Dr. Michael Rossi arrives by train in the small New England town of Peyton Place. He is greeted at the station by teenager Rodney Harrington and his girlfriend, Betty Anderson, who drive him to the local inn. Rodney catches his father, Leslie Harrington, wealthy head of the Peyton Place Mills, kissing his secretary Julie Anderson, Betty's mother. Betty is confused by the sudden change in Rodney's demeanor and his conflicted silence. They break off in anger and Rodney drives away. He encounters virginal Allison MacKenzie, a special friend of his shy younger brother, Norman Harrington. Allison and Rodney are seen kissing by Constance MacKenzie, Allison's over-protective mother. Dr. Rossi befriends Matthew Swain, editor of the "Peyton Place Clarion".

Norman learns that Rodney is after Allison. Leslie urges Rodney to forget what he saw last night. Dr. Rossi gets settled and meets Constance, whom he's sure that he knows, which worries her.

Dr. Rossi tells Betty she may be pregnant. Laura decides to stay on as Rossi's secretary. Matthew urges Connie to tell Allison the truth about her birth. Betty tries to talk to Rodney. Dr. Rossi remembers Connie and the circumstances of her pregnancy.

Lesley Harrington tells July Anderson he loves here. July says she cannot leave George, because she still loves George, despite things he does and despite she is afraid of him. Constance visits Mike Rossi to tell the truth, about the birth of Allison After breaking up with Betty, Rodney has a date with Allison. He puts all his charms on her to make her feel special, Betty is desperate because Rodney left her, she tells her mother she thinks she is pregnant. George comes home angry and beats his wife.

After George beats up Julie, he asks for help with doctor Rossi, to whom he tells she fell off the stairs. Later, he tells to his daughter she is too good for Rodney. Michael confronts Constance with the fact she is shutting him out of her life. Meanwhile, Leslie asks Rod why he broke up with Betty. Leslie's affair with Julie comes up, which Norman hears. They are interrupted with George, who visits the Harrington house, tells Leslie about Julie's situation.

When Andrea Nichols asks Norman out for a date, he blames Rod for setting them up. Rod did this so he can go out with Allison. When Betty finds out Rodney went out on a date with Allison, she is shocked. Meanwhile, George feels guilty about hitting his wife and tries to make up with her. Matthew visits Constance and urges her to tell the truth about her father. Meanwhile, at the party, Betty steals the attention from Rodney, which does not please Allison. She ends up dumping Rodney, after she sees Betty flirting with him.

Rodney makes up with Allison and they end up almost kissing, before they are interrupted. Meanwhile, George wants to make up with Julie and she purposes to go in therapy, which makes George angry.

Constance comes back from her night out with doctor Rossi and invites him in. Rodney thinks Allison is not interested in him. She ends up going home crying and blames her mother for her being afraid to love someone. The next day, doctor Rossi tells a shocked Betty she is pregnant. She next is afraid to tell her father. Julie forces her to tell Rod about the pregnancy. Meanwhile, Rodney invites Allison over for brunch. Michael is introduced to doctor Robert Morton. Norman is sad when he sees Rod and Allison together.

It's the yearly Peyton Place Founders Festival. Allison is at the Harrington house for a family brunch. Leslie finds out Catherine isn't feeling well. Rod tells Allison he loves her and they kiss. Meanwhile, Julie forces Betty to tell Rod about her pregnancy, but he doesn't want to talk to her. Catherine becomes suspicious of Leslie's long working hours and thinks he has an affair with Julie. They admit to each other they are unhappy. At the festival, Connie becomes jealous when she sees Michael with Laura. So is Betty, when she sees Rod with Allison.

Rossi intercepts Betty before she gets to Rodney and questions her intentions. Although she wants to be Rod's girl, Betty expresses reluctance in entrapping him. Later, Betty presses Leslie Harrington for the reason his son rejected her. Unwittingly, Leslie reveals that Betty's mother, Julie, was in the office with him when Rod came in on that fateful night. George Anderson speaks with Dr. Rossi about his medication. Rossi, more concerned with George's violence toward his wife, suggests psychiatric therapy. Leslie confesses his slip of tongue with Betty to Julie, who decides to resign from her position at the mill. Unhappy in his own marriage, Leslie is not yet ready to give up on Julie. Watching Rod and Allison dancing in the bandstand, Betty determines to make him aware of her pregnancy.

While the fireworks of the festival are shot in the air, Rodney and Allison kiss. They are interrupted by Betty, who says she wants to talk to Rod. Meanwhile, Constance joins Michael and Laura for dinner. While Rod is talking to Betty, Allison is being harassed by biker Jimmy. She is rescued by George, who then finds out she's dating with Rodney. When he gets home, Julie tells him she has quited her job. Back in the car, Betty asks Rod what his feelings for Allison are. She tells him she knows about the affair of Leslie and Julie and confronts him with her pregnancy. Rodney is shocked and decides to drive back to Peyton Place. On their way, they are hit by a truck. Rod struggles to get out of the car and Betty is unconscious.

Matthew tells to Allison and Constance, Rodney and Betty were involved in a car accident. He says Betty is badly injured and is in surgery in the hospital. When George finds out, he is enraged and takes out on Leslie, blaming his son Rodney for the cause. When Leslie confronts Rodney about the accidents, Rodney admits he planned to run away town with Allison, but can't anymore now because of Betty. Later, doctor Rossi doesn't want George around the recovering Betty. He leaves and demands Leslie to force Rodney to get back with Betty. Meanwhile, Matthew asks Allison not to call him uncle Matt anymore.

Doctor Rossi informs Julie and George that Betty had a miscarriage because of the car accident. Julie later visits her daughter and tells her George knows about the former pregnancy. Rodney tells Allison he has to be with Betty. Meanwhile, Leslie visits Betty and she gives him a hard time. She comes to his point and says he wants her to leave town and put the baby - he doesn't know about the miscarriage - up for adoption. She later tells to her dad about her conversation with Leslie and he swears revenge. Rodney drops in and suggests for them to marry. She knows he only does it because of the pregnancy. She accepts and doesn't tell him about her miscarriage.

Although Julie Anderson wanted her daughter to tell Rodney about the miscarriage, Betty plays out her deception and marries Rod before a Justice of the Peace in nearby White River. The following morning, Rod's conspicuous absence at the Harrington breakfast table alerts the family to the fact that he has eloped. Catherine Harrington is appalled that Leslie would allow the marriage to take place; Norman does his best to defend Betty. Leslie heads to the Anderson home to learn that Betty, too, is absent. George rants about their new relationship and his plans for starting an insurance business. When Leslie reveals that he offered Betty a way out of her predicament, George, constantly reliving his war experiences, strikes out at Leslie. His erratic behavior disgusts both Les and Julie.

Betty tells Allison she and Rodney are married. When she tells Constance, she is mad and wants to do something, but is stopped by Michael. Constance becomes mad at her. Before Rod and Betty go to the Harrington house to inform them about their marriage, they stop by the Andersons. Julie confronts her daughter with not telling about her miscarriage. Meanwhile, Catherine again confronts Leslie about his contacts with Julie. When Rodney and Betty arrive, Leslie welcomes Betty in their family. When Rodney is out to get some champagne, Leslie tells her he only married her because of the pregnancy.

Betty attempts niceties with her new mother-in-law, but Catherine is perfectly cold toward her. Norman uses his mother's illness as an excuse for her rude behavior. Betty pays a call on Dr. Rossi, who urges her to tell Rod the truth about the baby while, later, her father reassures her on her course of action. Having already made plans with Constance, Rossi declines a country club date with Laura Brooks, who observes them driving away. Constance is visibly upset when Rossi takes her to the old Carson cottage, which he has rented from Eli Carson, a bronchitis patient. Constance reveals that a woman was murdered in the cottage around the time of the war.

