Not knowing Victor has already assigned Viki to cover the Greenfield avalanche disaster for the Banner, Steve allowed Joe to cover the story, too. When he arrived at the hotel, Joe discovered Viki’s name in the register.

At the hotel, Joe decided to leave without seeing Viki, but they accidentally met one another in the hallway. Viki suggested that since their meeting was coincidental, they should just cover the disaster story together. They worked very well as team –as they did in the past- and celebrated over dinner when the assignment was completed. Carried away, they spent the night making love together. In the morning, Joe was crushed by Viki’s announcement that she had already chosen to remain with Steve. She informed Joe that the last night was her fault –a mistake. Her decision was based on the fact that Joe could survive without her, but Steve couldn’t. The conversation escalated into a bitter argument, ending with Viki fleeing the room. She drove off too fast, her car skidding on the icy roads and crashing into a tree.

Joe called Victor with the news of the accident. Victor and Jim flew to Mt. Jefferson hospital. Although she only has a hairline fracture, Viki suddenly slipped into a coma before Steve arrived. Meanwhile, Joe refused to tell anyone the circumstances of the accident. Steve was furious that he had not been told that Viki and Joe were together covering the story. Neurosurgeon Dr. Cardwell and Jim Craig felt that there wasn’t a physiological cause for Viki’s coma. They considered the possibility that it was a psychologically-induced, hysterical coma. Steve signed the consent for Viki to be transported back to Llanview. Joe’s quick-tempered outburst, triggered by his feelings of guilt, upset all of his friends, and they wonder about the cause. Larry and Victor considered Joe’s possible involvement in Viki’s car crash.

Viki awoke from her coma but suffered from selective amnesia. She couldn't remember the last eighteen months: declaring Joe dead, the murder of Marcie Wade, marrying Steve, the birth of Meredith’s baby, Dave Siegel’s death, or Joe’s return to Llanview and her inability to choose between her first and second husband. Everyone was careful to go along with her amnesia as Dr. Polk felt that suddenly learning the truth could cause Viki to retreat farther into the past. Joe admitted to Larry that he spent the night with Viki the night before the accident and that she had decided to return to Steve. Wanting desperately to see her, Joe was furious that she wasn’t being told he was really alive. Viki dreamt about Joe and Wanda, whom she didn’t remember knowing. The music from the carousel Joe bought for her kept haunting her, though she didn’t recall where she heard the tune.

Realizing Viki was growing more and more suspicious, as well as uneasy, Dr. Polk finally told her about her amnesia, and that she was actually married to Steve Burke. He refused to divulge any more as it was crucial that she'd try to remember for herself. She did suddenly recalled Julie and Mark’s wedding, the first step in regaining her memory.

Steve confronted Joe, pushing him until he finally admitted that he and Viki fought just before she drove off and crashed her car. Angrily, Joe revealed that yes, Viki had chosen Steve over him, but insisted she only did it because she felt Steve needed her more. He continued saying Viki really loved him, not Steve, and he loved her, too. Steve couldn't deny Joe’s words as carrying the conviction of truth. He was convinced more than ever that something else happened between the two while they were together at the hotel.

Physically recovered from the accident, Viki was sent home to Llanfair. She was impatient to recover her memory of the last eighteen months and confused about why she didn’t go home to Steve’s apartment. Looking through the archives of newspapers at The Banner, Viki recalled Marcie Wade’s death and Steve’s trial for the crime. Still unaware that Joe was alive, Viki moved back to Steve’s apartment. Joe, learning that Viki remembered the carousel tune from the music box he gave her the night before the accident, gave the box to Dr. Polk, who showed it to Viki. She suddenly remembered that Joe was alive and painfully recalled spending the night with him at the hotel in Mt. Jefferson. Viki asked to see both Steve and Joe.

When she finally admitted her feelings for Steve to herself, Cathy became upset. She reminded herself that he was married to Viki and loved his wife deeply. She attempted to push her feelings for Steve aside by accepting a date with Jack Lawson.

Trying to block out strong feelings for Steve, Cathy continued to date Jack. Later, Steve refused an out-of-town assignment she requested, telling her that she was still needed in the office.

