How can I stop my mac from banishing my windows after I've plugged in an external monitor?

I like to get my b★g on by hooking my mac up to my HDTV. For simple HD experience, I make the television the main monitor. Once I unplug, all of my windows are off in the nether region where the “TV” monitor used to be.

Using expose will reveal the windows, but i have to click on each one so that the OS positions it on the side of the screen, then drag it over.

Oh, and “gather windows” on the display prefpane, you say? Doesn’t work.

What can I do?