Step by Step (1991–1998): Season 1, Episode 6 - Pulling Together - full transcript
Carol wants the family to bond so she thinks the Port Washington games is the best way to do it. The Lamberts, who have won three years in a row, do not want the Fosters on their team simply because they are not athletic enough. The Fosters find the games to be barbaric but they eventually agree to participate. The Lamberts are devastated when they learn Cody will not be there to help them win for a fourth straight year. Karen turns out to be the secret weapon as her beauty distracts the opponents. It comes down to the last event and Cody shows up to help the Lamberts win for the fourth straight year.
What a beautiful morning.
You know, I was thinking
maybe we could do
something as a family.
You mean, your family
and our family together?
What a great idea!
Not.
Well, what about
the rest of you?
When pigs fly.
No way.
Get real, mom.
Well, Brendan,
I guess that leaves
just, you and me?
But, Carol, Billy's pet turtle
got run over by a car.
And I wanna see it before
he throws it in the garbage.
Well, wouldn't want you
to miss that.
Bye.
Brendan, I-I'll go with you.
Come on, Dana,
I may be gone all week.
This is the last chance
you're gonna get
to watch me demolish
a building.
Cody, the only way I'd watch
that is if you were inside it.
It's a deal!
That was a joke.
Yeah, I get it.
Hey, you're pretty funny.
What a beautiful morning.
Cody, just the man
I've been looking for.
Don't forget, next week
are the Port Washington
annual family games.
That sounds like fun.
Mother. Tug of war?
The three-legged race?
Pie eating?
These things
are for people named Clem
who marry their cousins.
Now, I will have you know
the Lambert family
have been the champions
for three straight years.
I rest my case.
Uncle Frank.
I'm sorry, I'm not gonna be
able to make it.
I'm tearin' down
a Mr. Doughnut in Green Bay.
Tcha. I totally forgot.
Cody, I'm gonna miss you.
Nobody can catch
a greased pig like you can.
Now, Uncle Frank,
you're embarrassing me.
You're embarrassing all of us.
Hey, Dana, wait up.
Frank, this is great.
You know, I've been looking
for something
that we could do together
as a family
and these games
sound perfect.
You mean, your kids
on the same team with my kids?
Well, yeah, I mean,
I know my kids
aren't very athletic,
but with you as their coach..
You're right, honey,
I- I am a great coach
and there's a reason that
the Lamberts have been champions
for three straight years.
Good.
I'll go tell them.
The reason is,
your kids weren't on the team.
Dad, you're not serious
about letting Carol and her kids
be a part of our team,
are you?
They're a part
of our family now.
Why shouldn't we
give 'em a chance?
Because they're a bunch of weak,
dorky, wuss, stink-o geeks.
Just a personal opinion.
Well, have a little faith.
Everybody's got some
kind of talent.
Coach Lambert here
is going to find it.
Well, you better find it quick.
Remember the Larson family
last year?
Yeah. They almost beat us.
Yeah, but they didn't beat us
and you know why?
Because we're lean, mean,
fighting machines. We're..
Lamberts!
Alright!
Carol and her kids
are just as tough as we are.
Do we have to do this?
I've got a paper cut.
Aw, and it's right
on the knuckle.
Aw.
Look, we'll call
911 later, okay?
Come on, let's huddle up.
Everybody.
Huddle up, here we go.
Huddle up, let's go.
Great.
- Okay.
- I hate my life.
Don't be such a weenie.
Have some fun.
Great.
Now, I'm a weenie.
What events are you good at?
Modesty. I like that.
Modesty is good.
Alright, let's just,
go right
to the,
apple dunking, okay?
Sorry.
Any volunteers?
Alright, Mark.
I love that can-do spirit.
Here, you just step right up
there, okay?
Now, you have got 30 seconds
to get as many apples
out of the water as you can
using only your teeth.
Are you ready? Go!
Come on, Mark.
You can do it, Mark.
You can do it.
Come on, Mark.
'You can do it, Mark.
You can do it.'
- 'Come on, Mark.'
- 'Unhinge that jaw, boy.'
