Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation

Roger and Peggy decide to take a seaside vacation instead of traveling abroad. Peggy invites their extended family, turning a quiet trip into a full-family getaway. The plan sets up the backdrop for the ensuing chaos and bond-building.

The family arrives to find a run-down beach house with rotting steps and creaky amenities. A shared telephone line and unreliable plumbing become running gags that punctuate the stay. The shabby setup immediately signals the challenges the family will face.

Danny fixates on watching television while Katey hides behind braces and avoids activities. The grandson keeps his distance from Roger, and Stan's unemployment complicates Susan's marriage. Byron, a windbag professor, also looms as a disruptive presence in the family dynamic.

Peggy frets about the fraying family, while Roger argues that the children must learn to handle problems themselves. He suggests staying emotionally distant to let everyone navigate issues without overreach. This stance foreshadows his quiet, problem-solving approach throughout the trip.

From the outset, Roger quietly threads through the crises, addressing each issue without drama. He orchestrates small interventions that aim to restore balance rather than blame anyone. His method is calm, practical, and focused on family cohesion.

Roger nudges Katey toward social activity by arranging for a handsome young man named Joe to pay her attention. Joe genuinely falls for Katey and even returns the money he was paid. The episode reveals Roger's willingness to bend rules for his daughter's happiness and a hint of romance abroad the vacation.

When the television breaks, Roger takes Danny on a boating trip. They get lost in fog for a while, but the shared ordeal helps them bond as father and son. The experience softens their rift and creates a lasting memory between them.

Byron shows interest in an attractive neighbor, but Roger bluntly warns that she is a paranoid schizophrenic, effectively keeping him from a full-fledged affair. The warning underscores Roger's protective role and the boundaries he enforces. It also highlights the tension between adult impulses and family loyalties.

Stan has a shot at a good job, and Susan asks Roger and Peggy to entertain the potential employer and his wife for a few days. The couple present as prim, proper, and sober, yet their real interests are far from what they appear. The hosting duties set up a chaotic, farcical sequence that tests the family.

A hot shower and a broken door lock unleash a torrent of minor disasters. The mishap exposes the adults' awkwardness and the truth behind polite façades. Amid the comedy, the family struggles to keep harmony as the day spirals.

By the end, the interpersonal crises are resolved and the family is sad to leave one another. Even the grumpy grandson is upset to depart his grandfather. The vacation closes with a sense of reconciliation and mutual care.

They book the beach house for the next summer, signaling a renewed commitment to spending time together. Roger manages to maintain peace while allowing the kids some independence. The trip ends with a quiet optimism about the family’s future getaways.