Now, when, as Rita thinks, Alexei (her lover) and Lyuba (her best friend) have an affair with each other (and both keeps it secret from her!), Rita feels... betrayed?.. Polina tries to assure her that everything would go fine eventually. Rita proceeds to annoy both Alexei (by constantly dropping contacts of various women, casually mentioning that they are "single") and Lyuba (by never providing straight answer to any of her question, no matter how important), in hope that they would take a hint. After noticing that neither Alexei nor Lyuba realised just what Rita is trying to say to them, Polina tells them as is — that they are presumed to be lovers, and that they are bad friends for not admitting this to Rita. Lyuba realises that this was probably caused by her mentioning having "a man", but not specifying who it is: after all, Alexei has a... very specific reputation by now. While Lyuba is fine with Rita believing in her "relationship" with Lyosha, Alexei, tired of all these secrets, forces her to admit that her "man" isn't Alexei. Alexei tries to convince Rita that there's nothing between him and Lyuba — and nothing can be (plus, he wouldn't try to hide it had he really dated her, since there's nothing to be ashamed of); while Lyuba says completely opposite of that, using Alexei's "shame" as a reason why they keep it secret. Rita actually believes Lyuba after all, and now is rather angry at Lyosha. She openly admits that yes, she is jealous.
After calming down a little, Yakov became more reasonable, and now agrees to wait a little. But he needs Kupitman's help to "test" whether Gleb is as good as his cousin claims. Sophia, knowing what kind of "test" her father would put Gleb through, already prepared a list of questions (and right answers for them), so Gleb may deal with Yakov's suspiciousness. Gleb passes the test well — in fact, too well; now, Yakov is sure that Gleb merely tries to please him. To prove it, he plans to use the spy tech (obviously illegal) to learn more — and Kupitman, as part of his "redemption", would help him; for that, he blackmails him into eavesdropping on everything Gleb says. Kupitman manages to warn Gleb (and later Sophia) about Yakov's spy gear (via hand-wright note), so he wouldn't say anything incriminating. Once again, Gleb shows himself to be a perfect husband for Sophia. Maybe a little too perfect. Gleb and Kupitman continues fooling Yakov right until Sophia busts her father with his earphones. Turns out that this isn't even the first time something like this happens; their neighbours once almost sued them over Yakov trying to spy on them. When Sophia threatens to call her mother (whom Yakov promised to quit this), her father asks whether they may have a compromise: he would stop this and pretend that he likes Gleb (who, if all of this is genuine, is actually boring, even by his standards), and Sophia would keep it secret. Yakov leaves, realising that even if something is wrong, there's nothing he can do. Sophia, not trusting him completely, insisted on him leaving his gear here. When he leaves, she hears some weird noises from the earphones, and decides to check... overhearing Lyuba and Kupitman discussing their affair — and how they would use Alexei as the cover for it.
Bykov learns that Kisegach isn't aware of Gleb proposing to Sophia. He calls Gleb out on this, and tells him that he should tell her, even if he didn't yet choose the date yet. Gleb asks him to just tell Kisegach on his own, which Bykov refuses, stating that Gleb should do it himself. He, however, agrees to help him to prepare to this talk, by talking to Kisegach first, so Gleb would have better chances to convince her. He lies that it's Alisa who would marry, and writes down all Kisegach's arguments in favour of the marriage (so Gleb may later use them himself if his mother would be against the marriage like she was before), using "I'm documenting all pros and cons" as excuse. Kisegach actually decides to call Alisa and congratulate her, and Bykov, realising that this would compromise his cover, states that he simply told Kisegach about his dream. Now, it's time to run from his angry boss... Afterwards, Gleb finally tells Kisegach about his proposal to Sophia... and she reacts just as he expected — very negatively. But then Bykov steps in and gives Kisegach the list he'd prepared earlier. These are her own arguments why, if you truly love someone, you should marry. Would she take them back?
This episode provides examples of:
- "Could Have Avoided This!" Plot: Yakov asks Kupitman why he even bothered with this "I'm straight-edge" facade, since it was uncomfortable for them both: Kupitman can't imagine his life without alcohol, while Yakov considers family reunion without alcohol to be "boring". Next time he would pay them a visit, him better take something as a "present". He, however, agrees to maintain this secret from the rest of their family to not shock them.
- Do Well, But Not Perfect: Yes, providing at least adequate answers to most, if not all of Yakov's questions was a good sign... but Gleb did this so perfectly that Yakov realised that he tried to please him instead of acting honestly. And even if it all is true... well, someone so "perfect" would be just too boring, even by Yakov's standards.
- Everyone Has Standards:
- Kupitman isn't uncle of the year by any margin, and neither he particularly cares about Gleb, but even he calls Yakov on being too extreme and tries to talk him out of this plan. He fails.
- Yakov says that if what Gleb's told to him is true (which he doubts), someone so good would be too boring to have him as a husband. It comes from a Knight Templar Parent with Control Freak tendencies.
- Gone Horribly Right: Subverted. Bykov lies to Kisegach that his daughter Alisa (with whom Kisegach has a good relationship) would marry, so he may collect arguments in favour of marriage for Gleb, but this almost results in Kisegach actually calling to congratulate her, which forces Bykov to invent another lie on the spot, which, while still enrages Kisegach, at least does not ruin the whole plan.
- Hint Dropping: Rita "hints" on her knowing about Alexei and Lyuba's "secret" (that they are allegedly lovers; which they're obviously not), but does that in so subtle manner that they completely misses any single "hint", so Polina has to tell them directly.
- Hypocritical Humour: Bykov lies to Kisegach that it's Alisa who would marry — some biker, which is "terrible".
- Internal Reveal: Thanks to Yakov forgetting to turn off his spy gear (which he leaved at Kupitman's house, on Sophia's request), Sophia accidentally overhears her uncle talking with Lyuba and learns both about their relationship, and that they are using Alexei as a cover for it.
- It's All About Me: Lyuba was initially against Alexei's plan to just tell Rita that they are not in relationship, since she doesn't particularly care what Rita thinks about them, as long as it protects her affair with Kupitman. She reluctantly agrees when Alexei calls her out on this, but does it in a way which is more harmful than helpful, all to not take the risks that anyone would learn about Kupitman.
- Knight Templar Parent: Wanting to make sure sure that your daughter wouldn't marry some scum is understandable and reasonable. Spying on her boyfriend (with spy gear, no less) and blackmailing other people into assisting you in it, not so much. Yakov goes overboard with his paranoia, and ultimately gets called out on it once it gets revealed.
- Pet the Dog: Bykov, rather then keep pressing Gleb (who's not ready to talk with his mother about proposing to Sophia), assists him, by putting Anastasia into right mood and gathering the arguments Gleb may use in an argument with her.
- Secret Police: Apparently, Kupitman's grandpa was a KGB's agent. It's implied that Yakov at least took his spy gear from him, if he isn't connected to KGB's successor, FSB, himself.
- That Came Out Wrong: When Lyuba mentions his reputation of always "making lonely women into happy women", Alexei objects, saying that "not to this level!", then corrects himself when he realises that Lyuba took offence at unfortunate implication of being that point where he draws the line.
- Two Rights Make a Wrong: Alexei wants to stop the rumours about him having an affair with Lyuba, since they are harmful for himself, so he tells Rita that he never was in relationship with Lyuba (had he really was, he wouldn't hide it, there's nothing to be ashamed of, after all!)... while Lyuba, simultaneously, tries to reinforce this version, since it distracts everyone from her real relationship with Kupitman. Between two versions, Rita trusts Lyuba over Lyosha.
