Sophia's father, Yakov, is already en route to Moscow, to take Sophia back to Kirov. Sophia had already gave up, and, despite all Lyuba's attempts to convince her that Yakov can't take her home by force, believes that there's no way to stop him from doing what he wants. Gleb is more confident, and tries to talk with Kupitman, but Kupitman points that Gleb personifies everything his cousin wouldn't tolerate near Sophia — low culture, mix of terrible habits, and inability to live without parasitizing on his parents, not to mention his long, long list of previous sexual conquests; no, Gleb has no chance. Gleb then decides to please Yakov by playing on his Jewish heritage — after all, all Jews respects money and power they provide, right? Unfortunately, Kupitman takes it as extreme insult, and kicks him out. Gleb offers yet another idea: what if they would pretend that Gleb has "saved" Sophia from Kupitman? If they tell Yakov the truth about Kupitman's alcoholism, Gleb may insists that taking Sophia to him was a better option. This offends Kupitman even more, but fortunately, Bykov arrives and takes Gleb away before conflict can escalate any further. Bykov is ready to congratulate Gleb on fighting for Sophia, but Gleb panics and tries to ask him for help. Bykov points out that if Gleb can't fight for love, panicking at first troubles, then maybe his "love" to Sophia isn't all that strong, and deserves to die?
Rita, due to nonexistent sex life, becomes very unstable and prone to anger outburst. Polina suggests to ask "expert" in "how to live without sex and not kill anyone" problem — Lyuba. But then Rita notices that Lyuba acts weirdly positive, and realises that she is in even worse condition than them — in hysteria. Rita and Polina, to make up for acting like jerks towards Lyuba previously, analyses every not-yet-taken male in the hospital, and cuts the list down to only best-of-the-best, specially for Lyuba to choose from. But she not only insists that their help isn't required — but that she already has a man! Unfortunately, they takes it as a sign that situation is even worse: she started imagining that she has a boyfriend. They then decides to call a male prostitute — only to get busted by Lyuba while browsing one of the sites. Lyuba repeats that she has a man, and doesn't need their help. Now, Rita starts wondering whether she really has the man — but if yes, then who is he? Completely missing all the obvious clues pointing to Kupitman, Rita jumps to conclusion that it must by Alexei: Lyosha has one habit — "helping" lonely women. Rita offers Polina to check this. But Alexei is still obligated to keep Lyuba's relationship with Kupitman in secret, so he gives only vague answers.
Yakov is here, and has zero patience for Kupitman's attempts to "explain" anything. He would take Sophia, and leave. Even Bykov tries to argue with him, but to no avail. But at the last moment before Yakov leaves, Gleb (hitting other people to the point of making them lose balance and fall) rushes in. He is ready to propose to Sophia, and has a ring prepared; Sophia accepts. Sophia later congratulates Gleb on a "smart trick" — this fake proposal just won them some time. But Gleb informs her that he's completely serious. So now he would repeat his question in private, hoping to get sincere answer. She sheds a single tear, and gives him quiet "yes". Kupitman, meanwhile, tries to explain to Yakov that the situation isn't that bad — only to be accused of betraying the trust of not just Yakov, but his entire family. Now, Yakov needs to drink something strong. Kupitman, who previously moved all his stash to Phil, to reinforce his legend of a "teetotaller", calls Phil to pass him as his alcoholic friend, and asks to bring them some booze. But Phil is in bad mood, and brings all the booze, as well as suggests Kupitman to just admit that he's alcoholic, and move on with it — right in front of Yakov.
This episode provides examples of:
- Big Damn Heroes: Just when Yakov is ready to take away Sophia, Gleb rushes in, so he may propose to Sophia, which she accepts. After this, Yakov can't take her away without looking like a (even bigger) jerk, so Sophia and Gleb would have some time to deal with him.
- Brutal Honesty: Bykov is ready to respect Gleb for going against him and still fighting for Sophia, like he did initially... but Gleb panics, despite not even meeting Sophia's father in person yet. Naturally, Bykov tells Gleb that it would be better if Sophia just leaves, and Gleb wouldn't pretend that he is in "serious relationship"; if he can't fight for his love and ready to give up on first pressure, it's worth nothing. This is what actually convinces Gleb to stop scheming, and just do what must be done.
- Chekhov's Gunman: Early in the episode, Kupitman orders Phil to take all his booze until Yakov leaves, so Kupitman wouldn't ruin his "teetotaller" legend. In the end, when Gleb proposes to Sophia, Yakov asks Kupitman to find him something strong, and Kupitman summons Phil, "his alcoholic friend"; Phil shows up with all the booze, and just tells him that he's fed up with hiding all this, and reveals to Yakov that it's Kupitman who is an alcoholic.
