Ep 14. Somebody Has to Play Cleopatra

Rob and his writing staff are stuck trying to think of a skit for the upcoming banquet for the Society of American Historians. They are told that they need to come up with something that will appeal to the young people at the event, although they have no idea how to do that. After much brainstorming, they land on the idea of doing a satirical recreation of Antony and Cleopatra, with Sally playing Cleopatra and Buddy playing Antony.

Sally is initially unenthusiastic, feeling that the role of Cleopatra is too challenging for her, but she agrees to try it out. As they begin to rehearse, it quickly becomes clear that Sally is struggling with the character, unable to match the over-the-top performance that they're looking for. Her discomfort is exacerbated by the fact that Buddy is clearly enjoying himself, throwing himself into the role with gusto.

At one point, Sally decides to try on the Cleopatra costume and finds that it is far too revealing for her comfort. She becomes increasingly flustered and embarrassed, leading Rob to express concern that she may not be able to pull off the role. Sally is left wondering what her colleagues think of her, afraid that they will see her as less of an actress for struggling with the material.

Meanwhile, Laura is dealing with her own problems at home, as she tries to convince her son Richie to give up his collection of toy guns. She is worried that they are encouraging violent behavior and that they will make him a target for teasing at school. Richie is resistant to the idea, arguing that he needs the guns for protection, and Laura is left frustrated and uncertain how to get through to him.

As the show approaches, the pressure begins to mount, with Rob and his team worried that they won't be able to deliver a skit that lives up to expectations. When the night arrives, they put on a brave face and hope for the best. As the Antony and Cleopatra skit approaches, Sally is a bundle of nerves, unsure if she will be able to pull it off.

In the end, the skit goes off without a hitch, with Sally delivering a surprisingly powerful performance and winning over the crowd. Buddy is impressed, and even Laura and Richie manage to find a moment of connection when they bond over a mutual dislike of the skit they've just seen.

The episode ends with Rob and his team feeling vindicated by their successful show, Sally feeling proud of herself for pushing through her fears, and Laura feeling relieved that she and Richie were able to find some common ground. It's a heartwarming conclusion to an episode that highlights the challenges of trying new things, dealing with self-doubt, and finding ways to connect with the people we love.