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Original Airdate: 11/25/96
May and Lucy try to get out of having Thanksgiving with the family. Likewise, Matt tells the family that he wants to go on a ski trip with his girlfriend's family instead of spending some quality time with Julie and the family during the holidays. To his surprise, Eric and Annie tell Eric they have his blessing to go on the trip.
Matt gives Julie his room since he will be gone and shows her upstairs. Once there, Julie breaks out a bottle of vodka from her purse and takes a few sips while a tormented expression crosses her face.
At dinner, Simon notices how much wine Julie is drinking and is scolded by Annie. Eric tells Simon and Julie that its perfectly all right since Julie is on vacation. Because they aren't spending time with the family during Thanksgiving, Mary, Lucy and Matt are told to clear the table and do the dishes - something Simon thinks is pretty cool.
That night, Julie tells Annie that she is very tired. She confides in Annie that her job is getting frustrating, and her boyfriend even more so. Annie puts the kids to bed and leaves Julie alone - and Julie promptly pours another drink and then finds the key to Eric's liquor cabinet in the living room.
While getting ready for bed, Eric tells Annie he is nervous about having Julie in the congregation tomorrow at church because she is a perfectionist. Annie asks Eric about Julie's drinking and Eric continues to say Julie is fine. In church the next day, Eric acknowledges his sister in the congregation, something that adds to Julie's anxiety - which is noticed by the entire family.
Later that evening, Annie call's Julie's boyfriend to see how things are going, and to tell him she is sad he couldn't come to Thanksgiving dinner. Annie finds out that Julie broke up with her boyfriend, and she has also lost her job as a principal.
In the living room, Simon is playing with Ruthie and Happy when Julie comes in. Being playful, Simon steals the liquor cabinet key from Julie's grasp and she chases him around playfully. Resorting to tickling, Simon realizes too late she isn't kidding around. Julie throws him to the floor and strongholds Simon, demanding he give her the key to the cabinet. Hearing the commotion, Annie rushes in and throws Julie out of the house, and comforts her frightened son.
After being told what happened, Eric goes to the local bar to find his sister. Finding her with a guy at her side, he tells his drunken sister to come home. When he tries to take her home, she slaps him and struggles as Eric drags her out of the bar and takes her home.
The family holds a meeting to discuss their aunt's sickness. Simon, still shaken, is comforted by his older brother and asks why she just can't stop drinking. Mary says she never wants to see Julie again - ashamed she ever looked up to her. Matt is concerned about his aunt and wants to help her get well. When Eric arrives home, he tells Annie he wants to help Julie himself instead of sending her away. Annie says no way, saying she is concerned with the children. Eric tells Annie he has experience in de-tox, and he needs to help her. He tells Annie he will stay with her every minute - he doesn't want to lose her. Annie reluctantly agrees but tells Eric he is on his own.
In the middle of the night, Simon and Ruthie throw their presents given to them by Julie at the floor of Julie's bed. Julie takes the doll she gave Ruthie, and curls up on the bed and cries herself to sleep. To help Julie, Matt cancels his ski trip plans. The next day, Julie feigns being over her intoxication, but later breaks down again. Matt takes his turn staying with Julie, but when he refuses to steal her a drink, he is thrown out of the room and yelled at by the aunt he cares so much about.
After a long night full of screaming and mutual compassion with Eric and Annie, Julie makes a phone call to a recovery house and makes sure they know how sneaky she can be. Mary puts aside her anger and asks Julie to come down to Thanksgiving dinner with her. Bringing Julie downstairs, Julie apologizes for everything. Simon, still shaken, once again open his heart to his aunt, and they all sit down to eat.