Leslie tells Betty he accepts her as a Harrington member. Next, doctor Morton comes over to check on the sick Catherine. She asks him to spy on Betty, whenever she visits the hospital. Meanwhile, George visits Leslie at work to come up and get Julie's stuff. He apologizes to Leslie about hitting him. He also tells him he is going to open his own agency. Leslie doesn't want to lose him as a salesman, but George declines. Michael asks Connie out on a date again and she accepts. Allison is being gossiped about by classmates. Robert runs into Matthew and tells him he has his doubts about doctor Rossi. He next goes to Michael and asks about Betty. Michael doesn't let go any information and threatens doctor Morton with his job when Robert says he thinks Betty is manipulative.

Eli Carson receives a special delivery letter and rushes to Dr. Rossi's office. He reveals that his son, who has been imprisoned for murdering his wife eighteen years ago, may soon be paroled. Elliot Carson has maintained his innocence all these years and is determined to prove it. Eli is concerned that Elliot may want to take possession of his old beach cottage which was recently rented to Rossi. Upon hearing of Elliot's imminent release, Constance confesses to Rossi that the photograph of Allison's father on the mantle is a fake; there never was a Mr. MacKenzie. Before going out of town, Dr. Morton pays a call to the Harrington home. While he doesn't reveal his knowledge to Catherine, he makes it obvious to Betty that he is aware of her deception. During his absence, Catherine takes a turn for the worse and Laura Brooks summons Dr. Rossi to the house.

Newlyweds Rod and Betty dine at the Inn with her parents, unaware of the drama being enacted at the Harrington home. With Dr. Morton away in Boston, Rossi attends to the ailing Catherine (Peyton) Harrington. A ruptured ulcer is his initial diagnosis, but Rossi takes her to the hospital for further tests. Morton calls Rossi at the hospital and insists the junior doctor await his return---since Catherine is his patient. As Catherine's condition worsens, and without any other available doctors to confirm his diagnosis, Rossi feels he must operate immediately. Leslie Harrington wavers over granting consent, prefering to wait for Morton.

Returning to the Harrington home following dinner with Betty's parents, Rodney learns that his mother has been rushed to the hospital. Betty, who has just had an argument with Rod, presses him to go without her. She packs a bag and heads for the bus station, but is ultimately dissuaded from leaving town by Allison MacKenzie. Believing Catherine can't wait for Morton's arrival at the hospital, Rossi once again pressures Leslie for permission to operate. Leslie reluctantly agrees. Midway through surgery, Morton arrives and causes commotion in the operating room by insisting he take over. Despite Rossi's efforts, Catherine Harrington expires. Learning of his wife's death, Leslie admits he should have waited for Morton, who denies Rossi's request for an autopsy and vows to run the younger doctor out of town.

Old Eli Carson suffers an angina attack in the town square and is attended to by Dr. Rossi, who instructs Laura to have Catherine Harrington's autopsy rescheduled. Chief of Staff Dr. Morton pulls rank and proceeds with the autopsy. Underage Norman Harrington is refused liquor at Ada's Tavern and proceeds to get into fisticuffs with some ""wharf rats"". Discovered by Rossi and the MacKenzie women, he accuses Rossi of allowing his mother to die. Allison comforts Norman and brings him to the Harrington home. Betty is unusually cordial towards Allison, thanking her for preventing her from leaving town and wondering if they could become friends. Driving Allison home, Rodney professes that his feelings toward her haven't changed; Allison later confesses the same emotions to her mother. When he returns home, Betty finally makes a full admission to an incredulous Rod regarding her deception about their baby.

After Mike talks to Connie, he returns to his office where Laura informs him a patient has backed out because of Catherine's death. Doctor Morton talks trash about Michael to Leslie, who sticks up for doctor Rossi. Meanwhile, Rodney tells his father Betty won't get a baby. He offers him to divorce her, but he responds it's more complicated. Betty interrupts them and tells Leslie she has hired a lawyer. At the same moment, Allison tells Matthew she doesn't want to write teen columns for him anymore and he responds she isn't allowed to miss another deadline anymore. Doctor Morton has arranged a meeting against doctor Rossi and when he walks in, Robert confronts him he should never have operated Catherine. Michael defends himself.

Leslie tells Betty to not make a big deal out of her future divorce with Rodney, but she tells him she isn't planning on divorcing his son. He then goes to her parents George and Julie to talk about the divorce, but he is annoyed with George, who thinks there is nothing Leslie can do. Meanwhile, Laura flirts with Mike, but he tells her that there is no future with the two of them together. At the same moment, Allison and Constance discuss about Mike being a suspect of Catherine's death. Robert talks to doctor Morton and he tells him the boarder has decided the operation was unnecessary and doctor Rossi will be fired. Doctor Rossi next gets mad at doctor Morton. When Constance talks to Matt, he tells her that Elliot Carson might be coming to Peyton Place because he is on parole.

Betty is still being looked down on by Leslie and now Rod also doesn't talk to her anymore. She has had enough and says she is to move back in with her parents again. He offers her money to leave town, but she rejects it. After he is convinced by Constance and Matthew, Rossi - who has recently lost his privileges at the hospital - pursues vindication of the charges against him. Meanwhile, the Harringtons are gathered when the will of Catherine is revealed. When attorney Theodore Dowell starts to read her will, he is called by William Kennerling, who has a codicil to the will.

William Kennedy comes to visit Leslie Harrington, while the will of Catherine is being read out loud. There are problems when it appears Martin Peyton, Catherine's father, is included in the will as well. George decides to also go the reading of the will. Meanwhile, Betty tells Julie Rodney has offered to pay her if she leaves town. She accuses Julie for not loving George, but Julie tells her she does love him. At the book store, Matt tells Constance he is to visit Elliot and that Elliot most likely will come to Peyton Place. Allison asks her about Elliot and Constance admits she doesn't want to see him again. Later, Constance is at Michael's place and he tells her he probably has to move if Elliot comes back, because he lives in Elliot's former house. He also makes clear he is thinking about moving back to New York City, but promises her he isn't going to leave. They kiss after wards. Meanwhile, Elliot is being annoyed by his prison mate and he threatens him.

Matt visits Elliot in prison, where Elliot makes it clear he is determined to return to Peyton Place and prove his innocence. Rodney flirts with Allison, but is embarrassed when they run into his ex-father-in-law George. George later goes to Mike after physically hurting Julie and asks for pills to prevent him of becoming violence. Meanwhile, Rodney has a fall out with Betty. Laura tells Mike Dr. Bradley was once a surgeon, after which Mike confronts him. Dr. Bradley lies to him and calls Dr. Morton.

Laura accepts a luncheon date with Dr. Joe Bradley. Laura's deceased husband, Donald Brooks, and Dr. Bob Morton assisted Bradley in his final surgery some five years ago. Her curiosity aroused by Bradley's inquiries regarding anything Donald may have told her about the surgery on Matthew Swain, Laura relays the conversation to Rossi. Rossi immediately questions Matthew, who reports that Morton attended to him after Bradley suffered some sort of illness. Excited that his son may be home for the holidays, Eli shares the news with Constance---who is guardedly enthusiastic. Losing another client sets George Anderson on a drinking binge, prompting Julie to go to the Mill to persuade Leslie to reinstate her husband. When she returns home George, who had followed his wife to the Mill, physically attacks Julie. In the act of defending herself, Julie knocks George unconscious.

When help is looked for, Mike turns to the Anderson home. He soon worries about the domestic violence. George is taken to the Doctor's Hospital, where Mike and Dr. Morton anger each other about who is in charge. Julie temporarily stays at the MacKenzie house. Here, she is visited by her daughter Betty, who blames her for the situation. Bradley seeks out Morton and reveals that he lied about the Harrington autopsy out of a sense of obligation to Morton for having saved his career after the Swain surgery. Morton sends Bradley into "hiding".

