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United States of Tara Episode Guide

1 :01x01 - Pilot

First aired: Jan/18/2009
Writer: Diablo Cody
Director: Craig Gillespie
Guest star: Shiloh Fernandez (Benjamin), David Costabile (Fishman), Heather Case Miller (Ballerina), Dee Ryan (Maddy), Mim Drew (Mayor's Wife), Phillip Collins (Dancer)

Suburban mother and wife Tara Gregson does her best to lead a normal life while dealing with multiple personalities that include a spirited teenager called "T," a Vietnam vet named "Buck," and the perennial 1950's-style housewife, "Alice."



2 :01x02 - Aftermath

First aired: Jan/25/2009
Writer: Diablo Cody
Director: Craig Gillespie
Guest star: Miki Ishikawa (Olivia), Tony Hale (Mr. Gershenoff), Patton Oswalt (Neil), Nathan Corddry (Gene), Susan Chuang (Laurie), Stephanie Courtney (Beth), Annamarie Kenoyer (Madison), Daniella Monet (Paige), Hayley McFarland (Petula)

When her children need advice about school and sex, Tara seeks additional assistance from one of her other personalities ("Alice").



3 :01x03 - Work

First aired: Feb/01/2009
Writer: Diablo Cody
Director: Craig Gillespie
Guest star: Andrew Lawrence (Jason), Nathan Corddry (Gene), Patton Oswalt (Neil), Valerie Mahaffey (Dr. Ocean), Jessica St. Clair (Tiffany), Ashley Bell (Tonya), Hayley McFarland (Petula), Caitlin Mulvey (Dreamgirls Singer), Paige Brown (Patriotic Singer)

Tara is afraid that Max desires one of her alters than her when they fail to connect in the bedroom. She tries to get back on track with Max after her therapist Dr. Ocean, reassures Tara and suggests she sets up a "sex date." Tara’s sister Charmaine recommends she meet her new boss for a potential mural project. Tara gives in to the pressure as she prepares for her "sex date" and becomes Buck. Buck doles out advice on women and Max winds up having a male bonding date with his own wife.



4 :01x04 - Inspiration

First aired: Feb/08/2009
Writer: Alexa Junge
Director: Mark Mylod

Tara feels the best she’s felt in a long time. She loves the mural she is working on and feels she’s found a new friend in Tiffany. That night, while Charmaine, Tara, and Tiffany are out for drinks, Tiffany decides she wants to see one of Tara’s alternate personalities and begins probing Tara in a way that turns ugly. Tiffany wakes up the next morning horrified when she finds the mural is destroyed and she suspects Tara.



5 :01x05 - Revolution

First aired: Feb/15/2009
Writer: Alexa Junge
Director: Mark Mylod

Tara turns into “T” and takes off in her car with Max and Charmaine, giving Marshall the opportunity to throw a big bash, to be near his crush, Jason. Charmaine, Max and "T" come to the house to find the party raging on, killing the buzz in more than one way.



6 :01x06 - Transition

First aired: Feb/22/2009
Writer: Dave Finkel, Brett Baer
Director: Brian Dannelly

The family is under the impression that Tara’s parents, Bev and Frank, are visiting to celebrate Charmaine’s birthday but when Frank approaches Max about taking the kids to live with them, Max does everything he can to prevent Tara from switching. At the party that night, Tara learns of her parents’ plan and is hurt that they think she is an unfit parent. Sweeping her feelings under the rug, she remains calm however, later that evening, Max wakes to find something that changes everything.



7 :01x07 - Alterations

First aired: Mar/01/2009
Writer: Diablo Cody
Director: Tricia Brock

Charmaine has decided to get her breasts re-done and has asked Tara to be her caretaker while she recovers. Kate gives Marshall Love advice, telling him to play hard to get with Jason. When Charmaine wakes after her surgery, she is surprised to see “Buck” at her bedside, not Tara. While “Buck” takes care of Charmaine, she comes to appreciate him in a way she never has before.



8 :01x08 - Abundance

First aired: Mar/08/2009
Writer: Jill Soloway
Director: Brian Dannelly

Max has his hands full while “Alice” is out again. Marshall fears Jason’s father knows about his crush on Jason. The boys grow closer, albeit platonically. Max decides to embrace his time with “Alice,” even though he misses his wife.



