Feeling depressed after his parents seem to have forgotten his birthday, Dobie stays out of the house. Maynard, who knows Dobie's parents are throwing a surprise party for him, tries to get him to go home, but Dobie refuses. Will Dobie miss his own party? Guest starring a very young "Ronny" Howard.

Taking a psychologist's advice the wrong way, Herbert forces Dobie to "confess" that he hates his father. Besides his strange Dad, Dobie also has to deal with greedy Thalia demanding top class treatment if he wants to take her to the big dance.