'You can do it, Mark.
Mark!'
- 'No pain, no gain.'
- 'Mark? Mark? Mark!'
Did I get any?
No, honey,
but it was a really good try.
Who wants to be in some stupid
competition anyway?
It's archaic and boorish.
Yeah and it ruins your hair.
Guys, come back..
Guys, come here.
G- guys.
Don't worry, Frank,
they'll be in this.
Well, coach, now what?
Well, I just think it's time
we, stepped up
the conditioning program.
I think it's time
to cut down the squad.
You're right.
I'll go talk to, Carol.
Carol..
I, kinda gotta, s-sorta
talk to you about something.
Well, that's good
because I have to talk
to you about something too.
Okay, you go first.
Well, my kids
wanna quit the team.
They do?
Well, that's a shame.
That's a doggone shame.
That's what that is.
Well, they feel
they're not good at this
and they don't enjoy it.
So, what's the point?
Yeah, gee, that's just
the way it goes sometimes.
But I said Frank is right.
We are a family. We do things
together or not at all.
So, we are playing
on this team
and that is final.
- You said that?
- Yes.
- D-did they hear you?
- Yes.
And I told them they are lucky
to have you as a stepfather.
I mean, these family games
have been a tradition
in the Lambert family
for years
and now you want us
to be a part of it
because we are
your family too.
Well, I don't wanna
force your kids
to do something
they don't wanna do.
Frank, you know, I know
that my kids
are not very athletic
but thank God
I'm married
to a mature man
who really knows
what matters.
I am not all that mature, honey.
Yes, you are.
Otherwise, I wouldn't find
you so irresistible.
Frank, you know
tonight after the kids go
to sleep
maybe you and I could workout
a little too.
Son..
Sit down.
So, did you tell them
they're cut from the team?
J.T., some day
when you grow up
get married
you're gonna see that
you can't always get everything
exactly the way you want.
You understand?
- Yeah, I understand.
- Good.
He wimped out!
Why are we even bothering
to sign up?
With Carol and her kids
on the team
we'll never beat
the Larson family.
Now, wait a minute, J.T.
The mature man realizes
that family togetherness
is more important
than winning.
Someday, I hope to be
that kind of man.
Don't look now, dad.
The Larson's just showed up.
They're even bigger
than last year.
- 'Oh!'
- 'It's the Lambert's.'
Hey, there, Lambert.
Why don't you just give up now
and save yourself
the agony of defeat?
What you're talking about,
Larson?
You were the ones who were
defeated three years in a row.
Yeah, yeah, well,
all that does was to
give us a little more motivation
to try harder this year.
Big deal, so your boy's been
pumping a little iron.
That's my daughter.
You know, dad, there is
a certain dignity in giving up.
No, no, J.T.
Don't worry, Larson.
We Lambert's have a few tricks
up our sleeves too. Heh.
Hi, Frank.
Well, here we are.
Your lean, mean,
fighting machine.
This must be your,
blushin' bride then?
This is my wife, Carol,
her daughter, Dana
and this strappin' young lad
is Mark.
Yeah, well,
it's nice to meet you.
You certainly have
a beautiful family.
Puny, but beautiful.
Well, we are just here to have
fun regardless of who wins.
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
who cares who wins?
Right, Larson's?
Well, they seem
like a nice family.
Nice family?
They're gonna eat us
for lunch.
That's right, Frank, come on!
'Come on, J.T!'
That's right, Frank, come on!
Ever notice how they look more
like their pig every day?
- Come on, Mark.
- You can do it.
Did you see that?
Alright, as soon as he hands
you the baton
run like the wind.
Got it.
Go.
- Go.
- Time-out. I broke a nail.
Hi, Frank.
Did you hear the good news?
We're in second place.
Second place.
That's really neat.
Of course, it's not as neat
as being in first place.
But hey, I like to experience
all kinds of new things.
Losing this competition
is something
I've never experienced.
Wait a minute.
Frank, I may be way off
but I am sensing
a certain dissatisfaction
with second place.
Boo, it slipped out.
But I thought you agree that
family togetherness
is more important than winning.
