At the start of this episode, Danny says to Dr. Garry, "If you don't like the way I get mad, then you're stuck with me, because that's the real me."

Have no fear, Danny. Even if Dr. Garry doesn't dig the way you get mad, plenty of people do. Collectively, these people are known as your show's viewing audience.

In a solo session with Dr. Garry, Gretchen sets the tone of the episode...

...she tells the doctor that she wants to leave Danny, but is afraid that if she does, he'll kill himself. Great! Expect an LOL-filled recap.

This leads us to the first potential meltdown...

Gretchen makes Danny leave

Right after her session with Dr. Garry, Gretchen drives home and tells the camera that Danny is a "great guy, he's just a s***ty husband." Things continue to look up!

Danny explains his confusion -- he thought things with Gretchen were going well until she told Dr. Garry that they weren't. Danny wonders if gearing up for this season of the show has put a strain on his marriage. Conversely, everyone watching wonders if his crumbling marriage puts a strain on the show.

Because seriously, this is hard to watch:

As the Bonaduces' assistant, Jackie, arranges an apartment for Danny to temporarily move into, Gretchen explains to him, as far away from the cameras as possible, that he has to leave. She goes as far as asking to get her mic taken off...

When they are on camera, turned backs ensue...

It's just...rough. Danny doesn't explode or anything, to his credit (though you know that there'll be time enough for that in the days to follow). He does, however, earn his Level 2 on the Meltdown Meter by refusing to allow the cameraman to get in the car with him when he finally leaves...

Danny Bonaduce isn't allowing a camera film him? The dude's clearly cracking up!

We then see Danny coping.

He admits that he was wrong about something on the phone. And then, as Gretchen talks to Dr. Garry again, telling him, "Things are not good," the scene is cut with Danny walking into traffic.

Understate much, Gretch?

The way said things are leads to the next potential meltdown...

Danny meets with his support group

Danny calls Gretchen to ask if he can use the house -- he was supposed to host a meeting with his sober group there and would like to keep plans on track. Gretchen allows him to do this, packs the kids in the car and leaves.

Danny meets with his group and the strapping, inked Jason informs Danny that the group is worried about him and his "relapse behavior pattern." Danny, it seems, has been sending late-night text messages, making desperate phone calls and staying in hotels. When Jason says, "relapse behavior pattern," we cut to Danny drinking...

Everything's just falling in place this episode, isn't it?

Danny denies that he's using again. "Terrible things are happening in my life, drugs are just not one of them," he explains. Jason's not buying it...

...so he tells Danny that he's going to stay with him for three days to monitor Danny's behavior. He'll also take Danny to be drug tested. Danny doesn't freak out at this, which is perhaps a sign that he isn't lying.

Jason indeed takes Danny to be drug tested, and doesn't let Danny in the bathroom without frisking him to insure he won't taint his pee or otherwise cheat the test. Danny goes in and comes out of the bathroom...

...saying that he can't close the cup. Wow, and he's still not pissed off. Literally. This counts as a pretty light Level 1.

Which brings us to the final potential meltdown...

Danny confronts his film crew

Danny would appear to be virtually unflappable this episode. Even this, his worst outburst, barely registers a two.

It starts when Danny is on the phone with Gretchen. He has apparently told the crew not to film him because we don't see him up close as he says things like, "Honey, I miss you so bad."

We can hear him, though, so he's obviously somehow miked.

Danny realizes that this is being recorded, and asks the crew if they just captured that conversation. The crew responds:

Duh.

Danny wants the footage destroyed, but the crew member says he doesn't have the capacity to do so. And though it's likely that not all of Danny's conversation was included in the episode, what we saw was really nothing out of the ordinary. Why didn't he ask to have the footage destroyed of him leaving the house? Wasn't that ultra-private? Where's the line drawn?

Anyway, Danny confronts more members of the crew...

Someone eventually tells him that she'll destroy the footage and, oops, she lied.

But even at his most upset, Danny doesn't raise his voice above its normal saddle of hoarseness. Level 2, but just barely.

Then, Danny and Jason, his weekend companion, talk about the way things are -- Jason assures Danny that Gretchen misses him.

And, sure enough...

And so, that rounds out the bad news of the episode. The good news is...uh...well, Gretchen's hair has never seemed more vibrant!

Preview next week's episode and witness Danny in his uncensored glory in exclusive VSPOT extras.

Comments

[Latoya Hollingsworth]

I enjoyed the episodes and i think that flav made the right choice3 because krazy is so fake and can't sing and new york is to damn bossy. delicious was the best girl there she is simple and so bootiful.

love your show flavour flav

[Sharon]

I would like to state that I feel really bad for Danny. I know that he is not perfect, but none of us are, right? I wish that I had someone who loved me as much as he loves his wife and is trying to do the right thing while all of his pain is being filmed for the world to watch and judge.

Danny, if you read your blogs (I know you don't watch your show) and, if you get tired of Gretchen kicking you to the curb. I am single and 44 and would love to hear from you.

[Steph]

I feel really sorry for Danny! I hope that eventually he will get his life together and find someone that loves him as much as he OBVIOUSLY love Gretchen. I think that if she truly loved him, she would not having a problem telling him that even if she is resentful of the things he has done in the past. If you truly love someone, you realize they have flaws and work with them thru bad times. I do realize that enough has got to be enough sometimes but I cannot stand watching her treat him like she does. Good luck Danny and hope you find a good woman and stay clean!

