While Axl tries to invent a new beverage that mixes wine with beer and Brick decides to join the school orchestra in an attempt to play the field and find himself a new girlfriend, Mike asks Sue to take the reins in putting together a romantic evening for him and Frankie to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary – which both of them totally forgot. Frustrated with being the family member whose role is to do everything they ask of her without complaint, Sue puts her foot down and declares she will no longer be that person, which causes the rest of the Hecks to rethink and rebel against what their supposed familial roles have been.

The Hecks take a hectic road trip for Thanksgiving to Frankie's sister's house but soon find themselves running into barriers that could make them late to the feast; and with Axl now working with Sue and Brick at Spudsy's, they have been informed by their manager that, due to budget issues, one of them needs to quit, and they must decide amongst themselves which one will take the hit.