The presence of Dennis, a spiked cake, and Louis's amorous cousin Pete snuff out Hope's birthday plans for a quiet dinner party, her first since her separation.

Hope's plan to get Gloria a job as hair stylist on the show becomes complicated as the temperamental Isaac first quits to move to South America, then returns unexpectedly - just after Gloria has quit her job at the salon where she's worked for nine years. It's up to Hope to convince Gloria's caustic former boss Cookie to take her back. Meanwhile, Louis stays over at Gloria's to tend ailing Sonny.

Gloria convinces Hope not to see her ex-husband again, inspiring Hope to help another spurned wife do the same, but then Gloria herself succumbs to temptation. Meanwhile, Dennis tries to help Hope by having her produce a segment called ""Sex With Your Ex,"" with Gloria as one of the guests.

The new station manager orders Hope to arrange a Growing Pains reunion show, but there's a problem - Dennis refuses to be in the same room with his rival, Alan Thicke. Meanwhile, Scott, the little boy Gloria used to baby-sit turns up, grown up and still infatuated with her.