Unable to forget her love for Steve, Cathy confided her feelings to Julie. Meanwhile, Viki and Steve promoted Cathy to a full-time reporter.

Meredith recovered from her emotional collapse and was released from the hospital. However, she was disturbed by dreams in which she sees herself dying in the hospital.

Meanwhile, Larry and Meredith explored the possibility of adopting a little girl now that Meredith has recovered from her illness.

Meredith and Larry, disappointed at the probability of being unable to adopt a little girl, saw a television program about Vietnamese/American orphans in Saigon. They decided to try to adopt Sara, a little girl featured in the program or, if not her, another child from the orphanage.

Larry and Meredith were disappointed when they faced enormous difficulty in trying to adopt a Vietnamese/American child from Vietnam, especially a little girl.

Julie decided to see a gynecologist about her frigidity, but Mark insisted the problem wasn’t physical, and they could work it out privately. When she accidentally ran into former boyfriend Jack Lawson, Julie forgot to mention it to Mark. Later, he inadvertently learned about the incident. Confronting Julie, Mark accused her of being dishonest. She became overly defensive, and they quarreled until he left to go to the hospital for rounds. They ultimately realized they were both wrong and made mutual apologies.

Mark continued to be upset when Julie used Eileen’s and Joe’s problems to avoid physical intimacy. Mark tried to explain that the two of them were as much a family as the others. He finally suggested that if she didn’t want to make love with him, she should just be honest about it rather than inventing excuses.

Julie still couldn't respond to Mark the way she felt a woman should and used any available excuse to avoid intimacy with him. Mark discussed his marital problems with Larry in confidence. Larry sympathetically suggested Julie see Dr. Polk. When Mark discussed the same concerns with Eileen, she agreed, but Julie resented his “intrusion” on her relationship with her mother. Later, Julie dreamt that Mark found her and Jack together in their apartment, and Mark left her. She woke up screaming, further angering Mark as she refused to tell him what the frightening nightmare was about. Eileen cautioned Julie not to let seeing Jack or hearing his name mentioned prey to heavily on her mind since it could ultimately hurt her marriage.

Eileen reacted hysterically to the news of Joe’s departure of Llanview and violently accused Viki of being responsible. Julie insisted on staying with Eileen so she won’t be so alone. She told Mark that she couldn't start her new youth project job until her mother was more stable. Mark angrily accused Julie of never wanting the job at all. When Julie secretly admitted Mark’s accusations were true, Eileen forced her to begin the job immediately, which pleased Mark very much.

Julie pretended fulfillment in bed with Mark, but he realized she was faking it and urged her to schedule an appointment with psychiatrist Dr. Polk. She resented his suggestion and avoided discussing it further. Jack Lawson told Eileen that Julie seemed to react traumatically every time they encounter one another. He was at a loss over the reason for her behavior. At the hospital, Larry informed Mark that his work was suffering from unresolved personal problems. When Eileen guessed Julie’s problem, she was relieved. Eileen attempted to cheer her daughter up.

Learning that Julie discussed their intimacy problems with Eileen, Mark felt angry that Julie didn’t speak about her problems to a professional like Dr. Polk, just as he had suggested.

Mark pressed Julie to stop worrying about feeling inadequate as a responsive lover. Instead, he encouraged her to have a baby to bring them even closer together as a couple. Julie seemed less than delighted at his idea.

When Mark admitted to Julie that he felt their inability to have a satisfying physical relationship was his fault, Julie finally submitted to therapy with Dr. Polk. In their sessions, he pointed out that she brought a great deal of unresolved guilt into her marriage, as she had attempted suicide when Jack Lawson walked out on her, and she felt they were “living in sin”. Julie was unsure she loved Mark enough to change herself, but agreed to daily therapy without informing Mark of her decision.

Julie continued to keep her psychoanalysis sessions with Dr. Polk a secret. She felt Mark’s insistence to know every detail of her day – where she’s been and what she did- demonstrated a lack of trust on his part. Mark’s nagging that they have a baby to draw closer as a couple forced her to tell him that she felt he was imposing his image of the person she should be on her. She insisted that he didn’t really know how she felt and must take her word for it that she’s not ready to have children. The situation worsened when Julie was fired from her job for taking too much time off work due to therapy sessions. Mark learned about Julie’s dismissal before she could explain the reason, which resulted in another bitter fight. After Joe helped Julie get a job at the Banner, Mark relented on the baby issue.

