As the staff attempts to stave off the closure of Billy Barnes, DiDi takes to the picket lines in a last-ditch effort. Jenna tries to weasel her way out of a hastily made offer. Patsy is intrigued by Margueritte's revelation during a secret-sharing session. After a ruse is exposed, Dawn inadvertently sets in motion a chaotic chain of events that seals the fate of the ward.

The ward's fate is in doubt, so DiDi tries to think of a way to save it, but is distracted by pressure from Dawn to be her health advocate. Meanwhile, the obstreperous Varla returns and clashes with her estranged daughter; Dr. James confesses her sins to her husband; and a memorial service has no shortage of drama.

On the day of her "Sympoosium," Dr. James is plagued by unexpected complications. Patsy embraces his truth, and DiDi finds herself caught between work and family. Dawn and Dr. James see uncanny visions of themselves in two British visitors, Dr. Pippa Moore and Sister Den Flixter.

While preparing for a conference, Dr. James is caught off-guard by workplace politics. A felon (Rhea Perlman) with cancer, and a history of daring escapes, arrives at the ward. When his mother (Ivone Coll) pays a visit, Patsy asks Dawn to pose as someone she's not. DiDi's mother-in-law (Gloria Leroy) comes to Billy Barnes for treatment, sparking a family feud.

The staff faces an infectious disease crisis. DiDi's family drama spills into work, in the person of Yvette, her sister-in-law. Dr. James reaches out to a pharmaceutical company and finds herself affected by a patient with a complicated past (Joyce Geronimus). A worn-out Dawn is revived by Patsy's unpredictable advances.

As Dr. Jenna James looks to move past her hospice scandal, she finds her job threatened by a handsome new doctor (Grant Bowler) and takes immediate action. DiDi is inspired to fight for her union rights, while cutbacks force Patsy to return to floor duty. Dawn questions her marriage and later gets distressing news.