Gary tries desperately to honor his ex-wife's insistence that they follow the rules spelled out in a book, Rules for the Perfect Divorce, written by their marriage counselor. One of these rules is postponing getting involved in a new relationship for the sake of the kids, prompting him to hide the new woman he's seeing - until he discovers Allison, ironically, is now engaged to this marriage counselor. Tommy, who tends to be awkward around girls, seeks his fathers advice on a girl who is interested in him. Written by Lynne Boris Johnston

When Gary throws out his back, he uses the hot tub at his ex-wife's house for relief, but when he tries to change out of his wet trunks in front of her, she freaks and decides they need stronger boundaries. Gary is accused of loosing Louise's cello, and advises Tom to be honest with his girlfriend, but needs to take his own advise. Written by Lynne Boris Johnston

Gary realizes that if Allison marries Dr. Krandall, he will know longer have to pay spousal support, prompting him to talk to Krandall about Allison, in hopes of speeding up their nuptials. This backfires when Krandall becomes convinced that Gary is still in love with her, prompting him to call off the engagement, leaving Gary to undo the mess he made. Vanessa realizes that Gary is having trouble accepting that he is in a new life, when he continues to eat off paper plates on Frisbees, instead of the dishes she bought for him. Written by Lynne Boris Johnston

Allison insists Gary stop procrastinating, and move his remaining belongings out of her house. He begs Allison to let him have the pool table, but she adamantly refuses, citing the divorce agreement rule covering gifts. Gary discovers a photo album full of racy pictures of her amongst those belongings, and decides to use them to blackmail her into a trade. When Allison gets them back on her own, Gary tries to steal the pool table out of the house. Written by Lynne Boris Johnston

Gary is alarmed when girlfriend Vanessa and ex-wife Allison become friends.

When Allison throws a party to meet Krandell's closest friends, Gary decides it's time to meet Vanessa's friends as well, but both fear that they didn't make the best first impressions.

Gary takes Vanessa to dinner at the same restaurant he and Allison used to go to on their anniversaries.

Gary finds it hard to keep his vows when Allison asks him to pretend they're still married so she can impress an old rival who predicted their marriage wouldn't last.

When Allison reneges on her promise to have the family Thanksgiving dinner at Gary's house a tit-for-tat war erupts that may leave her parents on the road to divorce.

Gary and Allison's attempt to preempt each other in introducing their kids to major events in their lives escalates to a ridiculous level.

Gary's plan to improve his son's physical education grade through a series of father and son sports seems only to drive Tom into a closer relationship with Dr. Krandall.

Louise pressures Gary into dating her homely teacher, Miss Plummer, just after he's arranged a date with her hot substitute teacher, Miss St. James.

After Allison accidentally floods Gary's apartment, she allows him to temporarily move back in with her - to Dr. Krandall's jealous dismay.

Gary can't resist the attentions of Dennis' beautiful sister - and soon learns why she's available.

Gary needs Allison's patronizing brother Taylor to disentangle his company's financial records for a tax audit.

Gary tries to trick Allison into using her annual veto to prevent her from interfering with his plans to turn Louise into a golf pro.

Gary struggles to find a replacement for the now-departed Krandall to keep Allison occupied, as he tries to romance Joan.

Gary asks Allison to fill in a vacancy in his bowling team in order to win the trophy, but she's feeling put out because she wasn't asked to join when the team was formed.

Gary finds he's the mature one when his irresponsible half-brother Mitch returns to town.

Both Gary and Allison are dismayed to find their frustrated libidos mean they can't keep their hands off each other.