When Bob takes Carol to see Bruce Springsteen in concert, the kids throw a party to boost their images at school. At the party, Parker worries that his less popular siblings will embarrass him in front of a hot girl. Patton's attempt to woo a girl ends in disaster, while Penny meets her soul mate.

When Penny falls ill with the flu, the others force her to the basement to save themselves. It doesn't work though, and one by one they all fall ill, messing up all of their plans. Bob and Pearce are the last two standing and take some time to bond. Penny and Paige also bond over an unlikely activity. Pearce makes a fashion statement, and creates a new language- "mathlish".

When Patton fails to make the basketball team at school, he joins the cheerleading squad to score, with cheerleader Haley in particular. Patton runs into difficulty following through with the cheer routines however, when he gets overly aroused in public. After Paige fails to make the cheerleading squad, Penny gives her a lesson in thickening her skin. Bob is obsessed about wanting Parker and Patton to win scholarships.

Bob wins a cell phone, and then, realizing how much the kids want the phone, creates a little competition for all of them. Whoever does the most chores, wins the phone. Unfortunately, the plan backfires, when the Quints join together, and go on a strike.

The Chases compete to be the stars of a commercial for a minivan, which they will get to keep if they win. They are up against the Helbergs, their ultimate quint family rivals.