9 :01x09 - Possibility

First aired: Mar/15/2009
Writer: David Iserson
Director: Tommy O'haver

Needing a break from real life, Kate and Tara head out on an impromptu road trip. Max uses this time away from Tara to search for answers about her past. That night, Tara and Kate get into an argument causing Tara to transition into “T.” “T” heads to the nearest tattoo parlor and Kate tries to stop her before she makes a permanent mistake.



10 :01x10 - Betrayal

First aired: Mar/22/2009
Writer: Christopher Santos
Director: John Dahl

When Dr. Ocean unexpectedly terminates her treatment of Tara, it throws Tara into a total meltdown at the spa with Charmaine. Upon coming home, things begin to unravel and one of Tara’s alters betrays Marshall in a way that could destroy the family forever.



11 :01x11 - Snow

First aired: Mar/29/2009
Writer: Alexa Junge
Director: John Dahl

Tara decides to check into an in-patient facility that specializes in dissociation. There, Tara meets a new doctor, Dr. Holden, a charismatic expert, who pushes her to recover lost memories. The facility has support groups for significant others too, but Max is wary. As Tara tries hard to delve into her past, her alters are resistant to allowing the truth to surface, and Max learns he’ll have to be stronger than ever to help Tara take the next step in her recovery.



12 :01x12 - Miracle

First aired: Apr/05/2009
Writer: Diablo Cody
Director: Craig Gillespie

With Max and Dr. Holden’s help, Tara meets face-to-face with an important person from her past. This meeting, while difficult, leaves Tara feeling conciliatory and expansive. Marshall finally reconciles with Tara and gives her his full support. The family, now reunited for the first time since Tara checked into the hospital, decides to partake in a family tradition – bowling but as Tara looks around at her family, she realizes she’s not who she is in spite of her alters, but BECAUSE of them.



13 :02x01 - Yes

First aired: Mar/22/2010
Writer: Diablo Cody
Director: Craig Zisk
Guest star: Matthew Del Negro (Nick Hurley), Joey Lauren Adams (Pammy), Sammy Sheik (Hany), Nathan Corddry (Gene Stuart)

Season two opens with a bang as the Gregsons’ neighbor commits suicide and the family unexpectedly is given responsibility of the house. Now well and dissociation-free for several months, Tara sets out to make new friends with Max’s help. Marshall struggles to fit in at school while Kate lands a new job.



14 :02x02 - Trouble Junction

First aired: Mar/29/2010
Writer: Jill Soloway
Director: Craig Zisk
Guest star: Sam Schuder (Kimmy), Cynthia Rube (Real Estate Agent), Jade Petty John (Kammy), Kevin Gould (Jock #1), Matt Braunger (Jarrett), Michael J. Willett (Lionel (as Michael Willett)), Zosia Mamet (Courtney), Lance Barber (Sully), Joey Lauren Adams (Pammy), Viola Davis (Lynda P. Frazier)

Tara keeps her condition a secret; Max decides to flip the house; Charmaine asks to move in.



15 :02x03 - The Truth Hurts

First aired: Apr/05/2010
Writer: Tracy McMillan
Director: Adam Davidson
Guest star: Zosia Mamet (Courtney), Joey Lauren Adams (Pammy), Patton Oswalt (Neil), Viola Davis (Lynda P. Frazier), Sam Schuder (Kimmy), Michael Hitchcock (Ted Mayo), Giovanni V. Giusti (Art Booth Role: Himself)

The truth emerges about Tara's alters; an alter brings out a new side of Max; Neil learns about Charmaine's engagement; Kate grows closer to Lynda; Marshall and Courtney experiment.



16 :02x04 - You Becoming You

First aired: Apr/12/2010
Writer: Brett Baer, Dave Finkel
Director: Adam Davidson
Guest star: Viola Davis (Lynda P. Frazier), Matthew Del Negro (Nick Hurley), Zosia Mamet (Courtney)

As a new alter emerges, Tara seeks a new therapist; Max struggles with Buck's infidelity; Charmaine has big news; Tara and Max disapprove of Kate's friendship.



