Winter finally comes to Newport, and Seth, Ryan, Summer and Marissa attend the annual "SnO.C. Winter Ball." Julie and Jimmy spend some quality time together as the chairs of the host committee and Sandy continues to close in on the truth Caleb has been hiding. Meanwhile, Julie discovers Marissa's secret when Marissa goes home at lunch to meet D.J.

As one family strengthens, another will be changed forever. The Cohens, after Caleb's revelation, decide to try to accept Lindsay as a member of the family, while another family is heartbroken over the news that one of them is leaving Newport Beach. Meanwhile, Seth tries to be a "bad boy" like Ryan to improve his relationship with Alex.