House Of Payne Firestorm

Curtis' forced retirement creates obstacles, but the drama spikes when Miranda suddenly goes missing; Claretha returns without her husband and moves in with Curtis and Ella.

Note: This episode marks the return of Claretha Jenkins (Denise Burse).

With Miranda still missing, her mother storms over to the Paynes', blames Calvin for the disappearance, and calls the police on him. Meanwhile, a secret about Curtis' forced retirement is revealed; C.J., Janine, and Jazmine return, hoping to move back in; and Jazmine has changed since attending a school for gifted children.

Guest star:Valarie Pettiford as Sandra Lucas

Note:Keshia Knight Pulliam was uncredited for this episode. However, she appears in the closing moments of the episode. This episode marks the return of Jazmine Payne (China Anne McClain). This episode marks the return of C.J. Payne (Allen Payne) who was absent for eighteen episodes in the fifth season.

Miranda finally returns and tells Calvin there is no baby. Despite all his efforts, Miranda refuses to let him stay in the condo, so he must move back in with Curtis and Ella. Meanwhile, Claretha decides to start a home business.

Curtis protests his retirement at City Hall and C.J. tells him he's taking his job at the firehouse. Meanwhile, Ella battles the innovative new pastor's plans to shut down the Help Center to make way for a new multimedia outreach program.

Guest star:James Black as Reverend Jordan

Calvin confronts Miranda, thinking she had an abortion. Meanwhile, the school casts Malik in its production of Othello but the supposedly-bigoted father of the white girl cast opposite Malik won't let him kiss her in the play.

C.J., Janine, and the children move out of the Paynes'--and Floyd moves in after his divorce. Jazmine, feeling ignored and jealous, runs away.

All 3 Payne couples (Curtis and Ella, C.J. and Janine, and Calvin and Miranda) go on an eye-opening marriage retreat, and Claretha and Floyd must babysit the twins. At the retreat's end, Miranda asks Calvin for a divorce.

Calvin and Miranda get trapped in an elevator together, a chance to overcome their marriage problems before they reach the dreaded '33rd Floor.' Meanwhile, Curtis unwittingly takes Ella's estrogen pills.

Family and friends share their different versions of the Nativity story when Jazmine fails to appreciate the real meaning of Christmas.

Goof: Ella refers to Curtis being teased at his retirement roast--which is yet to happen in the upcoming episode 'How Do You Like Your Roast?'.

Curtis and Ella are shocked to learn that they're not legally married; Claretha and Floyd convince them to enjoy single life.

Guest star:Judith Scott as Prudence

When Ella tries to arrange a family reunion, a chagrined Jazmine opposes the idea of connecting with her extended family, so Curtis and Ella try to teach her about honoring her heritage.

The birth-control issue divides C.J. and Janine; Calvin and Miranda spend a day of surprises with Jazmine.

A blackout sheds light on all 3 Payne couples when it takes Curtis, CJ and Calvin from their televised football game and gives them spontaneous quality time with their wives.

The Paynes worry that the newly-happy Janine might be returning to drugs when her former dealer Blue, returns; Curtis becomes captivated by Japanese culture.

Janine cares for her dying former dealer, jeopardizing her relationship with C.J.; Floyd and Curtis launch a beer-brewing business. While at the help center C.J. and Janine pray that Blue will be led to Heaven while dying.

Malik's decision to join the ROTC upsets Janine; the fire department hires Curtis--just not in the capacity he expected.

Ella breaks news that creates a downturn in Curtis' financial plans. Elsewhere, Calvin squares off against Miranda's critical mother.

Guest star:Valarie Pettiford as Sandra Lucas

Curtis is the man of honor at a surprise retirement party, but the event doesn't go well as planned; Jazmine experiences her first crush.

Curtis spirals into a depressive funk following successive life-altering events, but he gets support from an unlikely source. Elsewhere, Calvin and Miranda compete against C.J. and Janine in a bid for a weekend getaway.

Guest star:Ben Vereen as Clarence

During a fire routine, a fireman dies under C.J.'s authority and he blames himself. Meanwhile, Ella studies a book at school and recommends it to Miranda and Claretha.

A pregnancy scare upends Calvin and Miranda's world. Elsewhere, Curtis' sales scheme lands him in trouble with the law.

Janine's mother arrives to a downcast C.J.'s immense annoyance. Elsewhere, Curtis guest-stars on a morning TV show.

Guest star:Anne-Marie Johnson as Liz Shelton

Ella futilely tries to fit in with college-age peers in her study group; Curtis offers his own unique spin on religion when he teaches at Jazmine's Bible school.

