Ep 19. Daddy Dearest

Jim (played by Jim Belushi) is a lovable, yet often bumbling, family man who often finds himself in hilarious situations. In season 5 episode 19, titled "Daddy Dearest," Jim tries to connect with his teenage son Kyle (played by Connor Rayburn), who has been distant lately.

Jim's attempts to bond with Kyle are complicated by the fact that he is still mourning the loss of his own father, who passed away several months ago. Kyle is struggling with his own emotions about his grandfather's death and doesn't seem interested in spending time with his dad.

Meanwhile, Jim's wife Cheryl (played by Courtney Thorne-Smith) is dealing with her own family drama. Her sister Dana (played by Kimberly Williams-Paisley) is going through a rough patch in her marriage and has come to stay with the family for a while. Dana's constant presence creates chaos in the household and puts a strain on Cheryl's patience.

As if all of this wasn't enough to deal with, Jim's best friend Andy (played by Larry Joe Campbell) has some exciting news to share. He has started dating a woman he met online and she is coming to meet him in person for the first time. Jim and Andy's other friends are skeptical about the relationship and decide to conduct a background check on the woman.

As the episode unfolds, Jim tries everything he can think of to get through to his son and help him deal with his feelings about his grandfather's death. He takes him fishing, tries to engage him in conversation, and even resorts to some tough love when necessary.

Meanwhile, Cheryl struggles to keep the peace at home with her sister's constant presence. She tries to be supportive of Dana, but finds herself getting frustrated with her sister's behavior.

In the end, all of the various storylines come together in a heartwarming and hilarious conclusion. Jim's efforts to bond with Kyle pay off in unexpected ways, Cheryl and Dana find a way to reconcile, and Andy's new girlfriend turns out to be a pleasant surprise.

Overall, "Daddy Dearest" is a classic episode of According to Jim that showcases the show's trademark blend of humor, heart, and relatable family drama.