Ep 16. That Was Saliva, Alan

At the start of Two and a Half Men season 1 episode 16 titled "That Was Saliva, Alan," Charlie and Alan are discussing past relationships and whether or not Charlie has ever been in love. Their conversation is interrupted by Jake, who brings in a bag of clothing and toys he found in the park. Charlie and Alan are somewhat embarrassed when they realize the bag belongs to one of Charlie's previous conquests.

While they are discussing what to do with the bag, the woman in question, Rachel, shows up at the door. She is angry and demanding the return of her belongings. Charlie is not interested in seeing her again, but Alan is immediately smitten. Rachel seems to take a liking to Alan and they make a date for later that evening.

Charlie tries to warn Alan that Rachel is trouble and that she will break his heart, but Alan is convinced that he can handle it. They both get ready for their dates, with Charlie going out to a fancy restaurant with his current girlfriend, while Alan takes Rachel to a low-key bar.

At the restaurant, Charlie is not having a good time. He is bored with his date and he is distracted by the thought of what might be happening with Alan and Rachel. Meanwhile, Alan and Rachel are having a great time, drinking and laughing. Things start to heat up between them and they end up making out in the bar.

The next morning, Alan wakes up feeling great. He thinks that Rachel might be "the one" and he is eager to continue their relationship. Charlie, on the other hand, is not impressed. He thinks that Rachel is just using Alan for sex and that she will drop him as soon as she gets bored.

As the day goes on, Alan and Rachel continue to see each other, and Alan becomes more and more convinced that he has found the perfect woman. He even decides to introduce Rachel to Jake, hoping that they will get along. However, Charlie's prediction starts to come true when Rachel cancels a date with Alan at the last minute.

Alan is devastated, and Charlie is not surprised. He tries to console Alan, but Alan is too heartbroken to listen. Meanwhile, Jake is becoming more attached to Rachel, and Alan is worried that he will get hurt too.

In the end, Rachel returns and tries to explain why she cancelled the date. She reveals that she is a recovering alcoholic and that she was worried about falling off the wagon. Alan realizes that he still has feelings for her and forgives her. He also agrees to help her with her sobriety, showing that he is willing to be there for her through thick and thin.

Overall, Two and a Half Men season 1 episode 16 is a classic example of the show's signature blend of humor and heart. It explores themes of love, relationships, and addiction with a light touch, making it a standout episode in the series.