Eric rightly predicts that the kids will only be more trouble in the new school year, yet Annie enrolls in a college course. Simon's only friend is Jim, who drags him along into minor vandalism as a gang initiation. Matt grudgingly admits that Heather left him at the altar; Lucy learns that Andrew Nayloss made an irreversible mistake in France (his father sent him to Europe to keep him far away from Lucy over the summer). Mary starts a minimum-wage job and gets a credit card and still doesn't see college in her future.

Rosie moves in with Simon and remodels his studio, while keeping her apartment as a front, but that proves unpractical. Simon insists on telling their parents they'll get married, but after graduation. When Simon announces that he is going to come and bring bad news, dad and Lucy falsely 'hope' it's their break-up. They disagree on what to offer single women, except a 'church social', which Martin accepts and brings Meredith as their first date. Kevin eagerly accepts Joanie's invitation to her 'mom and I' class, where the sensitive hunk is an instant hit. The parents disagree whether to forbid Ruthie going out with 'too mature' Jack, so she gets Martin to set her up with honor student Sam Walker.