Troop

Ruth sets ground rules for a new live-in apprentice Arthur; Brenda returns to apologize to Nate; David encounters a face from his past.

The Trip is a 2002 epic gay romance that traces the relationship between two men from their initial meeting in 1973 until 1984.

In an effort to impress his gourmand American girlfriend, Misha, Steve Coogan has accepted a commission from The Observer newspaper to go on a restaurant tour of the north of England. However, when Misha (who was meant to accompany him on the trip) insists that they take a break from their relationship and returns to America, Steve is forced to invite colleague and friend-of-sorts Rob Brydon. Throughout the series the two constantly bicker and attempt to undermine and outdo each other, especially in the presence of any attractive women they encounter. Steve has a number of one-night stands but is increasingly revealed to be in a rut both professionally and personally, with Rob at one point - as Steve gets stuck attempting to cross a river using a series of stepping stones - shouting out to him, "You're stuck in a metaphor!" The competitive atmosphere between the two is occasionally broken by passages of amicable and spontaneous comic improvisation, with each riffing off the other's ideas

Nate, David and Brenda attend a funeral directors conference in Las Vegas. Ruth takes a floral arranging class. Claire visits Gabe in a hospital. A newborn's death from SIDS casts a pall on Rico, who is worried about Vanessa's pregnancy with their second child.

Sue sells sausage and cheese samples for the school. All her efforts go in vain as the school fails to see this. Frankie demands her daughter fights for her rights. Meanwhile, Brick discovers love with his current girlfriend a little stressful as she bosses him about.

Randall is unbearably devastated by his mother's lies and betrayal. He, Kate, and Kevin make a trip to their family cabin; Olivia tags along with her uninvited ex boyfriend Asher and playwright Sloane. Olivia makes a rude comment to Kate, driving a wedge between her and Kevin. Child Randall thinks he can find his birth parents by the genetic trait of tongue rolling. Rebecca has never told Jack that she knows who his real parents are and she never will. Adult Randall has a vision of Jack at the cabin. Though "Vision Jack" can't believe Rebecca lied to him too, he tells Randall to understand his mother's point of view. Kate still wants to be friends with Toby but he would rather not. Kevin doesn't like how Olivia and Asher are behaving and kicks them out. He ends up sleeping with Sloane. Randall tells his mother he will not speak to her again until Christmas.