Brandon announces that he has accepted a job with the Washington bureau of the New York Chronicle. Kelly and Donna prepare to open their store, Now Wear This. Brandon becomes unnerved by the realization that Kelly is getting on with her life, and feels threatened by Matt's presence. Kelly meets with Leah, who explains that she returned to Lenny after learning that she was pregnant, but left again when he threatened her life. Although Kelly insists that she doesn't need his help, Brandon writes a story about the custody case. Brandon decides that he wants to stay in Los Angeles, but Kelly urges him to take the job and pursue his dreams. The gang throws a surprise going-away party for Brandon. Before departing, he convinces his parents to let Steve, Val and Noah stay in the house. Donna turns to Matt for comfort as she and Noah drift further apart. Valerie seeks legal advice from Matt. She explains that the killing was an accident, but Matt warns that a jury may not agree. Abby tells Val that she will not turn her in—not because she forgives her, but because she cannot deal with the shame of having everyone know her family's horrible secrets. Sophie finds it difficult to break into show business. She attracts attention to herself by renting a billboard with her picture, phone number and the message "Where's Sophie?"

As Kelly and Valerie pack Brandon's belongings for shipment, Kelly discovers a letter in which Val advised Brandon not to marry her. She turns everyone against Val and gets them to boycott her Thanksgiving gathering. Hoping to help Kelly understand Valerie's behavior, David details her troubled childhood. Although Val is not interested in her pity, Kelly insists on helping with Thanksgiving dinner. Kelly and Valerie establish another truce, but Valerie suddenly announces that she is moving back to Buffalo. She apologizes for all the trouble she caused, and thanks everyone for their friendship before leaving. David has a one-night stand with an apparent groupie, unaware that she is just seventeen years old. He faces statutory rape charges after the girl confesses to her parents. Noah blacks out while driving drunk and crashes his car. He fears that he may have been involved with a hit-and-run, and turns himself in. Donna's cousin Gina comes to town with an ice show. She loses her job and agent, but tries to hide the truth from Donna, who has always had a more privileged lifestyle than Gina. Noah goes on a bender following the death of the hit-and-run victim; Gina offers to watch over him. She kisses him in a photography booth at the amusement park. Noah is relieved to learn that he did not hit anyone with his car, and vows to stop drinking. Donna asks Gina to move into the beach apartment. Janet agrees to continue sleeping with Steve, but wants to see other people. She later admits that she isn't seeing anyone; she fears that Steve would hurt her if they dated. Matt and Kelly grow closer and share a kiss. Dylan surprises everyone by showing up at the house on Thanksgiving night.