The premiere episode introduces Eric Camden, who's a minister, a father of five, happily married, and a soon-to-be dog owner. His wife, Annie Camden is a stay-at-home mom raising their children. Matt Camden is the oldest child who has picked up a habit of smoking and not being able to keep a job. Mary Camden is the oldest daughter who likes to play basketball a lot and is having a craving for wanting to kiss a boy. Lucy Camden is the middle child and is hoping to become a woman and getting her period very soon. Simon Camden is the youngest son and is hoping to get a dog very soon, even though his parents already told him that he's too young. Ruthie Camden is the youngest child and is a happy and adorable five-year-old. Also, Annie learns some devastating news when her parents come for a visit.

Happy is about to have puppies, and Simon takes his 'paternal' role extremely seriously, scolding his heartlessly irresponsible elders who don't even bother to volunteer relevant information. equally well-meaning Matt is suckered into lies at home and even to ditch school to help lush crone Bing, who claims she dares not invoke professional help fearing to be dragged to a home. Handiman Steve Cunningham, who lost job and home due to the economic slump, refuses help even for his family, but accepts to help out Bing. Jimmy Moon prepared a birthday surprise for Lucy, helped by his friend Dwight Jefferson, but she turns down everything when denied hosting a party.

Wilson West tells Eric that Billy is his son, unplanned but not unwanted, whose teenage mother died giving birth to the angel, which his parents help him raise. Dating privileges are maintained 'for observation'. Michael Towner bravely owes up being the one who accidentally hit Mary when she dashed after Annie, who realizes she's the guilty one but only tells off Matt's overprotective vindictiveness. Sign language in a deaf-run restaurant helps Matt patch up with Heather. Jimmy Moon dumps Lucy on account of her endless hair wining. Charles Jackson nearly lost hope Annie would turn round and Ginger imposed 'a break', but both women come to their senses after some surprising 'counseling' and fibs. Mary is released home, but recovery up to basketball level is far from certain.

Simon is surprisingly successful with Eric's suggestion to show how mind-games can convince people of crazy ideas by pretending he's shrinking; when he's overheard, Matt turns the tables, only to be beaten in the end. Lucy invites her classmate Shelby to dinner, curious about rumors that she suffers from bulimia; Eric lets Mrs. Bing drag him into meddling in her friend Mrs. Hinkle's situation.

Eric threatens Robbie with eviction because he thinks he's keeping secrets about Mary. The house is abuzz with secrets and preparations for an elaborate surprise party for Eric's birthday. Johnny drops Mercy on the Camdens' doorstep after Frankie abandons them. Mike trusts Lucy enough to look after his mother for a day, during which the woman surprises her, both by speaking and by what she says.

The church needs a new roof, and Chandler talks Eric into helping him ask a stubborn parishioner. She agrees because she needs some help as well. Annie finds out the twins are stealing money. Lucy and Roxanne go out for a girls' night.

When Roxanne's neighbor's home is robbed, she thinks the thief is the first young boy she's mentoring; Annie and Eric host a party for new neighbors who are hesitant to attend, fearing prejudice against them.

Love and marriage seems to be on everyone's mind as Annie's sister is planning her wedding, a mentally challenged couple wants to get married after just one date, and a couple has their premarital counseling with Chandler.

When Ruthie's new black classmate Alex insists on doing his 'Famous Americans' report on his idol Martin Luther King and no other, although his day was the week before, baseball teammate Martin Brewer's innocent remark that it's not worth risking his sports career for has absurd consequences, as if he, not the teacher, changed the assignment to reports on 'African-Americans' only, which annoys everybody who already wrote on classics which return every year. Someone is so pissed off that Martin's car gets vandalized with racist language, which the model of fairness refuses on principle to clean up a coward's mess. Kevin gets his former colleague Phil, now the officer in charge of hate crimes, on the case, while emotions run high throughout Glenoak.