Young, urban newlyweds Paul and Jamie Buchman try to sustain their marital bliss while sidestepping the hurdles of love in the '90s.
Scheduled time alone goes off schedule after Jamie and Paul each assume the other canceled their scheduled plans with friends Mark and Fran.
Shopping in general is a trial for Paul; choosing a new sofa with Jamie is tribulation.
Paul and Jamie are enjoying a quiet Sunday at home together, determined to do something together without their friends' plans intruding on their day.
News of his ex-girlfriend has Paul excited, then feeling guilty, then crazed after bringing Jamie to meet her.
Jamie's visiting parents turn Jamie into "a raving lunatic," who bribes her sister to share the experience.
Paul strikes out with his baseball film the same day Jamie scores a success.
Paul is embarrassed because an old classmate of his from film school is now working as a token clerk at a local station and blames Paul for his misfortune, so Paul refuses to use the subway.
Jamie wants Paul to give up his bachelor pad, which he sublets to a fellow named Kramer.
Thanksgiving with Jamie's parents is no holiday for Paul, nor for Lisa, who "hires" Selby to be her boyfriend to placate her family.
Things go from bad to worse after the Buchmans meet their new neighbors.
Paul shows initiative and Jamie exhibits resistance in a flashback episode about the day they met.
The Buchmans' new maid develops a crush on Paul, but the feeling's not mutual.
Jamie hires Paul to make a film for her client. The result: too much togetherness.
A weekend in the country has Jamie wanting to move there.
Paul badgers Jamie into telling him a secret, and he's sorry he does.
Paul and Jamie struggle for amusements when locked in their bathroom.
Paul hires a new cameraman who is far from energetic, unlike the eccentric billionaire who hires him to produce a documentary about his life.
Paul's father gains fame after meeting Regis Philbin; so does Paul after he overreacts.
A protective Jamie thinks Lisa and her new boyfriend are moving too fast when they decide to move in together after a week and Paul can't stop her from getting involved.
When Jamie's new client turns out to be a TV star idolized by Paul and Ira when they were kids, they revert to their old ways and compete for the star's attention.
Jamie hires an ex-boyfriend to paint the apartment, but Paul finds him lying down on the job---and not alone.
The Buchmans' first-anniversary party features one love in bloom while another wilts.
Lisa takes Murray for a walk---and returns with a different dog.
Unreturned phone calls and Murray's invisible mouse distract Paul and Jamie from romance during a long-awaited evening together.
Paul and Jamie stay with Paul's mother after his father has a heart attack.
Jamie worries about losing her job when Paul accidentally complains about her boss without knowing he's nearby.
Jamie has too much time on her hands after giving up work and starts to drive Paul crazy as she interferes with everything, from his hair to his work.
Paul forgets to tell Jamie that he's supposed to babysit his nephew on Halloween, and when Paul has to work, Jamie ends up taking him trick-or-treating and worries what will happen if she and Paul have a child of their own.
While arguing, Jamie and Paul wonder about what brought them together. Jamie's convinced it was fate, which annoys Paul. He's also angry that on the first Saturday off he's had in 5 weeks, she's spending time with Fran and Lisa instead of him.
Jamie and Paul are separated en route to her surprise birthday celebration.
Ira's estranged wife sets up a free casino weekend for him---so she can get him to sign the divorce papers.
Lou tampers with Paul's film; Jamie lacks direction.
A case study of Lisa's problems in her shrink's book points the finger at an "overbearing" sister.
The death of someone else named Paul Buchman affects Paul---and his credit rating.
The Buchmans endure two months of virtual separation because of Paul's out-of-town film shoot.
Paul and Jamie try to keep secret what each knows about Fran and Ira.
Paul invests in a virtual-reality system.
Paul and Jamie recall the day they moved in together and Paul proposed.
Paul believes bad luck will follow Jamie's ill-gotten gain, but he's the one who suffers.
Paul inadvertently returns a revealing home video to the rental store.
