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Reverend Eric Camden and his wife Annie have always had their hands full caring for seven children, not to mention the friends, sweethearts and spouses that continually come and go in the Camden household.
1996
Eric enlists the help of a neighbor to stop Matt from smoking, and makes a vain attempt to help Lucy deal with her flowering womanhood.
Shhh! Don't tell anyone, but: Matt and Mary both have mysterious new friends; Simon and his new charge, Happy, could be in the doghouse; and Lucy keeps mum about the object of a crush.
Mary offers to shield Lucy and her "date" from Eric; Matt gets into a scrape while out with a young woman; and Annie goes to Arizona to bring her parents home.
Annie feels abandoned on the day of her mother's funeral when her father bolts for home, Eric counsels a couple and Matt escorts Renee to the hospital after she goes into labor at the post-funeral luncheon.
The Camden kids learn hard lessons about race when Eric invites a black family to stay at the house after their church is destroyed in a racially motivated arson.
Halloween is a fright, as Annie tries to scare up a costume for Ruthie; Lucy has a close encounter with the town "monster"; and a childhood memory haunts Eric.
Eric counsels a teen drug addict; Matt's fired from another job; Lucy blows it when she tries to impress the most popular girl in school; Simon and Lucy get lost playing detective.
Eric helps out a woman who is being abused by her husband. But when the good reverend is seen escorting the woman to a motel one afternoon, it's the talk of the town. Meanwhile, Matt warns Mary about an older guy she's seeing.
Annie and Matt are robbed at gunpoint; Mary wants a tattoo; Eric is told to fire the church organist; Simon and Ruthie have the chicken pox; Lucy runs for student-body president (as does Jimmy Moon).
Eric's sister visits the family for Thanksgiving but knocks the stuffing out of everyone when they discover that she has a drinking problem.
Matt's new girlfriend seems more interested in hanging out with his family than with him; Simon thinks he can make himself invisible; Lucy wants to join the cheerleading squad.
Matt helps out an elderly neighbor, but winds up getting in hot water for it; Eric searches for a way to aid a proud but homeless family; Lucy's 13th birthday approaches and she wants a party.
The kids receive some lessons about stealing: Matt and Mary carry on a high-school tradition by lifting a glass from a local diner and Lucy borrows liberally from a term paper Mary lent her.
A tug-of-war ensues between Eric and his cantankerous parents over who will adopt a young orphan found hiding in the church.
Everyone's plans for a romantic Valentine's Day are interrupted when Happy, Simon's dog, gets out of the house and is hit by a car.
Mary deals with harassment from a boy she turned down for a date; Lucy's new best friend seems to be hiding something; Simon prepares Ruthie for pre-kindergarten.
Mary takes a walk on the wild side with a classmate she meets in detention; a former associate minister from Eric's church drops in unexpectedly; Simon and Ruthie ferret out a scheme to fund their college educations.
Annie volunteers as the church's treasurer pro tem but gets caught in the middle when Eric wants to hire an ex-con against the advice of the church vestry. Meanwhile, Mary agrees to tutor Jimmy Moon in science.
Eric has to tell his parents that George may have to be given over to his birth father, who has resurfaced; Eric's alcoholic sister is released from rehab.
Annie's "boy-crazy" best friend from school, Rachel, is in town, but the boy she has her eye on is Matt; Lucy may have to say goodbye to her friend Suzanne.
Annie is livid when her father brings along his girlfriend on a weeklong visit; Mary and Matt pursue new romantic interests; Lucy wants to find out if blondes really have more fun.
Mary undergoes knee surgery, while Matt learns that Michael Towner was the hit-and-run driver; Wilson reveals the truth about Billy to Eric.
1997
Eric and Annie decide to renew their vows; a widow seeks Eric's help to confront the juvenile who murdered her husband; Mary is reluctant to put down her crutches.
Eric and Annie are taking the day off to spend time together since it's the first day of school for the 5 Camden children. Although, things go array on their first day back in school. Ruthie is caught wearing a hat backwards which violates school policy. Ruthie insists on wearing her cap backwards and ends up getting a 'time out' by her teacher. During Simon's first day at Junior High School, he is caught with a knife that his mother had given him to cut his chicken. Simon is suspended for a day. Mary offers to help Lucy with her locker that doesn't open because of Eric's old lock that he had given her. Meanwhile, when Lucy takes an aspirin that Mary had given her, the principal notices them with the medicine and takes them to the office. Matt later joins his sisters after Mr. Koper catches him with a beeper- the one Eric left in Matt's jacket after borrowing it. All three of them are suspended for a day. Also, Mary learns that Mr. Koper is her new basketball coach and he's going to he
Mary tries to make Wilson say that he ""loves"" her, but Wilson thinks it's a big commitment and that they haven't known each other long enough to say those words to each other. Meanwhile, Simon and Ruthie are reading Matt's love letters to Heather and get caught. Matt tricks them by addressing one of the letters to ""Mrs. Matt Camden."" By this, Eric accidently finds the letter leading to think Matt and Heather got married over the summer, which worries himself, Annie and Heather's mom, Mrs. Cain. Lastly, Eric helps Lucy's friend, Laurie get closer to her mother.
Eric accuses Matt of doing drugs after finding marijuana in the house and after Matt's friend Mitch askes him to hold his marijuana. Meanwhile, at the same time Eric finds the marijuana in the house, it leads Annie to a confession of own her about her experimentation. Also, Simon teaches Ruthie about the fine art of doing laundry, eventhough Ruthie is little too young. Lastly, Lucy introduces her new clothing of all black and her new boyfriend Rod to the family.
One of the members of Eric's congregation, Mrs. Bink persuades him to investigate the real reason of why her best friend Mrs. Hinkle is moving into a retirement home. Meanwhile, Simon and Ruthie are performing an experiment and are trying to convince Matt that Simon is shrinking, but the tables suddenly turn for Simon. Also, Lucy tries to get to the bottom of one of her classmates, Shelby as she is rumored all over school of being bulimic.
The Camden kids get a lesson in love as Mary decides to call it a quits with Wilson. Simon is obsessed with getting his first girlfriend, while Ruthie learns the do's and don'ts of kissing on the school playground. Matt receives devastating news from his girlfriend Heather, which leads him on a long journey to Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Lucy laments over being single until she accidently gets close to the school hunk.
Simon becomes emotionally involved with his best friend's sister, Karen who's a gang member. Meanwhile, in a show of independence Lucy dons makeup and revealing wardrobe with her friend's to meet guys at the mall and gets caught by Annie and Ruthie. In addition, Ruthie questions the speed of light to everyone in the family.
Against Eric's advice, Matt takes a job caring for a dying boy named Steve. Annie goes into the muffin-making business after being convinced by her daughters Mary and Lucy. Annie goes into business with a cookie shop owner, David Friel who's looking to expand his profits, although it's much harder work for Annie than what she had originally anticipated. Also, Ruthie teaches Simon a tough lesson about the art of being a salesperson when being his competition in selling greeting cards.
Against Eric's wishes, Simon asks Mrs. Kerjesz (guest-star real life survivor, Rita Zoharm) to tell her story about being in the Holocaust in his class presentation. To form a strong sisterly bond, Mary and Lucy decide to hate Matt's new girlfriend for no good reason and end up hurting her feelings and breaking up with Matt. Also, Annie suffers heartache when Ruthie tells her she ""hates"" her for making her clean the walls in her room after scribbling crayons on them.
Mary coerces Matt into asking his friend Brian (guest-star Jason Behr) to take her out on a date despite his lack of interest in her. Although, things begin to heat up between the two kids while on the date---but ultimately ends in disaster after Mary finds out the truth. Meanwhile, Lucy is invited to a sleepover of popular girls, but Lucy is unaware of the group's real intentions for inviting her. Also, Simon begins to teach Ruthie how to swim without taking lessons. Lastly, Eric becomes convinced he's fat and thinks he's getting away with cheating on his diet.
Eric's no-nonsense father, John ""The Colonel"" (guest star Peter Graves) returns when he learns an array of problems in the Camden household. Mary is jealous of a new member of the basketball team who is getting a lot of the attention. Lucy's declining grades are due to her hanging around with a bad crowd, while Ruthie needs to copy Simon in his quest to be a magician. Meanwhile, Eric is oblivious to all of the family troubles around him as he's preoccupied with writing a sermon that is to be covered by a camera crew. Meanwhile, Annie is doing all the chores at home and at church alone while everyone else is doing their own thing.
Eric and Annie try not suspecting the worst when they discover money missing from the church treasury and all the evidence points to Lou, the church treasurer. Later, they all find out it is for his disabled son who was kicked out of his home and needs to find a new one. Believing that Coach Koper has more than basketball on his mind where Mary's concerned, Matt and Lucy risk alienating their sister to discover the truth. Also, Simon lets the game of golf overwhelm his life and ends up breaking a lot of things.
Lucy must choose between her new boyfriend Rod and her former boyfriend Jimmy Moon after he is dumped by his old girlfriend Ashley, and wants Lucy back. While Lucy makes her decision, the rest of the Camden children are making bets to which guy Lucy will choose. Eric and Annie are at odds when they help newly married couples communicate with each other, but end up getting into a big fight themselves when discussing their burial plot arrangements within their own families. Also, a visit from Annie's father stirs up further problems in the Camden household when he arrives without Ginger after recently breaking up due to his hair piece (toupee).
Eric helps a single mother named Harriet and her son Clarence to try to convince the IRS that she shouldn't be responsible for her ex-boyfriend's enormous debts. Annie confronts the kids about their lack of good manners after an incident at a ""Free Sunday Blue-Collar Special Lunch"" at a restaurant. The kids do not take Annie seriously and fool around. Meanwhile, Matt accuses Mary and Lucy of placing a personal ad in his name in the school newspaper for a date. Also, Simon and Ruthie try to figure out how to pay off Happy's accidental credit card and purchase.
Convinced that she'll fail in her basketball comeback, Mary develops a horrible attitude making her quite unpleasant. Eric laments that Mary never talks to him anymore. Lucy is excited over the prospect of her best friend Suzanne coming to visit, until she learns the girl ran away from home. Afraid of his science teacher, Mrs. Hunter, Simon loses his confidence in his ability to complete a class project and feigns illness to avoid it. Also, Ruthie is fearful of her first field trip thinking that she'll get lost from the group.
When Eric helps his friend Reverend Morgan Hamilton secretly meet up with his wife's ex-husband Kevin, they are shocked at the outcome that he's paralyzed from the waist down. While covering for the Hamilton's daughter Keesha, Lucy unexpectedly goes on a double date with them. Soon Annie and Mrs. Hamilton bust the girls when taking Ruthie and Lynn to the movies. Back at school, Mary clandestinely dates one of Lucy's classmates.
Lucy gets an invitation to have pizza with two rebellious friends, then blames herself for the tragic car accident that claims her friend's life, and her sister in the hospital. After Lucy's friend is killed, the family rallies around her, noticing her unusually distant behavior. In addition, Mary does a favor for her ex-boyfriend Wilson and baby-sits his son Billy so he can go to his prom. Also, Simon gets his own room while Matt moves into the attic.
After Eric agrees to take in a French exchange student (Guy) as a temporary border, no one but Ruthie suspects the young man is actually a con artist. Suave and romantic, the border attracts both Mary and Lucy after he flirts with them. Simon and Ruthie get sick when they try to smoke Guy's cigarettes. Also, Guy steals Matt's date. Lastly, Eric and Annie discover e-mail and chat-rooms on Guy's laptop computer and begin a romance with each other over the internet.
Eric tries to unravel the mystery surrounding a young homeless girl, Sarah James, that Simon brings home who's lost. Eric tries to help her and her alcoholic father, Joe James. Matt delights the prospect of going away to college. Matt says he needs personal space when having a older woman sleep-over. Also, sharing a room begins to fuel differences between Mary and Lucy.
Eric asks Matt to take his friend's daughter to the senior prom, but he is unaware of her tainted style and her being a harlot. Eric gets ""Snappy the Stegosaurus"" tickets from his ex-girlfriend for Ruthie. Meanwhile, Simon is uncomfortable after viewing a school film on the 'facts of life' while Ruthie learns the truth about her costume character hero. Also, Mary and Lucy trick their way into a date with boys they don't know, but the joke's on them.
Matt tries to find the right time to tell his parents that he's accepted an internship in Washington. Meanwhile, his concern for his sisters leads to a confrontation with Mary and Wilson.
Eric and Annie's parents arrive right in the middle of the crisis involving Mary and Matt; and Happy's original owner comes to take him back.
1998
In the third season-opener, Annie is feeling a little depressed since she's 3 months pregnant. Ruthie is pretending to feel a little pregnant herself. Lucy is following the dating advices from 'The Rules' book she has. Matt moves in an apartment with three attractive girls. Eric is looking for the perfect 20th anniversary plan for Annie. Mary gets a lot of attention from guys, which makes Lucy jealous. Although, one of Mary's 'guy' friends asks Lucy out. Matt finally comes back home because of girl problems he was having with his new roommates. Simon's girlfriend is acting a little weird. Eric and Annie tell the kids they're having TWINS!
Annie and the girls are fixing up an old car for Matt as his college present for him as he moves into a fraternity house. Simon is having a hard time living around the girls when fixing up the old car and needs to be around some male energy, especially after hearing from his mom that two more girls MAYBE on the way when she predicts the twins' sex. Meanwhile, a new woman at the church flirts with Eric. Lastly, Matt's friend almost dies after drinking too much for an initiation at a fraternity party and Matt quickly takes him to the hospital.