Norman overhears Leslie urging Dr. Morton to proclaim Catherine incompetent when she ordered the codicil to her will, but he refuses to. Laura tries to help Mike out in the hospital, but he feels manipulated into spending time with her. Matthew stresses Connie when he tells her Elliot has his parole hearing tomorrow. Norman asks Allison out on a date and she accepts. Dr. Morton comes to Dr. Rossi's office and admits Michael was right and he was wrong and promises him he will reinstate him at the hospital and make a public apology.

Rossi tells George that Julie is temporarily staying with Connie Mackenzie, while Julie reveals to Leslie that she is leaving George. Leslie offers Julie her old job back at the mill, but she refuses, stating that it won't solve anything. Later, George informs Julie that he will not give her a divorce. Allison asks Connie about the town in Scotland where her ""father"" was born. Connie wants Allison to attend college away from Peyton Place, but Allison reminds her that it's too late to enroll anywhere else for the winter semester. Eli meets Elliot at the state prison as the parole hearing begins.

It's now winter and Allison tells her mother she doesn't think Elliot Carson has murdered his wife. When Betty visits Julie at the MacKenzie house, Julie tells her she is going to leave George. Later, Betty goes to her drunk father and he calls her Julie. Connie reveals to Mike that Elliot is Allison's biological father. Betty talks to Rodney and finally realizes that there is no love between them. Rodney offers her the divorce. She decides to leave town, but is stopped by Allison. She is not able to change Betty's minds and promises her she won't tell anyone about seeing her there.

Everyone is worried with Betty's sudden disappearance. Leslie and Rod hire a private detective, who claims to have seen her in a hotel called Quincy. While Rodney feels guilty and is sad, Leslie is delighted because he thinks a divorce can be final because of her "desertion". Mike and Connie grow more to each other. Laura tells Leslie that she thinks the family is no good. George visits Julie at the MacKenzie house. She tells him Betty has been gone for a while. Meanwhile, Allison admits to Rodney she saw Betty leave by bus. They are interrupted by George, who threatens to kill Rodney if Betty doesn't show up anytime soon. In the ending, a free Elliot Carson enters Peyton Place.

Elliot arrives in Peyton Place and first visits his father. Betty phones her mother to insure her that she is safe in New York. Allison prepares to sign up for Peyton College. Later, she meets up with Rodney and tells him Betty is in New York, but doesn't want to be found. Rod is annoyed by his feelings, because he is in love with his wife, but now also finds himself attracted to Allison. Afterwards, Allison has a polite talk with Elliot Carson. George later has a confrontation with Leslie, when he turns to the Mill and thinks he still works there for Leslie. When he arrives at his current job, his boss Mr. King demands his rent. George doesn't have the money and promises to give it to him later. After Mr. King leaves, George locks himself up in his office and pulls out a loaded gun.

It is midnight and George is still in his office with his gun. Julie and Connie are informed by Mr. King. Meanwhile, Elliot and Mike meet each other for the first time. Later, Mike and Julie arrive at George's office. When they hear a gunshot, it is Elliot who talks himself in the office. He hits George in the head and takes away his gun. He finally gives himself in to Mike and apologizes to Julie for his behavior. Mike tells Julie George is manic-depressive. Afterwards, Elliot meets Connie in her book store and asks her not to be afraid of him. She also tells him she doesn't want to tell the truth to Allison.

Elliot bonds with Allison when they talk about their love for writing. Later, Leslie offers Elliot a job at the mill, but he responses in-politely and refuses. Meanwhile, Laura resigns as Mike's secretary. Norman brags to Rodney that he has a date with Allison. Laura says to Mike she intends to make a world trip with his money. Allison asks Matt if she can use his archive to find information on Elliott. Elliot and Eli meet up with boarding house landlady Mrs. Hewitt. Elliott feels accused by her of his supposed murder on his wife. She apologizes and promises to make up with him. When she leaves, Elliott finds out his father thinks he actually did kill Elizabeth.

In New York, Betty applies at an employment agency, but refuses to tell where she is from. She is suggested to go back to Peyton Place. She is emotional and runs into Sharon Purcell, who offers Betty a helping hand. Back in Peyton Place, Laura is about to leave Peyton Place and gets drunk. Elliot goes to the Ada's Tavern, where Ada suggests him to leave the past behind after he asks her who Elizabeth's secret lover was. Elliott tells her he can't rest until he finds out who really killed Elizabeth. When Rodney tries to talk with Allison, she brushes him off. Connie sees this and asks him to leave Allison alone. At the library, Allison runs into Elliott. They talk about their love for poetry.

Connie and Allison are disappointed when Julie tells them she is ready to go to her own house. George is in therapy by Dr. Kessler. Mike asks Julie if she wants to be his secretary, since his latest secretary Laura has left for Europe. Julie agrees to consider his offer. Allison enrolls in Peyton College. When Rodney runs into Allison, he admits Connie has asked him not to hang out with her anymore. Meanwhile, Betty has befriended Sharon and they go out to shop for expensive clothes. When Elliot tries to refill the prescription of his father Eli, he is customized by Calvin Hanley, Elizabeth's father. He swears he didn't kill his daughter. At the moment Julie is leaving for dinner with Leslie, she gets a phone call from Betty. However, she has just left when the phone rings.

Elliot runs into Elizabeth's younger brother Paul Hanley on the streets of Peyton Place. Having studied in Cambridge, Paul has returned to teach at Peyton College. They discuss Elizabeth's death. Paul assures Elliot that his testimony alone did not convict Elliot of murder and repeats his claim that he heard Elliot arguing with Elizabeth right before the murder. Julie is cross with Rodney for his treatment of her absent daughter. In New York, Sharon reveals that her roommate Libby is sailing around the Greek isles and probably won't return for some time. Sharon asks Betty to stay in her apartment while Libby is gone. Betty makes herself at home in the luxurious surroundings. Allison meets Paul at the Book Gallery and notes that he is one of her professors for the spring semester. Afterward, Elliot arrives, and then Dr. Rossi comes in with news that Eli is in need of a gall bladder operation.

After talking to Paul, Allison goes to the pharmacy, where Calvin tells her make-up will make her look cheap. Matt walks in and Calvin tells him he is certain Elliot has killed Elizabeth. When Betty and Sharon are catching up, Betty tells she won't return to Peyton Place. Michael tells Connie he isn't glad with Elliot in town. When Allison arrives at home, she tells about her hanging out with Paul. Connie tells her she wants her to see more people of her own age. Meanwhile, Elliot visits his father at the hospital. He tells him he is going to be operated. In New York, Sharon admits she sometimes feels empty inside when her married lover leaves for his family. They are phoned by him and he asks Betty out on a date. She reacts with hesitation, but accepts.

After he appears bearing the gift of a sweater for Allison, Connie reminds Elliot that Allison never wanted for anything as a child. Later, Connie and Rossi's nice evening is ruined when they argue about Connie's possessiveness toward Allison. Leslie receives a note to call private detective Blaine in New York. At Sharon's apartment, Betty meets Sharon's married lover Phil and Phil's friend Roy Roberts, who has flown in from Amsterdam. Roy flirts with Betty who pretends to enjoy martinis straight-up. When they return to the apartment alone later that night, Roy thinks a coy Betty is playing ""hard to get"", and he pursues her very aggressively. A terrified Betty screams in terror. Suddenly understanding that she really isn't a sophisticated woman, Roy tenderly allays her fears. As he leaves the apartment, Roy urges Betty to return to Peyton Place and gives her money for bus fare home, unaware that the elevator operator has witnessed the transaction.