Love letters written by former tenants tell a story that seems to be parallel to that of Jamie and Paul.
Jamie and Paul refuse to take sides regarding an incident between their moms, while Murray has mother problems of his own.
Fran, Lisa and Ira join Paul's race to cover up the fact that he forgot to mail Jamie's class registration.
Fran's estranged husband interrupts her blind date.
The Buchmans accidentally lock themselves out of their apartment when Jamie has trouble sleeping because Paul mistakenly makes her tea and doesn't realize it's not decaf.
Paul loses his wedding ring the day before his anniversary, and Mark tries a Zen approach to finding it.
It's Jamie and Paul's 2nd wedding anniversary, and throughout the day people keep asking when they are going to have children causing them to wonder what it will be like.
There's a heat wave in New York City so Paul and Jamie decide to borrow Fran's car and head for the coast for some fried clams.
Rumors of the building going co-op escalates the hostility between the Buchmans and their British neighbors.
Jamie wants to scatter her uncle's ashes in a winner's circle, but doing so depends on a long shot.
Wicker moves in with the Buchmans after confessing a flirtation to his wife.
Jamie's PR work for her father-in-law leads to a business, but Paul wonders if his career is moving at all.
Jamie causes a city-wide blackout when she tries to get free cable in their bedroom; Paul is a finalist for a grant for his new documentary.
Paul flirts with a professional possibility, while Jamie argues with an ex over who dumped whom.
Paul and Jamie are planning to host their first Thanksgiving dinner, and have invited both sets of parents. They are forced to scramble for a new plan after Murray eats the turkey.
It's chilly in Jamie and Paul's bedroom, even though they insist to each other their lovemaking is hot.
Jamie's had a bad day wants to stay home, but Paul persuades her to go out to meet Ira's new girlfriend. As they struggle to get across town, they are plagued by turbulent encounters with strangers.
PBS asks the Buchmans to film themselves in their apartment for 15 minutes with no cuts for a "slice of life" documentary.
While Jamie and Paul are out testing pick-up techniques, Ira and Jamie's friend Susannah get to know each other.
A flashback to the months before Jamie and Paul's wedding finds them being showered with "help."
With a week to go, the wedding garb doesn't fit, and Paul's sister is separated.
Murray gets an agent after appearing in a commercial.
A TV legend agrees to narrate Paul's documentary about TV---but only if his own show gets more mention.
Jamie goes away for the weekend, and Paul has too much free time and no clue about how his household is run.
Paul and Jamie suffer, but an oblivious Lisa blooms after she inadvertently switches purses with Jamie.
The Buchmans spin a web of lies when they pose as Paul's parents to take a nonrefundable trip booked by Burt and Sylvia.
Ira's offered an interest-free loan from his now widowed---and wealthy---ex-wife.
Ira and his date fight as Paul's birthday party, prompting Paul to have flashbacks to some of the disasters that have ruined his birthday in previous years.
A client has Jamie working with her former beau, who's created a nasty comic-book character that looks like her.
The Buchmans struggle to find the perfect anniversary gift and discover that the newsstand where they met has burned down.
When the newsstand where they met burns down on their anniversary, we get a glimpse of what life for Paul and Jamie could have been like if they had never met.
Jamie is glowing after a passionate night, which Paul apparently slept through.
Though the Buchmans have no car, Paul convinces Jamie that the purchase of a parking space in their building is an investment in their future.
A magazine's "marriage-happiness test" affords the Buchmans the chance to reminisce (via flashbacks). Included: reflections on their first meeting; in-laws; Murray; Paul's venture into virtual reality; irritating personal habits.
After watching Martha Stewart, Paul's mother decides to have everybody tag things they want of hers after she dies and Jamie tries to use this time to cultivate a relationship with her.
Paul fears his past tangle with a bureaucrat may cost Jamie a job with the mayor.
Paul works on a film with Yoko Ono.
Paul and Jamie feel like Murray is being neglected when they are too busy with work, so they and hire a professional dog walker to care for him; Paul becomes convinced that Murray likes the new dog walker better than him.
