The New Normal

These days, families come in all forms – single dads, double moms, sperm donors, egg donors, one-night-stand donors. Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) are a Los Angeles couple and they have it all. Well, almost. With successful careers and a committed, loving partnership, there is one thing that this couple is missing: a baby. Just when they think the stars will never align, enter Goldie (Georgia King), an extraordinary young woman with a checkered past. A midwestern waitress and single mother looking to escape her dead-end life and small-minded grandmother (Ellen Barkin), Goldie decides to change everything and move out west with her precocious eight year-old daughter. Desperate and broke – but also fertile – Goldie quickly becomes the guys' surrogate and quite possibly the girl of their dreams. Surrogate mother, surrogate family.

Shania (Bebe Wood) is working to adapt to her new surroundings and, much to the delight of Bryan (Andrew Rannells), begins impersonating Little Edie from ‘Grey Gardens.’ Later, David (Justin Bartha) and Bryan reminisce about the first time they met and decide to have a night on the town like they did when they were younger. Elsewhere, Jane (Ellen Barkin) finds something disturbing in the boys’ room and enlists Goldie’s (Georgia King) ex-husband Clay (Jayson Blair) to try and woo her granddaughter back to Ohio. Elsewhere, Rocky (NeNe Leakes) mistakenly suspects Shania of misbehaving.

Bryan (Andrew Rannells) ignores David’s (Justin Bartha) advice and goes overboard buying baby clothes. The shopping spree prompts a group outing to the outlet stores where they are met with a challenge. Elsewhere, Shania (Bebe Wood) wears one of the baby outfits to school and makes a new friend, which lands Jane (Ellen Barkin) and Goldie (Georgia King) in an awkward parent teacher conference.

Shania is looking forward to her school’s upcoming mock election, but shocks Bryan and David when she tells them she will be voting for Obama, unlike her mother. Much to the dismay of hard core Republican Jane the boys begin a campaign to change Goldie’s all important vote. Later, they throw a party to show Jane they have a diverse group of friends.

While David (Justin Bartha) is planning a family dinner to tell his mother, Francis (Guest Star Jackie Hoffman, “One Life to Live”) about the baby, Bryan (Andrew Rannells) comisserates with Goldie (Georgia King) about mother-in-law woes. Elsewhere, Jane (Ellen Barkin) is learning that even at her age she still has it, but when she experiences an unusual sensation during an encounter with a younger man she seeks out David’s medical advice. Meanwhile, worried that her dad may win the custody battle Shania (Bebe Wood) is crossing off her California bucket list.

Shania (Bebe Wood) announces that she and her classmate are "pretend" engaged and are going to hold an imaginary wedding. Thrilled with the idea of the upcoming nuptials, Bryan (Andrew Rannells) enlists the help of a reluctant Rocky (NeNe Leakes) and dives head first into planning the event of the season. Goldie (Georgia King) supports her daughter's fairy tale, but Jane (Ellen Barkin) attempts to shut down the ceremony. Later, David (Justin Bartha) discovers just how important this party is for Bryan and he makes a life-changing decision.