Betty answers the phone in Sharon's apartment and speaks to Sharon's mother. Betty realizes that Sharon isn't much different from herself, a small-town girl with very humble origins. Betty phones Julie, who reveals that George has suffered a nervous breakdown and is confined to Greenvale Sanitarium. Sharon comes home to find Betty packing a suitcase. Sharon begs Betty not to leave as she has grown very fond of her, but Betty insists she has to return to Peyton Place. Paul and Calvin Hanley have an awkward father/son moment. Calvin reassures Paul that he did the right thing by testifying against Elliot in the murder trial. Connie gives Allison the sweater Elliot bought for her. Elliot encounters Norman, Allison, and Paul skating at Baker's Pond. Julie phones Rodney with news that Betty is coming home, but Leslie warns him that Blaine has information about Betty's escapades in New York.

Rodney visits Betty at the Anderson home and offers to help her anyway he can. Connie drives Elliot to the hospital where Eli is having gallbladder surgery. Connie confesses to Elliot that she met Dr. Rossi when he interned at the New York hospital where she gave birth to Allison. Matt regrets not seeing Eli before the surgery, and admits to Connie that too many of his friends have died. They later learn that Eli has survived the surgery. Rossi takes Betty to see George at the sanitarium, but George is unresponsive to Betty's presence. On the drive back to Peyton Place, Betty relates her experiences in New York to Rossi, telling him that Roy gave her bus fare home. Rossi drops Betty off at the Peyton Mills, where Leslie watches her ruefully from the window.

Betty meets Leslie at the Mill and offers to annul her marriage to Rodney in exchange for Leslie's promise to pay George's medical fees. Leslie agrees to the deal. After Betty leaves, Detective Blaine brings his report about Betty's friendship with Sharon Purcell. Leslie locks the report in his desk without reading the details. Allison receives a portrait of herself sent by a secret admirer. Betty drops by the Harrington mansion to retreive her belongings. She and Rodney have a pleasant meeting that ends with Rodney kissing her. Allison meets Paul at a Peyton College art exhibit and realizes that he was responsible for her portrait. Rodney spars with Paul, obviously jealous that Paul seems interested in Allison. Elliot demands that Connie face the past and asks how she feels about him now. They argue, and Elliot breaks the photo of the fake ""Mr. Mackenzie"" that sits on the fireplace mantel.

Paul drives Allison home. Elliot is just walking away from the MacKenzie home and gets a lift from Paul. Elliot thinks he is persuading her and reminds him Allison is only 18. Paul confronts him with his past, which makes Elliot angry. The next day, Betty runs into Allison in Calvin's shop. Betty admits she's ending her marriage with Rod. When they leave, Paul bumps into them and is introduced to Betty. He walks into the shop and confronts his father with giving him the idea Elliot has killed Elizabeth. Meanwhile, doctor Rossi advices Elliot for Eli to move to a warmer climate to improve his health. Elliot reminds him he doesn't have any money for his father to move. At Peyton Mills, Leslie is visited by Matt. Matt is the executor of Catherine's will and reminds him Catherine wanted the mill to be owned by her father Martin Peyton. They are interrupted by doctor Wainwright, who has information about Catherine knowing he was unfaithful to his wife.

Leslie gives Rodney a copy of Detective Blaine's report on Betty, but Rodney rips it up without reading it. Connie celebrates her birthday. Connie declines Elliot's dinner offer as she already has plans with Rossi. Rodney attempts to return a strand of pearls to Betty. When he mentions the Blaine report, she accuses him of being as manipulative as his father, prompting Rodney to slap her. Betty states that there's hope for him if he takes a comparison to Leslie as an insult. Later, while stopping to visit Julie at Rossi's office, Betty assists Rossi with an injured young patient. Allison wants to attend a New York field trip being chaperoned by Paul. Over dinner, Connie admits to Rossi that if Elliot actually killed Elizabeth; she's to blame. Allison finds a book of poetry that Elliot left as a gift for Connie. Connie refuses to grant permission for Allison's trip to New York with Paul. Allison reminds her mother that Connie went to New York when she was Allison's age.

Allison wishes Eli a bon voyage before his trip to Florida. Elliot reveals to Eli that Allison is his granddaughter, the product of his affair with Connie 18 years ago. Allison argues with Connie about the New York trip and laments to Matt that she has a right to know what happened to her mother there so many years ago. Robert Wainwright, Martin Peyton's lawyer, questions Elliot about the murder of Elizabeth and asks if Elliot knows the identity of the man Elizabeth was seeing. Elliot says he doesn't, then asks if Wainwright knows. Leslie and attorney Theodore Dowell talk about Les' relationship with Elizabeth. Later, Leslie denies to Elliot that he and Elizabeth were having an affair. Rossi finds a drunken Paul Hanley lurking outside his cottage. Paul reveals that his late sister lived there 18 years ago. When Elliot arrives, Paul nervously excuses himself and quickly leaves.

Julie is apprehensive when the sanitarium psychiatrist suggests George have a trial visit to Peyton Place. Elliot informs Dr. Rossi that he intends to take possession of the cottage again. Leslie gives Julie a copy of Blaine's report on Betty. Julie ends her relationship with Leslie. Betty and Rodney meet with the attorney to dissolve their marriage. Matt urges Constance to tell Allison the truth about her parentage. Elliot warns Allison to stay away from Paul Hanley.

Elliot tells Calvin Hanley that he knows Elizabeth was seeing Leslie when she was murdered. Later, Calvin visits Leslie, who admits that Catherine wrote a letter to Martin Peyton that detailed Leslie's affair with Elizabeth. Paul attempts to persuade Constance into granting permission for Allison to attend the New York field trip, but she refuses. Elliot warns Connie that Paul is suspicious about what happened 18 years ago. After a visit from Leslie's attorney, Calvin collapses and dies.

Betty and Rodney's marriage is annulled. Rossi suggests to Julie that Betty might consider training as a nurse's aide. Leslie and Norman argue about Leslie's intent to prove Catherine was incompetent when she added the codicil to her will. While disposing of Calvin's effects, Paul finds a trunk hidden in a closet.

Betty interviews with Nurse Choate at Doctor's Hospital, but Choate is skeptical about Betty's commitment to nursing. Allison offers Paul sympathy over his father's death, though Paul is unmoved. Rodney tells Allison that his marriage is legally over, and he wants to see her again. Paul finds a diary in Calvin's trunk and secretly leaves it in Elliot's cottage. Elliot discovers the diary wrapped in an 18 year-old newspaper announcing the murder of Elizabeth Hanley Carson.

Julie and Nurse Choate clash at the hospital. Dr. Rossi convinces Betty not to quit her job without giving it a proper chance. Rodney and Allison meet for a skiing trip, while Norman laments that he is tired of ""going downhill"". Elliot admits to Leslie's attorney that he has a copy of Elziabeth's diary and can prove she and Leslie were having an affair. Julie and Betty worry about George's trial visit.

Attorney Wainwright suggests Leslie drop the codicil fight since Elliot is in possession of evidence that implicates Leslie in Elizabeth's murder. At the Shoreline Cafe, Rita Jacks and her friend Kitch taunt Norman. Kitch spikes Norman's drink, then threatens Rita who fails to persuade Norman not to drink it. Allison and Rodney's evening at the ski lodge is interrupted by a morose Paul. Leslie warns Constance he'll expose Elliot as Allison's father if Connie doesn't persuade Elliot into not using Elizabeth's diary against him.

Leslie gives Constance one day to hand over Elizabeth's diary or he'll expose Allison's true parentage. Allison interrupts Connie, who is attempting to contact Elliot with news of Leslie's blackmail. Kitch and his gang tie a drunken Norman to the Pillory in town square. Paul finds Norman and takes him to the hospital. Dr. Rossi assures Leslie and Rodney that Norman has not suffered any injuries. Connie tells an enraged Elliot about Leslie's threats. Elliot offers Connie the diary, but when she refuses to take it, he vows to find another way to stop Leslie.

