- In the world's worst field trip, Charlie checks out Warren Home. Let's just say that Charlie's fate is looking pretty dismal.
- Charlie sees a bunch of Warren residents eagerly sanding benches, and one boy who is particularly proud of his work makes Charlie choke down tears.
- It's like an episode of Jerry Springer: Alice stops by Charlie's apartment and runs into Fay. They're pretty cool with each other, though.
- Alice tells Charlie to put down the bottle and stop drinking, worrying that it will mess with his work.
- Charlie makes love to Fay but thinks the whole time about Alice. Messy love triangle coming at you in 3… 2… 1…
- But then Charlie forgets about the whole Fay-Alice thing and gets married to his work instead.
- Algernon is totally out of it—we're talking wallowing-in-his-own-filth-like-the-ultimate-frat-boy out of it.
- Charlie knows he needs to beat the clock to figure out what's going on in Algernon's head. Good thing he's occupied, because Fay found herself a new boyfriend.
- Because all work and no play makes Charlie a dull boy, he heads to a cocktail party sponsored by Mrs. Nemur. Sounds like a blast.
- Charlie loses it at the party and tells everyone he's not their guinea pig, proving once again that alcohol does not mix well with science.
- It's time for a dialogue with the man in the mirror—yes, that's Charlie talking to Charlie and telling him to keep it together.
- Eureka. Charlie figures out the central flaw in the experiment and types up a fancy paper to explain it all. No need to hold your breath: it's called "The Algernon-Gordon Effect: A Study of Structure and Function of Increased Intelligence."
- So you want the breakdown? The quicker you get smart artificially, the quicker you lose brainpower. Voila, right? Unfortunately, that also means Charlie is almost running on empty.
- Poor Algernon bites the dust, but at least he doesn't make it to the incinerator. Charlie buries him in his backyard and puts flowers on his grave.
- Time to go see Mommy. Charlie wants to see Rose before he shares Algernon's fate, but it's not exactly a happy family reunion.
- Rose is clearly delusional, but she recognizes Charlie right away. She tells him to scram, winning the Best Mom of the Year award for the millionth time.
- Charlie cuts himself on the door, which finally makes those motherly instincts kick in. Rose invites Charlie inside.
- Charlie just wants to make his momma proud. He shows her his scientific paper right before Norma shows up.
- Charlie's bratty little sister is all grown up, and she's actually happy to see him—it's about time, Norma.
- They share some messed up memories with each other. Rose sounds like a real peach of a mom.
- Heeeeere's Rose—she's pulling one of her old tricks by waving a knife around at Charlie. If you're thinking she went from zero to one hundred in no time flat, you are correct—she thinks Charlie's having impure thoughts about Norma.
- Charlie gets the heck out of there, but he's pretty shaken up.
- Here's the creepy part: as Charlie leaves his childhood home, he sees the face of young Charlie staring at him through a window. It's the stuff of ghost stories.