In 1993, Josh abandons a frustrated Gregory and the film crew at his father's apartment to whisk Valerie off to Vermont, where they shack up, get high and elope. Meanwhile, working to motivate Peter during his love scene with Athena, Gregory discovers that his lead actor is gay as he tries to ignore their mutual attraction. And Joe finds Carlito measuring cocaine in their parents' shed. When the two tussle, Carlito pulls a gun on him. Bruised and worried, Joe shows up at Beth's, but is disappointed when she immediately assumes that he had a fight with Josh. Claiming he doesn't want to be her ""rebound"" boyfriend, Joe storms out of Beth's apartment moments after the two of them decide to call it quits.

In 2001, Gregory furtively collects dirt on Athena for his article, while Amanda convinces Joe to host a celebrity dinner party at his house to drum up some publicity. Beth is reluctant, but agrees to meet with Amanda when Joe cancels an important meeting to help make sandwiches for the ho