Episode 3 of The ‘Burbs unfolds with the familiar sight of Agnes’s dog, Darla, indulging in her customary habit of taking a dump on Lynn’s front lawn, encouraged by her owner. The scene then shifts to Rob and Samira, embarking on their first post-baby date while leaving Miles in Lynn’s care. However, a bit of breast milk inadvertently ruins Samira’s dress, prompting them to decide to stay home.
While taking a nighttime stroll with Miles, Samira observes Gary entering the house’s basement, followed by the mishap of his garbage bin falling over. Darla then appears with a bone, further fueling Samira’s suspicions. Samira narrates all of this to Lynn, who seems genuinely concerned for her. Her suspicions escalate when she sees Darla poking at the door to Gary’s basement.
Meanwhile, Tod passes by Rob and Naveen, revealing that Rob’s full name is indeed Robert. Dana catches a glimpse of them and asks Tod about the exchange. He, in turn, inquires about her knee problem, which was bothering her in the woods. Neither of them reveals the true nature of their conversation.
The next day, Agnes starts screaming frantically as she can’t find Darla. She calls Danny, her son-in-law, and confronts Lynn, accusing her of taking her dog. Lynn refuses to let Danny in the house and tells him to get a warrant. However, she and the others head out to search for Darla anyway. They find a leash with Darla’s initials sitting on the border between Lynn and Gary’s properties. Samira suspects Gary, and the group devises a plan to go to Gary’s house under the guise of a welcoming party and look for Darla.
Rob returns home, excited for another date with Samira. But she says she’s tired and encourages him to go out with Naveen instead. Then she, Tod, and Dana head to Gary’s while Lynn takes a walk with Miles. Nobody answers the doorbell, but the door is already open. Samira convinces the others to take a peek and is walking towards a door when they hear a noise from upstairs.
Rob and Naveen go to a bar named Drinkley, which used to be a place called Hank’s back in their day. Danny joins them and talks about how his wife, Lauren, was paranoid about their mail being poisoned. Meanwhile, Samira convinces the others to go upstairs, where they end up meeting a woman named Betsy, who turns out to be Gary’s wife. They explain that they came to welcome the couple and they all sit down to have some wine, leading to an awkward conversation. Betsy offers them sardines as a snack, which Samira reluctantly eats.
At the same juncture, Lynn decides to embark on a covert exploration of Rob and Samira's residence. Her meticulous search leads her to uncover a file from the year 2005, a document from a counseling center that paints a vivid picture of Rob as a man consumed by violence and boundless rage.
Meanwhile, at Gary's abode, Samira and Dana make a beeline for the "restroom," only to discover a grim-looking underground chamber that further solidifies Samira's conviction that Alison is concealed within. They commence their excavation with determination, while Tod keeps Betsy preoccupied with idle chatter. Unfortunately, Samira inadvertently hits a pipe, resulting in a leak that catches them unawares as Gary returns home.
At the bar, Naveen finds himself in good company with a girl, while Rob takes his leave. Upon his return, Rob is taken aback to find Lynn in his home. As he's showing her out, he witnesses Samira and the others emerging from Gary's house. Gary sternly advises them against further meetings and, unexpectedly, releases Darla from his vehicle. He explains that he found her wandering on the road, and Agnes promptly offers her her cherished bone—a revelation that it's not a human bone at all.
Upon returning home, Rob confronts Samira about her persistent obsession with Gary. She insists that something is amiss and mentions Gary's disposal of the 2005 newspapers. However, Rob's patience wears thin, and he angrily commands her to drop the matter.
Elsewhere, Tod engages in a heart-to-heart conversation with Dana about her aversion to leaving the cul-de-sac—a manifestation of agoraphobia. When it's Tod's turn to share his secret, he divulges his concern about Rob after discovering a police report.
That night, Samira observes Rob sneaking out under the cover of darkness. He makes his way to a secret trapdoor in the woods and disappears inside. Later, as he emerges from the woods, Samira confronts him about his whereabouts. He lies, claiming he merely went for a water refill. The tension in the air is palpable as Samira's suspicions deepen.
