After her daughter Emma's death, Aurora Greenway raised her grandchildren in her devoted, but overbearing way. The results are mixed and she knows it. Still plugging away at thankless parenting, she battles with 18-year-old Melanie and prods the older brothers Tommy and Teddy, but they all regard her continuing guidance as relentless meddling. She still has to contend with the unwelcome interference and questionable influence of Patsy Carpenter, who was Emma's best friend and is Aurora's chief rival for the children's affection. Aurora and Patsy's competition for the attention of Aurora's younger therapist heightens the stakes in this dysfunctional family's feud.