Breaking Bonaduce

At the onset of season two, we see the impact that 'Breaking Bonaduce' has had on Danny and Gretchen's lives. In fact, the show is successful enough to get international distribution. So in order to keep the momentum moving forward, Danny agrees to help promote the show in Mexico City. On his trip, he visits a dubbing house where 'Breaking Bonaduce is being translated into Spanish. But because Danny has never seen the show before, after viewing an episode from last season in which Gretchen has strippers at her birthday party, Danny goes into a tailspin.

Danny begins acting manic and belligerent in reaction to a season one episode he viewed for the first time in Mexico. Because of this, Dr. Garry refuses to continue therapy with him and Gretchen decides to kick him out of the house. Danny is spiraling down fast. As he hits rock bottom, his AA group stages an intervention, accusing him of relapse behavior. Danny's sponsor Jason forces him to take a drug test and refuses to leave his side for 72 hours. During that time, Danny vents his frustrations to his consoling friend while Gretchen does her best to calm her concerned children.

Danny has been out of the house for a while when he gets the news that he's been awarded 'Harvard Lampoon's Man of the Year'. Ironically enough, Valentine's Day is his first opportunity to ask Gretchen to come with him to Boston despite' the troubles they've been having. Gretchen has mixed emotions, but eventually agrees. Initially, things are going well at Harvard. In fact, the Bonaduces' appear to be on a course for reconciliation. That is until Gretchen refuses to sleep with Danny the night he accepts his award. This sends him into a tirade that leaves Gretchen feeling like her only option is to file for divorce.

Back in Los Angeles, Danny is as frightened as he's ever been that he's going to lose his family because of his behavior. This sobering thought leads him back to his MD Psychiatrist to get his medication levels checked and updated. But even with Danny's attempts to manage his bi-polar episodes, Gretchen is still one step from filing divorce papers. Danny decides his only option is to work his way back into her good graces by easing her parental duties, and spending some much needed time with his children.

Gretchen has seen steady progress in Danny over the past few weeks. So she offers him a probationary period back in the house, provided he's willing to stay in their guest room. Danny is concerned about how this will look to his kids. Right on cue, after only a few nights, Isabella accuses him of becoming soft. Thrown by this, Danny decides to get in the boxing ring with a heavyweight contender just to prove to himself that he hasn't become weak. Unfortunately, even though the heavyweight beats him silly, his dissatisfaction with the guest room grows stronger. With nowhere to turn, Danny begins a search for God.

Danny is not happy about being in the guest room and is beginning to go stir crazy in his little cell. At the same time, he knows, ultimately, he's made his bed. So Danny continues his parental duties, and even agrees to baby-sit while Gretchen has a ladies night out, all in hopes of getting out of the guestroom. A further visit to their pastor for a re-affirmation of their love of God and each other finally brings Danny and Gretchen back together.

Danny has reassumed his position as husband and father, and things appear to be quiet and back to normal. However, Gretchen's band is scheduled to play another gig, and discussions resurface about Danny's angry behavior the last time she performed. It's agreed that Danny still harbors many of the behaviors his abusive father has imparted to him. In an effort to gain some sense of closure, Danny visits his father's grave and then a psychic to see if there's any value in communication into the great beyond. What Danny learns from the psychic spooks him, leading him into temptation to drink at Gretchen's gig.

Danny is convinced that the only thing that can save him is God so he dives head first into the church, leaving all his friends and loved ones to wonder, is this real, or is this desperation.