There is a party of German students and their teachers staying in Roker Bridge as it is Spock's leg of the exchange visit which he arranged with Dieter, a history teacher in the German equivalent of the TA. Dieter seems very active and young at heart, in contrast to Spock's staid image. However, it is the female teacher accompanying the party who attracts Spock's attention - and she seems to be interested in him...

The strains are starting to show in Polson's marriage, not helped by the fact that it is his fifth wedding anniversary while he is away on a two week course that will decide whether or not he becomes a sergeant. Meanwhile, Hodge has been invited to Kirsty's birthday party and Laura is going out on a business lunch with Greg Scarry.