My Family Season 1 Episode 8 Much Ado About Ben

In My Family season 1 episode 8, titled "Much Ado About Ben," the Harper family is thrown into chaos when Ben (played by actor Robert Lindsay), the patriarch of the family, suddenly decides to quit his job. Ben's decision catches everyone off guard, especially his wife Susan (played by actress Zoe Wanamaker), who is worried about their financial situation.

As the episode begins, Ben announces his resignation from his job at the dental practice where he has worked for years. He claims that he is fed up with his boss, Mr. Casey (played by actor Stephen Fry), and that he wants to take some time off to figure out what he wants to do with his life. Susan is initially supportive of Ben's decision, but she soon realizes that they will be in a tough spot financially if he doesn't find another job soon.

Meanwhile, their children Nick (played by actor Kris Marshall), Janey (played by actress Daniela Denby-Ashe), and Michael (played by actor Gabriel Thomson) all have their own issues to deal with. Nick is trying to impress a girl from his drama club, but he's struggling to memorize his lines for the play they're performing. Janey is upset because her best friend keeps ditching her for her new boyfriend, and Michael is convinced that he's going to get a perfect score on his upcoming math test.

As the episode progresses, Ben tries his hand at a few different jobs, including working as a bartender and a toy store employee, but he quickly realizes that he's not cut out for any of them. Meanwhile, Susan is getting more and more worried about their financial situation, and she starts to resent Ben for putting them in this position.

In one particularly memorable scene, Susan and Ben have a heated argument in a department store, where they are shopping for cheap Christmas presents for their children. Susan accuses Ben of being selfish and not thinking about the family's needs, while Ben defends his decision to quit his job and try something new. The argument ends with Ben storming off in a huff, leaving Susan standing in the store with a cart full of discounted toys.

Despite their difficulties, the Harper family manages to come together in the end. Nick receives unexpected help with his lines from one of his coworkers at the drama club, Janey discovers that her friend's boyfriend is a jerk and decides to move on, and Michael aces his math test with a bit of last-minute cramming. And although Ben doesn't find a new job right away, he finally comes up with an idea that excites him and could potentially lead to a new career path.

Overall, My Family season 1 episode 8 is a touching and funny exploration of family dynamics and the challenges of pursuing one's dreams in the face of adversity. The Harpers may have their ups and downs, but they always manage to stick together in the end.