Australians have bought Whitestone, and great change is in the air. Gibby Fiske makes his first appearance as the new boss at Whitestone, and he doesn't want to publish literature. Gibby calls Whitestone employees into his office, one at a time. Most of Whitestone's employees suddenly find themselves ex-employees. At his meeting with Gibby, Martin mentions many books, but all are too literary, not sleazy enough. Finally, and desperately, Martin states that he can get the autobiography of the host of the sleazy Eddie Charles Show. Martin begs Eddie and Eddie admits that if he did write an autobiography, he would go to a larger publisher. After more begging, Eddie eventually agrees to allow Whitestone to publish his life story. Conflict erupts when Martin seems to be leaning towards the more scandalous stories.

Eddie pushes an ""ugly"" sister onto Martin to score points with Marsha. The ""ugly"" sister (Chloe) has a book (""The Feminist Manifesto"") she wants Martin to read. Martin likes Chloe (who isn't actually ugly), but hates the book. Reluctant to reveal his true feelings, and hoping his publisher with reject the book, Martin passes the book to Gibby. Gibby really likes the books market potential.

Gibby informs the crew that they are all fired, just to soften the blow that there will not be bonuses (not really fired).

Martin is talked into a nickel and dime porker game with his co-workers. They play in Martin's apartment. Expecting pizza, Martin finds Gibby at the door. Carter, the brown nose, had told Gibby about the game. Gibby lays down a large pile of $100s (the firm is doing financially badly, not him). All but Martin want to play high stakes, until Martin sees his cards. After losing big ($12,000), Gibby starts betting vacation days. Eventually clothing and household appliances get bet.

Gibby convinces a reluctant Martin that the big Xmas book should be the memoirs of a gay man dying of AIDS.

Martin is told he will have to take a pay cut, so he quits his job, only to find things are even worse elsewhere.

Martin convinces Toby to marry Gibby so that he can get his green card, but becomes annoyed when the wedding plans disrupt her work.

Martin runs into his hero, author Elliot Sterns (Patrick MacNee) and manages to spoil a romantic evening out.

Martin plans for a weekend break are dashed.

Gibby foists his possibly illegitimate son and Whitestone's newest editor upon Martin - Alex Farmer. Toby takes an immediate dislike to Alex and his secretary Skylar.

Martin gets a new video camera and inadvertently videotapes children's television celebrity Uncle Bouncy committing a sex act with a prostitute in a public alleyway. Martin opts to caution Bouncy himself about his behavior in person before turning the tape over to him. But, Bouncy's abusive and intransigent attitude convinces him to sell the offending footage to Eddie for broadcast on his show.

Martin is disgusted by the quality of the books Gibby is forcing him to edit, and his lack of appreciation. Meanwhile, Eddie is fired from his talk show and his wife Jeanette leaves him on the same day. Eddie begins to reassess his life and Martin encourages him to make a change, proposing they collaborate on creating an up market magazine.

The beautiful widow of a famous author brings a new unpublished novel by her late husband to Martin with the one caveat that he cannot reveal the true origin of the book, thus giving Toby the opportunity to accept the kudos for the bestseller.

It's the Whitestone office party, and Martin is less than thrilled to be there, until he notices a hottie making eyes at him from across the room. He gets to know the woman, Alannah, better during the evening. Afterwards, Martin bumps into Gibby and is surprised when he shows off Alannah as his latest plaything. In the days following, Martin is paranoid that Gibby suspects he and Alannah are carrying on behind his back.

Gibby takes a vacation, leaving Martin in charge of Whitestone with one simple condition – he has to fire one of the company's book editors. Judith is depressed when her patient commits suicide.

Martin tries to cheer Toby up when her cat dies by buying her a replacement. When she refuses the gift, he has to keep the pet himself.

Martin is revolted when a fragile Judith falls into the arms of his hated boss Gibby Fiske.

Gibby desires to publish Jeremy's novel.

Gibby hires Toby after she is fired by Martin.

Under pressure from Gibby to get an elite writer, Martin attempts to lure the writer dating Toby (who coincidentally, is an award-winning author).

Martin's building goes co-op, and to be able to afford purchasing his apartment/condo, he dates Gibby's insane sister.

Martin needs to make some quick money, so he writes for pornographic movies.

Martin tries to get a homeless woman's memoirs.

Gibby picks Martin to represent Whitestone at the Chicago Book Fair, informing him with one weeks notice. This means a ton of extra work and pregnant Toby doesn't really feel up to it, so Martin suggests they take on a temp to lighten the load. Toby offers up her cousin Louie, and although initially reluctant, Martin assents, giving him a trial period to prove himself.

At a Salary Review Meeting, Gibby has some good news for Martin; Martin's to be put in charge of his own division at Whitestone, a quality publishing imprint called Camelot New Press. Things get off to a bad start however when the first round of author interviews yield nothing. Through a quirk of fate, Martin remembers an old manuscript he admired, ‘The Barrel Maker' by Julian Keppel and stays up all night reading it. He contacts the emotionally fragile author and promises to make it Whitestone's next bestseller.

Martin and Judith learn Dr. Stone might be defrosted and revived.