Carla was uncertain and afraid of committing herself to a future with a policeman like Ed because of fears and trauma from childhood. However, observing the compassion and patience Ed demonstrated with defiant teenager Josh, an underprivileged kid he was trying to save from delinquency and crime, she realized that he was just as patient and compassionate with her. She told Ed that she loved him and thought she could begin to be all of the things he wanted her to be. When Josh’s arm was injured, Ed surmised the injury came from strong-arming by a local street gang. He took Josh home to Carla for dinner.

Carla finally agreed to marry Ed. Jim offered to give the bride away, and the ceremony would be held in the Craig’s garden. Ed was very upset at his failure to get through to young, belligerent Josh West. Every friendly overture Ed made was met with resistance and distrust. Josh reminded him that he was “the man”, the “fuzz”. Ed became more disturbed and angry when he discovers that Josh was sniffing glue.

Young Josh West slowly warmed to Ed, getting over his deep mistrust of policemen. He began to establish a good relationship with Ed and Vinnie. However, Carla noted Josh’s antagonism towards her and asked Ed if he was planning to include Josh in their future. He answered that he had no plans for Josh, but he couldn't just abandon him.

After he was removed from his undercover hijacking assignment due to a leak in security, Vinnie returned to street patrol duty. However, Victor hired him to keep an eye on Llanfair while Victor was away on an extended vacation.

Dr. Dorian Cramer’s younger sister Melinda arrived and moved into Dorian’s new house. Melinda’s left arm has been paralyzed since a childhood accident, causing her to be shy and withdrawn. Any mention of the past upset her greatly. Melinda was further disturbed to learn Dorian couldn't be with her boyfriend Peter in Europe due to her responsibility to Melinda. Meredith, stopping by for a visit, discovered Melinda unconscious from a gas leak caused by a misadjusted stove burner. Meredith summoned an ambulance, saving Melinda’s life. Meredith and Larry were confused when, following the hysteria, Dorian became very remote about the accident and effectively and persistently isolated Melinda from friendly contact with them. Later, Dorian was agitated when Melinda walked over to Meredith’s house just to thank her for saving her life.

Dorian confessed to Larry that Melinda’s arm was injured in serious accident when she was nine. Melinda languished in a coma for a month, and when she came out of it, she learned that their parents had tragically died in a plane crash while rushing to be with her. A child prodigy as a pianist, Melinda became withdrawn and emotionally damaged due to the traumas of her parents’ deaths and the loss of her left arm. Dorian feared that Melinda’s reaching out to Meredith for friendship would end with her getting hurt, as similar relationships with others have ended with Melinda suddenly never wanting to see the person again.

Joe, bitter and empty over Viki’s decision to go back to Steve, wrote goodbye letters to everyone and packed to leave town. Wanda accidentally learned of his impending departure, and as he got in his car to leave, he found her there, also packed and ready to go with him. Incredulous, he pressed her for her reason, and she finally admitted it was because she was in love with him. She explained that loving someone means wanting to make them happy, so she prayed Viki would choose him. But, now that he’s lonely and miserable, she wanted to make him happy because she loves him, and it didn’t matter that he didn’t share her feelings. Despite Joe’s assertion that he’d always love Viki and didn’t deserve Wanda’s love and concern, Wanda insisted that if he goes…she goes, too. And that’s that!

Vinnie was upset about the departure of Joe and Wanda, though Anna suspected he missed Wanda more than Joe. In New York, Wanda and Joe took apartments in the same building, and he looked for reporting jobs, insisting she'd take it easy for a while. Realizing he hasn’t let Eileen know he’s all right, Wanda started a letter to her.

Viki tried to convince Steve her only reason for avoiding a vacation in New York wasn’t because she feared running into Joe, but because she’d rather avoid all reminders of the past. However, her second honeymoon plans for Rome with Steve were somewhat dampened by her thoughts of Joe and Wanda together in New York.

