Season 6: Episode 125: Denise: The Saga Continues
Denise returns from Africa a week earlier than expected. She is accompanied by Martin Kendall, a naval lieutenant whom she recently married. Just before they enter the house, Denise stuns Martin by confessing that she has yet to even make her parents aware of his existence. Cliff and Clair are thrilled to see Denise, and Cliff tries to convince her to return to college. She interrupts with the news of her marriage. Her parents go to the kitchen, where Clair goes on a rant while Cliff is left speechless. Denise introduces Martin to Cliff and Clair. She leaves him to tell her parents that he is divorced and has sole custody of a three-year-old girl. A flummoxed Cliff and Clair have to go to the kitchen again. Denise follows them and announces that Martin will be shipping out in a few weeks (for three months); and that they have nowhere to stay. There is some space in the house because Theo has moved into an apartment, but Cliff is still less than thrilled. Clair is annoyed by Denise's cavalier attitude; she is sure that everything will work out just because she is in love. Denise and Martin introduce the family to his daughter, Olivia. Rudy quickly befriends her and gives her advice on how to get along in the Huxtable house. Clair worries that Denise is too irresponsible to take care of Olivia. She and Cliff peek in her room and overhear Denise reading to Olivia. They conclude that she might not be completely hopeless.