The New Normal

These days, families come in all forms -- single dads, double moms, sperm donors, egg donors, one-night-stand donors. Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) are a Los Angeles couple and they have it all. Well, almost. With successful careers and a committed, loving partnership, there is one thing that this couple is missing: a baby. Just when they think the stars will never align, enter Goldie (Georgia King), an extraordinary young woman with a checkered past. A midwestern waitress and single mother looking to escape her dead-end life and small-minded grandmother (Ellen Barkin), Goldie decides to change everything and move out west with her precocious eight year-old daughter. Desperate and broke -- but also fertile -- Goldie quickly becomes the guys' surrogate and quite possibly the girl of their dreams. Surrogate mother, surrogate family.

Shania (Bebe Wood) is working to adapt to her new surroundings and, much to the delight of Bryan (Andrew Rannells), begins impersonating Little Edie from 'Grey Gardens.' Later, David (Justin Bartha) and Bryan reminisce about the first time they met and decide to have a night on the town like they did when they were younger. Elsewhere, Jane (Ellen Barkin) finds something disturbing in the boys' room and enlists Goldie's (Georgia King) ex-husband Clay (Jayson Blair) to try and woo her granddaughter back to Ohio. Elsewhere, Rocky (NeNe Leakes) mistakenly suspects Shania of misbehaving.

Bryan (Andrew Rannells) ignores David's (Justin Bartha) advice and goes overboard buying baby clothes. The shopping spree prompts a group outing to the outlet stores where they are met with a challenge. Elsewhere, Shania (Bebe Wood) wears one of the baby outfits to school and makes a new friend, which lands Jane (Ellen Barkin) and Goldie (Georgia King) in an awkward parent teacher conference.

Shania is looking forward to her school's upcoming mock election, but shocks Bryan and David when she tells them she will be voting for Obama, unlike her mother. Much to the dismay of hard core Republican Jane the boys begin a campaign to change Goldie's all important vote. Later, they throw a party to show Jane they have a diverse group of friends.

While David (Justin Bartha) is planning a family dinner to tell his mother, Francis (Guest Star Jackie Hoffman, "One Life to Live") about the baby, Bryan (Andrew Rannells) comisserates with Goldie (Georgia King) about mother-in-law woes. Elsewhere, Jane (Ellen Barkin) is learning that even at her age she still has it, but when she experiences an unusual sensation during an encounter with a younger man she seeks out David's medical advice. Meanwhile, worried that her dad may win the custody battle Shania (Bebe Wood) is crossing off her California bucket list.

Shania (Bebe Wood) announces that she and her classmate are "pretend" engaged and are going to hold an imaginary wedding. Thrilled with the idea of the upcoming nuptials, Bryan (Andrew Rannells) enlists the help of a reluctant Rocky (NeNe Leakes) and dives head first into planning the event of the season. Goldie (Georgia King) supports her daughter's fairy tale, but Jane (Ellen Barkin) attempts to shut down the ceremony. Later, David (Justin Bartha) discovers just how important this party is for Bryan and he makes a life-changing decision.

When Rocky (NeNe Leakes) talks about being her nieces godmother, Bryan (Andrew Rannells) begins to think about the traditions of his catholic upbringing. Looking to get back to his roots he visits a nearby church where Father Michael (guest star John Benjamin Hickey) gives him some unexpected advice. Later, wanting to appoint godparents for their baby-to-be, Bryan and David (Justin Bartha) reach out to their friends Tiffany (guest star Constance Zimmer) and Victoria (guest star Leisha Haley) only to discover that they are dealing with their own parenting dilemmas.

When technology begins to interrupt their lives Bryan (Andrew Rannells), David (Justin Bartha), Goldie (Georgia King) and Shania (Bebe Wood) reluctantly give up their various electronic devices for one day. Shania, however, takes it one step further by suggesting they give up all modern technology including heated toilet seats. Meanwhile, Rocky (NeNe Leakes) unleashes an online beast when she shows Jane (Ellen Barkin) how to use twitter. Hoping to gain more followers, Jane posts a private video from Bryan which was meant to surprise David on their future wedding day. Shocked at the invasion of privacy, Bryan is appalled until the cast of his show "Sing" tells him what they think of the tweet.

