Once there, they meet Joe's colorful mother Gloria, his sister Theresa and the formidable Sofia. Sensing something is amiss with her grandson and his "wife," Sofia resorts to trickery to see them repair their marriage by any means necessary. What started out as a silly ruse soon makes a wrong turn, and leaves Joe and Mel confused as to where they stand with each other.

In picking up where the summer cliff-hanger left off, Joe rushes home to tell Mel that he has feelings for her after their romantic night together in New Jersey. When he arrives, he's shocked to find Austin has shown up and wants to give his relationship with Mel another try. Deciding he can't stay and watch them fall in love all over again, Joe quits. Meanwhile, Lennox plots to get Joe and Mel together and Ryder gets sick from his own cooking.