Depressed over being unable to find a job, Joe became very distraught after learning about Steve and Viki’s trip. Wanda’s patience was strained, and she finally advised him to stop feeling sorry for himself and acting so childish. When he angrily stormed out and stayed away, Wanda returned to Llanview and sought consolation from Vinnie. Vinnie went to New York to visit Joe, telling him that he had to face the fact that he has lost Viki for good. Vinnie angrily insisted that Joe didn’t appreciate how wonderful and loyal Wanda was, and he should give her a chance to make him happy. Joe explained that he cared about Wanda, so he didn’t want to hurt her by “giving her a chance” because he just didn’t love her. Anna realized Vinnie’s anger over the situation stemmed from the fact that he had feelings for Wanda that he didn’t even realize.

Joe admitted to Wanda that he had treated her badly and promised to be more considerate and appreciative in the future. Soon, he landed a job as a reporter for a New York newspaper.

Larry blamed himself for Meredith and Danny’s danger as Meredith had a premonition of danger, and thinking it was Melinda who was in trouble, had planned to go to the Cramer’s, but Larry had insisted Meredith stay home. Ironically, Larry learned that Melinda also had a feeling of foreboding but felt it was Meredith who was in danger.

As Vinnie’s wound was infected, the crooks allowed Jim to treat him but forced him to leave immediately afterward. Victor arrived home unexpectedly and wanted to comply with the ransom demands, but Ed convinced him it would endanger the hostages even more. Meanwhile, Victor and Larry found the architect’s plans for the carriage house and learned there was a trap door leading outside from behind what was now Meredith’s bedroom closet.

Earl and Ben allowed Jim to return and treat Vinnie’s shoulder wound, giving Jim the opportunity to slip him some sedatives. However, Meredith was later caught attempting to spike the convicts’ soup with the pills, and they refused to allow any more medication for Vinnie. Informed by Jim of the trap door behind Meredith’s bedroom closet, Vinnie managed to get into the bedroom alone, but his attempt to open the escape route was also discovered and foiled by Earl and Ben.

Victor privately called the thieves and offered them $200,000 for the safe release of the hostages. Ben, the more logical and rational of the two, demands $300,000, a helicopter to the airport, and a plane to South America. Over Ed’s objections, Victor agreed. Realizing the police wouldn’t withdraw to let them through, Ben considered refusing the ransom, but Earl –irrational and gun-happy- demanded they accept. They bickered, and provoked by Vinnie, finally fought over it. In the confusion, Vinnie locked Meredith, Danny, and himself in Danny’s room. The police quickly raised a ladder, but they only had time to pass Danny to safety before Ben and Earl broke down the door and recaptured them. Seeing how unnerved the two were, Vinnie encouraged dissent between them until an enraged Earl finally shot and killed Ben.

A frantic Victor called about the gunshots he heard, but Earl refused to tell him what happened. When Meredith screamed into the phone against his orders to let her father know that they were all right, Earl stroke her violently, causing her to fall and hit her head on a table. She was temporarily unconscious, but came to, drifting in and out of consciousness. Earl would not allow anyone in to see her and finally announced that he was taking her to the airport as protection. Larry, fearing a concussion, tried unsuccessfully to convince Earl to let him examine her. Earl eventually agreed to release Meredith only if Viki took her place as a hostage. Over Victor’s objections, Viki immediately allowed herself to become a hostage.

The exchange of Viki for an injured Meredith was thwarted by Earl’s attempt to shoot Vinnie, only he realized that he was out of bullets. They struggled, and then Earl flew the carriage house. The police opened fire, killing him instantly. Rushed to the hospital, Meredith didn’t appear to have a significant head injury, and doctors felt she would recover completely from the ordeal. However, Meredith called Viki to her side, telling her sister that she had only a little time left and asked that Viki promise to tell Larry how completely happy she was in their life together. This deeply upset Viki who feared it was a premonition of tragedy. A few moments later, Meredith suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage and died before they could get her to the operating room. Larry’s inconsolable grief was compounded by his guilt in insisting Meredith not visit Melinda Cramer the night she was ultimately taken hostage. Hearing Merrie’s words from Viki helped him somewhat, while Melinda’s quiet compassion and understanding of his loss helped him begin to accept the fact that Meredith was gone.

