It’s the day of the Miss Oklahoma Starred and Striped United States pageant and Vicki Ellis, renowned pageant coach, prepares her client Hayley Wilson for what is sure to be a guaranteed win. But when Vicki tries to get her sister and niece to come to the pageant, their opinions clash and Vicki’s perfectly poised mask begins to slip.

The big night. The Miss Oklahoma Starred and Striped United States Pageant is underway, and our winner is crowned. After an unexpected turn of events, Vicki questions if she’ll continue with coaching this year.

With Samantha as the new and unlikely crowned winner, Vicki and her team scramble to prepare Samantha for her first black tie appearance. As Sam is unable to impress Vicki, she wonders if she has what it takes to be a winner.

Vicki and the team struggle to find a talent for Samantha that will make her a standout candidate, and the State pairings are announced. Vicki encounters some figures from her past, making it more difficult to keep her cool.

Samantha is befriended by Brittany, Miss Texas US, and begins to trust her rival. Vicki’s stress about Ms. Texas and her coach leads her back to an old habit.

While Samantha and Brittany attend a speaking event at a children’s hospital, it is revealed that Brittany has yet another unique advantage. Vicki tries to find something about Sam that will give her a leg up in the competition, but Sam’s true capability is shown after a night out.

After Samantha’s first review board interview, the team begins to worry about Oklahoma’s future in the Miss America Starred and Striped pageant, and an event with Vicki and Bella causes a deeper rift in their relationship.

To everyone’s surprise Vicki gives the team a day off, but time off doesn’t lead to much relaxation for anyone, especially when Vicki offers to watch Andy’s daughter Grace for the day.