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Not with that attitude, you aren't, Mister!

After weeks of good behavior, Danny finally unleashes a potential meltdown this episode . And, what's more -- it happens virtually as the episode starts, as though he just couldn't hold it in any longer.

Danny's tantrum

The episode starts with Danny and Gretchen talking to Dr. Garry about the state of their relationship. Danny's back in the house, but living in the guest room and with that, he's had it up to...well, up to where the red ends on his face on the picture to the left. Danny says just because he accepts Gretchen's terms doesn't mean he agrees with them -- he wants back in the bedroom. Gretchen explains that her boundaries must be honored, to which Danny replies, "I'm kinda over boundaries. He's got boundaries, you've got boundaries. Neither one of you are f***ing me." How this revelation makes Dr. Garry feel is not explored.

Then, driving in the car, Danny continues the rant that will essentially end up running throughout the first half of this episode.

"What's a guest room for? It's for guests!" he shouts. As if to prove that he is, in fact, not a guest (for what guest would act this rudely?), he takes out his frustrations while confined to the guest room.

He jumps on the bed.

He plays with sock puppets.

He...uh, does this:

Yeah, you read that right. He hates the woman whose bed he's so desperate to get back into.

Perhaps most notably and definitely most maliciously, he sings an impromptu song whose lyrics have been lovingly captioned for you.

Well, that would explain why she isn't so keen to have Danny move back into her bedroom. Business is business!

Well, then she's clearly chosen the wrong line of work!

Jokes aside, Danny's behavior is among the most outrageous he's exhibited all season, which is why this fit earns him a 3 on the Meltdown Meter. The only thing keeping him from a 4 is the fact that there's no risk to anyone's immediate safety as a result of his behavior. He isn't dangerous, just annoying.

Oh, and speaking of outrageous:

Danny babysits Dante, Isabella and two of Gretchen's friend's kids while Gretchen's out. And by "babysits," we mean, "lets them shoot plastic pellets out of a plastic gun." Of course.

But no meltdown here -- he's totally good natured about being shot by Isabella.

Unsatisfied with such minor indiscretions, Danny amps up what's become a bout of extreme babysitting by -- no lie -- rubbing bacon on his dog...

...and then tying it around the dog's collar.

The dog is now bait for a round of coyote hunting Danny's about to take the kids on. It is important to note that all the while, Dante is wearing a Scooby Doo costume.

Where's Phyllis Diller and/or Batman and Robin when you need them?

Anyway, Danny takes the kids outside and we see very little through the night-vision camera.

Apparently so do Danny and the kids because they see something moving and immediately begin threatening it and cursing at it. It becomes clear as the thing approaches that it's actually a person pushing a baby carriage.

Danny's all like, "Oops!" but really, why not scream at a person with a baby? Overpopulation is a menace to humankind. Scream in the face of the next person you see pushing a stroller. It'll make you feel better.

Anyway, the rest of the episode is nice nice nice as the bond between Gretchen and Danny is clearly strengthening.

They go out to dinner (at this point, Danny had stepped out to smoke a cigarette, but was still able to enjoy Gretchen's company through the magic of a window seat and, uh, glass)...

Then, they meet with what appears to be a spiritual leader of their church.

And that goes well. It goes so well, in fact, that the episode ends with Gretchen visiting Danny in the guest room and asking the film crew to leave.

Except, they forgot to remove their mics and so we hear Gretchen ask Danny through the door if he'd like to join her in her bedroom tonight. Score! See where throwing a tantrum can get you?

Comments

[fp]

I really hope they can make it work. My X husband is a drug addict and thats what tore us apart. we lost all of our hopes and dreams. He was deported and now lives in a drug induced stuper in Norway. I lost the love of my life due to his loss of self respect.
if they pull this together it will be a total blessing

[jenson kaye]

I really like Danny and he has a wonderful family but..........Danny is acting like a spoiled child. Guess he didn't have the boundaries as a child he should have. He needs to get it together. I hope he can but maybe he needs to recognize when he doesn't get his way he stomps his feet and acts out.

[Cariadlove]

WOW! All I can say is... Been there done that and it's a long, hard, drag you through hell road! I know this is a TV show and he perhaps acts out or maybe he doesn't more than usual? But, I see the look on Gretchen's face when he's pushing, pushing and pushing until he thinks it will get him his way because she's too tired to fight anymore. It's a very hard thing to be in love with someone so bent on self destruction. All I can say is: If you love her Danny straighten up, because one of these days you will finally put on the straw that breaks her back! We all have to come to a place in our lives when we have to stop and decide what is the MOST important to us and stop hurting the ones that love us. Start treating her and your children everyday... like it's the last day you will see them on this earth! GOD BLESS! :)

[Stephanie J]

Frankly, I find myself feeling very sorry for Danny. My heart reaches out to him. He is starving for affection. I think his wife is just leading him along to spare his feelings, and that it's more cruel than being truthful, and doing what her body language so loudly proclaims, that she really doesn't like him that much.

It's not fair to allow him to believe there is a chance when there really isn't. Call him spoiled, or whatever; he's being deceived. If I were in that sort of relationship, I'd be in denial too, and acting out similarly. He never really gets credit for trying, he gets smacked down when he does try and never gets the benefit of the doubt, and in part, it causes him to continue relapsing. He doesn't get a break, even when he's making his greatest effort--anyone would give up too if that were the case.

He has so much anger, and is so vulnerable, it just breaks my heart. I can barely watch the show to see his self-destruction. Makes me very, very sad.

The plastic-faced therapist pisses me off the most. He villifies Danny, and puts all of the negativity on him, and hardly ever acknoweldges the wife's manipulative nature, and the mind-games she's playing on Danny.

[slm]

I enjoy watching the show. I hope they can make it work. His attitude towards the family has changed, and hopefully he can turn his life around, if not for himself but for his wife and children.

[oscarbaeza]

I LOVE DANNY I HOPE HE GETS BACK WITH HE FAMALIY

[Tanya]

I agree with the one person about his wife being decieving. But I think she is staying with him afraid he might hurt himself or someone else. Neither one is in the right with their behavior. Granted he tries but when he don't succeed his behavior becomes out of controll. I think his wife should divorce him and let him be responsible for his own actions. I would normally say I would hope that they could work it out but you got 1 person in love and another who is not. It takes 2 to fight this battle because Danny needs support and she is just not really giving it to him and that says alot. I hope he can find some inner happiness and stays sober. For Gretchen I hope she finds what she is looking for herself and not be so angry and bitter.

[Lori Stuart]

I truly feel bad for Gretchen and the children. Growing up, I had an older sister (+7 yrs) who took care of us after my father passed away when I was 12 so my mother could work two jobs. Not long after that, she left on a bus to florida, and for twenty years, we never heard from her. Not a word. We had no idea if she was alive or dead. Well, after many years of having hope and coming to find out that it was a twenty year addiction to various drugs and alcohol that kept her from us, my mother still never gave up hope. She eventually brought her home and she has been clean and sober for three years, and is now preaching in her own church. A MESSAGE TO DANNY AND ALL OTHERS STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION. 20 years is a long time, but when it comes to your family and the only!!!!! ones who will have faith in you for the course of your entire life, 5 minutes is a long time. So, do the math, is it time to stop now. My sister is still three years later catching up on the last 20 she has missed. What is sad, is that you don't have to physically be away from people to miss out on their lives. Danny, You might as well be 1000 miles away. Spend the rest of your life catching up, not taking more away. We love you, your fans in toronto, ohio