Dr. Auschlander resents the wealth and influence of the matriarch of an old Massachusetts family admitted for tests; Morrison feels his impending knee surgery; Axelrod tries to get to know an animal researcher; the Valeres make a decision about surrogacy; Fiscus meets the woman who will unknowingly bear his child, and regrets his impulsive proposal to Mona as he realizes their diverging ideas of married life.

The Endicotts try to adjust to losing a family member but gain good news about another; Dr. Caldwell's diagnosis of AIDS causes concern for his friends and a cooling in Fiscus and Clancy's relationship; and Ehrlich's outreach assignment involves the normal sized son of dwarf parents.