The Morgensterns' fortieth wedding anniversary is approaching. Ida implies to Brenda that she is expecting a large surprise party for the milestone, which Rhoda believes is stupid to accommodate, as it would not be a surprise. But Rhoda and Brenda devise a plan to make it a surprise, that plan which they proceed to execute. As the surprise party arrives, the fact of it being a surprise or not becomes secondary as an issue between Martin and Ida arises that has the potential to ruin the occasion. Martin has to try to make what Ida believes are amends for his actions, which may be all the more difficult because of the reason for those actions and needing to make the amends in front of a room full of family and friends.
—Huggo