Lucy is spending a lot of time with her new best friend, Nicole. They are both in the same biology class, and are both failing. Eric offers to tutor both of them. Matt is upset because a girl rejected him. He later learns she did that because she already has a boyfriend. Ruthie fails her math test on purpose so she can get more attention from her mother. Simon wants her to stop, and tells her he'll pay 50 cents for every good answer she gets on her next test. Ruthie gets all the answers right, so Simon has to pay her $20. Mary catches Nicole cutting herself in the bathroom. Mary tells Eric, who then tells Nicole's father. Eric gives him a card and a number to call so they can get help for Nicole. Nicole and her parent's are moving to Chicago for a couple of months, so she can follow therapy.
Simon sees his teacher push a man who was screaming at his son. He then feels guilty when he learns his teacher got fired. Annie takes piano lessons as her ""pregnancy project."" Meanwhile, Matt makes a move on one of his college teachers. It turns out he misunderstood her signals. Mary and her friends skip a boring class and get caught. Also, Lucy forgets her lunch in geometry class and finds her teacher eating it--- two days in a row. She and her friend Shelby then learn a good geometry lesson. Lastly, Ruthie has trouble finding the perfect instrument for music class.
Eric is trying to cheer up a woman whose son died three years ago. She wants to meet the people who received her son's organs after he died. Mary got her driver's permit, but not everyone is enthusiastic to ride with her. Meanwhile, Lucy and Simon decide to take the bus. A freshman has a crush on Lucy and sits beside her, which makes his girlfriend jealous and angry with Lucy. Simon gets into some trouble with this tough guy who wants help with his homework. Also, a pregnant girl steals Matt's car and leaves Matt with her broken car, which happens to be stolen. She is running away from home because her parent's don't forgive her for getting pregnant.
Annie's father, Charles is getting married to his girlfriend Ginger. The wedding reception is supposed to be at the Camden's house and Annie is the one in charge of preparing the menu. Annie isn't enthusiastic about the wedding and the reception. On her way to the grocery store, she meets a homeless veteran and invites him home. He is the one ending up preparing the menu since he was a chef for forty years. Also, Matt and Mary are taking a little road trip, which ends up being very long when they get a flat tire. Simon is spending the day with his new girlfriend Deena. Lucy is spending the day with Jordan, the guy she can now call her boyfriend. Lastly, Ruthie is feeling lonely, so she pretends her imaginary friend Huey is back the whole day.
Ruthie wants the ""Booboom"" video game that her friend has and is walking around the house pretending she is dropping bombs which is annoying Annie a lot. Simon has a BIG problem at school when his girlfriend Deena tells him that her former boyfriend Johnny just got dumped by his girlfriend and might be coming after him so he could get back together with Deena. Johnny then threatens to shoot Simon the next day at school. Simon tells Eric this and tries his best to settle this matter leading to bad consequences on both sides as someone gets shot. Meanwhile, Matt introduces Mary to his friend Shana and her brother. He asks Mary out on a date, but has no idea that he has a BIG problem--- he is violent. Meanwhile, Lucy tries to be romantic with Jordan and wants to slap him after watching ""Gone with the Wind.""
Eric's old Rock & Roll band has come to town for a small concert, although he is suspicious about their possible drug habit. The band is staying at the Camden home--- they have parked their trailer on the front lawn. Meanwhile, Simon starts to drink coffee and becomes very addicted. Lucy continues to be on the phone constantly talking to her boyfriend Jordan while Ruthie is constantly chewing gum. Also, Mary finds out that one of her friends from the basketball team, Diane, is taking natural pills to boost her energy and that everyone else on the team is taking them. Mary then decides to take a few pills herself when overhearing Matt in a conversation about his bottle of natural pills. Eric then yells at Matt when finding pills in his room. Matt says that he got it from a friend, but he didn't take any yet. Mary then tells her father that she got the same pills from her friend Diane. When Eric tries to talk to Diane and her father, they do not listen to him. Later that evening, while E
Eric and Annie are taking prenatal classes--- for the sixth time. Annie helps two teenage girls get through their pregnancy while Eric helps the two teenage fathers deal with the news and finding a job. Simon is taking babysitting classes and gets his first job babysitting Ruthie, although it doesn't go quite the way he expected it to. Meanwhile, Mary is sneaking to a coed basketball sleep over. Plus, Lucy is thinking of having sex with Jordan to see if he's really attracted to her, but it blows in her face. Lastly, Matt has to do research on sex for his class and is having trouble over finding a topic..
It's the Christmas season and Eric has his three oldest children doing charity work for the community. Mary and Lucy aren't enthusiastic about the charity work that Eric wants them to do. Mary is working in a soup kitchen while Lucy has to organize auditions for the ""Live Nativity"" at the church. Meanwhile, Eric has given Matt a well-paid job as Santa Claus at the mall. Also, Simon is in the spirit of wearing his VERY tight candy cane pajamas and wanting to put on lights inside the house since he's not allowed to do it outside alone. As a family ritual, each family member picks a name out of a hat of who to get for Christmas while Eric and Annie cheat. Before going on his family vacation, Jordan accidently gives Lucy a gift that was meant for his uncle's monkey (shoe shine-kit), but was supposed to give her a basketball signed 'I Love You'. Also, Mary meets a a guy, Carlos at the soup kitchen who doesn't have a place to stay for Christmas, so Mary invites him to stay over at their hous
Mary gets her driver's license, but can't parallel park. She cried during the test because she couldn't park, so the teacher passes her anyway. Meanwhile, Simon learns that his girlfriend Deena had leukemia when she was five years old, but went away. Although, every year she has to go for a check-up to make sure the disease didn't come back which worries the both of them. Also, Ruthie calls a woman who she thinks is a psychic and asks her if Deena is going to be all right. Lastly, Eric's sister, Julie is back in Glen Oak and she has a new job and is starting a life of her own now. Eric and Matt want to help her get settled in Glen Oak, but are trying to help a little too much.
Simon wants to buy the perfect gift for Deena because its their three month anniversary, but it ends up consuming his time which annoys his friend, Nigel, who's visiting. Rod (Lucy's ex-boyfriend) is spending time at the Camden's home because his mother died and doesn't want to face his father as he's angry with him. Heather is back in town, and she tells Matt that she's engaged. Meanwhile, Dr. Hasting's---the doctor who almost killed Matt when he was born, works at Glen Oak Hospital and Annie is not thrilled, especially with the possibility that he may deliver her twin babies. Mary tells everyone that she's back with Wilson, but it's not true. She made it up to get attention from guys. Lastly, Michael Towner, who hitted Mary with his car two years ago calls her.
Lucy is spending the weekend at camp 'All By Myself'. It turns out everyone at the camp has to spend the weekend all by themselves without talking to anyone. Ruthie is angry with classmate Bobby Tripp because he keeps making fun of her since he accidently saw her underwear. Now, Ruthie decides to make him realize what he did was wrong by starting a war: Camdens vs. Tripps. The church's women group throws a baby shower for Annie. Eric and Matt have lunch with Morgan and John Hamilton. The manager of the restaurant doesn't serve Morgan and John their meal because he doesn't serve black people.
During a difficult labor, Annie asks Dr. Hastings for help. Lucy decides to break up with Jordan because she doesn't feel the same love for him as he feels for her. Simon continues to pray for twin boys. Happy is alone in the house causing some mess and trouble. Simon suddenly decides that he would ask his parent's if he could get his ear pierced. Matt is reluctant and scared about giving blood and also tries to calm everybody's tensions with the arrival of the babies. Lastly, Ruthie is the same as usual in this heart-warming episode; bad-mouthing the twins until they come.
Samuel and David are home and won't stop crying. Matt gets a new job at the Dairy Shack as a delivery guy. Mary sneaks to the pool hall to meet Wilson while Lucy covers for her at home. Lucy ends up doing all the cleaning by herself. Mary hangs out with Jordan as Wilson arrives. Wilson is thinking of moving back to Glen Oak, but Mary realizes she doesn't have feelings for him anymore. Ruthie wants to run away from home because she doesn't get much attention as she used to. Annie gives Ruthie her baby book. Simon orders food from the Dairy Shack to check out Matt's new job. Matt is fired from his job and meets an old girlfriend, Shana.
Eric suspects Lucy's ex-boyfriend Jimmy Moon is involved with drugs. Eric and Annie and the rest of the Camden family forbid Lucy to neither see nor speak to him anymore. Lucy does not listen to them and she gets a lot more than what she bargained for when trying to help Jimmy. Meanwhile, Ruthie tries to keep Matt and his new girlfriend Shana apart as she avoids telling Matt that Shana has been calling the house. Lastly, Simon tries out for the baseball team and uses Mary as a good reference, even though he stinks.
Eric counsels a troubled couple on the brink of divorce, Ted and Emily. Matt decides to join the Army without consulting his parents about it. Also, Mary and Lucy are desperate to get out of the house and later get into a car accident with Ted who was driving drunk when going out to get some more beer for his new apartment. Matt can't join the Army because he's not fully measured for the job. Also, Simon tries to find his red-lightning ring to get out of his bad luck as being the new middle child of the family now. He will even try chain letters to get out of it. Lastly, Ruthie tries her best to get peoples attention when their focuses are on the new babies.
Moral outrage explodes in the community over an affair between a college president and a student at Matt's college. Simon and Ruthie go on a paper route, but some problems occur when Mr. Mallone does not want to pay the paper fee. Mrs. Hinkle tries to help Simon and Ruthie in their situation. Matt gets into a fight with some people at his school due to a disagreement of opinions with the chancellor's affair. Mary convinces Lucy to go on a date with the guy Mary SUPPOSEDLY smashed her car into.
Eric defends a custodian named Rudy from Simon's school who claims to be hearing messages from God and is forced into early retirement through the school board. Annie wants to cut loose for the evening, and does so with other fellow mothers. Ruthie encounters a chimp living in the Camden's tree in the backyard, but nobody in her family believes her when she tells them about it. Mary stays up babysitting for the twins when the parent's are out, and is ditched by Lucy.
Two parishioners entreat Eric to take their suffering dog to the vet to be put down. Matt catches Mary in a lip-lock with Michael Towner in a most unlikely place. When caught, Mary gets into a big fight with Matt because he's always intruding in her life. After a night of cooling off and a talk with Sgt. Michael's and each other (Matt and Mary), things go back to normal. Simon and Lucy double date together with birthday girl Deena and her older brother who is visiting. The dates are a success.
Eric worries about Matt as Heather's wedding approaches. Eric learns that his sister Julie is dating Dr. Hastings (the doctor who delivered the twins and almost killed Matt at birth) without telling him or the family. Also, Lucy and Simon are both in their awkward love triangle between all of their two best friends and lovers. Ruthie wants to be a bridesmaid and a bride at Heather's wedding.
In the third season finale, Eric counsels an engaged couple facing difficulties. Mary, Lucy and Simon learn the repercussions of forbidden love, especially Simon when he is caught in his bedroom alone with Deena kissing near his bed. Julie gets married to Dr. Hastings (Hank) and learns that she's pregnant. Also, Heather breaks up with her fiance after she learns he was cheating on her with another woman. Matt tries to save his relationship with Shana after he ran off with Heather, and does this through his pleading of forgiveness.
2002
Kevin is now living in the garage apartment and is madly in love with Lucy and waiting for the right time to ask Lucy to marry him. He invites his new rookie partner Roxanne over to meet Lucy who takes one look at her and flies into a jealous frenzy. Robbie is jealous of Kevin because he feels as though Kevin is like a new big brother taking over Matt's place. Robbie, who has been lamenting the departure of girlfriend Joy, may also be ready for romance when he runs into Kevin's partner Roxanne, an old classmate from 7th grade. Ruthie is asked to babysit a chimp which lives across the street. Ruthie also invites her boyfriend over which stuns Eric. Mary desperately tries to keep her mysterious new boyfriend a secret. When he unexpectedly shows up at the Camden home, no one is more surprised than Eric to see the good-looking 40-something pilot standing in the doorway.
Simon's paid dating service is becoming profitable until Cecilia rats him out to Eric. When Mary threatens to leave home over her relationship with Jack Smith, who is twice her age, Eric confronts Jack who lets the news slip that he and Mary are relocating to Fort Lauderdale. Lastly, Kevin sets Ruthie straight on who's the adult and who's the child in this household.
Ken Smith pays a visit to Eric and Annie to accuse Mary of seducing his son. He threatens to sell the land next to the church if Mary doesn't break up with Jack. Simon finds out from Cecilla that a girl from his dating service is pregnant. Simon turns to her to try to help her. He convinces her to drop her baby off at a hospital where the baby can go for safe keeping. Lucy wonders if Kevin has ever been with another women after she catches Ben reading her journal. When Ben picks Ruthie up from school, he see's a girl making fun of her and then she makes fun of him, which leads to the vice principal calling the police.
When Eric learns that he must undergo double bypass surgery, he calls a family meeting to share the news but loses his nerve at the last minute and decides the group should go bowling instead. His odd behavior surprises everyone, especially Annie who grows more concerned when Eric's brother-in-law Hank shows up unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Robbie pesters Kevin about helping him make a parking ticket disappear. Lastly, Lucy continues to question whether Kevin has ever been with another woman.
