(S07E15) Remember how Charlie and Chelsea's relationship was drifting into the danger zone last week? You know that 'to be continued' we were left with... well, we picked up with the story as Charlie and Alan had cleaned up at home after their sojourn in the woods -- Jake, too -- only to find that Chelsea was pulling a 'Charlie.' That's right, she was coming home in the wee small hours of the morning and hadn't bothered to call. More on that and Alan's topiary below the belt after the jump.

Chelsea had a chance to see another kind of life hanging out with Brad, and suddenly the Malibu beach house and life with hound dog Charlie didn't seem like the ultimate 'happily ever after.' Charlie may have dissed Bra-a-a-a-d and his multiple charities and interest in the community and love for children, but it didn't change the fact that Chelsea liked all of that. When she admitted to Charlie that she was attracted to Brad, he couldn't convincingly make her see that he was a better option. Charlie's vomiting on the baby was just the capper on what was already a bad conversation.

Drinking excessively and crying over losing Chelsea was new for Charlie, at least the crying part. Like last week, he was again taking advice from Alan. What was Charlie thinking? If there's an underdog who can't catch a break, it's his brother. Alan couldn't give advice to the homeless, although he has managed to sponge off Charlie for over six years so perhaps he could.

One thing struck me in Chelsea's dissing Charlie's life, and that was the business about his family. She was referring to his crazy family -- as if Brad's must be normal by comparison -- but who was she to talk? Her parents were bizarre to say the least. Charlie may fight with his clan, treat Alan like a punching bag, insult his mother, demean Jake... but they're in his life. The Harpers share each other's dysfunctional lives. And Charlie doesn't turn his family away. Give him credit for that.

So now what? The wedding is postponed and Charlie appears headed for a prolonged depression. He will not become a better man, no matter how much he may want to. It is like New Year's resolutions and Charlie's not inclined to become something he's not. He may try to win Chelsea back, but I'd be just as happy to see another woman catch his interest in the interim. Or best of all, how about a Rose return. Where's Charlie's stalker when he needs her most?

Other points of interest
-- Berta knows all, sees all, and will never lose her job because she's got copies of those Polaroids. Want to bet?

-- Who is Alan bikini waxing for exactly?

-- Evelyn to Charlie regarding Chelsea: "She's one in a million. You're a dime a dozen."

-- What on earth happened in bed between Charlie and Alan in bed? All that spooning and no pajama bottoms... oh, my my. Alan will do anything to keep from kicking in for the rent.

[Watch clips from 'Two and a Half Men' on SlashControl.]