Theo's Dirty Laundry is the 14th episode of Season 6. It is notable for being the last appearance of Michelle Thomas as Theo's girlfriend Justine.
Synopsis[]
Theo's parents discover Theo has moved in with Justine, among other dishonesties.
Plot summary[]
Rudy comes down to the basement with Cliff to do some laundry. As Cliff is showing her how to do it properly, he discovers Theo has mixed in his clothes along with a few women's undergarments. Cliff informs Clair, who goes to the phone to call Theo at his apartment. A roommate answers, but not either of the ones who supposedly live at the apartment with Theo. Cliff and Clair then conclude that Theo is at least spending a lot of time at his girlfriend Justine's apartment and possibly living there as well. She tries to call Justine, but Theo answers and quickly hangs up, letting the answering machine take the call.
Later that day, Cliff and Clair present Theo with the items from the laundry and begin to question Theo about his living arrangement. Theo comes clean and admits he moved in with Justine after her roommate dropped out of school. He also admits he found another roommate named Anthony for Danny and Glenn and is taking the money his parents send him for his rent, his bed, and a refrigerator and using it to help pay a cheaper rent at Justine's. He adds that he is renting the bed and refrigerator to Anthony and is putting all the money he has left over into a bank account. Cliff and Clair chastise Theo, reminding him he is at college to get an education, not to live with his girlfriend, and they expect him to use the money they provide him for exactly what it is meant for. Theo responds that lots of college students in relationships live together and that his bank account was to show he is being responsible. Cliff and Clair strongly advise him to correct the situation, but Theo angrily responds that he and Justine will go on living together and storms out of the house.
Theo and Justine meet at a cafe later and Justine informs Theo that her father is not happy at all with their arrangement and that her parents will only send her money for tuition if it continues.
Theo then presumptuously returns to his parents' house with all his clothes and a few belongings, having agreed to no longer live with Justine. He then begins to discuss mutual apologies for the earlier exchange, but Clair is having none of it. Cliff questions Theo if he ever considered the fact that he would not be allowed to return to the house. Theo replies no, and Clair adds by reminding him of all the previous times they stepped in and bailed Theo out when he messed up. Clair then concludes by telling Theo this time he is not allowed to return. A dejected Theo then gathers his belongings and leaves.
Later, Clair expresses concern over whether Theo has found somewhere to sleep at NYU at least for the night. Cliff reminds her that Theo has several options open to him for sleeping arrangements. At that moment, the phone rings with Justine's father calling. Cliff answers and talks with Mr. Phillips for a while, then hangs up and tells Clair that Justine is back in her apartment and that Theo is now living with Justine's parents. This way, Cliff says, if he and Clair don't ever know Theo's whereabouts, Justine's parents do!