Back in Ireland, tensions remain unresolved with Bobbi. Frances visits her mother but ends up in hospital when she has an attack of severe abdominal pain. Before returning to Dublin, she visits her father and is confronted by his growing alcoholism.
In the summer before their final year at Trinity College, Frances and her best friend Bobbi meet an impressive local writer, Melissa. Bobbi quickly develops a crush on Melissa but Frances is unexpectedly drawn to Melissa’s husband, Nick.
As final year at Trinity begins, Bobbi reveals she is looking for a room to rent and Frances asks her to move in. Nick returns from Croatia. He and Frances contemplate being more open about their relationship – which excites and frightens her.
At Melissa’s book launch Frances struggles with her growing feelings for Nick. Her jealousy frustrates Bobbi. Feeling alone, Frances seeks intimacy elsewhere but the reality of her feelings for Nick cause her to behave in a destructive way.
Frances writes her first short story. Her health is still causing her problems and she collapses at college. Bobbi brings her home and as Frances recovers they talk more honestly about their friendship. Nick makes a surprising revelation.
Frances receives a surprise email from Melissa and the groups’ dynamics are tested in unsuspected ways. Frances’ dad leaves a concerning voicemail and Bobbi also has problems with her family; she and Frances experience a shift in their friendship.
Frances sees a consultant and is given a diagnosis that distresses her. This news, combined with an upsetting revelation from Nick and an unexpected argument with Bobbi, causes Frances’ life to spiral out of control.
Frances faces up to the consequences of her actions and attempts to repair her relationship with Bobbi. She also finds a fragile understanding with her parents. But as she strives to take control of her life, the question of her and Nick remains.
Frustrated by the male dominated world of media and politics, Eleanor holds the White House’s first all-female press conference and grows closer to journalist Lorena “Hick” Hickock. Betty’s public announcement of her breast cancer diagnosis shifts opinion of the Ford Administration away from Jerry’s controversial pardon of Nixon and makes Betty a popular figure among American women. After Barack gets clobbered in the midterms, Michelle launches a new healthy school lunch program, which prompts a stalled Congress to enact new legislation.
Secrets are revealed when Faraday, Justin and Hatch are thrust into the billion-dollar, cutthroat world of Big Tech. Hatch and his sister Edie reconnect over the machine after years of bitter estrangement. The CIA tightens its grip as Faraday comes face to face with a consequence of becoming human.
Martha and John try to enjoy their new life away from politics, but Martha has trouble moving on from what happened to her in California. John Dean has a hard time moving on from his breakup.
Having scored higher than anyone else in his grade, including Hiro, Nagi decides to finally confess to her.
Fisher has taken control of the Artefact. With no time to lose, Meg needs Finn, Alice and Elliot to join her on a mission to save her friends.
Izumi-kun and Shikimori-san make plans to see a fireworks show together. As Izumi-kun is readying his yukata, his dad starts to tell him something with a serious expression. Then, on the day of the fireworks show, Izumi-kun sees Shikimori-san looking adorable in her yukata and tries his hardest to impress her... but his heroics are no match for Shikimori-san's. After they enjoy the festivities for a bit, Izumi-kun starts to lead Shikimori-san somewhere else... but then Shikimori-san's sandal strap breaks!
Joanna attempts to win over her crush Jordan by recruiting co-workers and some SVN fans to pack Jordan’s concert. Patricia comes up with a plan to use Joanna’s cancer to help the network.
Rindou the transfer student arrives, but she's not exactly what the girls are expecting. Having joined Team Dog due to her unusual background, Rindou's first big challenge might be winning over one of her own teammates!
Morgan and Alicia plan their next steps; Dwight and Sherry face the prospect of having to choose between their code and their safety.
Billy finds fresh trouble when he falls in with a character called Alias. He kills a man in self-defense and ends up on the run, and then in the arms of a young woman — who also happens to be the girlfriend of Jesse Evans.