Julie and Betty nervously welcome George home from the sanitarium. Rita visits Norman in the hospital and meets a disapproving Rodney. Elliot promises Leslie he won't use Elizabeth's diary against him if Leslie agrees to stay away from Constance and Allison. Leslie admits he saw Elizabeth at the cottage the night she was killed, but he vows he was not the killer.

Dr. Morton learns that his daughter Claire is coming home to Peyton Place from Lima, Peru. Rodney assures Leslie that he will deal with the person who spiked Norman's drink at the Shoreline. Nurse Choate and Betty spar again at the hospital. Rodney fights Kitch and his pal Earl for their part in Norman's trouble. Paul demands that Elliot return Elizabeth's diary so that the guilty party -Leslie Harrington- can be punished at last.

Paul visits Leslie and accuses him of murdering Elizabeth. Dr. Morton receives a phone call from Claire, who arrives at Miami International Airport. Norman asks Rita out on a date, but she tells him that his family wouldn't approve of her. Betty reveals to Paul that her father will be home for a week, and that he and Leslie Harrington hate one another.

Elliot is served with a subpoena, ordering him to produce Elizabeth's diary at Leslie's court hearing to void the codicil to Catherine's will. Matt discourages Elliot from burning the diary to protect Allison. Rita buys a book to teach herself about style and beauty. Ada approves of Rita and Norman dating. Paul and Leslie argue about Leslie's possible involvement in Elizabeth's death. George visits Leslie at the Mill, offering to pay back his medical expenses, but their conversation turns to animosity when George learns Leslie paid the bills to end Betty's marriage to Rodney. After the confrontation with Leslie, Paul offers an angry George a ride home.

Paul goads George into getting drunk at Ada's Tavern and informs him that Leslie has chased after many married women -not just Julie. Rodney tells Allison that Leslie has agreed to drop the codicil suit. Wainwright offers Leslie a settlement in exchange for his resignation from the Peyton Mill, then reveals that Martin Peyton has already interviewed applicants for Leslie's replacement. Elliot attempts to warn Leslie that an angry George is on his way to the Harrington mansion.

Paul drops George off at the Harrington mansion and tells him that Leslie killed Elizabeth Carson. Dr. Morton discovers that Claire isn't registered at the hotel where she said she'd be staying. George breaks into the mansion, wrestles a gun away from Leslie, and demands he write a confession to Elizabeth's murder. Elliot arrives at the mansion and is accidentally shot while attempting to save Leslie from being killed by George. Constance and Julie learn that George has shot Elliot.

Rossi and Dr. Morton fight to save Elliot's life. Leslie reveals to Norman and Rodney that he has decided to leave Peyton Place. Paul tells Allison about the shooting at the Harrington mansion. Rossi and Dr. Morton worry about a bullet fragment lodged in Elliot's aorta.

Rodney and Norman question why George would want to kill Leslie. Julie reports to Constance that George has been reconfined to Greenvale Sanitarium. Matt insists Eli be contacted in Florida with the news of Elliot's condition. Elliot awakens and is told that he'll survive. Claire Morton arrives at the hospital and meets Rossi. Leslie thanks Elliot for saving his life then demands to meet with Paul Hanley.

Leslie offers to pay Elliot's medical bills in gratitude, but Elliot states that he only wants his good name back. Leslie promises to clear Elliot of Elizabeth's murder. Rodney learns from Betty that George and Paul were drinking at Ada's Tavern just before George attempted to kill Leslie. After Elliot begins to hemorrhage, Constance asks to speak with Allison. Leslie meets with attorney Theodore Dowell and offers a full confession about Elizabeth's murder.

Constance tells Allison that Elliot Carson is her natural father and reveals the story of her conception. Leslie assures Julie that he isn't guilty of murdering Elizabeth. Allison turns to Paul after rejecting Connie as a liar. Claire questions Nurse Choate about Dr. Rossi's background. Betty blames Paul for George's violence. Rodney takes Allison to see Elliot, whose condition deteriorates. Before Elliot is rushed into emergency surgery, Allison tells him that she'll be waiting for him when he comes out.

Allison vows to never speak again to Constance if Elliot doesn't survive the surgery. Ada tells Paul he's still a troublemaker, just like he was as a child. Paul responds that he was always good at everything except loving. Betty and Claire meet at the hospital and develop a rapport. Allison rejects Connie and goes home with Betty. Rodney accuses Paul of goading George into attempting to kill Leslie. Claire receives a letter from Dr. Vincent Markham in Peru.

Julie calls Constance to tell her that Allison is spending the night at the Anderson home. Rossi invites Claire to go ice-skating. Connie warns Leslie that if he doesn't go to the police to clear Elliot's name, she will. Allison refuses to speak with Connie. When Rodney demands to know the truth about Elizabeth Carson's murder, Leslie finally confesses that Catherine murdered her in a jealous rage when she discovered that he and Elizabeth were lovers.

Rodney encounters Constance at Elliot's cottage and confesses that he knows who killed Elizabeth; Connie reassures him that Leslie loves him. Leslie prepares to leave for Boston, where he plans to clear Elliot's name by confessing the truth about Elizabeth's death to the Lieutenant Governor. Allison reveals to a hospitalized Elliot that she is changing her name to Carson, while Elliot asks her to forgive Connie for lying about her parentage. Claire asks for raincheck when Rossi invites her skating. Leslie reveals to Matt that he is resigning from Peyton Mill and begs Matt not sensationalize Catherine's crime since it will devastate Norman.

Rod tries to tell Norman about Catherine, but he is unable to. Allison tells Mike she will return home. Mike responds he was at the hospital when Connie gave birth to her. Connie is delighted when she returns home and assures her she loves her since the moment she was born. Meanwhile, Claire reveals to her mother she is married to a man named Dr. Markham. A newspaper is released with an article that clears Leslie from the accusation of murdering Elizabeth. Paul is mad and Norman confronts his brother, who reveals Catherine was the murderer. Norman is shocked and can't believe him.

Paul admits that he always ends up hurting the people around him, prompting Elliot to suggest he make changes in his life. Betty observes that Claire and Dr. Rossi would be a good match romantically. Claire admits to her father that she feels she never lived up to his expectations, but he assures her he only wants her happiness. Allison asks Matt why he never told her that Elliot was her father. Rodney reveals to Leslie that Norman thinks he killed Elizabeth, but Norman refuses to speak with Leslie. Elliot proposes a future with Constance. Leslie reveals that he plans to leave Peyton Place and go to Europe.

Eli returns from Florida for the wedding of Elliot and Constance. Rodney welcomes David, Doris, and Kim Schuster to the mansion after David takes over Leslie's position at Peyton Mill. Later, Doris cattily remarks that Rodney has no business being in their home. Elliot tells Eli that he is moving into the Mackenzie home. Allison helps Connie dress for the wedding. In Norman and Rodney's new apartment, Norman kisses Rita. Rossi wishes Connie and Elliot well. Rodney tells Norman that he received a letter from Leslie, who is currently residing in London. Norman doesn't care about Leslie but shows great interest in how the Schusters like the Harrington mansion. Rodney reminds Norman that must now live in the future instead of the past.

Elliot and Constance are married by Reverand Jerry Bedford, in standing room only ceremony. Reverand Bedford demonstrates an interest in Betty. The Schuster family moves into the Harrington mansion. Rossi reveals that George Anderson is unresponsive to treatment at the sanitarium, while Betty laments that she has hardly spoken to Rodney, who dances with Allison. Norman disrupts the wedding reception with a violent outburst, accusing everyone of being liars.