After recalling the disastrous dinners of Thanksgivings past, Bryan (Andrew Rannells), David (Justin Bartha), Goldie (Georgia King), Shania (Bebe Wood) and Rocky (NeNe Leakes) decide that this year they are going to enjoy the holiday with their new family. Later, after realizing the horrible fates of the turkeys at the farm a sensitive Shania and Bryan pardon all of them and take them home as new pets. The move prompts a meat-free dinner menu and in the spirit of the pardon encourages everyone to invite over family and friends that they need to make amends with. David invites his mother (guest star Jackie Hoffman) and his father (guest star Barry Bostwick), while Bryan extends an olive branch to Jane (Ellen Barkin), Goldie reaches out to Clay (Jayson Blair) and Rocky puts aside her political differences with her brother Clint (guest star Sterling Sulieman). Though the pre-dinner festivities seem to be cheerful it doesn't take long for personalities to clash and for this Thanksgiving to go to the birds.

Despite wanting to be surprised, Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) accidentally find out the sex of their baby. The slip brings one dad-to-be closer to his dream family -- minus marrying Kelly Kapowski (guest star Shannen Doherty, 90210) -- but creates a growing concern for the other that he won't know how to connect with his child. Elsewhere, a rousing performance by Shania (Bebe Wood) during a school assembly stirs Goldie (Georgia King), reminding her that she still has dreams that she needs to pursue. Later, when Shania's choice of material not only gets her a poor grade, but also a suspension, Goldie dons her lawyer suit and goes to the school to defend her daughter.

David hires Carla - a baby proofer - to make the house safer, but instead of creating a sense of security, it puts a wedge between him and Bryan, causing them to bicker. Meanwhile, in the process of decorating the Christmas tree and getting into the holiday spirit, it is revealed that eggnog makes Jane an unusually nice person. Later, Bryan and Jane attend a Hollywood party at Los Angeles realtor to the stars Nancy Niles' house that will turn out to be the boost that Jane has been looking for.

Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) discuss their future and how big they want to grow their family. The conversation leads them back to Expanding Families where Gary (guest-star Michael Hitchcock) reveals that he wants a family of his own but he can't seem to find the right guy. Bryan and David play matchmakers and set him up with Bryan's ex-boyfriend and legendary party boy Monty (guest star Matt Bomer, 'White Collar'), but their plan leads to more than they bargained for when Monty asks Goldie (Georgia King) to be his surrogate. Elsewhere, Rocky (NeNe Leakes) and Jane (Ellen Barkin) help Shania (Bebe Wood) deal with some mean girls.

After a failed attempt at finding a nanny, Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) contemplate the idea of a stay-at-home dad. Both express interest in the role and decide to practice parenting by sending Goldie (Georgia King) to a spa and taking in Shania (Bebe Wood). Bryan, convinced that he is the man for the job, gives Rocky (NeNe Leakes) a shot at her dream career by leaving her in charge at "Sing," but he soon finds that producing a child's life is much more difficult than producing a television show. Later, David confidently takes over and quickly realizes that despite his best intentions parenting is not an exact science.

When Shania (Bebe Wood) meets Rocky's (NeNe Leakes) new crush, Chris (Mark Consuelos), she claims that her 'gaydar' is going off and that Chris might be more interested in men. Elsewhere, Jane (Ellen Barkin) is wondering if her fellow realtor, Brice (John Stamos), is just a fashionable guy or if he is into fashionable guys. Bryan (Andrew Rannells) decides to throw a dinner party that doubles as a Gay or Straight fact-finding mission. Meanwhile, David (Justin Barth) is struggling with how the world will treat their future son.

When Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) talk to their friends about breastfeeding, Bryan begins to wish that he could look forward to having that kind of natural connection with his baby-to-be. This revelation prompts him to buy an apparatus that allows men to simulate the nurturing act. Meanwhile, upon discovering that people disapprove of women who breastfeed in public, Bryan puts together a protest in the form of a superbly choreographed breastfeeding flash mob. Later, when Shania (Bebe Wood) learns that Goldie (Georgia King) did not breastfeed her when she was a baby she begins to worry that her rise towards greatness will be stunted because she didn’t receive the benefits of her mother’s milk. Elsewhere, Jane (Ellen Barkin) takes Rocky’s (NeNe Leaks) advice and goes after what she wants, her co-worker Brice (John Stamos).

Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) realize that their puppy, Harvey Milkbone, has been preparing them to be parents, but when they have to rush him to the veterinarian they learn that parenting comes with both joy and worry. Elsewhere, Goldie (Georgia King) is called in for a parent- teacher conference when Shania (Bebe Wood) disrupts class with her latest homage, this time to Oscar award-winning actress Maggie Smith. When Clay (Jayson Blair) steps in, Goldie is turned on by his take-charge parenting and old romantic feelings are rekindled.

Despite being completely against having a baby shower, Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) finally relent after seeing how much Shania (Bebe Wood), Goldie (Georgia King), and especially Rocky (NeNe Leakes) -- want to throw one for them. Unknown to everyone, the boys decide to donate all their baby shower gifts to a local adoption center, including the mink onesie purchased by Jane (Ellen Barkin) and Rocky. Elsewhere, Clay (Jayson Blair) and Shania come up with the idea to have a surprise shower for Goldie since she has two babies now and has never experienced such a celebration. Later, Rocky and Jane visit the adoption center to take back their mink onesie returned by Bryan and David. Rocky comes out with more than she bargained for.

Bryan (Andrew Rannells) is getting into the Halloween spirit by doing what he does every year -- decorating the house so that it is the envy of the neighborhood and making his annual trip to the pumpkin patch with his bestie Nicole Richie to spot celebrities. Also, with the help of the ïSingÍ make-up artist, Sam (guest-star George Takei), Bryan dictates what everyoneÍs costumes are going to be. However, when he insists on a ïHere Comes Honey Boo BooÍ Halloween theme, David (Justin Bartha) rebels and defiantly sports a Tom Brady costume. Meanwhile, Goldie (Georgia King) is still struggling with the on-going custody battle for Shania. Later, Clay (Jayson Blair) makes a shocking announcement that puts Jane (Ellen Barkin) over the edge.

When Bryan (Andrew Rannells) begins researching natural child birthing techniques, he challenges David (Justin Bartha) to put away his medical degrees and accept that an alternative method of delivery may be better for their baby. However, a video shown in class proves to be more than he can handle. Meanwhile Goldie (Georgia King), despite her fears, turns to Brice (John Stamos) to help her find a new retail space so that she can expand her growing children's clothing business. Elsewhere, Shania (Bebe Wood) helps Rocky (NeNe Leakes) to confront the insecurities she's feeling about her maternal ability.

Despite Bryan's (Andrew Rannells) concerns, David (Justin Bartha), a former Eagle Scout, jumps at the chance to chaperone a Boy Scout overnight with his friend's son. His skills earn him the respect of the other fathers and scouts, but when one father disagrees with his lifestyle, David's Boy Scout membership is revoked. Elsewhere, Rocky (NeNe Leakes) is helping Goldie (Georgia King) sort out her secret crush on Brice (guest star John Stamos).

Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) are facing the hardest decision of their relationship, what to name their baby. The conflict prompts Goldie (Georgia King) to reveal the origin of Shania’s (Bebe Wood) name leading to brief identity crises for both of them. Later, While breezing through their wedding planning, David suggests that Bryan invite his mother Colleen (guest star Mary Kay Place), but her added opinion leads to more conflict and an unusual resolution. Meanwhile, Clay (Jayson Blair) decides it’s time to let Goldie know how he feels, after receiving some unsolicited advice from Brice (guest star John Stamos).

The wedding is finally here and despite all of the challenges that pop up throughout the day, Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) are dead set on getting married before the arrival of their baby, but their son has other plans.