- Disappointed in You: Yakov feels so much disappointment in Kupitman for betraying his trust, he can't even describe it properly:Yakov: Great job, Vanya! We are so proud of you, Vanya! That's what you've expected to hear? We entrusted you with Sophia — why?.. So much time, so much effort, so much energy — to give her great education, great nurture... only for that punk to appear, and...
Kupitman: Oh, come on, she is not a kid anymore...
Yakov [almost snapping, before managing to take a hold on himself]: She is a kid! - Dude, Not Funny!: Kupitman doesn't react well to Gleb's ideas how to please Yakov, as they, while clearly intended as jokes, comes up as offensive:
- Kupitman considers Gleb's idea of playing on Jew stereotypes (down to and including stereotypical accent) extremely offensive — to the point that he immediately kicks him out of his office.
- Gleb's second suggestion involves just admitting that Kupitman is an alcoholic (and exaggerate severity of the situation), and then pretend that Gleb's "saved" Sophia from him. Kupitman reacts to this even worse than to Gleb's previous idea.
- Failed a Spot Check: When Rita discusses with Polina just who that mysterious Lyuba's suitor may be, she looks on Lyuba talking with Kupitman — who then kisses her in the cheek — but completely ignores him, jumping to the version that it should be Alexei.
- Halfway Plot Switch: Rita's plot starts from Rita's temper issues caused by lack of sex, but she soon gets distracted by Lyuba apparently having more serious problems than her, and decides to "help" her.
- Heel Realisation: Rita and Polina interprets Lyuba's behaviour as her being on the edge of madness due to her loneliness, and tries to make up for acting like their problems are more important than hers. Unknowingly to them, she is perfectly fine (due to being in relationship with Kupitman), and never even noticed them, so they never did anything bad to begin with.
- Implied Death Threat: Early in the episode, Kupitman arrives to Phil with several large bags full of booze. He doesn't react well on Phil's joke that he just plans to "quit drinking, again".Phil: What is this? Are you quitting drinking again?
Kupitman: Just temporarily, Phil.
Phil: Why "temporarily"? Better permanently! I would even help to move all this to the scrapyard!
Kupitman: These bags are huge enough to contain — albeit, not in one piece — a body of one young American venereologist. Which I can then move to the scrapyard. Any more questions? - Internal Reveal: After several seasons, Kupitman's "I'm straight-edge" lie completely collapses, and now Yakov is aware that he is an alcoholic. He doesn't comment on it in any way, because at this point he isn't even surprised, and has much more serious problems to worry about.
- I Need a Freaking Drink: After all of this, Yakov needs to drink something strong. Unfortunately, as he knows, Kupitman is completely straight-edge.
- Knight Templar Parent: Yakov thinks that it's perfectly okay to take Sophia away from her colleagues, friends and boyfriend by force, if it (potentially) would protect her from being heartbroken and (in the worst case scenario) pregnant.
- Last-Second Word Swap: When Rita angrily asks Pasha (who recklessly dropped the papers on the table) whether she is a dog to be threatened like this, he almost calls her a bitch, before changing it into clumsy compliment at the last moment.
- My Friends... and Zoidberg: This is the list of "best of the best" amongst hospital's single males. And this is orderly Pasha, who somehow slipped into it; he certainly doesn't belong here. His photo gets immediately removed on discovery.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Just as was predicted multiple times prior, when Sophia's parents learns what is really going on here, they now insist on taking Sophia back to Kirov. She isn't happy about this, but has little say in the matter. Gleb manages to salvage seemingly-hopeless situation at the last moment.
- Out of Focus: Alexei has only brief appearance during Rita and Polina's plot, and doesn't receive his own plot.
- The Patriarch: Yakov's authority over Sophia is so strong, she doesn't even try to argue, taking his "let's go home" as the god's will rather than her father's orders.
- Spoiled Brat: Exaggerated to absurd degree when Kupitman "explains" why his cousin wouldn't like Gleb. There's everything: his love for booze, smoking and clubs, exploitation of his parents' money to receive goods, and insufferable air-headed personality. And this is without mentioning Gleb's previous sex life.
- You Need to Get Laid: Polina attributes Rita's current Hair-Trigger Temper to lack of sex. Rita agrees that this is indeed the reason. Unfortunately, this is currently not an option, so they must find something usable as "substitute". They quickly finds another problem to think about, though.
