24. Papa's Got a Brand-New Excuse

Complete story — includes the ending

Will's deadbeat father, Lou Smith ( Ben Vereen ), returns to his son's life after 14 years. Will is very happy about the chance to reconnect with his father. However, Philip and Vivian (especially Philip) give him the cold shoulder, sensing that Lou has returned for his own selfish purposes and will most likely disappoint Will again. Will refuses to believe it and even gets into a heated argument with Philip. However, Lou discovers he has landed a new job that doesn't afford room to take Will on a cross-country trip he'd promised. Phillip berates Lou for prioritizing his own life over his son's, but Lou just doesn't realize how big of a mistake this is. When Lou tells Will, he rejects Lou and he leaves without another word. A heartbroken Will goes on a tirade about how Lou was never there when he needed him before breaking down in Philip's arms.