Dr. Auschlander resents the wealth and influence of the matriarch of an old Massachusetts family admitted for tests; Morrison feels his impending knee surgery; Axelrod tries to get to know an animal researcher; the Valeres make a decision about surrogacy; Fiscus meets the woman who will unknowingly bear his child, and regrets his impulsive proposal to Mona as he realizes their diverging ideas of married life.

Chandler does his outreach work at a crisis hotline, where he draws a suicide on his first night; Ehrlich earns Dr. Craig's approval after he performs well during an emergency; and Carol Novino renews her friendship with Dr. Westphall and his family. Ellen Craig kicks Mark out of their home.

Dr. Turner faces a dilemma as she performs surgery on a Jehovah's Witness, who has forbidden any blood transfusions; Griffin takes positive steps to blame Birch for the patient's death; Ehrlich announces his night with Papandrao; and Dr. Craig's new typist encourages him to use his imagination.

Mandatory drug testing causes a deep division of opinion; Morrison is haunted by his day at the prison; Axelrod is assigned to guide a 14-year-old medical student around; Griffin gets a warning from Dr. Westphall about hurting Lizzie; and Dr. Craig tries to perform magic tricks for some young patients and his housekeeper.

Fiscus awakens but is deeply depressed, despite a visit from his father; Dr. Craig returns to work and his office, disregarding Dr. Kiem's feelings; Dr. Westphall decides to stop seeing Novino and his moving man comes in for a penile implant.

Novino uncovers a pathologist selling body parts when one of her patients dies; Dr. Westphall learns that Lizzie is pregnant; Chandler and a visiting private practitioner learn something from each other, and John Doe #6 surfaces again, along with Craig's novel.

Rosenthal tries to help her obese daughter cope with her problems; Axelrod's father brings a dog to the hospital for chemotherapy; Dr. Turner reluctantly reveals the ultrasound results to a couple looking for the perfect baby; and Dr. Westphall continues to try and find a way to keep the hospital open.