The extended Camden clan wrestles with their emotions as they await the outcome of Eric's double bypass surgery. While under anesthesia, Eric hallucinates that he's Elvis. Lucy finally realizes that Kevin is the one and that she's ready to marry him, but he refuses to propose until Eric gives them his blessing. Simon complains to Annie about the absence of Matt and Mary during their father's health crisis. Sarah also comes to Glen Oak to wish Eric well.
Lucy is asked by a developmentally challenged friend to convince his parents to let him join a traveling troupe of puppeteers. Meanwhile, Eric is feeling low because he is stuck at home recovering from surgery and really wants to get back to work despite doctor's restrictions, so Annie asks the kids to help make him feel needed by going to him with their problems. Ruthie takes this suggestion to heart and secretly tells Eric how he should be helping everyone with their romantic entanglements. His meddling leads to chaos for everyone involved. Lastly, Kevin learns that Ben is planning to extend his temporary stay in Glenoak.
Eric is stunned to find out the church has hired a new associate pastor to help out while he recovers from his heart surgery. Meanwhile, Lucy is furious when she and Ruthie spot Kevin and Roxanne in a jewelry store--as she thinks they're picking out her engagement ring together without her. Meanwhile, Simon listens unenthusiastically as Cecilia tells him all about her new French boyfriend. Lastly, a loud, chain-smoking housekeeper sent by The Colonel arrives to provide order in the Camden household.
Eric and Rabbi Glass pay a visit to the church to spy on the new associate pastor. Meanwhile, Ruthie is in big trouble when she's caught slow dancing with her boyfriend when she's supposed to be babysitting Sam and David. Meanwhile, Lucy asks Simon to dig up some information on Roxanne during his ride-along with her and Kevin in their patrol car. Lastly, Kevin has some explaining to do to Lucy after he runs into his ex-wife.
Eric's strange post-surgery behavior leads him to make a life-altering decision that shocks and worries Annie. The reverend considers another calling when the ministry begins to lose its appeal. His plan to abandon his religious duties is hatched after a new neighbor mistakenly calls him Mr. Camden. Fed up with everyone bringing their problems to him, Eric becomes more and more apathetic toward his family and community. Meanwhile, Lucy turns to the new associate pastor for advice when she sees Kevin and Roxanne having too much fun dancing at the pool hall. Concerned when he can't find Lucy, Kevin interrupts Simon and Cecilia's date to enlist their help.
In the midst of a career crisis and much to Annie's dismay, Eric takes a job as a talk DJ at a college radio station, but things become serious fast when Eric and his producer find themselves counseling a male student who calls in threatening suicide during his first shift. Lucy refuses to spend time with Roxanne which puts Kevin in an impossible situation. Later on, Roxanne asks her boss to assign her a new partner as tensions simmer between her and Lucy. Ben is almost arrested when he accompanies Simon and Cecilia to an underage club. Ruthie tries to figure out a way to breakup with her boyfriend without making him cry.
Eric gives Annie his manuscript to read but she's not happy to learn that he's been spending his time writing smut instead of his comeback sermon for the church. Meanwhile, Simon and Cecilia discuss having sex for the first time and naively share the news with their parents---which doesn't go to well when Cecilia's father finds out. Lastly, Lucy sets out to spy on Roxanne and Chandler on their first date.
Eric begrudgingly agrees to see a therapist in order to appease Annie who is at her wits' end with him. Meanwhile, Simon is ecstatic when Cecilia's father agrees to let him see Cecilia, but feels hurt and confused when she starts avoiding him. Roxanne becomes suspicious when a pretty girl seeks council from Chandler. Lastly, Ruthie is shocked to learn that her new upbeat friend Katelyn suffers from cystic fibrosis.
Annie is plagued with curiosity about what goes on during Eric's therapy, but panics when his doctor invites her to attend one of their sessions. Meanwhile, Lucy tries everything to get excused from jury duty, upsetting Kevin in the process when her views of the judicial system are different from his own. Also, Chandler confesses the extent of his feelings for Roxanne after she is stabbed on the job by a homeless man. Lastly, Ruthie fears that her parents may be heading for divorce court after overhearing them fight.
Eric tries to help Chandler after the young minister learns that his father is dying of lung cancer, but Chandler rejects Eric's aid and pushes him away. Lucy accepts a date with Chandler's chain-smoking tattooed brother Sid in order to make Kevin jealous enough to propose to her. Elsewhere, Annie is shocked when she finds a pack of cigarettes in Simon's bedroom. Lastly, Ruthie's friend Peter begs her to lie and not tell his mother that he smokes.
Kevin goes all out to create the perfect romantic setting for Valentine's Day. Lucy doesn't wanna attend because she had him agree not to propose on Valentine's Day. Eric and Annie convince Lucy to go. Kevin invites all the Camdens, his brother Ben and their mom to be there with him when he finally gets down on one knee to propose to Lucy. Meanwhile, Roxanne overhears Chandler practicing his own proposal to her but she asks him to wait so they won't steal Lucy and Kevin's thunder.
Lucy confesses to her dad that it will break her heart if he doesn't perform the ceremony at her wedding and he struggles with the decision to return to the church. Meanwhile, Simon catches Cecilia's father's business manager stealing from petty cash. Roxanne's policeman father tries to bully Chandler into ending his relationship with Roxanne. Ruthie and Peter try finding Ben a girlfriend with his training dog, but things go awry once they lose the dog. Annie hijacks Lucy's wedding by making all of the decisions herself without paying attention to any of Lucy's wishes.
When Eric and Annie learn that Morgan and Patricia Hamilton are facing a marital crisis, they draw on their own recent problems to stop their friends from making the same mistakes. Meanwhile, juggling her studies and planning her wedding leaves Lucy stressed, but when she confides to Kevin that she might quit school, he threatens to call off the wedding. Also, Simon and Cecilia go to a G-rated film to try to avoid thinking about sex and get kicked out for making out. Ruthie tries to find Ben a new girlfriend because Mary wants to get back together with Ben and Ruthie doesn't want Ben to get hurt. Lastly, Roxanne decides to resign from the police department when she feels that her father was kicked out of the police department unfairly.
When a nasty thunderstorm rolls through the region and threatens to postpone Lucy and Kevin's wedding, everyone scrambles to make it to the church in time. Mary barely catches the last flight in and brings Matt with her. Chandler and Roxanne rush to pick up Ben and his mother who are stranded at the airport in Las Vegas, but tensions run high and a fist fight breaks out; and Matt gives Lucy some very special brotherly advice when she confesses to pre-wedding jitters.
Reverend Camden and Chandler enlist the help of Ms. Bink to raise money for the church's leaky roof, but it turns out she needs a little help of her own. Meanwhile, Ruthie's boyfriend Peter suspects that his mother's new boyfriend has some secrets to hide; and Lucy and Roxanne have a girls' night out on the town during which Lucy shares intimate details of her newlywed life. Meanwhile, the twins steal money from their parents' bedroom and from a coffee can in the kitchen.
After Ruthie's boyfriend Peter grows more suspicious of his mother's new fiancé, Reverend Camden steps in to counsel the threesome and get to the root of their problems. Meanwhile, Chandler provides pre-marital counseling to a couple who don't seem destined for the altar; Cecilia confides to Simon the reason she doesn't want her parents to renew their wedding vows; and Roxanne tries to convince Chandler to return home to see his dying father.
Eric flies to New York in a last attempt to convince Chandler's dying father to make peace with Chandler before it's too late. Meanwhile, Matt and Sarah suspect that she might be pregnant and Matt's co-worker lets the news slip to Eric; Lucy fears she might also be pregnant, which causes her to panic and push Kevin away; Mary tries to find Eric to tell him that she did something stupid; Lucy offers her classmate Christine a temporary place to live, unaware that she's hiding a big secret; Simon is crushed when Cecilia refuses to go to the prom with him; and no one can understand why Ruthie is acting especially strange.
Unable to convince Chandler's father to see his son before he dies, Eric is forced into tricking him. Meanwhile, Eric, Annie and Sarah's mother Rosina get together to surprise Matt and congratulate him on the wonderful baby news. Mary confides a big secret to Lucy. Simon gets turned down by a potential prom date. Ruthie gets her period and tries to hide the news from everyone. Kevin recognizes Lucy's house guest Christine as a girl who was previously arrested for prostitution. Lucy takes a home pregnancy test without telling anyone. Lastly, bad news arrives on the Camdens' doorstep.
1999
The Colonel and Grandma Ruth return from being out of the country for six months. Simon surprises his grandparents with his new haircut. Matt decides to move out of the house and gets his own apartment with John Hamilton. Aunt Julie's new husband Hank gets Matt a job at his hospital working in the cafeteria. Eric begins to suffer a mild heart attack due to the stress from his job.
Eric develops a child-like fascination with life when he takes a much-needed vacation after his heart attack episode, while Annie runs into interference with each of the kids. Meanwhile, Simon assumes the role of the 'man of the house', but feels Matt is undermining his authority when he keeps on making fun of him. Also, Matt grows uncomfortable with the blossoming friendship between his girlfriend Shana and his roommate John Hamilton while he's busy with other issues. Also, Lucy finds a direction in her life with her interest in Habitat for Humanity after taking her fathers advice.
2001
Eric's stress level rises when he learns that Matt has lost his job at the hospital and is relying on his friends to find him new work. Simon is adding to Eric's tensions by pressuring him to let him get his learner's permit. At the same time, Lucy breaks off her engagement to Jeremy and just cries in her room and refuses to discuss what happened. Robbie, still longing for Mary, is moping around the house as she returns to New York to be with Wilson. Annie's behavior has Eric wondering what's going on with her and suspects she's pregnant.
2003
In the eighth season premiere, the Camden's spend the last week of summer at a beach house. At the beginning of the summer, Simon killed Paul Smith in an automobile accident. Simon is having a hard time dealing with the fact that he killed him and everyone tries to help him. Eric and Annie try to push Simon to go back to school which begins in a week. Eric would like Paul's parents (guest-stars Katie Mitchell and Mark Moses) to accept the insurance companies offer to the money. Paul's brother vandalizes the church by adding graffti to the sign saying "Thou Shalt Not Kill." Simon runs away to New York to get away from the troubles he is having in Glenoak. Also, Lucy and Kevin discuss possibly having a child. Peter is spending a lot of time around Ruthie and the Camden family. Ruthie finds out about Mary and Carlos being married.
2004
In last season's finale, Simon returned home from college and realized he still had feelings for Cecilia; Matt's marriage was tested when old feelings for his ex-girlfriend (guest-star Andrea Ferrell) resurfaced; and Eric and Annie became grandparents when Mary gave birth to her first child. In the ninth season premiere, Simon appears to be getting extremely close to his new girlfriend, Georgia (guest-star Rheagan Wallace), causing Eric and Annie to suspect they are having sex. Meanwhile, Kevin worries that mother-to-be Lucy may be in denial about her pregnancy when she refuses to go shopping for maternity clothes. Also, Matt returns home for a visit and is instantly pulled into the family drama. Lastly, Ruthie and the twins find themselves in a heap of trouble on their first day of high school and kindergarten, respectively.
Each of the Camden's are learning a lesson in equality as Annie and Lucy join together to protest the mistreatment of women in Afghanistan. Eric counsels a young couple about the importance of sexual equality in a marriage. Simon considers dropping out of a cooking class he enjoys because he is the only boy enrolled. Also, Mary helps Ruthie with her secret plans to defy convention and play on the school football team. Meanwhile, Shana confronts her long-lost father who abandoned her family 20 years ago.
With Annie and Lucy adding a new bathroom, and the need for a new car, Eric is depending on his built-in annual raise from the church board. However, when the church deacons gets the wrong impression about the Camden's financial situation, they reject his annual raise. It's up to Ruthie to save the day when she realizes what is going on and to convince them to change their minds about their plan. Meanwhile, a young hospital patient (Josh Evans, ""Passions"") offers Matt some career advice. Also, Simon attempts to entertain a classmate who has a crush on him.
Mary and her friend Corey Conway learn that they have been named recipients of their senior classes ""All Sports Award"" and they are both thrilled. Although, the local businessmen revoke the honor from Corey when they learn Corey is a mother. Angered and hurt by their actions, Mary gives her reward to Corey in front of the entire assembly. On the home front, tensions build after Eric and Annie find a bag of marijuana in Simon's new friend's backpack. They confront his family (who at first deny there is an issue), but after a successful intervention with the police, the boy's father agrees to seek counseling and to find a job. Meanwhile, Matt faces a disciplinary action after he breaks the honor code during a school exam. Also, Lucy questions herself whether she should help a boy she likes to access the school's computer system when she's working in the attendance office.
Eric and Annie put on their counseling hats when a very pregnant Julie appears on their doorstep prepared to leave her new husband Hank. Eric decides to take Hank out to dinner to discuss their issues. While they are at dinner, a very pregnant Julie goes into early labor. Unable to transport her to the hospital because Simon and Mary are out to dinner and Lucy is on a date, Annie does her best to calm Julie down. Hank and Eric return to the house just in time for the birth. Julie delivers a baby girl. Grateful for Eric's effort, Julie names the baby after him: Erica. Meanwhile, Lucy is disappointed when her date expects her to be 'the man', and Simon attracts the attention of an older female admirer.
