Ep 7. Like a Virgin

The show Grounded for Life revolves around the Finnerty family consisting of parents Sean and Claudia, their three children Lily, Jimmy and Henry, and Sean's younger brother Eddie. In season 1 episode 7, titled "Like a Virgin," the Finnerty's eldest daughter Lily reveals to her parents that she is no longer a virgin. This news throws Sean and Claudia for a loop as they struggle with the fact that their daughter is growing up.

The episode begins with Lily excitedly telling her friend about her night with her boyfriend, Brad. However, when she arrives home, she begins feeling guilty and decides to confess to her parents that she is no longer a virgin. Sean and Claudia are initially in disbelief and struggle with how to react. While Sean tries to act cool and asks for all the details, Claudia is upset and accuses Lily of not valuing herself enough and being reckless.

The episode also sees the return of Sean's estranged father, Walt, who shows up unexpectedly at the Finnerty's doorstep. Walt is a recovering alcoholic and Sean is reluctant to let him back into the family's life, fearing he may fall off the wagon again. However, Lily's confession causes Sean to reevaluate his relationship with his own father and he eventually concedes to giving Walt another chance.

Throughout the episode, Lily struggles with her own feelings of guilt and uncertainty about her decision to have sex. She confides in her younger brother, Henry, who reassures her that it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Meanwhile, Jimmy tries to impress a girl at school by breaking a world record for the longest time spent holding his breath, but ends up passing out in the process.

The episode ends with the Finnerty's gathered around the television watching the news coverage of Jimmy's failed attempt at the world record. Sean and Claudia reconcile their differing reactions to Lily's confession and decide to support her no matter what. The family also welcomes Walt back into their lives, with Sean noting that they are all a little bit older and hopefully a little bit wiser.

Overall, "Like a Virgin" tackles the difficult topic of teenage sexuality and the challenges that come with parenting during this stage of life. The episode also delves deeper into the family dynamics of the Finnerty's and offers a glimpse into their struggles and triumphs.