Frank wins a contract to construct a multi-million dollar office complex, and this will necessitate the removal of a house sitting on a key part of the property. He hires munitions expert Cody to level the structure, but when Cody goes inside to inspect the structure, he finds out that a family is still living there. Meet the Emersons, a couple with two children that have been down on their luck for the last year; both parents had lost their jobs several months earlier, and are now penniless and have nowhere else to stay. Cody is sympathetic and immediately refuses to destroy the house. Frank, nervous about the repercussions, tries to get Cody to start the work ... until project backer Mr. Hartman threatens to sue Frank for breach of contract, a move that could force the Lamberts into bankruptcy. Carol learns about the Emersons' situation and rallies to their aid. In the end, Mr. Hartman agrees to a plan to have the house moved, and Mr. Emerson gets a job on Frank's payroll. Also: J.T. becomes the manager of Al's envelope-stuffing enterprise (where Mark and Brendan are also working), but is quickly overbearing; the three younger siblings revolt and J.T. is left to complete the work himself.