Ep 13. Attention Deficit

Doug is excited to have the house to himself for a whole weekend, as Carrie is going to visit her sister in Ohio. However, his plans for a weekend of relaxation and doing absolutely nothing are disrupted when his buddy Deacon convinces him to help coach their daughters’ school basketball team. While Doug initially tries to avoid taking on the responsibility of coaching, he eventually relents and agrees to help out. Despite his lack of experience as a coach and his general disinterest in basketball, Doug quickly becomes invested in the team and the girls, even going so far as to design elaborate plays on a whiteboard.

However, Doug’s newfound enthusiasm is short-lived when he realizes that one of the girls on the team, Sammy, has extreme difficulty paying attention and following instructions. This leads to her making mistakes during games and causing the team to lose. Doug initially tries to work with Sammy and help her improve, but soon becomes frustrated with her lack of progress and disruptive behavior. Meanwhile, Carrie is having her own problems with her sister’s family, who are constantly bickering and fighting.

As the weekend goes on, Doug’s frustration with Sammy reaches a boiling point during an important game against a rival school. Sammy’s inability to focus and follow instructions leads to a disastrous loss for the team, leaving Doug feeling disappointed and disillusioned. However, a post-game pep talk from Sammy’s mom helps Doug realize that Sammy’s ADHD is a real condition that she struggles with every day, and that he needs to be more patient and understanding with her.

With newfound empathy for Sammy’s struggles, Doug sets out to help her in any way he can, including bringing in special equipment to help her focus and working with her one-on-one outside of practice. His efforts pay off when Sammy has a breakthrough during one of their games, successfully executing a play they’ve been working on for weeks. The team goes on to win the game, with Sammy’s contribution being crucial to their success.

As the episode ends, Doug reflects on his experience coaching the team and how it’s helped him become a better person. Carrie returns home, and while Doug is initially eager to tell her all about his weekend, he ultimately decides to let her have some peace and quiet, enjoying the feeling of having accomplished something worthwhile without seeking recognition or praise.