Joanie is trapped with all Hannah's birthday party guests. There were no further fatal cases until Izzy Nunez manages to cut herself, so she's probably infected...
Fri, Apr 20, 2001
While Jim is away meeting Victoria Everdeen in Chicago, Robbie, Joanie and finally Syd get a visit from Thomas Wheelock (a rich McArthur Far East campaign veteran). That evening they realize they are visited by the same man when invited to his hotel. There Syd realizes that Thomas Wheelock is his grandfather, the very same man that disinherited his mother for marrying 'beneath her'. Thomas makes them an offer they can't refuse, or can they?
Fri, May 11, 2001
Robbie and Tina were enjoying a quiet weekend without Pete, but his pa Peter has papers served: he sues for full custody. Tina's lawyer convinces Robbie his criminal record would wreck her case; he's inclined to bow out, but a pub colleague suggests he provokes Peter's known violent temper, with plain-clothes cop Reggie standing by. Fearless makes a sizable drug-bust for Officer Duncan, then is poisoned in Jim's surgery. Elliot's coaching succeeds in making Joanie go out with his friend, studly artist Mitch, but she's not over Burt yet. Syd's aggressive tone ruins Congressman Joe Connelly's amicable approach of his Ziodex friend Bill Graff; Joe still promises to organize a Congressional hearing if hard proof is produced the life-saving drug is willfully sidetracked, which only Dr. Carroll can.
Fri, May 18, 2001
Robbie celebrated Tina's regained freedom with a dinner, but an accidentally delivered ring out-stages him; it sets both thinking. Congressman Joe Connelly insists Syd should consider an affair with him, as he is already determined to divorce his socialite, cold-ambitious wife Erica, who approaches Syd to plead for his scandal-vulnerable career; pictures make it real, but who sent them and why? Elliot takes Joanie to a diner where all firemen meet, and bingo: Burt, then coaches her to reaffirm her feelings for the stud, but just too late. Heather convinces Jim to try curing Fearless's post-poisoning depression with sibling therapy: Peerless, courtesy of Mr. Coleman; the mob now sends a gunman.
Fri, Sep 28, 2001
Jim is rushed to hospital by ambulance with the mob-inflicted head wound meant for Fearless. Joe Connelly's divorce is announced in the press. A month later, Robbie is too furious the police are making no progress for Tina's divorce decree to stir rampant joy, but realizes a cat left the shooting day without valid contact address is probably the killer's alibi; alas his set-up with a waiter's roommate's tip only attracts cops, who arrest him and Heather. Joanie proves an ingrate again when Elliot can return to Chicago now his ma bankrolls another catering business for him. Jim is returned home, but is moody and may never regain full memory, doesn't recognize Fearless but mourns for Buddy, his first (stray) dog, practically thrown in front of a car by his laid-off dad, then disappears during a party thrown in his honor. Yet that dog's grave is where he and Robbie, who can't handle seeing him confused, bond back.
Fri, Oct 5, 2001
Robbie impresses fiancée, Tina, and Pete with his handy-man skills, also it's his way to hide from his moody dad, who falls and seems to have great trouble remembering anything not related to animals. Jim's professional psychiatric therapy is hard enough to cope with without whining Joanie butting in. She refuses to take notice of Syd's medical expert advice that the father may need institutional care. Heather is rushed off her feet and alone in the surgery, and looses cocker-spaniel Arthur. Syd's hunky adolescent pneumonia-patient Jason Zeller has nobody to take care of him; he refuses any contact with, or help from, his estranged father, Steven Zeller, who lives with his gay partner Chris. Joe won't take no on his dream invitation to a governor's ball with the king of Morocco, even throws in a private fashion show, but she's otherwise preoccupied.
Fri, Oct 12, 2001
Hearing Pete still hasn't picked a school project, helpful Robbie sweetly volunteers to help make his coolest ever, a rocket, but is told that pa Peter is much cooler with cars. Jim is cranky and a bit loony, ordering gardening gnomes and other products from TV. Syd tries to juggle her schedule with Joe's and a plastic surgery patient, who's a friend of Joe's estranged wife.
