Carol is upset when she learns that the band has hired another guitar player in her absence, especially when Juliana starts giving her unsolicited advice, which only adds to her stress once she learns that her mother's cancer has spread. Tia is angry when she loses out for candy-striper of the year to Jennifer, who all the other girls know is as fake as they come, and drinks more out of Jamie's flask than she should. Tom's drinking is starting to cause serious problems for his schooling, and he has to beg Gortch to let him do a make-up exam.