Carol, let me
explain to you.
I'm a contractor.
There's not a lot of pats
on the back in my line of work.
When I walk down the street
people don't say
"Hey, Frank,
atta way to drywall!"
When I win this contest
for a couple of weeks
everybody says
"Hey, Frank, way to go.
You're number one!"
Carol, I like
those two weeks.
But what about teaching our
children how to work together?
Well, can't we do that tomorrow?
Today, I really wanna win!
Hey, come on, it's time
for the three-legged race.
Come on, I'll tie you guys up.
Frank Lambert, this is
aggressive, macho behavior.
And if you ask me,
I think you should get in touch
with your feminine side.
I don't have
a feminine side.
If I did
I wouldn't touch it.
You're impossible.
Okay, so I got a little macho
in me. I'm a man.
I like sports.
I wear a tool belt. I spit.
Now you know it all.
- All set!
- Let's go.
Get off of me!
'Inside, outside.'
Inside, outside, inside.
Newlyweds.
Rent a room?
Come on, Inga.
Inside, outside,
inside, outside.
Alright, in the family games
we're down to two finalists
the Larson's
and the Lambert's.
The Larson's are ahead by
one point with two events left.
Pie eating contest is next!
Don't you think Norbert
looks just like Kevin Costner?
Penny, how many times
have I told you
if you're gonna be in the sun
all day, wear a hat.
Hey, loser. It's you and me
in the pie eating contest.
I like my chances with the way
you're stuffing your face.
This? I'm just warming up.
Loser, loser, loser.
Well, it ain't over
till the fat lady sings.
Hey!
Leave my mother out of this.
J.T., your dad wants
to talk to you
about the pie eating contest.
Hi, Karen.
Hi, Leif.
Larson, you're drooling.
More than usual.
Leif, stop fraternizing
with the enemy.
Coming, papa.
What's his problem?
He's in love with me.
How do you know that?
He's always
like that around me.
When I walk by him
in the lunch room he goes numb.
He can't talk, he can't think,
he can't eat.
He's a basket case.
- He can't eat?
- Yeah. Isn't that silly?
We need to talk.
Dad, I've entered Karen
in the pie eating contest.
Karen?
- My Karen?
- J.T., are you crazy?
I've known Karen for two months,
I've never seen her eat.
Trust me,
I've given her a few pointers.
Ladies and gentlemen!
It's time
for the pie eating contest.
Each person has two minutes
to eat as much
blueberry pie as he can.
Hi, Leif.
Karen?
I don't know how I can win
against a big
strong, man like you.
Well, whatever happens
good luck.
She kissed me.
Ladies and gentlemen!
Here are the first pies.
Okay! Ready?
- 'Eat! Eat!'
- 'Go! Go, Karen! Go!'
- 'Go!'
- Eat it!
Don't look at her, Leif.
She's a devil woman.
Hey, this is my daughter
you're talking about.
Somebody better eat something
or nobody wins.
Karen, you've got
to eat something. Come on!
Is there sugar in this?
Eat the damn pie!
Ten seconds!
Alright.
The winner!
'Alright!'
- Okay.
- Congratulations.
Dad, dad! We're tied.
If we win the tug of war,
we're still champs!
Way to go, Karen!
- Right.
- Look at 'em, honey.
They were actually hugging.
You know, you were right.
Seeing you all work together
well, that's just more important
than winning
some stupid trophy.
A- and I would like
to add one thing to that.
If we all work together..
...we can kick butt
and win that stupid trophy!
Is it my imagination
or have they gotten bigger
since this morning?
And now the final event!
The tug of war!
The winner will be
this year's champion!
God, he's a hunk!
Alright.
One, two, three..
'The Lamberts are losing!'
Come on! Come on!
We're going down!
Have no fear!
The Codeman's here!
Hold on there, Lambert!
He's not family.
- Dude, I'm her fiance.
- What?
- Hi, honey.
- Pull!
The winner
and this year's champion
once again
the Lamberts!
Okay, squish together, folks
we need a picture
for the newspaper.
You know,
of all the championships
that we've won,
this one is the best!