A different side of Calvin blossoms when he cares for Calvin Jr. Elsewhere, new neighbors arrive--with unique notions on relationships.

Guest stars:Richard Lawson as Mitch and Vanessa Bell Calloway as Fiona

C.J. at long last meets his birth father, bit the surprise has unexpected results; Curtis helps Jazmine choose a musical instrument to learn.

Guest star:William Katt as Clive James

Curtis' old pal Big Jesse, resurfaces, but he has seriously changed. Meanwhile, Calvin works to awe a nursery-school recruiter in the hopes of getting his child enrolled.

Guest star:J. Anthony Brown as Big Jesse

The Payne men are pressured to take their wives out on the town; Curtis and Ella get locked out of their home and later has dinner in the backyard.

Guest star:Brian Palermo as Phillipe

Calvin and Ella work on a school project; Curtis gets pointers for his first post-retirement from Malik.

Malik and his friend Kevin exploit the freedom of being home alone, but later have experience of alcohol drinking; Curtis and Ella dine at a top-notch resident but Curtis tangles with a snobby waiter.

Guest star:Brian Palermo as Phillipe

C.J. meets his new boss; Floyd's ex-wife Vernita reappears, pulling Curtis and Ella into messy love-triangle drama.

Guest star:Penny Johnson Jerald as Maxine 'Max' Bannon

A flood closes the help center, forcing Ella to work at home--or try to, amidst all the drama. Elsewhere, Calvin and Miranda has Calvin Jr. living with them after Tracie and her husband were in a severe auto accident which results in Tracie in a coma and her husband dead.

C.J. enlists Curtis to help him set a trap for his new boss; Calvin and Miranda's financial condition worsens.

Guest star:Penny Johnson Jerald as Maxine 'Max' Bannon

Malik tries to win over an upperclassman by dueling with a bully. Meanwhile, Calvin puts into motion a plan to solve his financial problems.

Guest star:Tanisha Lynn as Tory

Tracie announces the loss of her husband and asks Calvin and Miranda to look after Calvin Jr.; C.J. is chagrined when overworked Janine decides to hire a nanny.

Guest star:Eva Marcille as Tracie and Crystal R. Fox as C.J. & Janine's nanny/housekeeper

Malik lies to his girlfriend that he's a gourmet chef, then asks Curtis to help him prepare something impressive. Meanwhile, Calvin's second job keeps him away from Miranda.

Guest star:Tanisha Lynn as Tory

Hoping to win Claretha's heart, Floyd enlists Curtis and Ella's help; C.J.'s boss bombards him with advances.

Guest stars:Penny Johnson Jerald as Maxine 'Max' Bannon and Brian Palermo as Phillipe

Calvin falls into peril when he takes on two jobs. Meanwhile, Janine's home life suffers when she scores a promotion.

Big Jesse reappears and inches closer to Ella, triggering jealousy in Curtis. Meanwhile, Malik faces the consequences of hanging out with some bad folks.

Guest stars:J. Anthony Brown as Big Jessie

C.J. protests when Malik's crime partner appears; Curtis starts a barbershop in the backyard.

Bobbi Baker as Kiki has a special appearance in this episode.

Tracie's unexpected visits to the house come under scrutiny; after Ms. Wilhelmina quits, C.J. and Janine enlist Curtis as babysitter.

Guest star:Eva Marcille as Tracie

Ella helps a domestic abuse victim; C.J. and Jazmine anticipate for the father-daughter dance.

Guest star:Essence Atkins as Monica

Ella sets up a baby shower for Miranda while Curtis plans a 'man shower' for Calvin.

Guest star:Essence Atkins as Monica, Eva Marcille as Tracie and Valarie Pettiford as Mrs. Lucas

Monica helps out around in C.J. and Janine's house. Tracie demands child support from Calvin.

Guest star:Essence Atkins as Monica and Eva Marcille as Tracie

C.J. and Monica goes to the movies while Janine is out of town.

Guest star:Essence Atkins as Monica

The family reminisce as Curtis decides to sell the Payne house.

Note: Larramie 'Doc' Shaw didn't appear in this episode. However, he was credited due to his appearance in flashbacks.

Curtis and Ella are given a lucrative offer for their house. Miranda goes into labor and is taken to the hospital. Calvin finally graduates college but is then arrested for back child support. Monica returns and tells C.J. of her new job. They then kiss before Janine finds out, leaving the episode in a cliffhanger.

Guest star:Essence Atkins as Monica

Note: Jazmine makes her final beginning with this episode.