Episode 4 of "Good American Family" kicks off with a poignant flashback to 1995, painting a vivid picture of Michael's tumultuous mental state. Kristine's narration weaves a tale of despair, as she recounts a moment when Michael stood on the precipice of self-annihilation, a harrowing repetition in his life's narrative. Yet, in this critical juncture, Kristine's plea for his presence – her insistence that she needed him by her side – served as a beacon of hope. Persuaded by her sincerity, Michael proposed marriage, and from that tender moment, their intertwined journey unfurled.
Shifting focus to the contemporary timeline, Kristine reassures Valika of her unwavering grip over Michael, despite their marital dissolution. She confidently asserts that Michael's police encounter stemmed from his new wife's influence, culminating in his arrest. Kristine exudes an air of ownership, unperturbed by his betrayal, convinced she alone holds the keys to taming Michael's wild spirit.
The narrative then transports us to 2011, mere months after their memorable New York escapade. Under the terms of their agreement, Michael assumed full-time caregiving duties for Natalia, while Kristine devoted herself to her impending literary endeavor. Anticipation bubbles within her as she awaits the arrival of Myra, her ghostwriter. With eager eyes, Kristine entrusts Michael with Natalia's welfare, just as an unexpected visitor disrupts their calm: Child Protective Services. The officers, stern and inquisitive, demand an inspection and conversation with the children. Seizing this moment, Natalia cunningly angles for another surgical expense to be footed by the Barnetts.
Once the authorities depart, Kristine accuses Natalia of orchestrating their visit, but Michael stands as her shield, defending her honor. Soon thereafter, Myra arrives, only to be swiftly whisked away by Kristine, who maneuvers to dodge another of Natalia's schemes. Seeking a more private venue, Kristine arranges to meet Myra at her cherished café, where she weaves a tale of her life – romanticized, yet honestly imperfect. Each word paints a picture of a life rich in drama, yet imbued with an enduring charm.
After a handful of visits, Myra expresses a desire to revisit the house once more. In haste, Kristine messages Michael, urging him to swiftly evacuate the children from the premises. Regrettably, Michael's momentary lapse in attention leads him to eavesdrop on Kristine's complimentary remarks about him during her conversation with Myra.
Just as their discussion unfolds, Jacob bursts in, bringing urgent news of Natalia's erratic behavior. They hastily rush outdoors to witness Natalia dangerously throwing Wesley's toys into the bustling road. Michael arrives on the scene just in time, pulling Natalia away from the perilous edge, and mercifully, Wesley narrowly escapes being hit by a passing vehicle as he attempts to retrieve his toys.
In the aftermath, Kristine earnestly implores Myra to keep Natalia's situation confidential. To Kristine's relief, Myra complies. This incident serves as the final straw for Kristine, prompting her to pack up the boys and inform Michael that they are departing. Michael, however, remains blind to Natalia's manipulative tendencies. Another heated argument erupts, with Kristine insisting that Natalia needs to be placed in a residential facility. Two years have passed, and Kristine finds herself at her breaking point.
As Kristine takes the boys to her mother's home, Michael continues to shoulder the responsibility of caring for Natalia. He attempts to reach out to Kristine under deceitful pretenses, but she steadfastly refuses to budge. Days later, Michael secures an interview and asks Natalia to quietly occupy herself while he engages in a Skype call. He reassures her that once he secures a job, the family can be reunited. However, this proposition does not resonate well with Natalia.
She dials the police during Michael's call, effectively sabotaging his job interview. Natalia claims she was hungry and dialed the police for pizza. After Michael confronts her, she confesses that she deliberately ruined his interview because she opposes the family's reunification. She declares her desire for them to perish. Finally, the realization dawns upon Michael that Kristine was indeed correct.
Having come to terms with the harsh reality, Michael visits Kristine and the boys the following day, accompanied by Natalia, whom he couldn't bear to leave unattended. Kristine attempts to engage Natalia in conversation, hoping to negotiate a way out of their predicament. However, Natalia takes umbrage at the accusations flying her way, ultimately shoving Kristine against the electric fence in a fit of anger.
Kristine deceives the paramedics, claiming she fell, but they both know they can't keep the truth about their daughter hidden indefinitely. Realizing the urgency, the couple concurs that Natalia needs to be institutionalized promptly. This time, Michael is fully on board, and they reconcile their differences. That night, they bring the boys back home but find themselves unable to institutionalize Natalia immediately. As a makeshift solution, they decide to confine her in the garage, monitoring her through the baby monitor. They ensure she has everything she needs, convincing themselves that this arrangement is just for one night.
Yet, Natalia's piercing screams draw the attention of the neighbors, prompting them to call the police. The responding officer insists on seeing Natalia, but Kristine tries to explain the situation first. Natalia reassures the officer that she's fine, and Kristine presents Natalia's documents to him. The cop, swayed by Kristine and Michael's narrative, offers to assist them. He suggests correcting Natalia's documents to reflect her as an adult, dismissing it as a mere clerical error. He also advises them to consult a doctor to review her records and continue serving as her guardians to prevent her from harming a new family.
A few weeks hence, Kristine and Michael meticulously prepare everything and leverage the legal system to register Natalia as a 22-year-old woman. They subsequently secure a small house for her, covering her rent and groceries but refusing to physically be present in her life. After meticulously explaining the situation to Natalia and dropping her off at her new abode, the couple walks away, comforted by the belief that they have secured their family's well-being. At least, that's what they thought!
