Brenda discovers a diary hidden in her window seat that apparently belonged to a previous resident. Brenda becomes engrossed in the girl's accounts of the political struggles and her own personal crises in the years 1968 and 1969.

Brenda is thrilled when an acclaimed director, named Roy Randolph, arrives at the university to direct the campus production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. But things so south when she finds herself competing against Kelly for the lead. Meanwhile, Clare Arnold arrives on campus and takes extreme measures in her pursuit of Brandon. Steve is reunited with Laura Kingman (the girl who tried to accuse him of date-rape), where he coaches her for the same lead role, while Kelly also wants in on the part. Also, Dylan tries to help a jealous Erica accept her mother's new chemist boyfriend, Kevin.