On a visit to Colorado Springs, Dr. Mike's revered Uncle Theodore shocks her and Sully by criticizing their parenting skills with regard to Brian and offering to take Brian back with him to Boston. Brian considers leaving his family when Theodore, a concert pianist, recognizes the boy's musical talent and tempts him with visions of becoming a concert pianist in Boston. Actually, Theodore dislikes what he considers to be the "liberal attitudes" of Sully and Dr. Mike that he feels put Brian in danger. When Brian is injured while on the trail with Sully, Theodore can no longer hide his feelings and Dr. Mike realizes that her uncle is attempting to replace his own lost son with Brian.