Mary and her basketball teammates are upset when their high school coach imposes a lockout on the season, citing that their studies should be top priority. When the school calls a meeting to discuss the situation, Eric and Annie support the coach's concerns and decisions. Outraged by the apparent betrayal, Mary and some members of the team break into the gym and vandalize it. They are soon caught by the police and are arrested. Meanwhile, sparks fly when Simon is caught making a lewd hand gesture in front of the school, and is busted. Also, Matt contemplates returning home and Ruthie obsesses about being one of the guys.
The Camden family rallies together after Mary's arrest. Mary truly learns the consequences of her actions after she learns that she is losing her scholarship to college, faces possible school expulsion and jail time. Eric and Annie enlist the help of a lawyer who manages to get Mary enrolled in a community service program. Simon and Ruthie feel overwhelming pangs of guilt for having some knowlege of Mary's intentions and not telling their parients about it. Simon and Ruthie decide to visit many different houses of worship to attain atonement. Also, Matt moves back home to help with the family, but soon realizes he needs to live on his own.
After Eric receives a mysterious check of $20,000, he learns that the gift was from one of his parishioners who was a World War 2 internment camp survivor. When he hears that the woman has never been able cope from her internment experience, Eric helps her come to terms with the pain. Meanwhile, Ruthie learns a valuable lesson about the meaning of friendship when bribing a classmate. Matt and Shana have a miscommunication about laundry that sends their relationship temporarily into a tailspin. Simon is woeful over the injustices of the world, and Mary adjusts to her lower social status at school.
In order to get extra credit, Simon volunteers to paint a holiday mural with a few good guys in his school. The other volunteers don't like Simon because they are inhaling paint fumes and are afraid he will report them. When one of the boys winds up in the hospital, Simon is accused of providing the paint. After he confronts the boy, the boy decides to confess everything to his parents. Meanwhile, Mary is suddenly thrilled about her community service after she meets the man of her dreams: Robbie Palmer. Eric and Annie are hesitant to allow Mary to pursue a relationship because of her punishment, but do allow Robbie to call her. Matt is up in arms when he learns that Shana is transferring to NYU and that his father provided a reference without his knowledge, and Ruthie wins first prize in her art-school project: a sculpture of the Camden family noses.
When Ginger pays the Camden family a visit, she informs Eric and Annie that her father is in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease. At first, Annie can't believe it, but after observing him in the backyard and not paying attention to a fire in the barbecue, Annie realizes the truth. Meanwhile, Mary and Eric can't see eye-to-eye on her relationship with Robbie, but they soon agree to compromise. When Mary informs Robbie of the plan, he tells her that it won't work between them. Fortunately for Mary, Robbie changes his mind after talking to Eric in the local grocery market. Also, Lucy gets into trouble after blowing off a Habitat for Humanity project to go on a date, and is caught. Meanwhile, Matt is consumed with depression due to Shana's upcoming move to New York. By this, Matt pays no attention to Simon, who just wants to spend time with his big brother. Also, Ruthie makes a vast millenium preparations until Eric provides her with a more grounded perspective.
Annie decides to take a much-needed break from the family and heads to the beach on a solo trip to get some rest, leaving Eric (Mr. Mom) in charge of the large household. Meanwhile, Matt must relunctantly say goodbye to Shana as she leaves for NYU. Mary impatiently waits for Robbie to call her. Also, Lucy realizes that she may be interested in the wrong guy, and Simon learns some tips from his sisters on how to treat a girl.
Eric and Annie reluctantly allow Mary to go out with Robbie, on the condition that they double date with his younger brother Rick (guest-star, Lance Bass, ""N'SYNC"") with Lucy. Meanwhile, Simon and Nigel buy several packs of cigarettes for a class project to prove how easy it is for children to buy tobacco. Also, Ruthie works out her own secretive science project and John invites some female neighbors over for dinner to take Matt's mind off of Shana.
Reverend Camden helps a new family in the congregation who has a son suffering from Tourette's Syndrome. With the assistance of Simon, Simon sticks up for the boy at school when bullies pick on him. Meanwhile, Annie takes matters into her own hands when she horrifyingly learns from Lucy that Ruthie's teacher has reportedly been calling her ""stupid."" Simon unknowingly hurts Mary's feelings with something he said to her earlier, and Matt puts his girlfriend Shana on the silent treatment when he contemplates calling things off.
It's Valentine's Day and the Camden's are celebrating the day of love with a special party in honor of the twins first birthday. Eric and Annie fret over how to make the babies birthday a memorable one, while the rest of the family learn different ways of exchanging love on Cupid's Day. After finally gaining her parent's trust, Mary is allowed to spend a romantic dinner with Robbie, only to learn he has ulterior motives. Meanwhile, Simon and Deena confess to their parent's that they've given each other love bites. Also, Matt welcomes his ex-girlfriend Heather back into his life, threatening his relationship with Shana.
Reverend Camden encourages his congregation and his family to trust in prayer. Lucy gets upset when people in the public thought of her as a disgusting teen mother when she takes the twins for a walk. Mary is praying that she will be able to get back together with Robbie even after what he did. Simon prays that he can see Deena soon and be on her parent's good side again even after giving her a hickey. Eric tries to locate a child who wrote an inspiring letter to him, but was left unanimous.
Eric Camden finds himself on a hung jury of a case that he considers ""open and shut,"" only to realize that he must help the other jurors regain their faith in the legal process in order to reach a fair verdict. Meanwhile, the other Camden's are suffering their own wrong doings as Annie and Ruthie ponder whether two wrongs make a right. Mary becomes in debt with Lucy after accidently giving her a black eye. Also, Simon and Deena realize that saying ""sorry"" can't turn back time, and Matt learns how important one person's voice can be.
After Mary dreams about playing basketball with the Los Angeles Laker's players, she receives an unexpected call from her coach. Mary gets her hopes up that she may be drafted by the WNBA after high school. Meanwhile, Eric and Annie get their feelings hurt after hearing Simon and Lucy, that they would'nt want to be a minister or a stay-at-home mom like they are. By this, Eric and Annie decide to spend more time with the kids to explain their roles that they've chosen in life.
Rev. Eric Camden counsels a sexually molested girl to help her express the rage and pain she's been hiding from her family. This dark secret that Mary knows about weighs in on her, which brings her to open up to Lucy. Meanwhile, Simon and Ruthie learn the power of communication with their friends and classmates. Also, Matt helps Hank reveal an important personal secret to Julie before his mother visits.
Eric and Annie are excited to learn that their family is being profiled in their local newspaper, until the reporter interviews the kids and gets more of an expose for the innocuous story than he was expecting. Meanwhile, a co-worker slanders Matt's reputation at work. Matt's roommate, John confronts a politician for misquoting an African American inspirational leader. Also, a classmate of Ruthie's plagiarizes one of her stories for a class competition. Inspirational gospel singer Sandi Patty (""Artist of My Soul"") guest-stars in a cameo role.
Eric and Annie must deal with the emotional fallout as they learn about their kids tumultuous love lives. Mary upsets her parents by announcing that not only has she decided to skip college in the fall, but she is getting back together with Robbie. Matt is forced to choose between his girlfriend Shana (who has moved back to Glenoak for the summer) or his ex-flame Heather, who confesses that she still loves him. Lucy dates Robbie's cute brother Ronald, disappointing Andrew Nayloss who still harbors feelings for her. Also, Simon gets dumped by Deena and Ruthie takes advantage of her new boyfriend.
In the fourth season finale, Simon finds out the real reason why Deena wants to break up with him. Also Ruthie does her best to get back together with her old boyfriend Burt, while Lucy also tries to go after an old flame: Andrew Nayloss. Mary decides to take things slow with her relationship with Robbie and her life. Matt and Shana break up their relationship, but reconciles with Heather. At the end of the show, it shows Matt and Heather may have gotten married- but didn't.
Simon decides to stand up for bullied student at school only to have the boy tell him that he is going to shoot his tormentors. Robbie decides to give Ruthie a playful new nickname, but at the same time Ruthie comes up with a less-pleasant one for Lucy after breaking off her engagement to Jeremy in New York. Eric gets a visit from an old friend Merle with some family issues of her own. Mary gets serious with pursuing the career as a firefighter, but things don't turn out the way she had planned.
Simon considers dating a sixteen-year-old pregnant Sally who he meets on the bus. Annie decides to accept Robbie's offer in renting the room over the Camden's garage that both Lucy and Matt were hoping to get. A carpenter pretends to fake an injury while working on the Camden's garage and tries to sue them. Mary gets more serious with being a firefighter, mother and wife to Wilson and Billy.
Eric tries to arrange a romantic evening with Annie, but Annie keeps turning down every attempt he throws at her. At the same time, Annie takes Eric by surprise with the news that she would like to quit college and to start teaching to help get her out of her depression. Meanwhile, Simon is at risk of being fired from his new job at the pizza parlor by his excessive tardiness and discovering that waiting tables takes more people skills than he's equipped to handle. Also, Robbie sets Lucy on a date with one of his friends while Matt is concerned about a woman who keeps showing up at the clinic a lot. Lastly, Mary performs terribly in fire fighting training distracted by her consuming relationship with Wilson.
As Annie begins teaching, she inadvertently gives a student some bad advice. At the same time, Eric and Annie painfully discover how much their constant arguing is affecting the family. Lucy and Robbie finally face up to their feelings after she intentionally sabotages one of his dates out of jealousy. Cheryl goes to Eric for some guidance in her relationship with Matt, but she misinterprets the reverend's input in the matter. Simon is attracted to a girl who is dating one of his friends. Mary is left to mull over Wilson's marriage proposal and it's even more confusing when she has a romantic encounter with a fellow firefighter trainee who shows an interest in her.
Lucy and Robbie argue over who should tell Mary about their emerging relationship. Meanwhile, Matt worries that a young woman in his study group might be a victim of physical abuse at the hands of her belligerent boyfriend. Eric's sister Julie shows up at the Camden house with her toddler Erica and annoys Annie as she tries to prepare a lesson for her class. Simon meets up with Sasha and they both try to catch up on their personal lives.
Mary's sudden arrival has everyone in the family wondering what happened between her and Wilson. Only Mary knows and she's not telling. Her presence delights Annie, who goes out of her way to make her daughter comfortable, even offering her the converted garage apartment. But not everyone is happy to see her. Ruthie feels that Mary owes everyone an apology for the actions that led to her moving away.
Matt, Lucy, Simon and Ruthie are banished to the garage apartment after protesting Annie's decision to give the place to Mary, but then the roommates begin voting each member vies for sole ownership. Meanwhile, Eric and Annie are not seeing eye-to-eye on Mary's situation as she is now returning home and is wondering on what's next in her life. Robbie is nervous about meeting his new girlfriend's parents.
Mary and Lucy seek their parents for expertise in matchmaking and ask their parents to find new boyfriends for the both of them. Robbie argues with Joy about spending so much time together when she insists on seeing him right away. Simon and Matt are looking for girls using the Sam and David as adorable bait to attract women, but it doesn't go as planned. Robbie unknowingly becomes the key to finding Joy's missing younger brother Joseph when he finds a stray dog in the street that belonged to him.
Annie's father Charles shows up at the Camden household for a weekend visit as Ginger supposedly needs to get away for a bit. But Eric forgot to tell his wife about it and nearly everyone in the Camden household is too busy to spend time with the elderly man. So Grandpa Charles takes Simon to get his learner's permit for driving and they end up being the center of a televised police-pursuit. Eric lies to Annie about his plans for the day, which include a trip to Glenoak Hospital.
Annie quits her job at the private school without discussing it with Eric first and he feels completely left out. Mary tries to call Wilson and learns from his landlord that he has moved out of his apartment. Simon uses Robbie's car to practice driving and gets him in trouble when Simon smashes into Matt's car. Robbie's brother Ronald stops by at the Camden home for a visit. Mary gets an unexpected visit from Ben, the fireman she kissed. Ruthie's old teacher Ms. Riddle starts working at Ruthie's school.
After various personal items disappear from the house, the family finds Ruthie in the garage apartment entertaining a friend with the pilfered items. The would-be bandit explains that she is hiding her pal from a pair of older boys, who have been harassing the girl because of her Muslim background. Touched by her plight, Mary and Lucy try to get their neighbors to sign a petition in support of the girl's family. Matt and Simon decide on a less civic solution and go hunting for the perpetrators.
Simon persuades his parents to let him go to a party after they meet his friend, a senior who promises to look out after him. When he comes back home completely drunk, he puts his siblings in a terrible position on what do. Matt gets letters from two medical schools but he is hesitant to open them and they eventually end up with Ruthie. When Mary and Lucy take the same classes at an area college, they decide to go to a bar with Lucy's friends.
St. Valentine's Day delivers a few surprises for the Camden family. A grounded Simon is asked out by a senior. Annie's attempt to surprise Eric with romantic Valentine's plans backfires and results in a big fight. Mary discovers Robbie's plans with Joy. Lucy and Mary learn that Jeremy and Wilson both have dates for Valentine's. Matt seeks his fathers help as he wants to settle down, which leads him to seek out old girlfriends as to why they're no longer together. Ruthie is hesitant to go to a party because her friend tricked her into asking out a boy she's already going out with.
Matt is determined to settle down before heading off to medical school. While in search of a woman to marry, he goes out on a date Sarah, who is the daughter of a rabbi. Ruthie tries to set her brother straight by telling him not to do anything stupid. Eventually concern grows to fear for both families as both Matt and Sarah do not come home after their second date together in less than 24 hours.