17 :02x05 - Doin' Time

First aired: Apr/19/2010
Writer: Sheila Callaghan
Director: Craig Gillespie
Guest star: Zosia Mamet (Courtney), Patton Oswalt (Neil), Andy MacKenzie (Mustachio Man), Carissa Kosta (Policewoman), Elyse Dinh (Dr. Wu), Joey Lauren Adams (Pammy)

Max's violent outburst comes back to haunt him. Tara learns she is now able to be aware of what her newest alternate personality, Shoshana, does. Kate's music video is an internet success. Marshall decides he has to break up with Courtney. The doctor gives Charmaine surprising news about her pregnancy.



18 :02x06 - Torando!

First aired: Apr/26/2010
Writer: Craig Wright
Director: Craig Gillespie
Guest star: Zosia Mamet (Courtney)

When a tornado blows through Overland Park, it forces the Gregson family to take refuge in the basement. Shoshana arrives and holds a group therapy session where dark family secrets are exposed.



19 :02x07 - Dept. of Fucked Up Family Services

First aired: May/03/2010
Writer: Dave Finkel, Brett Baer
Director: Tricia Brock
Guest star: Zosia Mamet (Courtney), Patton Oswalt (Neil), Viola Davis (Lynda P. Frazier), Sammy Sheik (Hany), Jeremiah Hu (Nerd), Kevin Farley (Social Worker)

An imminent visit from a social worker sends Max into a tailspin. Tara horns in on Kate's friendship with Lynda. Courtney pushes Marshall to the brink. Neil discovers Charmaine's big secret.



20 :02x08 - Explosive Diorama

First aired: May/10/2010
Writer: Jill Soloway, Diablo Cody
Director: Penny Marshall
Guest star: Michael J. Willett (Lionel), Matthew Del Negro (Nick Hurley), Joey Lauren Adams (Pammy), Patton Oswalt (Neil), Viola Davis (Lynda P. Frazier)

Tara has never felt better as she and Lynda prepare for their art show. Kate lashes out by starting a new controversial business, while Marshall grows closer to his friend Lionel. Max makes a decision that will change everything. Charmaine strives to balance both Nick and Neil.



21 :02x09 - The Family Portrait

First aired: May/17/2010
Writer: Craig Wright
Director: Jamie Babbit
Guest star: Sammy Sheik (Hany), Michael Hitchcock (Ted Mayo), Matthew Del Negro (Nick Hurley), Joey Lauren Adams (Pammy), Patton Oswalt (Neil), Viola Davis (Lynda P. Frazier)

Tara hopes to re-connect with her family through her latest art project, a family portrait. Max works to separate himself from Pammy. Kate becomes intrigued with a new guy she met online. Marshall learns bad news about Ted and Hany. Nick asks Charmaine to take drastic measures against Neil.



22 :02x10 - Open House

First aired: May/24/2010
Writer: David Iserson
Director: Jamie Babbit
Guest star: Billy Jayne (Ed), Michael J. Willett (Lionel (as Michael Willett)), Michael Hitchcock (Ted Mayo), Matthew Del Negro (Nick Hurley), Patton Oswalt (Neil)

Max holds an open house for his newly finished re-model. Tara and Charmaine ask their mom about Tara's childhood memories. Marshall and Lionel go cruising. Kate's new man worries about their age difference. "Alice" arrives and drops a bombshell on everyone.



23 :02x11 - To Have and To Hold

First aired: May/31/2010
Writer: Tracy McMillan, Sheila Callaghan
Director: Craig Zisk
Guest star: Michael J. Willett (Lionel), Seth Gabel (Zach), Matthew Del Negro (Nick Hurley), Patton Oswalt (Neil)

Tara and Charmaine go visit the woman from Tara's memories. Kate attempts to change herself for Zach. Marshall begins to fall for Lionel. Neil leaves town. A new personality arrives.



24 :02x12 - From This Day Forward

First aired: Jun/07/2010
Writer: Jill Soloway, Diablo Cody
Director: Craig Zisk
Guest star: Fred Ward (Frank), Patton Oswalt (Neil), Matthew Del Negro (Nick Hurley), Pamela Reed (Beverly)

It's Charmaine and Nick's wedding day. Tara confronts her parents about her childhood and long-held secrets are revealed. Kate and Marshall accidentally find a piece of the puzzle that could derail everything.



25 :03x01 - ...youwillnotwin...

