Brandon uses Kelly as his date at a university social event to shield his affair with Lucinda from Josh Richland, the snooping student reporter from the Condor who is determined to dig up any dirt on Brandon. Meanwhile, Brenda and Stuart travel to Palm Springs where they find big complications from a small mistake Brenda makes which leaves them stranded in the desert, where Brenda finally breaks off their engagement for good. David rents a piano as a new hobby while Kelly moves back in with him and Donna. Also, Andrea lets Steve use her dorm room which he rents out to Muntz and his other frat brothers.

Brenda and Donna attend an animal rights rally, and are crestfallen when the university refuses to suspend animal testing. After the dog Rocky dies of cancer, Brenda becomes involved with a small group of radicals. She serves as lookout when the group breaks into the university research building and tries in vain to save Andrea's lab (which does not harm animals in its testing). Brenda is arrested. Meanwhile, Kelly and Brandon are furious when Dylan refuses to fund Lucinda's documentary film. Dylan finally tells Kelly that Lucinda attempted to seduce him in order to get money to fund her documentary. Kelly also confesses her kiss with Brandon. The jealous Dylan arrives at the Walsh house to fight Brandon, but the tension is defused when he accidentally punches Steve. When Brandon confronts Lucinda that she tried to seduce Dylan just to get a grant for her film, she shows no remorse over it and finally tells Brandon that she does not believe in monogamy, On top of that, Lucinda also claims to have had many sex partners before Brandon, and even during her marriage with Professor Randall. Brandon does not take the news well and quietly breaks up with Lucinda.