Yeah!
Yeah, too bad we had
to win it with a handicap.
- What are you talking about?
- We had to work with you guys.
Pinhead,
if it weren't for Karen
we never would've made it
to the finals at all.
Well, we would've runaway
with the whole thing
if it wasn't
for the prince of dorkness.
You know, I was thinking
maybe we could do
something as a family.
You mean, your family
and our family together?
What a great idea!
Not.
Well, what about
the rest of you?
When pigs fly.
No way.
Get real, mom.
Well, Brendan,
I guess that leaves
just, you and me?
But, Carol, Billy's pet turtle
got run over by a car.
And I wanna see it before
he throws it in the garbage.
Well, wouldn't want you
to miss that.
Bye.
Brendan, I-I'll go with you.
Come on, Dana,
I may be gone all week.
This is the last chance
you're gonna get
to watch me demolish
a building.
Cody, the only way I'd watch
that is if you were inside it.
It's a deal!
That was a joke.
Yeah, I get it.
Hey, you're pretty funny.
What a beautiful morning.
Cody, just the man
I've been looking for.
Don't forget, next week
are the Port Washington
annual family games.
That sounds like fun.
Mother. Tug of war?
The three-legged race?
Pie eating?
These things
are for people named Clem
who marry their cousins.
Now, I will have you know
the Lambert family
have been the champions
for three straight years.
I rest my case.
Uncle Frank.
I'm sorry, I'm not gonna be
able to make it.
I'm tearin' down
a Mr. Doughnut in Green Bay.
Tcha. I totally forgot.
Cody, I'm gonna miss you.
Nobody can catch
a greased pig like you can.
Now, Uncle Frank,
you're embarrassing me.
You're embarrassing all of us.
Hey, Dana, wait up.
Frank, this is great.
You know, I've been looking
for something
that we could do together
as a family
and these games
sound perfect.
You mean, your kids
on the same team with my kids?
Well, yeah, I mean,
I know my kids
aren't very athletic,
but with you as their coach..
You're right, honey,
I- I am a great coach
and there's a reason that
the Lamberts have been champions
for three straight years.
Good.
I'll go tell them.
The reason is,
your kids weren't on the team.
Dad, you're not serious
about letting Carol and her kids
be a part of our team,
are you?
They're a part
of our family now.
Why shouldn't we
give 'em a chance?
Because they're a bunch of weak,
dorky, wuss, stink-o geeks.
Just a personal opinion.
Well, have a little faith.
Everybody's got some
kind of talent.
Coach Lambert here
is going to find it.
Well, you better find it quick.
Remember the Larson family
last year?
Yeah. They almost beat us.
Yeah, but they didn't beat us
and you know why?
Because we're lean, mean,
fighting machines. We're..
Lamberts!
Alright!
Carol and her kids
are just as tough as we are.
Do we have to do this?
I've got a paper cut.
Aw, and it's right
on the knuckle.
Aw.
Look, we'll call
911 later, okay?
Come on, let's huddle up.
Everybody.
Huddle up, here we go.
Huddle up, let's go.
Great.
- Okay.
- I hate my life.
Don't be such a weenie.
Have some fun.
Great.
Now, I'm a weenie.
What events are you good at?
Modesty. I like that.
Modesty is good.
Alright, let's just,
go right
to the,
apple dunking, okay?
Sorry.
Any volunteers?
Alright, Mark.
I love that can-do spirit.
Here, you just step right up
there, okay?
Now, you have got 30 seconds
to get as many apples
out of the water as you can
using only your teeth.
Are you ready? Go!
Come on, Mark.
You can do it, Mark.
You can do it.
Come on, Mark.
'You can do it, Mark.
You can do it.'
- 'Come on, Mark.'
- 'Unhinge that jaw, boy.'
'You can do it, Mark.
Mark!'
- 'No pain, no gain.'
- 'Mark? Mark? Mark!'
Did I get any?
No, honey,
but it was a really good try.
Who wants to be in some stupid
competition anyway?
It's archaic and boorish.
Yeah and it ruins your hair.
Guys, come back..