In the solemn days that followed, both Viki and Victor offered Larry and Danny a home, but he decided to let Anna assist him in raising Danny. Larry began to realize that he must go on living, and for his son’s sake, pass through the shadow of despair.

Cathy realized her one-sided love affair with Steve was hopeless and resigned from The Banner. Victor suggested hiring Joe to replace her. Steve swallowed his insecurity and fears about Joe’s presence and agreed that Joe should be approached. Stunned by Steve and Viki’s apparent lack of emotion over the possibility of his working with them, Joe went out and got roaring drunk. He then called Viki late at night to accept the position. Joe, who still deeply loved Viki, added sarcastically that they’d all be good friends, and he had the rules memorized just as she had. Steve was furious at Joe’s calling Viki, and they had a terrible argument in which all of his resentment for Joe poured out. Meanwhile, a drunken Joe resisted Wanda’s concern for him, and while quarreling, he fell over a table and cut his head. Badly frightened, Wanda called Larry. Joe was conscious but groggy by the time Larry arrived. Larry insisted he went to the hospital the next day for x-rays and cautioned him about drinking.

Joe began working at The Banner, writing a daily column. Joe’s cool formality, prompted by Viki’s remark about proper office behavior, infuriated Viki. She angrily suggested that he’d carried correctness to a point where she couldn’t even talk to him. Joe told Cathy he was very impressed with her short story about a married man dealing with a young girl’s love for him and encouraged her to expand it into a novel. He offered advice and encouragement as she began her work.

Viki tried hard to forget her marriage to Joe and concentrate on her present marriage to Steve, but the reminders were always there. Joe wondered about her true feelings when he saw that she had kept an old love letter he sent her, but was later enraged upon learning she gave his music box to charity. He bought it back and presented it to her saying her behavior was contradictory. Viki insisted he didn’t know her thoughts. Badly shaken by ambivalent feelings for Joe, Viki asked Steve to cut short his business trip as she needed him. Joe visited Cathy for comfort, but when he drew away after kissing her, she angrily questioned his denial of their attraction to one another. He replied that if he continued, he’d be using her, while she argued this withdrawal was using her more.

Viki was increasingly disturbed by Joe’s cool formality toward her. She magnified the situation until she was finally compelled to confront Joe, arguing that the tense artificiality of their relationship was making them both miserably unhappy, and they must talk it out. Joe, however, insisted he was happy with his life, and if there was a problem, it’s Viki’s…not his. Angry at her preoccupation with Joe, Steve said Joe was playing a role to deliberately unsettle Viki and warned that it was damaging their marriage. Viki vehemently denied this by admitting that Joe was simply hurt and lonely. Steve went to Joe and angrily accused him of manipulating Viki’s emotions, but Joe retorted that Steve could only judge him based on his journalistic abilities, and if that was not good enough, he could fire him!

Cathy was overwhelmed when Joe managed to secure an option on her first novel from a publisher, though she was hurt that he didn’t reciprocate her growing feelings for him. He later admitted there is chemistry between them but cautioned her about emotional involvement. Wanda too dreamt of marrying Joe even though she knew the odds were one in a million.

While awaiting the publisher’s decision about her novel, Cathy asked Joe to accompany her on a short vacation to Mt. Jefferson. He begged off, using her family as the reason, she maintained that the real reason was Viki, that Viki dominated his life even without being a part of it anymore. She told Joe that this was wrong, and he must do something about it. Steve still bristled at Joe’s presence, feeling that Joe’s uber-formal behavior is a deliberate attempt to unnerve Viki. Finally, Viki informed Joe that if he wanted to treat her like “the boss”, that was just what she’d be. Steve was pleased to hear Viki’s comments, but later, Viki was disturbed when she dreamt of Joe again. Depressed about the scene with Viki, Joe followed Cathy to Mt. Jefferson and realized that Cathy ironically had the same hotel room he shared with Viki last winter.

