American Dreams

Meg and Sam continue to find themselves at odds with their parents after their court date, as the uncertain future of Sam's scholarship hangs over Henry's head. Meg's arrest is leaked to the papers, compromising the integrity of Jack's bid to run for city council. Back at school, Meg and Roxanne learn that the new headmaster is enforcing the school's dress code, so they organize a mini-skirt protest. Meanwhile, Beth continues to work at the Lair, and has caught the eye of Cal, an aspiring singer/songwriter. When Helen asks Beth to join the Blue Star Women, an organization that donates necessities to the wives of soldiers at war, she expresses her concerns of not being JJ's wife. In Vietnam, JJ is in a military hospital where he learns that the rest of his squad was not so fortunate, and that Beth is pregnant.

When the Pryor's meet their new neighbors, they are surprised and shocked to discover that Shelly Pierce is a single mom, a Playboy Bunny, and that her son, Chris is old enough to attend East Catholic. As Meg continues her anti-war campaign, she is reprimanded at school by a progressive nun who decides that a better way for Meg to get her message out is to direct Shakespeare's play "Henry V," with a modern day twist. As Patty becomes obsessed with winning the Campbell's Tomato Soup essay contest, she seeks Donald's help, which causes some discomfort for Helen. Meanwhile, Sam is recruited for basketball at Penn, which concerns Henry, but provides a new girlfriend for Sam - in the form of his tutor. When Jack's campaign for city council begins to affect his family and professional life, he finds himself faced with questions only he can answer. Meanwhile, JJ's excitement to be with his new squad and return to combat is dampened when he is ordered by the mysterious government man, Stevens, to report to the US Embassy instead for further training.

After Meg unsuccessfully tries to recruit other students for her play, Chris makes her an offer that involves breaking and entering in exchange for his and his friends' participation. Meanwhile, as Jack prepares to embrace alternative voting groups for his run as city councilman, Helen tries to understand Donald's alternative lifestyle, and invites him over for dinner. When Beth hears that another pregnant woman's husband is killed in Vietnam, she and JJ , have yet another awkward conversation. Meanwhile, dating Melanie causes Sam to feel like he is from the wrong side of the tracks, and Roxanne moves in with the Pryor's after she learns that her mom is not only remarrying, but moving, too.

In Saigon, JJ begins to experience other aspects of the Vietnam war including military interrogation, dating a Vietnamese girl, and deadly explosions in civilian areas. Back at home, Jack continues to approach the minority vote with help from Helen and Henry and the opposition resorts to scare tactics and dirty tricks in an attempt to foil his campaign. Meanwhile, Meg continues to work on her play with Roxanne, who is contributing in her own special way. As Meg and Chris become closer, his bad influence on her begins to show, surprising even Roxanne. Meanwhile, Cal and Beth also notice their intensifying feelings for each other.

Meg adds an anti- Vietnam War element to the high school play she is directing, which gets her in trouble with the school administration. The experience brings Meg and Chris closer together. Meanwhile, Luke's return to Philadelphia turns Roxanne's life upside down, and Melanie is jealous of Sam's relationship with Meg. As Helen experiences an uncomfortable situation at work regarding Donald, Jack is overwhelmed with his new role as city councilman. Meanwhile, JJ prepares to embark on a dangerous mission and remains unsure of the outcome.