Ep 8. Burning Down the House

Christine Campbell is having a really bad day. First, she gets a speeding ticket while taking her son to school. Then, her ex-husband Richard shows up unexpectedly at her house with his new girlfriend, New Christine, and announces that they have decided to buy the house next door. Christine is horrified, as she had already planned to buy that house herself. To make matters worse, her business partner, Barb, calls and informs her that their gym is being shut down due to zoning violations.

In a desperate attempt to save their business and prevent Richard from moving in next door, Christine and Barb decide to throw an impromptu fundraiser at Christine's house that evening. They plan to invite all of their gym members and charge admission, with the proceeds going towards fixing the zoning violations. Christine enlists the help of her brother, Matthew, to help set up the party, while Barb recruits her high-strung sister, Katie, to help sell tickets.

As the day goes on, things go from bad to worse. Christine's attempts to fix the zoning violations only result in causing more damage to the building. Her attempts to make snacks for the party result in a kitchen fire. And when Richard and New Christine show up with a pot of chili, Christine realizes too late that the chili contains beef, which many of their gym members, who are predominantly vegetarian, will not eat.

Despite these setbacks, the party is a success. Their gym members show up in droves, eager to support their beloved gym and enjoy the festivities. But just as the party is winding down, disaster strikes. A drunken guest accidentally knocks over a candle, causing a small fire to start in Christine's backyard. Panicked, Christine and her friends attempt to put out the fire with a garden hose, but to no avail. As the flames grow higher and higher, they realize that they need to call the fire department.

The fire department arrives just in time to put out the fire, but not before the damage has been done. Christine's backyard is now a smoldering ruin, and the damage to her house is extensive. Furthermore, the fire department informs her that she will need to make expensive repairs to bring her house up to code, as it is revealed that she too has been violating zoning laws.

Overwhelmed and defeated, Christine retreats to her bedroom, where she is comforted by her son, Ritchie. But just as she is about to give up hope, Barb shows up with an unexpected surprise. She has found a new location for their gym, and it's even better than their old one. Excited by the prospect of a fresh start, Christine begins to feel a sense of hope for the future.

In the end, Christine realizes that while her house may have burned down, she still has her friends, her family, and the unbreakable spirit that has carried her through so many challenges in the past. With their help, she is ready to face whatever the future may hold.