Connie and Elliot leave Peyton Place for their honeymoon. Allison meets Doris and Kim Schuster, who stop by the bookstore. Doris tells Allison that daughter Kim is deaf. Kim secretly steals a bell from the store. Matt interviews David Schuster for a newspaper feature. Allison makes dinner for Rodney, and they play the role of husband of wife having a quiet meal together. Dr. Morton tells Rossi that Norman always idolized his mother and is unable to accept her faults.

Rodney lectures Norman about frugality after Norman buys a car with his allowance. Rita models a new outfit for Ada and states that she wants to change image, implying it is for Norman's benefit, but Ada states flatly that it isn't right. Later, Norman tells Rita that the new dress isn't her style, which Rita takes a derogatory comment. Doris finds the bell Kim stole from Connie's bookstore. At Doctor's Hospital, young Reverand Jerry Bedford flirts with Betty. Allison meets David Schuster, who returns the bell Kim stole. Connie wonders what is wrong with a brooding Elliot. Allison receives word that Connie and Elliot are extending their honeymoon.

Attorney Theodore Dowell urges Rodney to look after Norman now that Leslie is gone. Allison decides to attend a house-warming/painting party at Rodney and Norman's new apartment. Rita arrives at the apartment having made new curtains for Norman. Allison shows up, too, and is introduced to Rita. Later, Norman acts strangely and leaves the party. At the Harrington mansion, Doris informs David that she has retained Anna Chernak to help with the household. David reveals that Kim's former New York teacher Amy Warren has refused to move to Peyton Place. Kim secretly watches her parents' conversation, reading lips, and when Doris states that they might consider sending Kim to a special school for the deaf, Kim slips out of the mansion. David discovers that Kim is missing from her room.

Having dinner with Rossi, Claire is annoyed when he questions why she refused her father's offer to place her on staff at Doctor's Hospital, but later, Claire admits to Grace she refused because she's married and likes Rossi too much. Rossi helps David search Peyton Place for a missing Kim. Rita and Allison discuss Norman at the housewarming party, and Allison leaves when Rita admits she feels intimidated. Rodney offers to help Rita feel more secure with Norman's world. Allison spies Kim hiding on the wharf, and hears Kim speak ""I hate you, Mommy"" to a doll. Norman frightens Doris after entering the Harrington mansion uninvited, prompting Doris to threaten to call the police.

Norman reveals his identity to Doris, who admits she is lonely too and invites him to return and talk anytime. Rodney and Allison phone Doris with the news that Kim has been found. Julie hints that she would like for Betty to date Reverand Jerry Bedford. A troubled Claire visits Jerry. Rodney and Allison bring Kim home to the mansion, where Kim hugs Allison, ignoring Doris. Angered, Doris snaps at Rodney about Norman ""breaking in"" to her home and states that it belongs to the Schusters now. Connie and Elliot discuss their future together under the same roof. Allison invites Rodney into her home, but he kisses her goodnight and leaves.

Norman and Rodney quarrel when Rod confronts his brother about the incident with Doris at the mansion. David and Doris argue about Kim, with David stating that it is a warning of something more serious. David stops by the Carson home the next morning to thank Allison for returning Kim. He interrogates her about what Kim said, but Allison claims she didn't understand. Claire joins the staff at Doctor's Hospital and has a spat with Rossi. Rodney apologizes to Doris for Norman's intrusion, and she accepts. Allison declines Doris' request that she babysit Kim, then Allison goes home to face Connie and Elliot, who have returned from their honeymoon.

Allison rejects Elliot's offer to take her and Connie to dinner, stating that she is babysitting Kim Schuster. Kim destroys a picture she and Doris were drawing. Theodore Dowell dines at the inn with the Schusters. At Doctor's Hospital, Betty and Rossi tend to pregnant Janet Sinclair, a young girl who used to double-date with Rodney and Betty. Martin Peyton's limousine drops off Steven Cord, who checks into the inn. Doris questions the limo driver about Martin Peyton.

Allison prevents Kim from running away again. Steven meets Doris Schuster in the Colonial Inn bar. Dining with Rossi at the inn, Norman is surly and rude to Theodore Dowell, who extends a dinner invitation to Rodney and Norm. Allison hears Kim making vague noises again and realizes the child can speak when she so desires. Claire and Betty tend to Janet Sinclair when she begins experiencing labor pains. Claire telephones Rossi to assist with the delivery, and Rossi suggests Rodney accompnay him since Rod and Janet's husband played football together in high school. Steven gives Dowell a letter from Martin Peyton that strongly suggests Dowell hire Steven to work in his law firm. Dowell tells Steven that he has always worked alone, but Steven intimates that Dowell doesn't have a choice.

After dinner with the Dowells, Doris worries that it is only a matter of time before people discover that she is David's second wife. Steven has a drink at Ada's tavern. Realizing he is Hannah Cord's son, Ada warns him not to return. Later, Ada tells curious Rita that Hannah Cord is Martin Peyton's longtime housekeeper. Claire delivers Janet's baby, then Rossi explains to Claire that Rodney and Betty were married and lost a baby. David drives Allison home from babysitting and talks to her about his childhood. She introduces Schuster to Elliot and Constance, but Elliot appears to affect an instant dislike of David.

Allison reveals to Connie and Elliot that the Schusters would like for her to care for Kim. Rodney and Norm discuss Norman's upcoming graduation. Later, at the pharmacy soda fountain, Norman greets Steven. Steven reveals that Theodore Dowell is assuming Martin Peyton's legal affairs from Wainwright. They discuss the past, and Steven assures Norman that Martin shares Norman's conviction that Catherine did not murder Elizabeth Carson. Betty and Rodney are both affected by the arrival of the Sinclair baby, lamenting everything that they could have had if things had been different.

After Steven and Theodore clash over a business thing, Steven meets Julie and Betty, who are there to discuss George. Theodore announces he is nowhere near recovering and wants him to be transferred to another institution. Julie tells Theodore she wants a divorce from him, but he responds she'll probably won't be allowed to, because insanity is not a ground. At the hospital, Claire admits she hasn't told her father yet about her marriage to Dr. Vincent Markham and Michael urges her to do. Allison tells her mother she hasn't had two minutes alone with her since she married Elliot. Doris visits David at his office and confronts him with him condemning her. David later goes to the Anderson house, wanting to talk to Julie.

Julie agrees to consider David Schuster's job offer. Elliot gives Allison a bracelet inscribed with the French phrase Je veille sur ceux que je v'aime. Norman tells Rodney that Steven Cord has returned to Peyton Place, and Steven reports that their grandfather believes Catherine was innocent of murder. Rodney runs into Allison at the university and confesses that he wanted to stay with her the night she invited him home. Claire admits to Dr. Morton that she is married. Betty allows Reverand Bedford to take her home after an altercation with Miss Choate prompts Rossi to scold her for insubordination.

Rita is being harassed by her old friends Joe and Earl. Allison witnesses this and helps Rita out. She later tells Allison she wants to finish high school, but doesn't know how. Norman walks in and after Rita leaves, Allison gets mad at him for treating Rita like dirt. Later that evening, Rodney picks Allison up for a date at the Schusters. Allison is having trouble with a rebellious Kim, but is able to discipline her. When she is about to leave, David offers her a permanent job as Kim's babysitter and she accepts.

After meeting Steven at the inn, Rodney admits to Allison that he never liked Steven. Betty reports her date with Reverand Jerry Bedford to Julie, confessing that it was refreshing to get out their house for a while. Ada finds Rita studying a book and suggests perhaps she's doing it to impress Norman, but Rita insists she want to improve herself. Norman drops by with a gift, then they're interrupted by Rita's rowdy old ""friends"" who arrive in a honking car outside. Rossi plans to move back into Elliot's beachside cottage now that Elliot is living in the ""Mackenzie"" home. Elliot waits impatiently for Allison, who, returning home from a date, is about to be kissed by Rodney at her front door.