Paul lies to Ira to socialize with a couple who, it turns out, aren't all that truthful themselves.
Career duties keep Jamie and Paul apart on New Year's Eve for the first time.
Tensions mount as the Buchmans await the best time for Jamie to conceive. But their first available moment is interrupted by Paul's family.
One of Jamie's professional duties falls to Paul when a back injury leaves her flat on the floor.
Jamie and Paul dream that Paul kisses his boss.
The Buchman's apartment alternates between sweltering hot and freezing cold; Ira disappears after incurring a $4,000 gambling debt resulting in Paul and Jamie ending up in jail.
Jamie tries an odorous stew to increase her fertility; Paul worries about being "the last Buchman."
Ira blames Paul when his romance hits the skids, but the problem really lies with Ira; Jamie dyes her hair brown.
Ira hopes to impress his girlfriend by getting her an autographed photo of Mayor Giuliani; Paul gets a fancy new camera; an innocent photo results in Jamie accidentally blackmailing her boss.
Against his better judgment, Paul directs a mayoral-campaign spot for Jamie's boss.
Paul decides to procure the sample for his fertility checkup at home rather than in the hospital. But getting the sample to the hospital on time proves problematic.
Paul is torn when Jamie is in the hospital for a minor procedure to determine if she can get pregnant at the same time he's required to be at a business meeting when his job is on the line.
Though Paul blames corporate tampering, it could be his uncompromising perfectionism that's hampering his latest film. Jamie also has a crisis at work, regarding her boss and a reputed mobster.
Paul's film is nominated for an award, but Jamie has to coax him to attend the ceremony. Then at the last minute, she can't go with him.
Conflicting family obligations fall on the same day, but that's the least of the reasons why Jamie tells Paul "we have to talk."
The Buchmans pretend all's well when they visit Paul's parents to iron out the party schedules.
Things come to a head between Jamie and Paul at Lisa's engagement party.
Paul's sister takes offense when Paul and Jamie hesitate to use her girlfriend, Joan, as their gynecologist. Meanwhile, Debbie prepares to introduce Joan to her mother.
Paul gets a grant to produce the film of his choice, but can't decide on the subject until he visits his uncle; Jamie struggles to give up coffee during her pregnancy.
Jamie and Paul see a therapist and find all's not as well as they thought. On top of that, both have problems on the job.
Paul and Jamie talk to their unborn child explaining life, playing music and telling the baby things about themselves featuring clips from past episode.
Some memories are hazy, others vivid, as Paul and his father visit their old neighborhood for Paul's film about their family.
Jamie's parents visit to announce they're taking their dream trip, and Paul nervously prepares for conversation with his father-in-law.
Paul and Jamie decide Thanksgiving is the perfect time to announce their impending parenthood to family and friends, but the news starts to spread beyond their control.
Paul's hesitant to have sex with the pregnant Jamie, but a particular food affects her as an aphrodisiac. And estrogen therapy causes a similar renaissance for Paul's mother.
Jamie gives a homeless bookseller a pass to Paul and Ira's health club.
Jamie feels threatened by a new assistant that Brockwell has brought in to help while Jamie is pregnant; Paul auditions voice actors to narrate his film.
Paul is upset that the Buchmans' therapist is charging them more than Fran.
The Buchmans' handyman comes between Lisa and her fiancé, who's just invested in Paul's film.
The Buchmans regret promising to name their unborn child after Paul's uncle, if it's a boy.
Speculation about a dying Buchman's last words unlocks a number of family rumors and secrets.
When doctor's orders confine Jamie to bed on a day when the apartment has no heat, Sylvia visits unannounced and Nat decides to kidnap Murray.
Nat's sister is an "astrological counselor" who predicts change for Lisa and heartbreak for Ira. She also concludes that Jamie is a chronic liar, and that prompts Nat to quit.
Feeling neglected during the planning of Jamie's baby shower, Paul asks Ira and Marvin to take a road trip.
