In the opening moments of Episode 5 of The ‘Burbs, a flashback takes us back twenty years. A young Alison is seen in the woods, attempting to contact Rob on the phone. Suddenly, an unknown figure rushes towards her, setting the stage for a mysterious encounter.
In the present, Samira confronts Rob in the underground bunker, accusing him of Alison's disappearance. Rob denies any involvement and decides to tell her the truth. Another flashback ensues, revealing a night of revelry in the bunker as Alison, along with her friends, drinks alcohol. She expresses her desire to be a backup dancer and complains about her parents' restrictions on her freedom to explore the world.
Meanwhile, Lynn stops by the Fishers' house to check on Miles, who is being taken care of by Rory. Since Rory is running late, Lynn offers to take care of Miles and urges her to go home. However, Rory starts to feel a headache and takes some aspirin. At Tod's place, Naveen wakes up to find himself being questioned by Dana and Tod.
Back in the flashback, Alison confides in her friends that she has connected with a 19-year-old named John from a nearby town who wants to introduce her to his friends, who are dancers and choreographers. She asks Rob and Naveen to cover for her while she goes to meet John. They agree and tell the adults that Alison is attending a church event with them.
Later, Rob receives a call from Alison but ignores it. He later receives a message from her asking him to speak to her. He calls back, leaving a message that Samira overheard. In the present, Rob explains that he just wanted to prevent Alison from going to meet John.
In the past, Rob and Naveen wait for three days without any news from Alison. They go to the police station and speak to Officer Daniels about Alison's disappearance. He informs them that the parents received a runaway letter in the mail and dismisses the case. Although Officer Bill Festerson (Agnes' husband) does take their statements. A little while later, Rob and Naveen receive a visit from Officer Festerson, who tells them to move on.
At present, Rob informs Samira that he discovered Alison's phone, lying dormant for months, approximately ten feet away from the bunker. Nobody was searching for her at the time, so he kept it hidden. Samira acknowledges that they've both been a bit different since the baby and pledge never to deceive each other again.
Naveen shares everything with Dana and Tod, who inquire about the bunker. He takes Tod there, where he and Rob share an emotional embrace. Meanwhile, Lynn begins to feel drowsy. Upon closer inspection of the aspirin, she realizes they are actually Benzo tablets. She tries calling her friends but no one picks up.
In the bunker, Samira notices that the little shrine to Alison includes a tin of sardines. Rob and Naveen mention that she used to love sardines, and Samira comes up with a new theory – could Betsy be Alison? She's around the same age and looks quite similar. They rush back to the house, where Samira retrieves Miles from Lynn, who is still quite high. Lynn sits on a bench and is joined by Bill, who agrees to hold her hand until she feels better.
Rob and Naveen head to the Victorian house and knock, but no one opens the door. They call out to Alison, forcing Betsy – who is actually Alison! – to open the door. They have a tearful reunion but Gary soon arrives and she forces them to leave the house through the basement. The two rush back to Rob's house and tell Samira and the others that while Gary is Alison's husband, he might also be her captor.
