Brandon is on a road trip through the USA when his car breaks down in a small town in Texas, and he encounters racism from the redneck locals after he befriends a young black girl, named Mariah. In Beverly Hills, Valerie seeks financial help from Kenny Bannerman, one of Jim Walsh's former coworkers, to revamp business for the Peach Pit After Dark. Meanwhile, David and Donna work together on another music video project and find that their renewed relationship may be on a short fuse. Also, Clare and Steve attempt to meet with each other after spending their summer away, unaware that they are at the same airport at LAX waiting for the other.

Steve declares war by trying to find a date for himself just to make Clare jealous when she starts dating another guy, named Dick Harris, whom he can't stand. Meanwhile, Donna's new fireman boyfriend, Cliff Yeager, who saved her life during the brushfire, assists her at her sorority's Halloween Haunted House bash. At the reopening of the Peach Pit After Dark, Kenny does not attend, prompting Valerie to resort to her devious tricks again by asking for $100,000 so she can keep away from him. Also, Brandon tries to get closer to Tracy while Kelly hits on Mark.