Fear Itself, #22
Original air date: May 12, 2003

The scoop: Andy takes Ephram along with him and Irv on a fishing trip; Nina's husband returns; Colin and his parents are forced to deal with his continuing health problems.

What's up with Ephram: Ephram's been looking forward to spending a week with his grandparents in New York during the summer. When Andy drags him along on a fishing trip, Ephram proposes to him that if he gets his grades up to a "B" average he should be able to spend the whole summer in New York. Andy shoots that idea down fast and sends Ephram back into his room to study. Ephram's not happy that his dad is taking this much control over his life, so when Andy steps out Eprham approaches Irv to let him take the boat out. Irv's reluctant because Andy was insistent that Ephram do NOTHING but study for the weekend, but Ephram convinces him that it will be perfectly fine. Later, while on the lake by himself, Ephram finds that his boat is stuck in a marsh. When he tugs the boat free, it lurches back, causing Ephram to whack his head on the floor, knocking him unconscious and throwing him into the lake, floating face up.

What's up with Andy: Andy walks in on Edna and Irv arguing about Irv going on a fishing trip by himself. Realizing Edna won't let Irv go alone he offers to accompany him. Also, Andy's been trying to get Ephram to study for his finals so his grades will come up. Since Ephram seems to be slacking on his studying Andy brings him along on his fishing trip with Irv, insisting that he spend the whole time studying. The next day when Andy comes in to find that Irv let Ephram take the boat out, he's upset. Irv tells him that he needs to let up trying to control Ephram so much. As it gets later, Andy grows increasingly worried when Ephram doesn't come back and he and Irv head out to look for him. They spot Ephram floating unconscious in the cold water and Irv swims out to him and brings him in. Later, with Ephram safe in bed, Andy admits to him that he didn't want him to go to New York. He apologizes for being so overbearing and tells Ephram that he can spend the whole summer with his grandparents in New York.

What's up with Colin: After Colin's seizure, his parents meet with Dr. Brown who tells them that Colin will need another risky surgery if he wants to go on living. Colin is exasperated with his situation and tells Dr. Brown that he's not going through another operation. His parents, maybe at the end of their rope, don't disagree with him. When Amy visits Colin he sends her away, claiming that he doesn't want to see her anymore. After giving it more thought, he goes to Amy's house and tells her its because he doesn't want to put her through any more than she's already gone through with him. She reassures him that she wants to be there for him. Meanwhile, after Ephram's close call, Dr. Brown seeks out Colin's dad and begs him to let him help Colin.

What's up with Nina: Nina is pleasantly surprised when Carl unexpectedly comes home. He tells her that he's missed her and their son and loves them so much that he's decided to come back for good. Nina grows suspicious when somebody keeps calling their house and hanging up when she answers the phone. When she finds a condom in Carl's jacket she realizes that Carl must have been having an affair. She furiously confronts him, only to have him reassure her that his affair meant nothing to him, it's over and he loves Nina. He almost convinces her until the phone rings again and when Nina answers it she tells whoever's on the other end to stop calling and that Carl is staying home with her and their son. She's absolutely stunned when a man, on the other end, says "Tell him I'm sorry" and hangs up. When Carl comes back inside she tells him that all of the questions she's ever had about their relationship make sense now. She realizes that Carl is a whole other person whom she's never known before.