Matt stays out all night with Sarah and they secretly elope, but when facing their parents they're only able to summon the courage to say that they're engaged. A worried Annie tries to calm Eric down, who is convinced that Matt did something foolish. Meanwhile, Lucy and Mary search for Ruthie because they suspect that she knows what really happened during Matt's night out. Ruthie and Matt agree to keep the marriage a secret until a Jewish wedding in a few months.
Annie frantically cooks Jewish dishes as the Camdens prepare to head out to a Shabbat dinner at the Glasses. Simon asks Matt and Sarah if he can bring his friend Morris to the dinner. Matt agrees to allow Morris to come to the dinner as he is half Jewish. Although, that does not go as he planned as he is not very knowledgeable about his faith. Lucy and Mary play sick to try to skip the outing so they can stay home with Robbie. While home, Mary flirts with Robbie. Lastly, Eric and Annie are unable to handle everything when they are shocked to find out during dinner that Matt is considering to convert to Judaism.
Matt and Sarah argue over their wedding plans and their agreement to forego buying an engagement ring and seek Eric for advice, who isn't happy with Matt for getting engaged in the first place. Because of Eric, Matt buys Sarah a fake engagement ring. Mary and Lucy fly to Buffalo for a weekend, or at least that's what Lucy thinks as Mary makes plans of her own. At the airport, Lucy meets a police officer who invites her and Mary to double-date with him and his brother.
A startled Eric catches Mary and Lucy in the kitchen with Ben and Kevin in the middle of the night. The guys end up spending the night in the living room with Mary ad Lucy. Ben and Kevin's sister calls the house to inform Ben and Kevin that their mom is going out with a neighbor. Eric suspects that Ruthie knows a secret about Matt and Sarah and thinks they are married already. Meanwhile, an older couple seeks guidance from Eric when they can't seem to let go of their forty-four-year-old son, who has run away from home.
The Colonel drops by to tell Ruthie about the death of a soldier she has been corresponding with. Ruthie shares her letters with the family. At the memorial service, Eric asks everyone to advocate good deeds and go out into the community, as the family does.
Matt and Eric meet with Rabbi Glass to discuss wedding plans, and Eric learns that he is playing a smaller role than he had originally planned. Annie prepared for fewer guests to attend the rehearsal dinner and gets very flustered when she does not have kosher food. Ginger and Charles are prepared to fly to Glenoak, but Charles get's lost at the airport. Simon gets angry when Matt asks Robbie to be his best man. Meanwhile, Ruthie tells Robbie that she wants his room for herself after Matt moves out. Ben proposes to Mary, but he gets an unexpected answer.
Matt and Sarah grieve over Eric's decision not to attend the nuptials following his argument with Rabbi Glass over Matt's conversion to Judaism. Hoping to patch things up between their fathers, Matt and Sarah seek their mothers' help in persuading them to put aside their differences before it's too late. Ben and Kevin come to Glenoak to meet up with Mary and Lucy so that they can resolve their problems. Robbie tries to figure out why Ruthie wants him to move out of the Camden household.
Mary makes a surprise visit home to deliver unexpected news to Eric and Annie. Meanwhile, Simon tells Cecilia that he needs space. Also, Lucy and Kevin adjust to married life. Chandler breaks up with Roxanne after learning that she isn't comfortable with the idea of being a preacher's wife, while Roxanne seeks Kevin's advice on dealing with a dispirited Chandler. Also, the Camdens finally learn who's pregnant. Lastly, Eric ponders Simon's academic future and Annie prepares for a potentially tense dinner engagement.
With Annie out of town, Eric is left alone to accompany Simon on his visit to the Board of Education to discuss early graduation. During the meeting, Simon bonds with his advisor when they realize that they're both preachers' kids. Meanwhile, Lucy catches Chandler kissing a beautiful blonde woman at church and she agonizes over whether or not to tell Roxanne; Detective Michaels tricks Kevin into babysitting his six-year-old granddaughter; Peter makes a deal with the school bully in an attempt to protect Ruthie and Cecilia agrees to watch the twins which leads to a confrontation with Simon.
When a mysterious stranger wanders into the Camden home and spends the day with the family everyone assumes he is Simon's friend. Meanwhile, a disheveled, Rabbi Glass stops by to confide in Eric that he caught his wife kissing another man and discusses about splitting up. Kevin feels emasculated after being attacked and injured by a woman during a domestic disturbance call and goes on medical leave. His attitude toward Lucy changes drastically as he worries that Lucy isn't attracted to him anymore. Plus, Simon is concerned that no one seems to care that he's leaving for college in a couple of days. Lastly, Ruthie and Peter struggle with a school project.
In a video essay for his application to college, Simon recounts the experiences of his family members including their relationships, friends and mistakes that they've made over the years in Glenoak as well as his own pain at having killed a young boy in a car accident earlier in the year.
During his Sunday sermon, Eric proposes that instead of a financial contribution, everyone should make a commitment to reach out and help someone in need. Kevin suggests that he and Lucy work together to set up a neighborhood watch program, but she feels passionate about working with Habitat for Humanity. Eric calls his new son-in-law Carlos (guest-star Carlos Ponce) and asks him to fly in without Mary for dinner with the family, which makes Carlos very nervous. Also, Ruthie picks a shy new girl at school as her project and soon finds out that she has a secret. Meanwhile, Peter picks Ruthie as his project, which prompts her to tell him that they should spend less time together. Chandler and Roxanne keep running into each other stirring up old feelings. Lastly, Annie becomes jealous of all of the time the twins are spending with Cecilia.
Eric and Annie throw a "Welcome to the Neighborhood" party for Ruthie's Muslim friend Jill Dupree and her parents, but the Duprees are hesitant to attend. Eric is shocked and disappointed when he learns that his neighborhood is not a friendly place for Muslims. Meanwhile, Cecilia's house is robbed while she and her dad attend Kevin's first Neighborhood Watch meeting; Roxanne mentors a troubled sixteen-year-old and suspects that he might be involved in the robbery, and Chandler finds himself attracted to Peter's mom Paris.
Eric arranges for Peter and his dog to visit a drug rehab center to cheer up the patients. Peter bonds with Nick and helps him reconnect with his estranged son. Lucy finds out that Kevin has been secretly coaching the Glenoak Police Department husband-and-wife softball team and demands that she be allowed to play. Just before his first date with Paris, Chandler receives a letter from Roxanne telling him she still loves him. Martin confronts Cecilia about her lingering feelings for Simon, prompting Ceclia to call Simon to let him know she has a new boyfriend. She is also surprised when he admits that he is also dating someone and Ruthie is jealous of Cecilia and Annie's close relationship.
Eric is brought in by the school board to help investigate the local high school Principal, when more than one concerned parent questions her behavior. When a female student disappears, all fingers point at Ms. Jones, but Eric believes strongly that the student's father may be the real culprit. Elsewhere, rumors about Martin upset Cecilia, who then regrets talking to Ruthie about her feelings.
Matt and Sarah begin their student rotation in the ER, but get off to a bad start by arriving late and angering Dr. Norton, the attending ER physician. Matt and Sarah's relationship is tested when Matt quickly demonstrates an aptitude for the work, but Sarah accuses him of trying to make himself look better than the other students, especially her. However, Matt ends up looking foolish when he can't figure out how to turn off the ringer on his cell phone and he gets stuck fielding calls from his family. Matt's day ends tragically, leaving him to question his destiny.
Matt returns home to tell Eric and Annie that Sarah has left him and he's dropping out of medical school. Rabbi Glass offers Matt marital advice. Meanwhile, Kevin must decide whether or not to tell a very jealous Lucy that his ex-wife is in town and they got invited to dinner with her. Martin's aunt asks Eric to step in and talk Martin into moving to New York with her and Chandler asks Peter how he would feel about Chandler marrying his mother someday. Peter thinks something is amiss when his mother goes out of town for a business trip. Ruthie keeps something from her mother.
A distraught Peter learns that his alcoholic and mean-spirited father who abandoned his family three years ago, has changed his ways and wants to be part of Peter's life again. In the wake of this monumental news, Chandler must decide how this will impact his relationship with Paris and Peter. Meanwhile, Ruthie feels that Peter is pushing her away during this chaotic time and Reverend Camden finds a philanthropic way for the community and his family to embrace Vic.
Eric feels he must intervene when Martin, who recently moved in with the Camdens, is recruited by a professional baseball team, the Miami Gators and considers dropping out of school. Meanwhile, Ruthie enlists Lucy's help to convince their mom that she should be allowed to attend a couples party with Peter. Finally, Chandler's mother pays him an unwelcome visit when he is named executor of his father's estate. A rift happens between Lucy and Annie where an angered Lucy considers moving. Lastly, Cecilia teaches Sam and David on how to ride a bike.
On a temporary leave from military duty in Iraq, Martin's father pays the Camdens a visit to help his son decide whether to forgo college for a career in professional baseball. However, the visit turns sour when Martin catches his father kissing Roxanne. Meanwhile, Chandler and Paris reevaluate their relationship in the wake of her ex-husband's return, and Roxanne comes to blows with Martin's aunt over their differing views on the war in Iraq. Lastly, Vic tries to join the Marines and talks to a supervisor over the matter.
Annie's half-sister Lily shows up on her doorstep to discuss an important family matter after Annie refused to contact her. Eric tries to figure out why Annie won't contact Lily. Meanwhile, Cecilia sets Martin's friend Mac up with a girl from school, but he doesn't want to go out with her because of something embarrassing that happened ten years ago; Ruthie and Peter put a bad spin on a school project that lands them in trouble when they create a newspaper featuring false and derogatory stories about two former US presidents. Lastly, Roxanne turns to Chandler when she finds herself faced with a moral dilemma as she is keeping a secret from Kevin regarding Detective Michaels.
Matt returns to Glenoak to celebrate a special anniversary with Ruthie and tries desperately to avoid seeing the rest of the family. However, when Lucy discovers the secret, she, Eric and Annie go crazy trying to figure out why he's in town. Meanwhile, Martin shares something special with Cecilia. Also, Annie lets it slip to Nurse Kelly that Matt and Sarah are married. Lastly, Vic invites Paris to spend a special evening with him, but she doesn't want to go because she thinks he might propose.
Annie's half-sister Lilly is getting married and wants their ailing father to walk her down the aisle but Annie worries that the strain might be too much for him. Meanwhile, Fred and Mrs. Bink attend premarital counseling with Chandler, but Fred's mother tries to put a stop to the wedding because she thinks Mrs. Bink is a gold digger. Lastly, Jimmy and Pat, two mentally challenged people, decide to get married after just one date and ask Chandler to perform the ceremony, but Jimmy's parents try to put a stop to it.
The Camdens, especially Lucy and Ruthie, grow concerned that an unusually joyful Annie isn't dealing with her true emotions following the death of her father Charles, but the happiness proves to be infectious as it soon spreads through the family and all over town. Meanwhile, Eric tries to convince an unhappy Chandler that he should consider adoption. At the same time Chandler is approached by a mysterious young girl who gives him a cryptic message before she disappears.
Prospective homeowners Lucy and Kevin are ready for a fight to the finish when they learn that Chandler and his soon-to-be-adopted son Jeffrey are their rivals in a bidding war on a house. However, the conflict sparks an idea with Eric and Annie who decide to use their savings to buy their house from the church. Meanwhile, Ruthie is upset with Martin because she thinks he will get the garage apartment instead of her when Lucy and Kevin move out, and Peter suspects that his dad might be having an affair.
Lucy and Kevin celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary and contemplate whether they're ready to start a family, but things don't go off smoothly as Lucy refuses to drink champagne with Kevin during their anniversary dinner. Cecilia and Martin realize that their relationship may face a rocky future if Cecilia goes away to college. Chandler's foster son asks him to rid their house of all alcoholic beverages. Peter lies to Ruthie about his plans for the evening when she asks him to help her baby-sit the twins. With that, Peter goes missing, but concern turns to disappointment when Eric and Vic find him drinking alcohol with his friends at the park.
Lucy finds her husband Kevin and his partner Roxanne in a compromising position while on an undercover police assignment, Cecilia and Martin's relationship hits another bump in the road when their after-school commitments get in the way of one-on-one time, and Chandler may have bitten off more than he can chew as a new parent. Ruthie and Peter get stranded after missing their bus during a school field trip. However, fate intervenes when the youngsters cross paths with Lost Boys Nicodemus and Jacob, who not only take care of them until Reverend Camden arrives, but also share the heartbreaking story of their struggle to stay alive.
It's Camden chaos all around when Matt, who is having problems in his marriage to Sarah, returns to Glenoak for a visit and runs into his ex-girlfriend Heather on his flight to Glenoak. Simon unexpectedly announces he's coming home for the summer. Also, Lucy sets out to discover why Roxanne is suddenly too busy to hang out with her as she's convinced that Roxanne is secretly trying to become a detective behind Kevin's back. Ruthie keeps a secret about a fellow student from her parents. Lastly, Martin learns that his baseball teammates think he's having sex with Cecilia.
The Camden chaos continues with Matt, who is trying to salvage his marriage, questioning whether he still has feelings for his ex-girlfriend Heather; Simon's return to Glenoak creates conflicted feelings for his ex-girlfriend Cecilia, who is torn between her feelings for Simon and her current boyfriend Martin; Ruthie's foreign exchange student friend Maria, appears to be making the moves on Ruthie's boyfriend Peter; and grandparents-to-be Eric and Annie hop a plane for New York, despite Mary's repeated pleas for her family to stay away.