Guys, come here.
G- guys.
Don't worry, Frank,
they'll be in this.
Well, coach, now what?
Well, I just think it's time
we, stepped up
the conditioning program.
I think it's time
to cut down the squad.
You're right.
I'll go talk to, Carol.
Carol..
I, kinda gotta, s-sorta
talk to you about something.
Well, that's good
because I have to talk
to you about something too.
Okay, you go first.
Well, my kids
wanna quit the team.
They do?
Well, that's a shame.
That's a doggone shame.
That's what that is.
Well, they feel
they're not good at this
and they don't enjoy it.
So, what's the point?
Yeah, gee, that's just
the way it goes sometimes.
But I said Frank is right.
We are a family. We do things
together or not at all.
So, we are playing
on this team
and that is final.
- You said that?
- Yes.
- D-did they hear you?
- Yes.
And I told them they are lucky
to have you as a stepfather.
I mean, these family games
have been a tradition
in the Lambert family
for years
and now you want us
to be a part of it
because we are
your family too.
Well, I don't wanna
force your kids
to do something
they don't wanna do.
Frank, you know, I know
that my kids
are not very athletic
but thank God
I'm married
to a mature man
who really knows
what matters.
I am not all that mature, honey.
Yes, you are.
Otherwise, I wouldn't find
you so irresistible.
Frank, you know
tonight after the kids go
to sleep
maybe you and I could workout
a little too.
Son..
Sit down.
So, did you tell them
they're cut from the team?
J.T., some day
when you grow up
get married
you're gonna see that
you can't always get everything
exactly the way you want.
You understand?
- Yeah, I understand.
- Good.
He wimped out!
Why are we even bothering
to sign up?
With Carol and her kids
on the team
we'll never beat
the Larson family.
Now, wait a minute, J.T.
The mature man realizes
that family togetherness
is more important
than winning.
Someday, I hope to be
that kind of man.
Don't look now, dad.
The Larson's just showed up.
They're even bigger
than last year.
- 'Oh!'
- 'It's the Lambert's.'
Hey, there, Lambert.
Why don't you just give up now
and save yourself
the agony of defeat?
What you're talking about,
Larson?
You were the ones who were
defeated three years in a row.
Yeah, yeah, well,
all that does was to
give us a little more motivation
to try harder this year.
Big deal, so your boy's been
pumping a little iron.
That's my daughter.
You know, dad, there is
a certain dignity in giving up.
No, no, J.T.
Don't worry, Larson.
We Lambert's have a few tricks
up our sleeves too. Heh.
Hi, Frank.
Well, here we are.
Your lean, mean,
fighting machine.
This must be your,
blushin' bride then?
This is my wife, Carol,
her daughter, Dana
and this strappin' young lad
is Mark.
Yeah, well,
it's nice to meet you.
You certainly have
a beautiful family.
Puny, but beautiful.
Well, we are just here to have
fun regardless of who wins.
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
who cares who wins?
Right, Larson's?
Well, they seem
like a nice family.
Nice family?
They're gonna eat us
for lunch.
That's right, Frank, come on!
'Come on, J.T!'
That's right, Frank, come on!
Ever notice how they look more
like their pig every day?
- Come on, Mark.
- You can do it.
Did you see that?
Alright, as soon as he hands
you the baton
run like the wind.
Got it.
Go.
- Go.
- Time-out. I broke a nail.
Hi, Frank.
Did you hear the good news?
We're in second place.
Second place.
That's really neat.
Of course, it's not as neat
as being in first place.
But hey, I like to experience
all kinds of new things.
Losing this competition
is something
I've never experienced.
Wait a minute.
Frank, I may be way off
but I am sensing
a certain dissatisfaction
with second place.
Boo, it slipped out.
But I thought you agree that
family togetherness
is more important than winning.
Carol, let me
explain to you.
I'm a contractor.
There's not a lot of pats
on the back in my line of work.
When I walk down the street
people don't say
"Hey, Frank,
atta way to drywall!"
When I win this contest
for a couple of weeks
everybody says
"Hey, Frank, way to go.
You're number one!"