[Heather]

Danny Bonaduce, hey you come to Chattanooga to see me and my husband you think you have it bad. well i can help you for free lol lol. you are a cool man all will work out for you keep doing good not just for you but for your kids.
Heather

[Walter Phillips]

When I was looking at tonight episode (11-6-06),I believe that Danny and Gretchen should remember their wedding vowel, through good and bad time, till death do us part. What I am noticing is that Gretchen thinks that as soon as the bad time comes it is time to get a divorce, most hollywood"s couples do, but according to the bible when you get marry you become one, his problems becomes your problems, so you should do what ever you can to help him get through this, instead you are making the problem worst by making it about just you and what you won't put up with,and that you are tired, and you are making him feel hopless, frustated, and feel like he is losing his family and home. What you should be doing is helping him to get through the problem he is going through,by supporting him help him to realize the importants of getting better for his family ,and letting him know if he get the help that he needs you and the children will be right their when he get back. Remember, when you marry him andhad children,it's no longer I, it's us and we and you must remember the decision that you make not only affect you, it affects the whole family.Also about Gretchen holding back sex from her husband accordin to the bible in 1st. Corinthians 7chp. 5 verse Donot deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourself to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you, because of lack of control. Read the first 5 verses of chapter 7 God will tell you how to handle your marriage the right way not the world way.

[Virginia]

What does Danny want to be when he grows up? Happy, I wish. Danny thinks his telling Gretchen every few minutes that he loves her is going to make 'IT' better. But what he really is seaching for, is for all these words to make himself feel better. Only he refuses to see that either. Because--Danny CAN straighten up, but he thinks that when he does that his uniqueness will disappear and he won't get as much attention. He needs to stop throwing those childish tantrums and be the man he really wants Gretchen and his family to be with. Love the show am too addicted.

[Mary]

I do not know how Gretchen does it. I would suggest attend church and pray. They have tried everything else. Prayer makes you feel better.

[Laura]

Danny you are very in love with her,right? Then show her how much and do what she wants and quit being so angry and stubborn and let people help you. You are a great man and I would die for someone like you, but I have finially given up. You have a chance to stay with the person you love. Don't give her up for your childish ways!

[Jeff Snider]

Danny you're a good guy! I hope someday you can accept that and stop killing yourself trying to get this woman to love you. She married a celeb, enjoys all of the benifits and accepts none of the responsibility for her part of your relationship. This Dr. Gary is a joke! He NEVER confronts Gretchen about ANYTHING. Instead he validates her unaccountable evasive roll in your marriage. By doing so he does her more of a disservice than if he didn't see her at all. She is not a victom. She is however, doing a very good job keeping you convinced that she is while she lives a very charmed life at your expense my friend. Good Luck!!

[wendy m]

I have to completely diagree with anyone who thinks Gretchen is wrong or "giving up too easily". I have been in the same exact relationship with someone EXACTLY like Danny. Watching the show is like watching the five years I put in and I find myself switching the channel because I can't take it. And as for the children, no, they shouldn't be seperated from their father but I can tell you , it not good for them to see him act like a possesive, controling ticking time bomb. The daughter will just go looking for someone exactly like him when she gets older, and the boy will think it's okay to act like this. I feel for Gretchen and can completely relate with her feelings. Just loving someone isn't enough. He can tell her a thousand times he loves her, buy her everything, it doesn't matter. When the behavior has made you fall out of love, it's done. Although it is a shame because Danny is a very genuine person, sometimes it's just too late. You can't change someone when they justify their behavior regularly. And attending church won't fix that! I do wish Gretchen the best.

[wendy m]

I have to completely diagree with anyone who thinks Gretchen is wrong or "giving up to easily". I have been the same exact relationship with someone EXACTLY like Danny. Watching the show is like watching the five years I put in and I find myself switching the channel because I can't take it. And as for the children, no, they shouldn't be seperated my their father but I can tell you , it not good for them to see him act like a possesive, controling ticking time bomb. The daughter will just go looking for someone exactly like him when she gets older, and the boy will think it's okay to act like this. I feel for Gretchen and can completely relate with her feelings. Just loving someone isn't enough. He can tell her a thousand times he loves her, buy her everything, it doesn't matter. When the behavior has made you fall out of love, it's done. Although it is a shame because Danny is a very genuine person, sometimes it's just too late. You can't change someone when they justify their behavior regularly. And attending church won't fix that! I do wish Gretchen the best.

[Pamela]

My heart is truly pained for Danny, Gretchen and the kids...Gretchen, you need to point Danny in the JESUS direction...I have been where you both are and KNOW that the only true way to happiness and a great marriage is a personal relationship with Jesus...I know you are a Christian Gretchen, but both of you need to find your way back to Him...It is the only way!! Danny is trying but will continually fall back without Christ!! God bless all of you!

[monicamarie]

Read them all.....think Laura had the best post. Its truthful, open and honest. I seem to want to agree. Red knew what she married into and now wants to play the victim, along with Dr. Gary's help. Give the B man a break. I think he deserves one. Maybe only someone who knows such emotional pain can identify with Danny. I wish him only life's best and hope he can find and attain whatever his true happiness in life may be, God bless you DB.