Togetherness Episode 1.04 Houston We Have a Problem

Tina and Alex board a plane to Houston. Tina hangs up her phone call and relays good news to Alex: Larry plans to take her to Palm Springs when she gets back to California. Tina suggests to Alex that the three of them hangout sometime, but the actor is unenthused about that and their Texas trip in general. "I told you I'd come, and I'm here," he tells Tina.

Brett takes Michelle out to a fancy restaurant. They chat about wanting to spend a night out at some point, and Brett surprises her -- he's booked a hotel for that evening. Once they arrive in their room, Michelle panics and calls Tina from the bathroom: "He wants to have sex, and I don't know what to do," she confesses. "The whole situation seems insurmountable." Tina doles out some tough love: "Stop talking about it," she orders, "and get in there and do it."

Brett notes Michelle's hesitation and suggests they "take sex off the table" for the night -- an offer that delights Michelle. The couple watches 'Bio-Dome,' and afterwards, Michelle suggests they make love: "I think it's important." Brett happily obliges, and their routine plays out, culminating in Brett's standard "get the pillow" move. As Michelle makes suggestions for improvement, Brett gets self-conscious. He loses his temper, instigating a fight.

Brett confesses that he knows Michelle is disinterested in sleeping with him. He's not thrilled with their sex life either. "The routine," he admits, "is the only thing that gets me through it." As they argue, it becomes apparent that both their frustrations transcend the bedroom. Brett reveals that he feels unappreciated and retreats to the bathroom. After cooling off, the couple agrees they need help and decides to see a therapist together.  

Tina and Alex clean out her Houston apartment with help from her parents, Kris and Bob, who give Alex a supply of Mexican Rogaine as a thank you for "everything he's done for Kristina." Alex and Tina go out in Houston with a group of Tina's girlfriends. One member of the group, a teacher named Pam, takes interest in Alex and volunteers to teach him how to dance. When Tina notices Alex and Pam hitting it off, she picks up a guy and takes the dance floor with him. The couples each try to outdo each other, but eventually Alex shrugs off the competition and focuses on Pam.

At the end of the night, Tina rips Alex away from Pam and sabotages their goodnight kiss. Driving home, Alex confronts Tina: "You're a bossy, c**k-blocking control freak." He points out her hypocrisy -- she went home with Larry but won't allow him to go home with Pam. She apologizes later that night and thanks Alex for coming to Texas and "being my friend."