Carol, I like
those two weeks.
But what about teaching our
children how to work together?
Well, can't we do that tomorrow?
Today, I really wanna win!
Hey, come on, it's time
for the three-legged race.
Come on, I'll tie you guys up.
Frank Lambert, this is
aggressive, macho behavior.
And if you ask me,
I think you should get in touch
with your feminine side.
I don't have
a feminine side.
If I did
I wouldn't touch it.
You're impossible.
Okay, so I got a little macho
in me. I'm a man.
I like sports.
I wear a tool belt. I spit.
Now you know it all.
- All set!
- Let's go.
Get off of me!
'Inside, outside.'
Inside, outside, inside.
Newlyweds.
Rent a room?
Come on, Inga.
Inside, outside,
inside, outside.
Alright, in the family games
we're down to two finalists
the Larson's
and the Lambert's.
The Larson's are ahead by
one point with two events left.
Pie eating contest is next!
Don't you think Norbert
looks just like Kevin Costner?
Penny, how many times
have I told you
if you're gonna be in the sun
all day, wear a hat.
Hey, loser. It's you and me
in the pie eating contest.
I like my chances with the way
you're stuffing your face.
This? I'm just warming up.
Loser, loser, loser.
Well, it ain't over
till the fat lady sings.
Hey!
Leave my mother out of this.
J.T., your dad wants
to talk to you
about the pie eating contest.
Hi, Karen.
Hi, Leif.
Larson, you're drooling.
More than usual.
Leif, stop fraternizing
with the enemy.
Coming, papa.
What's his problem?
He's in love with me.
How do you know that?
He's always
like that around me.
When I walk by him
in the lunch room he goes numb.
He can't talk, he can't think,
he can't eat.
He's a basket case.
- He can't eat?
- Yeah. Isn't that silly?
We need to talk.
Dad, I've entered Karen
in the pie eating contest.
Karen?
- My Karen?
- J.T., are you crazy?
I've known Karen for two months,
I've never seen her eat.
Trust me,
I've given her a few pointers.
Ladies and gentlemen!
It's time
for the pie eating contest.
Each person has two minutes
to eat as much
blueberry pie as he can.
Hi, Leif.
Karen?
I don't know how I can win
against a big
strong, man like you.
Well, whatever happens
good luck.
She kissed me.
Ladies and gentlemen!
Here are the first pies.
Okay! Ready?
- 'Eat! Eat!'
- 'Go! Go, Karen! Go!'
- 'Go!'
- Eat it!
Don't look at her, Leif.
She's a devil woman.
Hey, this is my daughter
you're talking about.
Somebody better eat something
or nobody wins.
Karen, you've got
to eat something. Come on!
Is there sugar in this?
Eat the damn pie!
Ten seconds!
Alright.
The winner!
'Alright!'
- Okay.
- Congratulations.
Dad, dad! We're tied.
If we win the tug of war,
we're still champs!
Way to go, Karen!
- Right.
- Look at 'em, honey.
They were actually hugging.
You know, you were right.
Seeing you all work together
well, that's just more important
than winning
some stupid trophy.
A- and I would like
to add one thing to that.
If we all work together..
...we can kick butt
and win that stupid trophy!
Is it my imagination
or have they gotten bigger
since this morning?
And now the final event!
The tug of war!
The winner will be
this year's champion!
God, he's a hunk!
Alright.
One, two, three..
'The Lamberts are losing!'
Come on! Come on!
We're going down!
Have no fear!
The Codeman's here!
Hold on there, Lambert!
He's not family.
- Dude, I'm her fiance.
- What?
- Hi, honey.
- Pull!
The winner
and this year's champion
once again
the Lamberts!
Okay, squish together, folks
we need a picture
for the newspaper.
You know,
of all the championships
that we've won,
this one is the best!
Yeah!
Yeah, too bad we had
to win it with a handicap.
- What are you talking about?
- We had to work with you guys.
Pinhead,
if it weren't for Karen
we never would've made it
to the finals at all.
Well, we would've runaway
with the whole thing
if it wasn't
for the prince of dorkness.