Mark realized the Debutol he gave Eileen was producing a paranoid behavior reaction and warned her that he would not write her another prescription. Jim offered her a milder tranquilizer; however, Eileen became very depressed and panicky without the stronger medication. She persuaded a very reluctant Wanda to get the pills from a drug salesman friend. Wanda initially refused but went along with it when Eileen promised it would be the last time she asks. Their conversation was overheard by Josh and his friend Hubcap.

Eileen took the last of the tranquilizers Wanda got for her, but the emotional strain of day-to-day life was too much for her, and she began to fall apart. Recognizing her need, Josh’s delinquent friend Hubcap slipped her a few pills along with a telephone number. Unable to stand the pressure, Eileen called and ordered pills from a pusher.

Still unable to get pills from a legitimate source, Eileen turned to Hubcap again for more tranquilizers. Realizing she had became totally addicted, he exploited the situation by increasing the dosage and planned to take her for every dime he could get.

Larry continued grieving for Meredith, though he received comfort from Melinda’s compassion. He was unable to return to the hospital as he couldn't face passing Merrie’s hospital room. Dorian temporarily assumed Larry’s job as Chief Resident. She told Mark that she’d help preserve the position until Larry was capable of returning. Meanwhile, Melinda tried unsuccessfully to find a job to prove to Dorian that she was capable of managing her own life. Wanda reminded her that she could always teach piano.

Dorian bristled at Melinda’s suggestion that Dorian had always chosen men who were not free for a permanent relationship. Dorian denied it, and then wounded Melinda with the truth that Melinda got hurt every time she established a relationship. Dorian forbade Melinda from seeing Larry again, prompting Larry to chastise her for being overly protective of her sister. He wanted Melinda to babysit for Danny, but Dorian warned him that Melinda fell hopelessly in love with any man who showed her kindness, implying this could happen to Larry, too. When Melinda threatened to reveal Dorian’s behavior, Dorian remarked that no one would believe her and kept her a virtual prisoner in their house. Melinda finally submitted and took the tranquilizers Dorian pressed on her. Larry noticed Melinda’s cold, detached behavior and pressed the Cramer maid Hattie for an explanation. Under Dorian’s strict orders, Hattie nervously refused to speak with him. Larry confronted Dorian directly, but she told him that Melinda was none of his business and ordered him to stay away from their home. Meanwhile, Melinda begged Hattie to tell her why Dorian isolated her from everyone.

Dorian was stunned to learn that blind writer John Douglas, the one man she ever really loved, was The Banner’s new Washington bureau chief. In Llanview for an orientation, he sought her out, but she firmly implied what’s past is past, and she tried to avoid him. Melinda overheard John reminding Dorian she refused to marry him because of her obsession with her sister and begged Dorian to explain it. Dorian insisted it was nothing, and when Melinda questioned John, he lamented that he didn’t understand it either. Melinda and Dorian were both invited to a reception at Llanfair for John. Melinda declared that she could handle a big party and even bought a dress for the occasion; however, at the last minute, she declined to go. Later, Dorian was infuriated when Melinda arrived at Llanfair alone, after Dorian had spent the evening making excuses for her. Melinda had a delightful time at the party, and afterward, Dorian told her that she seemed to have gained self-confidence and maturity in the last year; now she could do whatever she wants. Melinda was overjoyed, but Dorian quietly questioned herself, “What can I do? It’s so dangerous.” John confronted Dorian with the knowledge that unless she faced the truth about Melinda, her life would be affair after affair with younger, unattainable men who couldn't provide commitment, and one day she’d be too old for that. He then reminded her that he still loved her and would be there for her.

Larry was amazed to hear a recording of Melinda playing a concert quality piano recital at age nine, before her arm was paralyzed. When Melinda vehemently declared she wanted nothing to do with music, Larry questioned if she had seen a psychiatrist about her emotional adjustment since the accident. She replied that she saw one briefly and unsuccessfully years ago, but would like to see one again. She was certain, however, that Dorian would never allow it. Larry asked Dorian for permission and was stunned by her violent refusal. Neither Larry nor Melinda could make her reconsider. Privately, Dorian expressed to Hattie her terrible fear that while Melinda appeared to have gotten better, she might still be just the same as she ever was, and the terrible troubles of the past could re-occur at any time.

