Christmas is coming to 28 Barbary Lane and Mrs Madrigal is in party mood. However, Mary Ann is increasingly suspicious of Norman Williams and Mona is in for a surprise.

DeDe is blackmailed by a journalist to save her family honour, while Mrs Madrigal's secret is slowly being uncovered.

Michael's old-fashioned parents see some shocking sights when they visit him on Halloween - and he still hasn't told them he's gay. DeDe Halcyon Day has a shock when her pregnancy is confirmed.

Mary Ann starts voluntary work at the Bay Area Crisis Switchboard, which is run by the one-eared Vincent, whose problems outnumber those of his callers

Anna Madrigal is the bohemian landlady with a mysterious secret. Mary Ann Singleton is the newcomer, a naïve young girl from Ohio eager to embrace SF and all it has to offer.