Fri, Oct 19, 2001
Joanie plays the domestic martyr of the world; even Robbie's marriage announcement is scolded as 'selfish rubbish'. Bride Tina is determined to be understanding, so Robbie pushes them to bond by shopping for the wedding, while he minds whiners dad and Hannah. This works, and they're incredibly lucky. Jim fails to return to his beloved surgery and chase his temp Sam; Heather welcomes him back 'assisting', but he gets so frustrated he smacks Fearless' snout. Joe Connelly's senatorial campaign nears its end, so he invites Syd along to Washington D.C. Syd worries about mountain biker Victor Ortiz who broke two ribs and faints from concussion, while his mother only whines about his possibly compromised suitability as donor for his spoiled, ingrate terminal sister, violinist Sandra.
Top-rated
Fri, Oct 26, 2001
Young Pete is hostile towards the wedding, Tina grounds the boy 'till he apologies' for preferring an ice-hockey match with his dad Peter. This is answered with a lock-out barricade; poor groom Robbie is caught in the middle and squirms heroically both ways till he can come to the kid's rescue. Jim is miserable now that Fearless is afraid of him, and his surgery role may be reduced to fur-grooming, although his relevant memory starts returning. Syd is finally frolicking with Joe, but days before the senatorial election his veteran adversary Susan Bradshaw starts playing dirty. When his campaign retaliates with the truth on her marijuana abuse and abortion, this causes their own affair to become Examiner interest. Syd cancels her trust but gives a campaign-favorable TV interview, denying a relationship; he wins without her vote.
Top-rated
Fri, Nov 2, 2001
Robbie's wedding preparations prove pure torture, especially if Tina's dad and twin mates the cops have their wicked prankster way, which only appeals to dad's reduced mental abilities, making him a worthless best man, her ma is pathologically vain. Syd ignores a hint to buy Robbie a microwave and gets nearly scolded when she pretends to know 'obviously' what her 'kid brother' -the offensive phrase- wants, her alternative crystal punch bowl breaks in the commotion. After the idiotic in-laws' coarseness chases him from his own bachelor party, getting blamed for dad joining in their stripper fun by his haughtily (but badly) 'advising' sisters gets too much even for gentle Robbie. Still the wedding is serene and moving, even dad's speech till he loses his thread and clumsily slaps the groom a bloody nose.
Fri, Nov 9, 2001
Even Robbie's "accelerated" three days Miami honeymoon looks miserable as his nose hurts when he tries to kiss. Even if they got there despite trouble with the cheap airline, Thrifty; when they do, so did a hurricane. Jim goes on external coached rehab therapy for a day but walks off even more irritable, especially attacking busy-body Syd, who is told by the therapist she may need help with her own trauma of 'loosing' the father she knew.
Fri, Nov 16, 2001
Tina tells Robbie to write wedding gift thank you cards and help Pete with his school project on Jupiter in the morning, so they can train for his skateboard tournament in the afternoon. However, the boys get bored and sneak off. Robbie shows his most daring trick but Petie copies and breaks a wrist. Neither dares telling Tina, who blames the brand new step-dad. Dad's insurance finally pays for his rehab therapy. He holds back to spare fellow patients, even making troublemaker George his buddy. Joanie is presented to the occupational therapist and basketball coach Phil Sutton, a former patient, in a wheelchair, who also helps her with administratively troubled patient files. Meanwhile Syd starts her psychological therapy, where she realizes how she really feels about her late mother and her own medical vocation.
Fri, Nov 23, 2001
While young Pete is off to his dad Peter for Thanksgiving, Robbie tells Tina he's on pub duty till 11PM on their first married holiday, but secretly plans a turkey barbecue dinner with Heather and vegetarian Hindu Raji's hopeless help, with a ridiculous result. Jim finally gets to take a bus to go shopping alone again, and promises the driver Diego Sandoval to pick up his mother from the airport. However, he loses his wallet and accepts a wild ride from punks he was too kind too. Joanie and Hannah enjoy a wheelchair visit from Phil Sutton, whose family never celebrated Thanksgiving; they decide to take a ride in the country, where the little minx 'rescues' a live turkey. The Providence Mayflower Daughters hold their annual Thanksgiving dinner in St. Clare's; their snobbish president wants Syd as personal physician for her knees complaints, but is surprised by some DNA tests.
Fri, Dec 14, 2001
At Christmas time, Robbie and Tina look forward to a day alone when Petie stays with a friend. Syd's patient, Charlie Elway, a Brown student in ancient languages, mainly Latin, complains of excessive fatigue. Her own therapist insists she must learn to take time for herself. Syd goes speed dating and Joanie agrees to go on the show Blind Date while Phil babysits Hannah.