Simon is reluctant to talk to Eric and Annie about his relationship with Georgia (guest star Rheagan Wallace). However, he eventually drops the bomb that they are having sex and that he's currently on academic probation for skipping classes to be with her. Meanwhile, Simon's situation helps Eric realize that the church should teach teens the importance of abstinence and he asks Lucy to lead a class on the subject. Also, Lucy and Kevin learn the sex of their baby, and Lucy starts to question her ability to be a good mother. Matt is worried that Martin is still broken-hearted over Cecilia and will tell her about Simon's new relationship with Georgia. Lastly, Matt chips away at Ruthie's unwillingness to apologize to Martin.
Although she is worried about the lesson plan for the class she is teaching on abstinence, Lucy is excited when Eric tells her she is now the Associate Pastor and will soon give her first sermon. Meanwhile, during Simon's visits with Dr. Gibson (guest-star David Piel), he confesses that he has been using his relationship with Georgia (guest-star Rheagan Wallace) to block out the guilt he still feels about the fatal traffic accident. Lastly, Ruthie falls for a guy she meets in detention, Harry (guest-star Aaron Carter), a foster kid currently living in a county facility, despite Martin's reservations.
Eric is approached by a young pregnant girl, Leanne (guest-star Amanda Fuller), for help in finding a family to adopt her baby. However, when Leanne goes into labor, she has a change of heart and suddenly Eric and Annie are stuck with the task of trying to convince Leanne's mother to support her and help find the baby's father. Meanwhile, Simon runs into the brother of the young boy he accidentally killed in the car accident, only to find that the brother has forgiven Simon and would like to help him find closure. Also, Harry (guest-star Aaron Carter) is confronted by Kevin and Martin for wanting to break up with Ruthie, and all three are surprised to learn that Ruthie wants the exact same thing; and Lucy teaches her first sex education class and finds she may be better at it than she expected.
As election day approcahes, Ruthie is on a mission to develop her own opinions about politics after seeing how much Martin knows about world politics. Meanwhile, both Eric and Annie are suspicious that the other did not vote in the last election. Also, Lucy is feeling the pressure of registering to vote and is surprised to learn that Kevin hasn't changed his address and therefore isn't registered either. Eric is having a hard time teaching the twins that politics are not stupid. Lastly, the family gets a nice call from Carlos and baby Charles.
Eric seeks help from Mary's (Jessica Biel, who does not appear in the episode) ex-boyfriend, Wilson (guest-star Andrew Keegan) after Charlie (guest-star Eric Panler), a new father, confesses to Eric that he has made a mistake and can't handle the responsibility of being a young dad. Meanwhile, Lucy and Kevin argue over which doctor they prefer, and Ben (guest-star Geoff Stults), who has taken an unusual interest in their pregnancy, only makes matters worse by siding with Lucy; and Ruthie has hidden intentions for wanting to hang out with Martin and his best friend Mac (guest-star Kyle Searles), which only leads to disappointment since Mac thinks of her more as a little sister.
When Kevin leads Venus (guest-star Martha Plimpton), a young woman, to believe that Martin is a rookie cop, she quickly expresses interest in him. Martin's friend Mac (guest-star Kyle Searles) encourages him to pursue Venus. Martin has a hard time revealing the truth after he learns that Venus' father is serving in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Eric and Annie are worried that Martin is getting in over his head with Venus and enlist Kevin to fix things, which only leads to rumors around the police station that Kevin is cheating on Lucy. Mac also jumps in by spreading rumors about Martin at school. Lastly, Ben (guest-star Geoff Stults) continues to hide his relationship with Lucy's new baby doctor, even though they spend a weekend together.
Kevin learns that Simon has been kicked out of his dorm for allowing a school friend, Christina (guest-star Lauren Storm), to stay with him. When Eric comes to the rescue, he learns that Christina is a product of social services and has three younger siblings separated from each other and all in need of homes. Eric realizes that their situation may be more than he can handle alone, and with the help of Annie, encourages the congregation to make a difference by becoming licensed foster parents.
With Thanksgiving just two weeks away, Eric and the kids notice that Annie is acting strangely, especially after she learns that Matt and Sarah (guest-star Sarah Danielle Madison) won't be able to spend the holidays in Glenoak. In fact, the majority of the family has made plans of their own and Eric worries how Annie will take the news. Mary (Jessica Biel does not appear in this episode) and Carlos (guest-star Carlos Ponce) decide to spend the holiday in Puerto Rico with Carlos' family and invite Ruthie to join them. Meanwhile, Simon, who has something to tell his parents, but can't get up the nerve. Instead he decides to stay at school for work. Also, Martin has plans to go camping with Mac (guest-star Kyle Searles). Lastly, a strong-willed and pregnant Lucy is determined to do the cooking and decorating this year.
Simon's ex-girlfriend, Georgia (guest-star Rheagan Wallace) tells Simon she's supposedly pregnant and Simon doesn't know how to tell his parents---but Georgia is not being completely honest. Eric, Annie and the twins are on a road trip from Ginger's house back to Glen Oak and reminisce on old times. Meanwhile, Matt rushes Lucy to the hospital when she collapses at the grocery store. They can't track down Kevin as he is working on a drug bust. Lastly, a lonely Ruthie is having a miserable time in Puerto Rico with Mary, Carlos and baby Charles and calls home for comfort.
When a pregnant Lucy is put on bed rest following her recent hospital scare, an exhausted Camden family, especially her husband, Kevin suffers the consequences of Lucy's foul mood towards everyone. Lucy is also not able to go to her graduation ceremony and is having a hard time getting her paper done. Meanwhile, Ruthie's discovery of a disheartening e-mail on Martin's computer may explain his uncharacteristically bad behavior at home and school. Martin is having a rough time on the baseball team lately with his foul mood toward his coach and teammates, including Mac (guest-star Kyle Searles). Lastly, guest-starring singing legend Wayne Newton shows up on the Camden's doorstep with a message for Martin from his father, who is serving in Iraq.
Lucy, upset that the family hasn't given her any gifts for the baby, convinces Matt to take her shopping even though she is supposed to be staying off her feet. While shopping, the two get stuck in an elevator and Lucy goes into labor, putting Matt's medical skills to the test. Meanwhile, Eric and Annie are busy getting the house ready for Lucy's surprise baby shower and become concerned when Matt doesn't have her back as planned. Kevin shows Ruthie that he bought a house for Lucy, and Ruthie mentions to Kevin that it will upset Lucy as he didnt consult her first. In the end, Lucy has a healthy baby girl in which she names Savanah, after the location of Kevin and Lucy's honeymoon.
When new mom Lucy welcomes guests over to see the baby, Annie immediately becomes concerned, believing that Lucy doesn't fully understand the health risks of exposing a newborn to strangers. Lucy's determination to show everyone that she has parenting under control leaves Kevin to question his role as a father, especially when they're alone. Also, struggling new parents Kevin and Lucy move back into the Camden home, while Martin moves into the garage apartment. Eric is worried that he and Annie are doing too much in helping Kevin and Lucy adjusting to parenthood as they're taking on more than they should as grandparents. Meanwhile, Martin's classmate Zoe (guest-star Katie Cassidy) intentionally falls asleep on the couch of his apartment so that she can tell everyone at school that they slept together. When Ruthie finds out about Martin's overnight guest she sees it as the perfect opportunity to blackmail him into getting her a date with her crush, Vincent (guest-star Thomas Dekker).
Ruthie is on cloud nine when an emotional Eric and Annie reluctantly agree to let her go on her first official date. However, Ruthie isn't surprised to find the family handling her big news with their usual crazy Camden ways: Annie and Lucy decide it's their job to help Ruthie prepare for her date with Vincent (guest star Thomas Dekker); Kevin takes it upon himself to give Ruthie ""the talk""; Sam and David change into their Sunday best so they can go on the date as well; an overprotective Martin and Mac (guest star Kyle Searles) decide to spy on Ruthie and Vincent's date; and Matt volunteers to play chaperone, but finds himself in a web of lies to protect Ruthie's feelings.
The streets of Glenoak are alive with the sound of music as the Camden family breaks into song for a very special Valentine's Day musical episode. Classic songs (""Love Is Sweeping the Country,"" ""You Were Meant For Me,"" ""Nice Work If You Can Get It,"" among others) are performed by the Camdens. Simon is enjoying having his new girlfriend, Anna, who he just met the day before over at his apartment for Valentine's Day. They both agree to go to Glen Oak, but he decides to keep her away from his family for the time being. Annie displays her unhappiness to Simon in song (along with the rest of passerbys) over his constant dating habits at the promenade as the chorus is going on. Anna overhears this and begins to question Simon and his dating habits as well. Vincent confronts an unhappy Ruthie on the high school bleachers as she's not in the Valentine's Day mood and is upset over watching Martin practice with his team and Zoe blowing kisses at him. Also, Lucy and Kevin dance to ""You Were Meant
When Simon asks Matt to prescribe birth control pills for his current girlfriend, a false rumor spreads through the house that she is pregnant. Meanwhile, Lucy and Kevin have to decide whether to sell their new house back to its previous owners, Eric and Annie are upset that Kevin has been keeping a gun in the house for protection. Lastly, the Camden kids attempt to hide a big secret about Mary (Jessica Biel, who does not appear in the episode) from their parents.
Although he practices safe sex, Simon panics when his girlfriend of the moment, Sandra (guest-star Olivia Allen), confesses to him that she has an STD. Meanwhile, Martin and Mac (guest-star Kyle Searles) catch Ruthie's boyfriend, Vincent (guest-star Thomas Dekker), on a date with another girl. Also, Matt, Lucy, Kevin and Ruthie have second thoughts about telling Eric and Annie that Mary (Jessica Biel, who does not appear in the episode) is pregnant again, but also to hide the fact that she has deserted her husband Carlos and her baby son Charles. Lastly, Annie decides to go to New York to pay Mary a visit.
A non-church patron Marie enlists Eric's help in handling her elderly mother, Mrs. Wagner into getting her into a nursing home, but Eric gets a different impression when he finally meets Mrs. Wagner and sees that she doesn't need help and is still very capable. In fact, it turns out Marie may need more help than her mother as she's very unhappy with her life. But things turn out bad later on when Mrs. Wagner ends up in the emergency room due to her stress from her daughter. Ruthie puts up a fight with Lucy while shopping as she wants to spend the day with Vincent without Annie knowing about it. Ruthie wants to go to a family dinner with Vincent. Although, it inevitably blows up in her face and leads to an interesting conversation with Annie and Lucy in the driveway. Ben (guest-star Geoff Stults) shows up in Glen Oak to pay Kevin and his new family a visit and makes himself well at home again in the garage apartment. But Kevin is not happy to see his brother as he wanted his mom and hus
After being taunted for wearing second-hand clothes at ""Second Hand Rose"" by Vincent's (guest-star Thomas Dekker) new girlfriend, Margot (guest-star Ashley Benson), a distraught Ruthie runs into the bathroom and finds Martin's girlfriend, Zoe (guest-star Katie Cassidy), recovering from a fainting spell as two girls try to help her. Zoe confides that her family doesn't have enough money for food and makes Ruthie promise not to tell anyone. However, when Martin breaks up with Zoe because he doesn't like her conceited attitude, Zoe thinks Ruthie has betrayed her confidence. Meanwhile, Kevin unsuccessfully tries to create some alone time with Lucy, but is frustrated with Lucy's obsession over Savannah. Also, Eric and Annie suspect that Sam and David are feigning being sick so they can stay up late and eat sweets. Lastly, Sam is jealous of the attention being given to an ill David.
An extremely nervous Simon comes home to Glenoak to await the results of his STD test. Eric counsels a woman (guest-star Erika Alexander) who is caring for her two daughters (guest-stars Bree' Anna Banks and Brandi Vanice) with sickle cell anemia and whose absentee father (guest-star Victor Love) is hoping to take them back with him to Memphis for treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Meanwhile, Ruthie's ex-boyfriend, Peter (guest-star Scotty Leavenworth), pays her a surprise visit, which creates problems with her current boyfriend, Vincent (guest-star Thomas Dekker). Lucy and Kevin disagree over who should care for Savannah when Lucy returns to work. Lastly, Martin misses an important call from his father in Iraq while sneaking out of the house to be with his girlfriend.
