Brenda returns to Beverly Hills to find her bedroom taken over by Brandon and her parents angry that she dropped out. College registration is too much for Dylan who has a kindred spirit, so he and Brenda pair for a fishing trip to talk about their future. David and Donna try to audition for the DJ's on the California University's radio show, while Andrea tries to get in with the university's newspaper, The Condor, and soon clashes with the egotistical student editor Josh Richland. But Andrea has a more friendly meeting of minds with Dan Ruben, her dorm faculty advisor. Meanwhile, Steve tries to get Brandon in on the fraternity life on the CU campus by pledging the Kappa Epsilon Gamma (K.E.G.) fraternity.

As the gang returns to college for their junior year, Dylan shadows and befriends Antonia "Toni" Marchette, the daughter of his father's murderer. Meanwhile, Brandon joins the college newspaper and must deal with Susan Keats, the no-nonsense, stubborn editor and hard-core feminist, who's not very eager to have him working there. Valerie meets Colin for the first time and reveals that they have known each other from a past fling between them years ago which bothers Kelly. Steve's sweet class schedule goes sour when he is forced to hire a math tutor in which Clare volunteers to help him. Also, Ray gets a big audition chance while Colin displays his big canvas the After Dark club.

Donna invites NFL quarterback Steve Young over at Casa Walsh for Thanksgiving, one of two surprises she plans for Joe's birthday on that same day. But Donna later learns that she and Joe have a thing in common: they both disapprove of premarital sex. Meanwhile, the absence of Susan and Colin weigh on Brandon and Kelly who find old feelings returning to each other. Steve becomes a surprise hit at Clare's father's faculty party. Also, Valerie disdains cooking help from David's mentally unbalanced mother.