In this season's opener, an out-of-control Mercedes smashes through a wall of the clinic; Molly, a mentally disturbed and dellusional young woman, holds Syd (Melina Kanakaredes) at gunpoint because she thinks she kidnapped her baby; and Helen contemplates a new career, away from the clinic. Meanwhile, Joanie hires Doug Dog Boy Boyce to help her out at the Barkery.

On the first anniversary of Lynda's death, the Hansens agree to celebrate her life with a memorial dinner until Jim causes a family uproar when he confesses that a missing secret letter that he wrote to his wife just before her fatal heart attack might have caused the calamity. Elsewhere, Sydney stays close to the athletic Kyle when he learns he must undergo a traumatic surgery. Joanie must make a painful decision when she discovers that the obedient employee in her dog store eatery has been behaving more and more like a canine.

SURPRISE PARTY -- While making preparations for baby Hannah's first birthday party, Joanie (Paula Cale) is pleased to learn that Ritchie , the baby's father, will be in town to join the celebration. What she hadn't planned on was that Ritchie would be bringing a special guest of his own to the party -- his new, very young bride, Kris. Meanwhile, Syd invites Kyle to move into the guest house while he undergoes his chemotherapy treatment.

Syd tries to fix the past with her mom.

Syd's latest patient Mr. Ellison come to the clinic for treatment for advanced cancer and won't live along. Syd is asked to keep Mr. Ellison alive for three days so he can get money for his family to do that he must out live the statute of limitations so the money will go to his family.

Syd finds the money gives it to her patient. Heather is getting married to Charlie who has a prison record, Dr Hansen is worried that she may be moving to fast. Heather's mom Donna doesn't like Charlie. Who has been married twice. Mrs. Tupperman tells Robbie of Charlie's past.

Syd runs into Daniel Hartman who says Mr. Ellison sold trust deeds and was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison and now Mr. Hartman wants the money to go to the families. Heather wants to get married to Charlie and may find that hard to do because of her love for Robbie.

Heather's mom tries to Robbie to stop Heather's wedding but won't do it because feels Heather would be happy. Mr. Hartman go to Syd's house to ask for

A city inspector comes by to check the clinic that Syd was raising money for but learns the clinic will be shut down. Robbie and Heather are ready to marry but have problems Heather can't find a dress. Syd has trouble getting her patient to the hospital because streets are blocked.

Syd has trouble getting medicine to her patient who is ill, Jim is looking for Sam the blood hound. As Joanie calls for help to find her father Joanie is trapped after a window breaks and has Hannah try to through her the phone & finds the lines are dead.

Robbie who along with Heather in Las Vages has lost $10,000 tries to get the money back.

Syd's dad is about to 60 years old and is not happy about it. Jim is mad that people are taking over a former vet's practice leading Jim to wonder about closing his practice. Robbie is still trying to figure out how to repay Heather.

Jim's accountant advises him to sell his practice because the accountant feels Jim should retire. Jim gets ready to shut down his practice. Syd and Joanie read the fax and learn he could retire (Syd was waiting for a fax and stumbled on the fax for her dad.)