After discovering that Mary (Jessica Biel, who does not appear in the episode) has filed for divorce and signed away custody of her son, Matt is at a loss for how he should to break the awful news to Eric and Annie. Simon informs his new girlfriend, Rose (guest-star Sarah Thompson), that he won't have sex with her, but avoids telling her the reason behind his decision. She gets fed up with him but comes back to him when she finds out his true intentions for them---marriage. Meanwhile, Ruthie's boyfriend, Vincent (guest-star Thomas Dekker), asks Martin to get Ruthie to break up with him. Also, Eric gets involved once again with the Davis family children when little boy Danny (guest-star Drake Johnston) is being adopted by Cecilia's parents, George and Gwen (guest-star Brad Maule and Holly Fulger), but forgets to mention that the kid is part of a package deal as Danny has three sisters in Social Services as well, and try to take them in as well. Kevin is about fed up with Lucy as he's fr
When Simon and his new girlfriend Rose (guest-star Sarah Thompson), make an unexpected visit to Glenoak to meet their respective parents, Annie begins to suspect their relationship might be on a fast track. She let's them know they are not allowed to sleep in the same room together in the house as they spend the night. Rose puts up a fight with both Annie and Simon over the sleeping arrangements, but eventually take will. Meanwhile, Eric hides the news of Mary's (Jessica Biel, who does not appear in the episode) divorce, worried that it will most certainly break Annie's heart. Also, Martin becomes the third wheel again in Ruthie and Vincent's relationship as Ruthie thinks Martin is jealous of their relationship despite the fact that Vincent wants Martin to convince Ruthie to dump him. The adoption process for George (guest-star Brad Maule) and his wife over the Davis children becomes more complicated when their biological mother fights for the adoption process to not happen. Lastly, Ma
Stephen Collins
Eric Camden
Catherine Hicks
Annie Camden
Beverley Mitchell
Lucy Camden
George Stults
Kevin Kinkirk
Nikolas Brino
Sam Camden
Lorenzo Brino
David Camden
2000
In the fifth season-opener, big changes are afoot in the Camden household this fall as Eric is distressed by the fact that his daughter Mary has opted to postpone college in favor of a little soul searching and the glory of minimum wage. Mary decides to buy a car. Also, Annie leaves Eric with a handful at home so she can complete her teaching degree. Meanwhile, Simon attempts to fit in with the treacherous terrain of high school, and Lucy looks forward to ruling the school as a senior. Lucy can't wait to start a relationship with Andrew Nayloss, except he hasn't come back from summer vacation yet. Meanwhile, Heather and Matt's on-again-off-again relationship threatens to be off-again--- permanently. Matt considers the pre-med track at college and Ruthie learns that she will have to spend another year with her despised third grade teacher, Ms. Riddle.
Mary, still intent on her independence, finds herself buried under a number of unpaid bills after losing her job at the pool hall. Meanwhile, ""The Colonel"" (guest-star Peter Graves) surprises Eric and Annie with an unexpected visit. Matt blames everyone but himself for his failing grade in organic chemistry class. Lucy enlists Simon to assist her with her Homecoming Queen Campaign to help him gain popularity in school, and Ruthie's prayers are answered when she's transferred out of her nemesis' class and into a prestigious private school.
Responsibilities fly out the window when Eric and Annie enjoy seperate nights out on Friday. Although the reverend can't find anyone to hang out with him, so he calls a bewildered Matt. Annie is conferring with a professor (guest-star Jeff Yagher). Mary strays even further away from her parent's image of her when she is tempted to drink and smoke one night after work. Also, Mary makes friends with married co-workers Frankie and Johnny (guest-stars Chyler Leigh, Nathan West) with questionable morals while working the late shift. Matt blows Simon's chance at a big date with an older woman (guest-star Katie Stuart) when Matt is distracted by a close encounter of the female kind and forgets to pick up Simon. Also, Lucy gets a taste of the not-so-glamorous side of parenting when her and a classmate take care of an egg.
Exasperation reaches an all-time high in the Camden household, as Eric and Annie helplessly watch their oldest daughter Mary and her worrisome friends continue to head down the path of destruction and into the hands of the law. When Frankie (guest-star Chyler Leigh) expresses interest in signing up for college classes Mary starts checking out Lucy's early application packets. Meanwhile, Simon has a hot date and Lucy gets a weird proposition from a classmate. Lastly, Ruthie discovers manipulative fun of keeping a diary--- much to the embarrassment of Eric and Annie when she sees them having SEX!
Tensions run high as a doubtful Julie lets Mary baby-sit Erica, only if Mary has no visitors. But when Frankie (guest-star Chyler Leigh) comes by and begs Mary to take care of her baby Mercy, Mary can't resist helping her. Then, Mary is then caught with an open bottle of beer while babysitting. Meanwhile, Lucy volunteers to chaperone Ruthie's sleep over and to watch the twins. Also, Simon is on a quest to change his image and does this by piercing his ear. Matt pursues a woman who wants nothing to do with him. Also, Eric and Annie clash with Mary's disreputable friends.
Still unemployed and bills mounting, Mary continues her downward spiral to rock bottom as Eric and Annie fight about how to effectively deal with her numerous lies and immature behavior. Meanwhile, the fear of what may happen to Mary starts to take toll on the rest of the whole family. By this, it is prompting the children to break open the twins piggy banks to help Mary pay her bills. To get the credit card company to stop calling, however, they are forced to make a risky decision. During all this, Mary CONTINUES to ignore her responsibilities.
Eric and Annie desperately try to figure out how Mary managed to pay her credit card bill while the kids team up to throw them off the scent. When the parents vs. children game finally breaks down, drastic changes happen. After learning that Mary stole from the twins to pay her bills, Eric and Annie come to the heart-breaking realization that they must take drastic action to help their misguided daughter and to protect and preserve the family. The Camden's gather to confront Mary with their feelings of hurt and betrayal and their conclusion to send her away to Buffalo with ""The Colonel"" and Grandma Ruth.
Mary's future may be resolved, but the rumor mill surrounding her situation runs rampant. While ugly rumors spread about Mary's sudden departure, Simon is persuaded to use his sister's bad reputation to boost his 'cool' quotient at school and gets into some trouble of his own with identical twin bad girls, Carol and Sue Murphy (Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Full House). Congregational gossip irks Eric. Lucy wrestles with high school hearsay. Ruthie spreads phony tales to draw attention away from Mary, and Matt's infatuated with a beautiful stranger. Also, Annie goes out with an old boyfriend.
There is cause for alarm when the Camden's disapprove of Simon's new group of friends, one of whom insults Annie and Lucy with his chauvinistic remarks. Norton, the kid that Simon befriends is a fan of violent rap whose negative attitude towards women seems to be influenced by misogynist lyrics. At the same time, Eric and Annie confront Simon about his newfound interest in rap music and somewhat misogynist attitude towards women. Heather gets back in touch with Matt, but Matt is unsure of her intentions. He then finds out that she is dating someone else AGAIN!
Despite the disapproval from the rest of the family and his own hesitations, Eric takes in Mary's ex-boyfriend Robbie Palmer (Adam LaVorgna) to live with the Camden's for the night after learning that he's homeless. Matt also shows up unexpectedly after being kicked out of his apartment by John, who needs quality time with his girlfriend. Meanwhile, Mary calls home again and hears Robbie's voice on the other end and assumes he's dating Lucy now. Also, John proposes to his girlfriend Priscilla in front of Matt.
A month has passed since Eric invited Mary's ex-boyfriend to stay with the Camden's until he got on his feet. Robbie happily continues to act as a member of the household--- and it's driving Annie crazy. Robbie is Eric's latest 'project', Ruthie's new best friend, recipient of Simon's financial advice, and according to Mary, Lucy's boyfriend. He's even cooking and folding laundry (the wrong way!). Frustrated and emotionally strained, Annie starts to think nobody needs a mother anymore. Also, Matt also feels unneeded from the family due to Robbie and pays an unexpected visit to Heather and her new boyfriend.
As Annie plans a mysterious day of cleaning as Eric discovers the shocking news that Mary ran away from ""The Colonel""'s to come back home because of a devious scheme she had with Robbie and freaks out. Eric is convinced that more trouble is brewing and goes to insane lengths to find answers. In reality, Mary is heading home for a huge surprise birthday party for Eric, attended by all the people whose lives he's changed for the better in the past few years. Chores at home are interrupted, however, when Ruthie discovers Frankie and Johnny's baby, Mercy at the Camden front doorstep. Meanwhile, Lucy stays with her friend Mike's (guest-star Jeremy Lelliot) near catatonic mother for the day, and drops a proverbial bomb on Lucy. Also, Matt and Simon try to figure out why they delivered Mrs. Bink (guest-star Eileen Brennan) to the hospital.
After their lackluster attempt at kissing, Mike (guest-star Jeremy Lelliot) and Lucy agree to be friends and to fix each other up on dates--- but the plan bothers Lucy more than she anticipated. Meanwhile, Matt's in a huff over John and Robbie's newfound friendship and feels slighted by the family. Eric also continues to feel alienated from his family when they keep going to Annie for advice. Also, Annie feels slighted when Ruthie plays an un-funny joke when the twins recognize her as their ""mama"".
Mary's feelings for Robbie resurface when she inadvertently finds out he has a secret date for Valentine's Day, and the whole family schemes to uncover the mystery woman. Meanwhile, with the exception of Lucy who has a date with Jeremy, the other Camden kids feel deflated when their Valentine's plans fall through and they end up stuck at home celebrating Sam and David's second birthday. Lucy and Jeremy's first date does not go as expected as they both keep on running into Lucy's ex-boyfriends. Although all's well that ends well by the end of the episode for everyone.
Although Robbie is just as nervous as everyone else, his presence in the house during Mary's weekend stay causes a great deal of concern among the Camden's. Matt and Lucy are especially suspicious after Lucy accidently finds a condom in a misplaced wallet. Imagine their surprise when they learn that the provocative prophylactic belongs to Simon--- who just so happens to be spending the evening with his new lady friend, Sasha.
Robbie is ecstatic when his long-lost father (guest-star Alan Thicke) who is a dead-beat dad appears out of the blue. Although, Eric and Annie distrust the dead-beat dad's motives. He also convinces Robbie to move out with him; against Eric's wishes. Meanwhile, Ruthie turns to Mary for advice on how to get around their parents rules when wanting to buy a makeup kit that they said 'no' to. Also, a very convinced Annie worries when Lucy starts having a relationship with her friend's freewheeling ""unmotherlike"" mom. Also, Simon develops a bad attitude with his mother when not wanting to do his school work, but wants to hang out with his friends.
Matt begins to go crazy over a psychological evaluation that he is required to take for his medical-school application. Matt also notices the strange demeanor of his psychologist, which leads to a surprising twist. Meanwhile, after Ruthie gets into trouble at school for missing homeroom classes daily, she tricks Robbie into coming to talk to her principal. Simon decides he no longer wants to be together with Sasha since they have nothing in common and that she is not that intelligent, but the plan backfires on Simon. Also, Mike wants to try to be in a relationship with Lucy again, but unfortunately she turns him down since they are both on the rebound from Jeremy and Elaine. Lastly, Eric must convince a terminally ill patient to embrace life no matter what the doctors tell him.
The striking resemblance of Robbie's new friend, Marie, to Mary raises eyebrows among discerning Camdens. Annie's invitation for her to stay for dinner makes things weirder for them. Back in Buffalo, unbeknownst to Robbie, Mary accidently bumps into her old boyfriend Wilson (guest-star Andrew Keegan) and his son Billy at the train station and makes plans to meet him for the evening. Mary is unsure on whether she should tell Robbie, but confides in her family about this. They all say that she should tell Robbie about this, but decides to ignore their advice. Also, Matt meets Robbie's ex-girlfriend, Cheryl, at the restaurant where she works. He starts to have feelings for Cheryl and tries his best to try to get her to go on a date with him. His efforts work by the end, but is having a hard time telling Robbie about his interest in his ex-girlfriend.
Annie discovers that the particularly flirtatious mother of one of Lucy's friends, Serena is seeing Eric for therapy sessions. Annie strongly requests that he refers her to someone else. Annie then has to deal with the guilt over her jealousy-induced interference between the two. Also, Simon is mortified when word gets around school over the fact that he's a virgin. Annie had shared the details of Simon's sexual inexperience with his ex-girlfriend's (Sasha) mother, Rita. Meanwhile, Matt struggles about telling Robbie he's interested with his ex-girlfriend, Cheryl. Lastly, Robbie is also hiding a secret from Matt that involves his ex-girlfriend Heather.
The Glenoak Community is making a big fuss over a petition that is protesting the apparently unfair firing of one of Ruthie's teachers, Mrs. Miller at her private school. Annie's father Charles drops by at the Camden's for a visit. Annie is then surprised and shocked when she she learns she has a half-sister.
Mary returns home back to Glenoak for the summer to spend some time with her family, but fears about being together again with Robbie. Eric and Annie are recipients of what may or may not be advances from unmarried acquaintances. Simon and Deena see that they still have feelings for each other, even though she has a boyfriend. Matt agonizes over telling his family about his new relationship with Cheryl, but soon decides to tell them all. Lastly, Lucy surprises herself and others when making a proposal to Jeremy and the possibility of going to college in New York with Jeremy. Although plans change when Mary, feeling rejected by Robbie, makes a shocking declaration.
Mary tries to right a wrong by explaining to Lucy that she never had adult relations with her sister's fiance. The only problem left is trying to convince Lucy. Wilson unexpectedly drops by the Camden home from New York to see if he and Mary are really over by finding out her answer. James talks to Eric about him attempting to have an affair with Annie as Serena comes clean with Annie about her trying to have an affair with Eric. Robbie and Wilson set aside their differences so that they can talk about Mary. Matt learns a few things when it comes to Cheryl's honesty when she doesn't tell her friends that she's dating him.
