Everett brings his fiancé Meredith home to meet his family for the Christmas holiday. It's an instant disaster when Everett's parents, Sybil and Kelly, agree with their gay, deaf son Thad, pot-smoking son Ben and daughters Amy and Susannah that Meredith is way too uptight to be welcomed into their family. Wanting to please Everett and get along with his family, Meredith recruits her sister Julie to help her thaw the Stone family cold front.

Since its inception, television has served as a lens on American society, and in the expansive world of modern TV. Today's heroes and villains have come a long way from their predecessors. Showcased is this iconic American art form, which has both reflected and shaped the country's national character. Each episode focuses on an enduring character archetype, as seen through generations of television programs.