CRESS WILLIAMS GUEST STARS; IS WASHINGTON IN SYD'S FUTURE? -- Syd (Melina Kanakaredes) begins having separation anxiety from Joe (guest star Steven Eckholdt) who is on the campaign trail, which leads her to consider moving to Washington if he wins the election. Meanwhile, Syd must also treat a young man (guest star Alex Cruz) who must recover from a bicycle accident before he can donate bone marrow to his dying sister (guest star Daniella Garcia). At home, Joanie (Paula Cale) gets a much needed break when Robbie (Seth Peterson) offers to watch Jim (Mike Farrell) and Hannah (guest star Tessa Allen); Joanie spends the day bonding with Tina (guest star Maria Pitillo) as the future sisters-in-law plan Robbie and Tina's wedding; and when Jim discovers Dr. Sam Magala (guest star Cress Williams) has been hired to run the vet clinic, he decides to go back to work, with mixed results.
When Jim returns home to recuperate from a serious head injury after being shot in last season's finale, Syd, Joanie and Robbie clash over each other's reactions to the changes in their father. Syd believes Jim needs more help than they can provide at home, Joanie thinks he needs to be surrounded by loved ones in his own environment while Robbie is detached and angry over the ""loss"" of the father he knew. Besides trying to keep the peace in her family, Syd must also deal with a neurotic patient who believes television characters are real people.