Ben and Ms. Young throw caution to the wind when they decide to get to know each other on a more intimate level. Meanwhile, Jonathan slows things down with Deborah after she admits he's not her first and, despite Dino's family troubles, Jackie grows tired of forgiving his flaky behavior.

When Dino quits the hockey team for no apparent reason, Michael confronts his son about what is really upsetting him. Meanwhile, Jackie has trouble admitting to herself that she's living in a very dysfunctional household. And, at Ms. Young's suggestion, Ben auditions for the school play, so when he expresses concern about landing a plum role, his teacher finds it necessary to comfort him in a very personal way.

When Ms. Young decides to call things off with Ben and then reconsiders, their affectionate reunion is witnessed by Jonathan. Meanwhile, Dino confesses to Michael that he wants to move out of his mom's house, and Jackie goes to an Al-Anon meeting to help herself deal with her father's alcohol problem.

While Ben sorts out his feelings for Sue, Ms. Young tries to bring him back into their relationship, which leads him to take drastic action with the school play. Meanwhile, when Dino's fabled conquest of Zok spreads through the school, Jackie reacts by taking things too far with her new friend, Matt.

Ben learns an eye-opening lesson when his older brother, Sam, comes to visit and, if only for a moment, Dino finds a reason to appreciate his mom again. Meanwhile, Michael and Mia have an awkward discussion about just how far they will go with their friendship.

Ben and Sue's newfound chemistry encourages Sue to make a stunning admission. Meanwhile, Dino's anger about his parents' separation lands him in a counselor's office (guest starring Peter Dinklage as Dr. Belber), and Jonathan is intrigued by Deb's out-of-town visitor, on "life as we know it," airing in its new time period.

Jonathan considers making a move on another girl, while Ben is forbidden from seeing the person he has grown to like. Meanwhile, Dino begins to come to terms with his feelings about his family.

Despite being grounded, Sue and Ben hatch a scheme to be together on the sophomore class ski trip, and Dino sees a new opportunity to win Jackie back. Meanwhile, Deborah aggressively pursues an exciting internship that her mother has forbidden.

Jackie and Dino attempt to resist their attraction to each other as they get on better than ever, Jonathan tries to buy back Deborah with an expensive birthday present and Sue becomes furious with Ben when wherever they go together, Ben has already 'claimed it' during his time with Ms. Young. Also, Annie takes steps back into the dating world, Michael realises his relationship with Mia is coming to an end and the boys fall in love with a cheap and shoddy car.

When Jonathan crashes the car, the boys have to resort to desperate measures to pay back the 'mean lady' they crashed into. Mr Miller grows frustrated by the swarm of teenage girls living in his house, Deborah meets her father for the first time in six years as a result of her internship and Annie and Michael individually accept that their relationship is over.