Elliot invites Rodney into the house for coffee and cake after his date with Allison, then tells Constance that everytime he looks at Rodney, he sees Leslie -the man who cheated with his wife and allowed him to spend 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Julie tenders her resignation to Rossi after deciding to accept David's offer to take her back as secretary at Peyton Mill. Rodney questions Steven about why he returned to Peyton Place after so many years. Matt and Eli lament being old and lonely men. Steven calls Hannah in Boston, and their conversation regarding Rodney and Norman is loaded with subtext.

Joe phones and harrasses Rita. Betty reluctantly apologizes to Miss Choate for being insubordinate, then is paid a special visit by Steven, who seems to be interested in her. Dr. Morton interrogates Rossi about his feelings for Claire. Rodney stops by the mansion while Allison is tending to Kim. The three happily play hide-and-seek. When Rodney and Kim find a hidden Allison, Rodney kisses Allison just as David comes unexpectedly and catches them. Later, Allison laments to Constance that everything in her world seems to be changing.

Rod and Norman receive a letter from Leslie, who announces he is traveling to Switzerland. Norman refuses to respond and visits Rita, who admits being bothered frequently by Joe. Doris and Kim visit Dr. Rossi to let Kim be examined. He states Kim is only faking to be in pain and wonders what is really troubling Kim. Doris denies anything to go wrong and leaves. Meanwhile, Julie persuades David not to fire a man named Gus Chernak. Rodney interrupts them and apologizes to David for him kissing Allison while she was ought to babysit on Kim. When he leaves, he runs into Joe and is told to Rita is in trouble. Joe warns Rod for his brother leaving Rita alone.

Norman catches Rita talking to Joe and threatens him to leave Rita alone with killing him if he won't. Betty walks in on them and tells Rita she thinks it is a marvelous idea for her going to a night school. Doris visits David and he thinks she's spying on him and his new secretary Julie. Steven interrupts them and the conversation leads to Doris inviting him for dinner. David is annoyed with Doris and her social climbing. Later that day, a storm reaches Peyton Place and Rita is being harassed by Joe.

Joe tries to force Rita into his car, but Elliot saves her. She later begs Elliot not to call the police. He later takes her to Ada Jacks' Tavern, where Ada and Norman are. Rita pretends nothing has happened, while Elliot describes the incident to Ada. Meanwhile, Connie discovers here phone is dead because of the storm. David stops by and talks about Allison with praise. Allison herself is trapped at the ice salon with Doris and Kim because of the storm. Doris assures Allison she loves Kim very much and is afraid Kim herself doesn't know it.

In Boston, Steven declares to Hannah that one day the House of Peyton will be theirs. Norman tries to soothe Rita, who is still shaking from the attack by Joe. Later, Ada suggests that Rita should go away to college. Rodney tells Norman about his conversation with Joe, but warns him that Joe might not leave him alone. On the bus back to Peyton Place, Steven introduces himself to a fellow passenger who turns out to be Vincent Markham, Claire's husband. Markham is rude and distant, refusing to engage in conversation with Steven. Markham leans his head against the passenger window to the rest. When the bus driver attempts to pass a slow-moving vehicle, he is forced to dodge an oncoming car, loses control of the bus on the rain-drenched highway, and crashes. Steven tries to assist a seriously injured Markham. At Doctor's Hospital, Betty and Miss Choate receive word of the crash. Betty phones the Morton home to tell Dr. Morton about the accident. Morton instructs Grace to send a missing Cla

At Doctor's Hospital, Markham collapses, and Rossi learns that the patient is Claire's husband. Betty nurses Steven's minor injuries. Coevring the accident for The Clarion, Matt thinks is a hero for pulling Vincent Markham out of the wrecked bus. Constance is relieved when Allison arrives home after the storm, but wonders what happened to Elliot, who is at the hospital donating blood for the crash victims. David and Doris quarrel about Kim being born deaf because of their past sins, with Doris reminding her husband that she broke up his happy marriage to his first wife Margaret. Doris taunts David that Allison reminds him of Margaret.

Elliot learns from Allison that last night wasn't the first time Joe Chernak harrassed Rita and ignores Connie's request that he leave it to the police. Claire and Vincent have a strained conversation at the hospital. Steven continues to pursue Betty, inviting her to lunch with him. Rodney encounters Joe again, then instructs Rita to tell him if Joe bothers her again. Norman happily prepares to graduate high school. Elliot meets with Joe and warns him to stay away from Rita.

Rodney meets Allison at the playground where Kim encounters two little girls who taunt her. Dr. Morton talks with Vincent to understand why his marriage to Claire failed. Rita models the new dress she bought for Norman's graduation and practices acting like a refined young lady. Betty learns that Vincent is Claire's husband. Vincent is anxious for a phone call from the Merriam Foundation, which he hopes will fund his practice in Peru.

Allison and Norman graduate high school. Rossi forces Vincent to remain in the hospital for further tests, while Vincent demands that Claire not see the results. The Carsons have a small party to toast the new graduates. Steven declares that Vincent is a very complicated man, then insists Betty accompany him to dinner. On her way to meet with Norman for the prom, Rita is grabbed by Joe, who forces her into a deserted warehouse, where he begins kissing her violently. She pulls away from him and screams as he approaches her menacingly.

Rita turns home after being molested by Joe and Ada senses something is wrong. However, Rita lies she's fine. Dr. Rossi admits to Claire her husband is suffering from polycyclemia, but that he insists on going back to Peru. He warns her Vincent will probably die if he will go back. He next confronts Vincent with the same facts. Meanwhile, Julie encourages her daughter to keep on dating Reverend Bedford, but Betty is more interested in Steven. Just when Steven is about to pick Betty up for a date, Julie makes clear she disapproves him. Joe wants to borrow some money from his mother to leave Peyton Place. Norman picks Rita up for the prom and notices she looks beautiful.

Rita is still acting weird because of her incident with Joe and people start to notice it. She is also being looked down on by other graduates and decides to leave the party. Norman receives a phone call from Leslie, who asks him to come over to Europe for the summer. Norman declines and makes his father promise he did not kill Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Betty is at her date with Steven and questions him why he came to Peyton Place. He reveals his intentions in taking over the former Harrington house. Rita admits to Norman she thinks she isn't good enough for him, but he assures her she is the best thing that ever happened to him. Rodney invites Allison over to his apartment after the prom and she accepts.

Claire admits she doesn't want to go through with the divorce, because Vincent will die if he'll go back to Peru. Rita arrives home delusional. Allison and Rod are cooking dinner at Rod's apartment and kiss each other. Julie questions Betty about her interferences with both Steven and Reverend Bedford. Kim awakes out of her sleep with a scream. David is worried and decides to call her old teacher from New York City, but Doris stops him. Meanwhile, Kim falls down the stairs.

Dr. Rossi comes over to the Schusters to look what happened to Kim and states she is perfectly fine and was faking to be in pain. Doris asks David to permit her to be her mother and thus keep Allison away from her. Meanwhile, Rita apologizes to Norman for her behavior last night. Joe interrupts them with a phone call and announces he is going away for a while. Rita pretends he is a customer to don't worry Norman, but Norman sees through her.

Michael denies inviting Kenneth over. Kenneth also states he came because of Vincent's illness. Norman visits Mrs. Chernak to ask where Joe is. Mrs. Chernak announces he left town. Allison comes over to the Schuster home, but Doris makes clear she doesn't want Allison to spend time with Kim anymore, so Doris herself can bond with her daughter. Kim gets upset and holds on to Allison. Allison turns home and admits to her mother Doris told her she and Kim didn't need her anymore. Meanwhile, Rod confronts Steven with hanging out with Betty all the time.