Anna and Cathy both received anonymous phone threats, warning them that Ed and Carla’s wedding day would never arrive. Josh informed Vinnie that he heard a word on the street that someone wanted revenge on Ed for the death of Earl Brock in the Llanfair hostage crisis. Later, while driving, Carla’s brakes failed, and she crashed her car. Vinnie discovered that the brakes were deliberately tampered. He and Ed ordered plainclothes guards for Carla, but kept it all from her so as not to spoil their wedding plans. Vinnie learned that Lester Brock, Earl’s brother, was an expert mechanic and recently released from a mental hospital. Joe recognized Brock’s picture as a patron at the diner where Wanda worked. He and Vinnie rushed there only to find Wanda had just thrown Brock out at knifepoint after he made crazy, threatening passes at her. Posing as a policeman, Brock phoned Carla, telling her to meet Ed at the jeweler’s in half an hour. She agreed to go, unaware that Brock was waiting for her with a rifle.

Carla arrived at the jeweler’s shop, but Joe, warned of her destination by Anna, pulled her out of range just as Lester Brock fired his rifle at her. Ed and his officers discovered Brock babbling incoherently to his dead brother. Brock believed that he had killed Carla, revenging Earl’s death, and was transported to an insane asylum. The ordeal over, Ed and Carla’s beautiful wedding was held as planned in the Craig garden. Hazel Scott, Carla’s aunt, performed a special song she wrote for the occasion. The wedding was perfect except for the absence of Meredith, whose presence was missed by all.

Aware that Mark and Julie were having serious marital issues, Dorian made it very clear to Mark that she was available for whatever diversion he’d like. Julie, realizing that her secret therapy sessions were creating irreparable damage in her marriage, decided to tell Mark the truth. She arranged to meet with him after work. Meanwhile, Eileen was trapped by Hubcap. He has been steadily increasing the dosage of her pills until she was physically dependent, and now charged exorbitant rates to satisfy her craving. When she tried to stop, he threatened to tell her family and friends that she was a drug addict unless she continues to pay what he asked and bought everything he delivered. Before meeting Mark, Julie stopped by for a visit and uncovers Eileen’s stash of bootleg pills. Julie confronted her mother who promised to never take another pill if Julie would keep it a secret.

The confrontation with Eileen delayed Julie from meeting with Mark. Furious that she stood him up, Mark left the hospital with Dorian, just minutes before Julie arrived. Mark went to Dorian’s house where they winded up in bed making love. Afterward, Mark went home, his manner so cool and accusatory that Julie decided not to tell him about her sessions with Dr. Polk. Later, Mark confided his guilty feelings about their infidelity to Dorian, but she assured him that it would pass, and they both deserve those moments of happiness. The next day, when Julie said she couldn’t spend her day off with him, Mark took Dorian to bed again.

Melinda warned Dorian that she was demonstrating her usual behavior of getting involved with a younger, unavailable man, thus avoiding a permanent relationship. Melinda demanded to know if she was the reason. Dorian maintained that she liked her life just the way it was, and no…Melinda had nothing to do with it. Dorian added that if Melinda wanted to be treated as an adult she must accord Dorian her own privacy.

Eileen takes an overdose
Although intending to keep her promise to Julie, Eileen tried drinking to soothe her nerves, but Hubcap forced another delivery of drugs on her. Eileen took so many pills that she hallucinates seeing her late husband Dave, whose vision warned her he disapproved of what she was doing. Eileen passed out behind the sofa. Steve told Joe that Eileen was dangerously depressed and drinking too much. Joe stopped by to see to her, but didn’t notice her passed out. He assumed she was out and decided that Steve was just interfering. Later, she awakened and popped more pills, downing them with liquor. She attempted to call Joe, but talked to Steve instead. Terribly concerned something was wrong, Steve started out to her house. Meanwhile, Ed warned Josh that a big drug bust was in the works and cautioned him not to be involved. Josh maintained he had nothing to do with the drug scene. He later went to Eileen’s to drop off Hubcap’s latest delivery. Having overdosed on pills and alcohol, Eileen collapsed at his feet.