Jamie suspects there's a plot to undermine her boss; a cockatoo perches in the Buchmans' apartment.
Jamie's size makes her more of a hindrance than a help at Paul's cousin's coffeehouse; Paul and Ira erroneously assume a large woman is pregnant.
A past incident between Jamie and Sylvia resurfaces and holds up Paul's film; the Buchmans' birthing coach kicks them out of class for not doing their homework.
The Buchmans are having trouble trying to figure out who they should ask to be the guardian for their baby and are forced to listen to the problems of ditsy waitress Ursula.
Jamie gets caught in the crossfire when the feuding grandmothers-to-be begin fighting over the cribs they bought.
As Jamie's due date approaches, she has several false alarms, including one at a film festival, where filmmaker Michael Moore praises Paul's movie "Buchman."
Hospital patient Bruce Willis gives birthing tips as he leads Paul on a furtive route to the maternity ward.
The Buchmans come to question their infant-care abilities after arriving home with their new baby girl. Fortunately, Jamie's mom pitches in.
Jamie's private letter for the baby spawns some intra-family scribings, one of which proves embarrassing when the private aspect of the missive is missed.
A crying Mabel prompts late-night calls alerting all Buchmans, even though doctors have told Paul and Jamie they're overreacting.
Uncle Phil is arrested for overuse of coupons; Mabel interviews for preschool; Jamie and Ira keep a secret from Paul.
Jamie's postpartum depression affects an amateur production directed by Paul and starring his parents.
On their first night out since Mabel, Jamie "spot checks" their babysitter while Paul tries to return a magician's pants.
The Buchmans' first lovemaking since Mabel's birth is great, until they analyze it with their therapist.
At a WNBA game, Ira makes a play for Rebecca Lobo instead of Jamie and Paul's neighbor, his unofficial date. Meanwhile, a compliment goes to Paul's head; and Jamie cares for four kids at once.
The Buchmans try to teach Mabel how to go to sleep on her own by not responding to her crying for set intervals of time. But it turns out to be an excruciating struggle.
Jamie reacts poorly to meeting her mother's gentleman friend, and rejects bottle feeding for Mabel.
Paul lectures at a film class taught by a professor who was once Jamie's teacher, but not only in the classroom.
Paul and Jamie fly separately to L.A., he with Mabel, she with new parents and their infant.
The Buchmans consider changing therapists after meeting a new one at the home of their current shrink, Sheila.
Jamie goes to work for political consultants Mary Matalin and James Carville, but can't bear how much she misses Mabel. Meanwhile, Paul corrects a reporter's error-filled piece on his film "Buchman."
Jamie learns she is Paul's second wife; Paul umpires for his father's softball game.
After good tidings result from the Buchmans' flip of a coin, others consult "the coin of destiny" for a variety of decisions.
Paul's birthday party is a dull affair, until guests and hosts are suspected of stealing from the Buchmans' neighbors.
Paul stars in a children's video written by Jamie and frightens the audience.
A fire at Riff's affects Ira's love life, a spat between Joan and Debbie, and Jamie's and Paul's careers.
Paul plans an elaborate Mother's Day gift for Jamie, but neglects Sylvia, who feigns an injury to get attention.
As he slips in the shower, pivotal events in Paul's life flash before his eyes, including the influences of Jamie and his parents.
The Buchmans' dogwalker and baby sitter are mutually attracted, but separately advised to let the other make the first move; Paul's sleep problem is traced to Jamie; and Ira eschews sex after seeing himself in the mirror.
After having stressful workdays, the Buchmans consider child-care help.
Out of curiosity, Paul takes Viagra, but Jamie misses their scheduled tryst when she's locked out of her health club wearing only a towel.
Paul has a tonsillectomy; Lisa mentors a preteen; Mabel says her first word.
Jamie's deceased ex wills her all his possessions and sends a videotaped declaration of eternal love.
Lisa adopts a cat, whose temperament suggests an ill-bred breed; Jamie finds herself energized by afternoon lovemaking, but Paul is pooped.