First aired: Mar/28/2011
Writer: Diablo Cody
Director: Craig Zisk

Tara decides to finish the last few credits she needs to earn her college degree, but Max worries the stress will trigger a transition to one of her alters; Kate tries to plan the next phase of her life; Charmaine is pregnant but still avoids committing to Neil; Marshall and Lionel purchase a video camera together for filmmaking class.



26 :03x02 - Crackerjack

First aired: Apr/04/2011
Writer: Dave Finkel, Brett Baer
Director: Craig Zisk

Tara transitions into her psychiatrist alter Shoshanna in her Abnormal Psychology class and is humiliated by her professor; Max considers an offer to sell his business to a competitor, which would put his best friend Neil out of a job just as he's moving in with Charmaine; Kate considers an opportunity to teach English in Japan, which thrills neither of her parents.



27 :03x03 - The Full Fuck You Finger

First aired: Apr/11/2011
Writer: Rolin Jones
Director: Craig Zisk

The stress of juggling school and Charmaine's baby shower causes Tara to transition, with negative consequences for Charmaine; to sell the family business, Max must get the approval of his eccentric mother; Kate meets a flight attendant who inspires a new idea about her future.



28 :03x04 - Wheels

First aired: Apr/18/2011
Writer: Ron Fitzgerald
Director: Penny Marshall

Tara and Charmaine are rushed to the hospital in the same ambulance, where Charmaine declares her baby off limits to her crazy sister; Tara attempts to make a deal with her alters, which intrigues her Abnormal Psychology professor; Marshall, Lionel and Noah put Charmaine's empty house to some creative uses; Kate is embarrassed to confess that she backed out of going to Japan.



29 :03x05 - Dr. Hatteras' Miracle Elixir

First aired: Apr/25/2011
Writer: Elizabeth Benjamin
Director: Penny Marshall

Tara tries to drop her Abnormal Psychology class but instead receives an intriguing pitch from her instructor, Dr. Hattaras; Charmaine and Neil find parenthood a struggle but still refuse Tara's help; Max finds himself at odds with his boss at his new job; Kate prepares for flight attendant training; Lionel catches Marshall with Noah, jeopardizing their student film project.



30 :03x06 - The Road to Hell is Paved with Breast Intentions

First aired: May/02/2011
Writer: David Iserson
Director: Jamie Babbit

Tara seems to be making progress with her new contract but Dr. Hattaras discovers something disturbing in a tape from one her therapy sessions; much to the sisters' chagrin, Neil invites Tara and Charmaine's mother to visit her grandchild; Max is unhappy at his new job but can't talk to Tara about it; Kate is surprised when a handsome flyer rebuffs her flirting.



31 :03x07 - The Electrifying & Magnanimous Return of Beaverlamp

First aired: May/09/2011
Writer: Sheila Callaghan
Director: Jamie Babbit

Max is delighted by Tara's suggestion that he reunite his rock band, Beaverlamp; Tara is turned away from further sessions by a strangely depressed Dr. Hattaras; Kate connects with frequent flyer Evan; Marshall and Noah stage a tense, revealing interview with Max for their film festival project.



32 :03x08 - Chicken 'n' Corn

First aired: May/16/2011
Writer: Dave Finkel, Brett Baer
Director: Craig Zisk

A scare at a local corn maze leaves Tara shaken, and she later reveals a new alter that threatens Charmaine's baby and shows up at Dr. Hattaras' office as Alice, renewing his interest in her case; Kate escorts Max and Marshall to New York, where she introduces them to Evan and his unruly son; Charmaine meets a "fierce mommy" at a spa.



33 :03x09 - Bryce Will Play

First aired: May/23/2011
Writer: Rolin Jones
Director: Adam Bernstein

Dr. Hattaras and Tara seek the help of another professional to deal with her violent new alter Bryce; Marshall is confused when his short film about Max clearly hurts his father's feelings; Charmaine hangs out with a group of "chic moms;" Kate continues her long distance relationship with Evan despite the interference of his son.



34 :03x10 - Train Wreck

First aired: Jun/06/2011
Writer: David Iserson, Sheila Callaghan
Director: Bille Eltringham



35 :03x11 - Crunchy Ice

First aired: Jun/13/2011
Writer: Ron Fitzgerald
Director: Craig Zisk



36 :03x12 - The Good Parts

First aired: Jun/20/2011
Writer: Dave Finkel, Brett Baer
Director: Craig Zisk