Kenneth admits to Michael he thinks Vincent can be persuaded to stay in Peyton Place by supporting him financially. He later meets his sister-in-law Claire for the first time. Julie questions David why he compares himself to Leslie all the time. Rod interrupts them, accepting a summer job at the office. Meanwhile, Norman demands to know what really happened to Rita when he brought her home, but Elliot responds Norman is imagining things. While Connie proposes to talk to Rita about her incident, Elliot catches David talking to Allison and is not pleased. Allison admits to David she is hurt for not being allowed to babysit on Kim anymore by Doris.

David is mad at Doris for firing Allison, but she doesn't want to talk about it. Elliot tells Allison he doesn't like the way David looks at her. Allison admits she thinks David likes her as well. Kenneth mentions to Vincent he has met Claire. Ada confronts Rita with her emotional behavior last night. When Leslie calls Rodney, Rod admits he can't come over for the summer because he took a job at the Peyton Mills. Leslie asks to talk to Norman, but Rod lies he isn't home. That next day, Rod starts his job at the mill. Meanwhile, Elliot shares his plans with Matt to take actions against David and demands a town meeting. Matt responds he needs proof if he is going to attack David. He also offers to take over the newspaper when Matt leaves.

Kenneth gives Vincent money for medical care, but Vincent thinks it's a trap and declines it. Steven admits to David he and Theodore aren't good partners. Ada tells Dr. Rossi she is worried about Rita. Connie tries to talk to Rita about her incident with Joe and she admits Joe kissed her against her will. Connie encourages her not to let this interfere her relationship with Norman.

Vincent urges Betty to marry Steven, but she states they are only friends. Michael tells Vincent he won't go with him to Peru. Steven invites Betty for dinner at the former Harrington house. Matt tells Allison he is going to leave Peyton Place as soon as he finds a replacement for the newspaper. Back at home, Elliot admits he was asked to be Matt's replacement. He tells he will probably be confronted with his past as an ex-convict when he has such an important job. Meanwhile, Rita feels a lot better since her talk with Connie and Ada feels jealous about it, not her being the one who was able to cheer up her daughter.

Rita tells Norman she doesn't want to break up with him. Eli is shocked when he finds out Elliot will take over the newspaper, afraid his son will get hurt. Mike admits to Claire it is the wrong time to divorce Vincent, now that he might die. He next urges Kenneth to try harder to persuade Vincent to not go back to Peru. Meanwhile, Stella Chernak has arrived in town and meets up with her brother. Norman admits to Rita he wants to go to college and Rita responds she loves him.

Elliot sees Allison talking to David. David confronts him with the newspaper article. Kenneth announces to Mike Vincent will return to Peru, but that he will help him financially. Before leaving, Kenneth donates $10,000 to the Doctors Hospital. Vincent says goodbye to Claire before returning to Peru and admits he came back to Peyton Place because of the letter of Claire asking for a divorce. Claire forgives him and they almost kiss. Meanwhile, Norman has found a job at the wharf. This turns out to be the same job Joe was after. Joe decides to annoy him and implies he kissed her at the prom night. Norman attacks him, but Joe is stronger and beats Norman up.

Rita is waiting for Norman to pick her up. Eli has no trust in his son being able to run The Clarion, the local newspaper. Allison and Rod are looking for Norman and Rita for their double date, but Norman is nowhere to fight since his fight with Joe. Betty is also on a date with Steven. Dr. Rossi visits the Chernak home to look after the ill Gus Chernak. Stella mentions she hadn't been in Peyton Place for over 7 years, before she invites him to stay for dinner.

Rod and Allison have a pick nick at the beach, while waiting for Norman and Rita to arrive. They kiss each other. Joe's mother demands to know how he got his scratch on his head and Joe loses his temper. Eli states Matthew is going away because he is afraid of something. David suggests Doris to invite Elliot over for dinner. Elliot accepts, despite the fact Connie doesn't want to. Meanwhile, Rita admits to Norman Joe has kissed her. He is mad and pushes her. Rita asks him to believe her nothing is going on between Joe and her. Allison admits she may not be able to love someone.

Norman and Rita make up, but when they kiss, Rita notices he still isn't over the fact she and Joe once dated. She admits she kissed him back when he forced himself upon her at the prom night. In his apartment, Rod sees Norman's scratched face and demands to know who did that, but Norman refuses to answer. Meanwhile, Claire announces she is going back to Peru with Vincent. Doris hires a woman named Sheri as the temporary babysitter. David fires her when she reacts weird about Kim being deaf. He next urges Doris to ask Allison as her replacement, but she refuses to. Norman admits to Rod Joe was the one who beat him up and that he is now able to kill him.

Connie and Doris first meet. Doris begs Allison to babysit after Kim tonight. Elliot is talking to Matt about how to take over The Clarion. Dr. Rossi hands over Kenneth's $10,000 check to Dr. Morton. David visits Martin Peyton, but ends up in a conversation with Hannah Cord, stating he can't see Mr. Peyton. Steven asks Julie if she disapproves of him. Rod wonders where the Chernaks live.

Rod asks Stella where Joe is and admits Joe beat up Norman. Dr. Rossi tries medicate Gus, but Stella responds he is away. Jerry encounters Betty and questions her about Steven, but she is very distant to him. Connie wants to arrange a farewell party for Matt, but he discourages the idea. He later tells Allison goodbye. Meanwhile, Joe forces himself up into Rita's place and asks her to be his girl again, but she refuses to. He next grabs and kisses her. Allison invites Norman to spend the evening with her at the Schuster home. Leslie phones the Carsons from Rome and asks Connie about Rod and Allison's relationship and wonders how Norman is doing. Elliot announces to him he will be the new editor.

Stella informs Joe Rod stopped by to see him. Joe begs her to leave Peyton Place with him. She next meets up with Ada, who tells her she should convince Joe his relationship with Rita is over. David talks to Doris about his meeting with Hannah, when Allison interrupts them to babysit on Kim. She visits the library with her, where they run into Norman. Norman asks Kim not to stare at her. He next announces he will leave Peyton Place to live in Canada and Allison is shocked. While Allison persuades him to stay, Kim runs away. Rod finds Joe at the wharf and he pushes Rod. Rod fights back and Kim witnesses it. Joe falls and hits his head. Rod offers to help him, but Joe responds with spitting at him, so Rod walks away. Joe follows him, but collapses.

Kim watches Joe die and runs away. Rod calls the hospital. Betty answers and notices it's Rod on the line. Two fishermen find Joe's body and notice he is dead. Allison and Norman look for Kim and find her shaky and crying. Connie and Elliot have dinner at the Schuster home. When an ambulance arrives to pick up a dead Joe, Rita notices him and becomes worried. Ada tells Stella her brother is dead and she runs to his body. Ada helps in her tavern and forces her to talk about Joe. She tells her brother was a rotten kid, a loser and a trouble maker. Ada demands Rita to call Dr. Rossi to look after Stella.

Betty is at David and Doris' dinner party, but is with her mind at Rodney's phone call to the hospital. Allison admits to Doris and David Kim ran away. They are worried, because Kim can't stop crying. Sgt. Edward Goddard questions Rita about Joe's death. Dr. Rossi arrives at the tavern for Stella, but she refuses his help. She admits Joe wanted to go with her to California and now blames herself for his death. When Goddard is gone, Rita admits to her mother Joe was there that day, before she sneaks away. Meanwhile, Betty asks Allison if she has seen Rod. Steven suggests to Theodore and David to break down the mill. Dr. Rossi and Stella arrive at the Schuster house and inform Mrs. Chernak her son is dead. When she collapses, all the guests notice it. Rod stops by the Clarion to talk to Mr. Swain, but Eli tells him Matt has left Peyton Place.