Sheila has the Buchmans stop talking to improve their communication; percussion group Stomp rehearses overhead.
An agent interested in Paul flies the Buchmans to L.A., where luxurious, baby-free living makes Jamie reluctant to return.
The Buchmans' Thanksgiving guest list grows to include Mabel's pediatrician, neighbors Hal and Maggie, Jamie's boss, and waitress Ursula, who are all forced into a cutthroat charades competition between Jamie and Paul.
Good deeds and good intentions nonetheless spark raucous rows in the homes of the Buchmans and their neighbors.
The Buchmans covet another child's toy for Mabel; Paul tends the building super's roof garden; Jamie finds Paul's latest film "dull."
Ira recruits friends and family to be ringers in his giveaway contest to save his financially strapped store.
The Buchmans' honeymoon getaway is upset by the arrival of another couple Jamie fixed up. Meanwhile, housesitter Lisa gets in a major tangle.
Paul and Jamie spend an unsettling trial night in a large house in the suburbs.
The Buchmans need Mark McGwire to ensure their investment in a computer that predicts the future; Ira finds a big problem with an otherwise perfect woman.
Paul and Jamie are forced to play parents when Uncle Phil causes trouble after returning to school after 63 years; Lisa gets breast implants.
Their therapist declares the Buchmans "cured," but Jamie doesn't buy it; Murray is entered in a dog show to boost his confidence after a kitten beats him up.
Paul fixates on his dream involving a math formula that could potentially solve the Y2K computer bug.
Paul and Jamie discover the pleasures of sleeping separately; Ira turns Marvin into a pro wrestler.
Jamie and Paul plot to steal Burt's old clunker; Ira is reunited with his ex-wife, Marianne.
Paul and Jamie decide to tell their families that they love them, a process that's made more difficult when Paul hits Theresa with a car.
Paul and Jamie learn they may be distant cousins; Sylvia has a sudden change of heart about her daughter-in-law.
A grown-up Mabel reflects on her parents' life, beginning with their 1999 anniversary---when they learn that they're not technically married.
Flash forward a number of years. Mabel is a grown film maker, showing a documentary of her parents lives over the last 20 years. Married or not, separated or not, Mabel blames her parents for her own current life.
After Paul and Jamie drop off their daughter. Mabel, for her first day of college, it quickly becomes clear that they have very different ideas of what their lives after children will look like.
Mabel forces Jamie to sign a contract limiting contact for the next 48 hours after she makes too many surprise dorm visits.
Time and menopause conspire against Jamie after she decides to get back into the work force; Paul is invited to speak at Mabel's class after promising no one will know they're related.
Jamie becomes upset when one of her meticulously crafted scrapbooks documenting Mabel's childhood disappears; Ira shocks everyone (himself included) when he asks Lucia to marry him.
Tonya oversees Jamie's sessions as she transitions back into the workplace as a therapist. At the gym, Paul is going through a battle of his own as Mark is upset that Paul refuses to be naked around him.
Paul and Jamie pay a visit to a retirement home to visit his mother, Sylvia, and her new boyfriend; an unexpected visitor walks into Ira's restaurant.
Paul and Jamie's concerns about mortality and getting their affairs in order are triggered when they attend the funeral of Paul and Ira's childhood friend.
When Lisa is double-booked on her celebrity pet-sitting obligations, Jamie volunteers Paul to stay at Anderson Cooper's place, allowing him his first bachelor night in years.
Paul and Jamie are forced to make a tough decision about the future of their home when a wealthy buyer expresses interest in their apartment.
Following Sheila's advice, Paul and Jamie head to a marriage boot camp in the Berkshires in hopes of working out their issues.
Paul and Jamie help Mabel deal with the fallout after a school experiment does awry; Jamie stumbles upon an unconventional way that Tonya can help Walter overcome his sleepless nights.
Paul and Jamie try to plan a surprise birthday party for Mabel while she intends to reveal a big surprise of her own.
