Jack & Bobby

Sixteen-year-old Jack (series star MATT LONG) and 13-year-old Bobby (series star LOGAN LERMAN) McCallister are two bright young brothers growing up under the watchful eye of their eccentric unmarried mother, Dr. Grace McCallister (series star CHRISTINE LAHTI). Grace's personality is a force of nature destined to shape both of these young men's lives and secure one a place in the history books--as the future President of the United States. In present-day Hart, Missouri, relationships develop between the brothers and the people who shape their values and personalities, including Jack's best friend, Marcus Ride (series star EDWIN HODGE), his beautiful classmate Courtney Benedict (series star JESSICA PARÉ) and Courtney's father, Peter Benedict (series star JOHN SLATTERY), who is the handsome interim president at Plains State University, where Grace is a respected and feared history professor.

Jack angrily explodes after catching his mother, Grace, smoking pot again and gives her an ultimatum. However, after a particularly trying day, Grace seeks refuge in her old habit and is unprepared for the price she must pay. Meanwhile, Bobby tries to help make things better for Jack, both with Courtney and in school, but only succeeds in making things worse. Also, it is revealed how President McCallister became affiliated with a surprising political party.

Bobby joins the "challenge program" at school and learns a powerful lesson. Meanwhile, Grace is startled by news that Bobby's teacher gives her regarding Jack. Also, the flash-forward segments reveal how a surprising ally, President Eugene Lorio (recurring guest star PAUL SORVINO - "The Cooler," "GoodFellas"), helps President McCallister during a critical moment in his political career.

Grace is accused by Hebba (LINA PATEL), a female Arab-American student, of letting her individual beliefs about religion influence her lectures. Taking offense, Grace chastises Hebba in front of the other students, leading to a boycott of Grace's classes by the religious groups on campus. Meanwhile, after helping his friend Warren Feide (recurring guest star DEAN COLLINS) with his bar mitzvah and learning a bit about Judaism, Bobby demands to know why Grace never takes him to church. Grace then explains to Bobby and Hebba what "faith" really means to her. Also, Jack helps Marcus out of a tough situation.

The future reveals a dark secret about the First Lady. In the present, Jack offers to escort a depressed Courtney to her father's work fund-raiser--leading to an unexpected confession and kiss. Meanwhile, much to the consternation of her sons, Grace offers to let a homeless man stay at their house for a few days until she can find him a better place to live.

Grace is stunned after Peter informs her that her colleague and good friend has been accused of sexually harassing a student. Grace immediately defends her co-worker but must rethink her loyalty when new evidence arises. Meanwhile, Bobby is spending so much time with his new girlfriend, Dex (recurring guest star JEANETTE BROX), that he begins to neglect his schoolwork. Under pressure from Grace to succeed, Bobby cheats on his test. And still reeling from the guilt of kissing Courtney, Jack is horrified to discover that she and his girlfriend, Missy Belknap (recurring guest star KERI LYNN PRATT), have become friends.