Maude and Walter return home from their second honeymoon to discover that Maude's priceless antique crystal punch bowl was smashed during a party at the Harmons. Maude is soon presented with conflicting stories from both Vivian and Arthur of just how her punch bowl was broken.

Maude has decided that Henry Fonda would make the perfect President of the United States and starts a campaign to get him elected, with or without his approval. Meanwhile, Maude's bizarre reasoning and plans for this campaign lead Walter and Carol to worry about Maude's mental stability and learn from her doctor that she is a manic depressive.