The Walshes plan to spend the holidays in Hawaii, but their plane experiences mechanical problems. They are forced to fly back to Los Angeles and make an emergency landing. Dylan receives a surprise visit from Suzanne Steele, his father's former lover, and her 12-year-old daughter. The duo recently lost its home in Iowa to a flood, and decided to take a road trip as a distraction. Suzanne reveals that Erica is Dylan's half-sister. He is initially skeptical, but decides to give them the benefit of the doubt. Kelly boycotts Mel's Christmas party, but he comes through for her when she has a dental emergency. David gives Donna the cold shoulder for refusing to sleep with him. He breaks up with her on Christmas Eve.

Music: ""This Christmas""; ""The Christmas Song"" by Aaron Neville; ""Jingle Bells""; ""Silver Bells""; ""Angels We Have Heard on High,"" performed by church choir; ""Jingle Bell Rock""; ""Santa

The fraternity ostracizes Steve because many people believe that he escaped punishment for the break-in by squealing on others. John refuses to allow Steve any playing time on the intramural volleyball team. Steve becomes fed up and accuses John of tipping off the cops. The KEG house holds a ceremony to decide which of the two should be forced from the house. John arrogantly confesses to his friend Keith, who sides with Steve. This gives the remaining members the courage to vote against John. Dylan bonds with Erica and offers to loan Suzanne money to get her back on her feet. He offends Suzanne when he follows Jim's advice and asks for her social security number. They apologize for the misunderstanding, and Erica secretly gets Dylan the information. D'Shawn begins to pay attention to his studies after a lecture from his sister. He tears up his knee in his first game, but passes his sociology final without assistance.

David is unable to eat or sleep because of his drug addiction. He steals codeine from his father's office in the hopes of calming his nerves. He falls asleep in the park while babysitting Erin, and she disappears. She is found hiding in a nearby house, and a guilt-ridden David confesses his drug problem to Kelly. Dylan takes care of Erica while Suzanne is out of town. He turns to Cindy for help when Erica experiences a major life event. Jim tells Dylan that Suzanne, who had claimed to be broke, has $25,000 in her account. Suzanne explains that she has just received the insurance settlement for her trailer. Donna meets a handsome ski instructor during a weekend in the mountains with Brenda, Steve and Brandon. Andrea learns that she is pregnant.

Acclaimed director Roy Randolph comes to C.U. to work on the campus production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Brenda plans to try out for the lead role, and Kelly helps her rehearse. Brenda encourages Kelly to audition for a small part, but Roy asks her to read for the lead. Steve coaches Laura for her audition in the hopes that she can finally catch a break. Clare aggressively pursues Brandon. She shows up at his house while his parents are out of town and handcuffs herself to his bed. Dylan tries to convince Erica to be more receptive to her mother's new boyfriend, Kevin. Dylan saves Kevin from being struck by a bus. Andrea receives a clean bill of health, but still fears that something is wrong with her pregnancy. David chastises Donna for refusing to discipline her puppy.

Music: ""On Broadway"" by George Benson (#7, 1978); ""Sweet Funky Thing"" by Eternal

Brenda accuses Kelly of betraying her and refuses to speak to her. Kelly's relationship with Dylan is strained by the situation with Brenda and Kelly's disdain for Suzanne and Erica. Kelly drops out of the auditions because she does not want to be an actress. She and Brenda make up and admit their mutual jealousy. After witnessing Laura's brilliant performance, a nervous Brenda tanks her audition. She shows up at Roy Randolph's house that night in search of another chance. Clare tricks Brandon into taking her to the senior prom. At the after-party, she flashes and dumps beer on some guys before giving them the room number. Brandon winds up getting into a fight, and helps Clare clean up the trashed hotel room. Andrea continues to worry about the baby as Jesse leaves for an out-of-town trip. She collapses in pain, and Donna rushes her to the hospital. The doctor orders Andrea to stay in bed for the remainder of the pregnancy. Dylan becomes interested in environmental chemist Kevin's plan

Brenda wins the lead, much to the amazement of those who saw her audition. Steve starts a rumor that Brenda slept with Roy. Dylan is the only person who completely believes Brenda's denial. Laura causes Brenda to miss a rehearsal in an attempt to get her fired. When this fails, she asks Steve to injure Brenda. Roy kicks Laura out of the play. Steve and Brenda race to stop Laura from killing herself in the auditorium. Suzanne and Kevin get engaged, and Dylan learns more about Kevin's research. Kevin quits his job and decides to pitch the project to independent investors. Clare tries to tag along on Brandon's trip to Berkeley. Brandon tells the chancellor the truth about his daughter's behavior.

Music: ""Free Ride"" by The Edgar Winter Group (#14, 1973)

Brenda receives rave reviews for her performance in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Dylan gives her a special present on opening night, and the two seem to have lingering feelings. Steve is reluctant to attend the play because of his rift with Brenda. Andrea learns that her baby may be born prematurely, and is forced to check into the hospital. She goes into labor. Donna tries to book singer Babyface for the campus Mardi Gras festival. David meets a record company employee who introduces him to a talented band. David declines an offer to join because the band members are drug users. Erica overhears Suzanne and Kevin discussing a move to South America, but they claim that she misunderstood. Dylan considers becoming Kevin's business partner. Kelly grows tired of Dylan's involvement with Suzanne, Erica and Kevin. She and Dylan decide to break up.

Music: ""Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)"" b

Brandon travels to Washington, D.C. to make a presentation for the task force. He considers giving in to the persistent Clare. Lucinda, in town for a meeting, shows up at the hotel; both women grope Brandon under the table during an important dinner. Kelly confesses her feelings for Brandon to Andrea and decides to surprise him. Roy offers Brenda the opportunity to spend the summer studying theater at the Royal Academy in London. Kevin and Suzanne get married. He and Dylan consider producing his project without outside assistance. Andrea gives birth to a 2 pound, 6 ounce daughter, Hannah. She and Jesse struggle to remain positive as Hannah fights to survive. Steve has a run-in with John Sears at the university carnival, and is hurt to learn that he is dating Celeste. Donna is jealous of the amount of attention Ariel devotes to David.

Dylan experiences a number of bizarre dreams as he fights for his life. He has recurring nightmares about trying to save Erica from a speeding train as Suzanne, Kevin and his dealer attempt to kill him. A medical student takes a special interest in Dylan's condition; she describes the nightmares as a battle for his soul. Dylan takes a turn for the worse, but recovers following an inspiring conversation with his father. He awakes with his mother at his bedside. Steve and Brandon lead the KEG house team in a flag football tournament. They are distracted by news of Dylan's accident, and Steve bristles when his father appoints himself the unofficial coach. Steve makes a bid to take over the Peach Pit After Dark.

Music: ""Doctor My Eyes"" by Jackson Browne (#8, 1972); ""Spirits in the Material World"" by The Police (#11, 1982)

Dylan flies to Mexico, where Kevin and Suzanne have recently re-located their smuggling business. Jonesy's female partner has abandoned him, so Dylan enlists Valerie's help. She flirts with Kevin and tricks him into revealing the location of the couple's bank account. Jonesy wires the money into an FBI account. He wants to leave, and is furious when Dylan insists on rescuing Erica. He and Val are caught in the act, but Jonesy returns with the cops and saves them. The university denies tenure to Professor Finley, sending his followers into an uproar. Brandon tries to defuse the situation, and learns from Dean Whitmore that parents have accused Finley of trying to ""convert"" students. Finley lashes out at Brandon, creating a rift between Kelly and him.

Music: ""Sherry"" by the Four Seasons (#1, 1962); ""I Know the Game"" by Jamie Walters