Chris' bad influence is obvious in Meg's new behaviour. Jack is faced with the minority vote to counter dirty tactics.

Father Cassidy discourages Meg's plans to add an anti-Vietnam aspect to the play. Melanie becomes increasingly jealous of Sam and Meg's friendship. Meg decides to do the play as she wrote it.

Jack goes to Washington, D.C. to learn about J.J.'s fate and discovers Meg is there as well for an anti-war rally. Sam, ashamed of his family, goes to Melanie's Thanksgiving dinner alone.

During a citywide blackout, Beth gives birth to her son, unaware that J.J. is fighting to get back to the base as a Frenchman helps him.

Nathan is left a gift by a war veteran from the VA hospital. Sam finally invites Melanie to meet his family. The Pryors get an unexpected Christmas gift as J.J. comes home.

J.J. is still haunted by the war and finally sets a date for his wedding with Beth. Pete thinks Chris started a fire at the recruitment center and Chris delivers an ultimatum to Meg.

Meg's special night with Chris is ruined in the morning. J.J. and Beth refuse to have a Catholic wedding as Helen wants. Henry starts a new project to impress his new girlfriend.

J.J. learns that plans for his house are gone thanks to the war and learns that his mother is against the war. Chris leaves town and Meg.

Meg is torn between her feelings for Sam and the fact that they can never be together. Patty wins the essay contest and no one believes her as it is listed under another name.