2005
The Camdens find themselves in a series of difficult predicaments: Eric tries to avoid telling his parents, Ruth (guest-star Barbara Rush) and the Colonel (guest star Peter Graves), about Mary's divorce, and hoping that no one else in the family tells---e
After learning that he may be the birth father to Sandy’s (guest-star Haylie Duff) unborn child, Martin is left feeling very confused about what to do in his situation, while Simon can’t help but feel responsible for Martin’s dilemma because he introduced
When Simon and Rose (Sarah Thompson) decide to make some changes to their relationship, Eric and Annie happily assume that the two are breaking up. A pregnant Sandy decides to move into Rose’s old apartment as she no longer wants to stay in the college do
After Eric and Annie discover that Simon and Rose (Sarah Thompson) are living together, they demand that she move out. When Simon doesn’t object as strongly as Rose would like him too, she questions his feelings for her. Meawhile, Lucy is counseling a gir
Matt makes a surprise visit to Glen Oak and accompanies Kevin to a children's party where he dresses up into character. Elsewhere, Lucy goes to see Sandy on a private matter that involves Martin, but lies to Kevin that she is going to visit Simon. Matt an
Eric meets Sandy's father, who gives him an envelope of money intended for Sandy; and Ruthie collects soup-can labels to help her school's newspaper. Elsewhere, Simon has money troubles and his phone service gets shut off; and Martin has a heart-to-heart talk with Meredith about their future. Sandy: Haylie Duff. Meredith: Megan Henning. Edward: Michael McDonald. Beau: Costas Mandylor.
When Sandy's (Haylie Duff) father (guest star Michael McDonald) approaches Eric and Lucy with plans of helping his daughter, they are suspicious of the large sum of money he leaves with them. Meanwhile, Martin decides it's time to confront his father (gue
Eric gains a new perspective on Sandy (Haylie Duff) and Martin's pregnancy when he learns that his own mother was pregnant with him before she married his father. Ruthie has the flu. Eric is also not feeling too good in this episode as Annie wants to take
It's Thanksgiving time. The rumored news about Martin being an expectant father has finally been let out of the bag. At school, everyone thinks that Ruthie is the one who is pregnant with Martin's baby, as she was previously out of school for awhile with
It's the Christmas season. Simon discovers that Rose (Sarah Thompson) may have secrets, and begins to wonder if his parents were correct when they warned him not to rush into marriage. Meanwhile, Kevin and Martin come to blows over Martin's attitude about becoming a father and Eric and Annie finally allow Ruthie to date Jack (guest star Garrett Strommen). Simon drops by to Glen Oak to talk to Eric and have...pie. Rose tells her dad about her being embarrassed about his numerous failed marriages as well as her mother's numerous relationships. That is the reason why she hasn't introduced her family to Simon yet. Philip encourages Rose to hold back on marriage with Simon and just live with him, while Rose debates that she tried that and the Camdens hate her even more.
The Camdens are in the Christmas spirit in this episode. In a montage with the song ""Rocking Around the Christmas Tree"", Eric is spending time at a retirement home and dancing with the elderly patrons. Ruthie is volunteering at the hospital and gives gifts to kid patients, even her old friend Katelyn (guest star Katelyn Salmont). Lucy is working for Habitat for Humanity again. Annie, Sam, and David are talking and spending time to Sudanese students at a Catholic church. Kevin dresses up as Santa and hands out gifts at the pool hall with Savannah by his side. Kevin takes a lost dog to the kennel, but changes his mind afterwards and gives it to a deserving family.
Racism comes to light at the high school when Alex, a new African-American student, wants to give a report on Dr. Martin Luther King, but his teacher argues that they have already covered that topic in class. When Martin inadvertently supports Alex's case, he falls victim to a hate crime. His car is defaced with racial slurs, and he refuses to wash it off until the culprit is caught. Meanwhile, for her own report, Ruthie attempts to recycle an essay that she wrote three years ago.
As Sandy prepares to give birth, almost everyone rallies around her at the hospital. Everybody hopes that Martin--who has an important baseball tryout with a talent scout--will take what might be his very last chance to accept responsibility for his actions. Meanwhile, Kevin and Lucy are at odds over the idea of having more children, while Simon and Rose's relationship appears to be on its last straw--much to the Camden family's delight.
Ruthie meets a troubled girl in detention, where a music teacher is assigned to watch the students. The girls bond over the lessons about Gershwin, as Ruthie tries to nurse her broken heart. She offers to help her new friend, who refuses any charity, but the Camdens become involved and refuse to take no for an answer.
As Valentine's Day approaches, Kevin plans a special dinner, while Ruthie has a difficult time letting go of her feelings for Martin. Elsewhere, Annie has trouble accepting Rose---and the twins' request for a store-bought birthday cake instead of one made by her.
Annie and Ruthie spend the day together to unwind, while Lucy's world becomes complicated by both professional and personal news, and Eric unintentionally shakes up things between Rose and Simon.
Annie and Ruthie spend the day together to unwind, while Lucy's world becomes complicated by both professional and personal news, and Eric unintentionally shakes up things between Rose and Simon.
The Camdens receive official invitations to Simon and Rose's wedding, and to their dismay, they learn that the date conflicts with Matt and Sarah's graduation from medical school. As this news creates a tailspin with the family, Rose stubbornly refuses to change the wedding date. Eric and Kevin think they have a solution to the problem, but when Annie disapproves of their methods, she looks for help from an entirely different source. Meanwhile, Ruthie wants to enroll in a summer program that takes place in Scotland.
The twins use an interesting weapon to coax the entire family into sharing their personal secrets. As everyone figures out what's going on, there are hurt feelings and confusion as they try to guess what's being hidden from them, and it turns out that Ruthie might have the biggest surprise of all. Meanwhile, the famiy doesn't quite understand Annie's newfound fondness for Rose, and it is especially irritating for Lucy and Ruthie.
The men have secrets they're trying to hide from the women in their lives: Kevin and Eric keep their wedding-ring troubles to themselves, and Simon leaves Rose in the dark about his schoolwork problem but all three guys come to realize the gals are not as clueless as they'd hoped. Brenda Camden and Nixon return to town with their one-year-old son Oliver, as the couple try to keep their news a secret but can't seem to that they are expecting their second child together, giving more happiness within the family. Eliza Jones returns to town finding out she's going to be a great-grandmother again bringing happiness to her. Brenda and Nixon take Oliver and return to New York after business gets in the way of family time together. Eliza heads back to Texas to celebrate the news there with her family.
As Rose gets ready to make a huge announcement, Simon breaks down as he realizes that he may have trapped himself in a marriage that he does not want. Meanwhile, Eric and Annie reminisce about their children and their younger days as they prepare for the rehearsal dinner and meet Rose's unconventional parents.
Simon and Rose prepare for their wedding day, despite speculation that it is not the right decision. Annie and Eric go through countless scenarios in their minds as they reflect on how the wedding will actually turn out.Meanwhile, Rose's former boyfriend shows up unexpectedly. Ruthie considers studying in Scotland over the summer. Kevin, Lucy, Matt, and Sarah all have life-changing news, if only they can find the perfect time to share it with the family...and the surprises don't stop there!
2006
Strenuous events impact all the Camdens as Kevin and Lucy cope with an unexpected tragedy in their young lives. Matters worsen when Lucy convinces her father to let her deliver next Sunday's sermon while she is still in an emotionally unstable condition. Martin frustrates Sandy by suggesting that they get married and build a family for their infant son, then becomes angry when he realizes why Sandy is really holding back. Ruthie is studying in Scotland for the time being, and Annie can't shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong with Eric.
Tension mounts in Kevin and Lucy's marriage as they continue to grieve over losing their babies. A hurt Lucy even blames Kevin in public in front of everyone at the church for miscarrying their boys. Lucy begins to disconnect more from the family as she's spending more time at the movies everyday alone at the promenade. Although, Lucy finds some solace with theater usher, T-Bone, who she feels able to talk to about her feelings. Meanwhile, Annie consoles a distraught Kevin and tells him to talk to Lucy. When Kevin finds out what's been going on between Lucy and T-Bone he is less than thrilled. Meanwhile, Sam and David's second grade teacher, Ms. Margo flirts with Eric when dropping the boys off to school, which makes Eric very uncomfortable. Eric also finds out that Sam and David have been referring him as their "Grandpa" instead of their father to their teacher.
Mary has recently given birth to twin daughters, so Annie heads off to Buffalo to help her out. Eric is left to take care of things at home. A difficult issue with the boys' teacher prompts him to pull them out of school without consulting Annie, and an excruciating physical pain in his neck isn't helping matters. Kevin's brother arrives for a visit, but there's only one way they can convince a emotionally unstable Lucy to let him stay with them for a little while.
Eric continues to manage the household in Annie's absence. He begins home-schooling the twins and finds even more stress added to his life when their third grade teacher shows up at the house, eager to start a relationship with him. Meanwhile, Kevin and Lucy start noticing Eric's strange behavior, but their attempts to uncover the truth only make matters worse.
Eric makes yet another decision without consulting his wife, who finally comes home to some drastic changes in the house. Elsewhere, Sandy finds herself in a romantic triangle with Martin and a guy from school.
When the paramedics are called to the house, Annie realizes that Eric has been hiding his health issues from her, even though he insists he's fine. Meanwhile, Lucy contemplates having more children after visiting with Sandy, who has problems of her own when she must choose between the two guys in her life.
Ruthie is nervous when she finds out that Eric and Annie are heading to Scotland. She reveals a very unattractive side of herself when she openly admits that she's not about to sacrifice her own freedom and happiness to come home and be with her sick father. Kevin has a difficult time helping Lucy come to grips with Eric's illness; Sandy accepts Martin's marriage proposal just to get rid of her clingy boyfriend; and Kevin finds out a secret about Jane.
Ruthie is informed of her father's health prognosis when her parents show up in Scotland, but she shocks them by reacting with very little sympathy or understanding. Sandy calls off her marriage plans with Martin after his best friend questions why they are in such a rush. Back at home, Lucy steps up as a much-needed source of stability for her younger siblings, as well as T-Bone, who needs help making a dramatic decision.
Eric, Annie and Ruthie are on their way home from Scotland, but they are held for questioning at the airport after Ruthie makes an unusual comment. Elsewhere, as a favor to Martin, Mac seeks information about Sandy's feelings for Simon. Lucy does her best to stay strong for the whole family as the truth about her father's health condition comes out.
Eric takes a new approach to counseling members of the church. T-Bone stuns Ruthie by telling her what he really thinks of her selfish and obnoxious attitude, then ending their argument with a kiss.
Eric suddenly finds himself in heaven, quite literally, when he runs into several people who have gone before him, particularly Annie's late mother. Meanwhile, the family becomes nervous when Eric doesn't come home from work, and Annie tries to hold everyone together. Could he soon be headed to the pearly gates himself?
When Ruthie and T-Bone work on a school assignment about the genocide in Darfur, they get the whole Camden family, and the community involved in the cause.
Eric and Lucy tell everyone that they're going out of town on "offical church business," which isn't exactly true, while Annie and Kevin seek the truth about their spouses' little white lies. Meanwhile, Sandy takes over Lucy's teen class for the day, and Ruthie will do anything to prove that she is not a little girl anymore.
Ruthie insists that T-Bone get his driver's license so they can go away for privacy; unfortunately, T-Bone makes the mistake of asking Kevin to help him get ready for the test. Lou informs a stunned Eric that the church deacons feel he and Lucy are no longer appealing to the younger church members, so it is suggested that Sandy deliver the next sermon. Mac gets a job at the movie theater so he can afford an apartment with Jane and Margaret.
Sandy starts falling for a handsome doctor, and Martin may not be able to handle it. Elsewhere, T-Bone and Ruthie want to do something romantic for Valentine's Day, and they profess their love for each other in an unusual way. The Colonel and Ruth drop by unexpectedly, prompting Lucy and Kevin to leave town, and Eric fears that his parents know about his health problems.
Ruthie tries to hide her tattoo from her parents, not realizing that they already know something's up with her. Lucy knows about the tattoo, but she has a very specific reason for keeping it to herself. As it turns out, most of the Camdens have dirty little secrets that they'd rather not reveal...
When small things happen, some Camdens see them as signs. Lucy and Eric both cross paths with a black bird. They both come to the conclusion that this is a sign, and a bad one at that. Meanwhile, Ruthie gets a sign on her own. When she loses a diamond in the ring that T-Bone gave her as a promise to get engaged someday, she thinks that this is her sign that maybe being with T-Bone is not the best choice.
When Lucy gets an unexpected job offer in a small town known as Crossroads, she and Kevin take a trip out there to see if they might consider making the move. Back in Glenoak, Ruthie learns that removing her tattoo will not be an inexpensive procedure, and after getting no sympathy from her parents, she tries guilting T-Bone into paying the bill.
Ruthie gets a text message from what she thinks is T-Bone breaking up with her. But the truth behind the matter is a bit different. Meanwhile, Lucy and Kevin try to decide whether or not they will relocate to Crossroads.
With plans for another child, Lucy tells Kevin that it might not be a good idea to move so far away from the rest of the family. T-Bone confides to Eric that he's having second thoughts about breaking up with Ruthie, who is spending all of her free time lately with her former crush, Martin. Sandy's boyfriend surprises her with a marriage proposal, and T-Bone's estranged father shows up on the Camdens' doorstep.
Annie rushes her husband to the hospital when he wakes up with a certain hunch about his heart condition. The kids are a bundle of nerves--especially Lucy--since they don't know whether the news is good or bad. While sitting around in the waiting room, Ruthie and T-Bone decide to get back together, but an unexpected twist of events brings back unresolved issues with the guy who broke Ruthie's heart a year ago.
The Colonel sends Eric and Annie a gift--an RV--prompting Eric to talk Annie into taking the family on a trip to see America, and the list of traveling companions grows by the minute. In the middle of the happy madness, Lucy and Kevin make an announcement.
