Hot in Cleveland

Victoria and Melanie contemplate the next step in their respective relationships with Emmett and Alec, which lead them to life-changing decisions. Elka carts around Flat Stanley for boyfriend Pierre's grandson. As part of her private detective internship, Joy is assigned to investigate Elka's money laundering scheme, and when she finds clear evidence, she's faced with a difficult decision pertaining to Elka's consequences.

Melanie fakes sex with Alec, but then has trouble keeping up the charade. After a day on Victoria's set as an extra, Joy makes a date with her scene partner, who turns out to be Emmett's resentful brother. While Joy's out, Elka and Mamie Sue babysit Wilbur, but get into hot water when he picks up a few choice words.

Joy discovers her perfect fireman boyfriend may actually have a few flaws, while Melanie finds out Alec likes her, too, but that he's still in a relationship with Chloe. Victoria becomes preoccupied with spying on Emmett while he's away in Venice, and Elka and Mamie Sue begin their secret "business venture."

When Chance eats Joy's car keys, the gang takes a trip to the vet, where Elka teaches Mamie Sue (Georgia Engel) how to flirt with men. Victoria's daughter, Oscar, wants to interview the girls on their personal changes since their move to Cleveland, but her interview with her mother takes a turn. Joy lands a date with a fireman (Eddie Cibrian).

In an attempt to cover up their money laundering scheme, Elka and Mamie Sue (Georgia Engel) scheme up a fake company and trick Joy into being their spokesperson. Meanwhile, Melanie attempts to break in to Alec's apartment to erase her text messages from his phone, and after a tabloid rumor spreads that she and Emmet (Alan Dale) are dating, Victoria finds she might actually have real feelings for him.

Melanie lies to Alec in order to hide his feelings for him, saying she's dating actor Emmett Lawson (Alan Dale), who stars with Victoria in the Woody Allen movie, while Victoria herself has trouble decoding Emmett's method acting personality. Meanwhile, Joy tries to fit in with the much younger college crowd, with which Elka isn't helping in the least.

Melanie starts to think Alec reciprocates her feelings for him, but is frightened when Chloe enlists her help in tracking down the mystery girl whose captured her ex-husband's heart. Victoria is assigned to gain weight for her role, but encounters difficulties in trying to do so. Joy goes back to school, and Elka tags along, where Joy finds out Elka is hiding a lucrative secret.

Joy is surprised that Owen is the father of the baby that was left on the doorstep which makes her a grandmother. After being brushed off by Pierre, Elka decides to make him jealous by going out with his brother. Melanie gets a job and is immediately attracted to a man and finds out he is her boss's ex-husband. Victoria lands a role in a Woody Allen movie.