After an evening of satisfying sex, retired railroad porter Andrew Emerson discovers that the woman lying next to him is dead. He interprets this shock as an omen from his long-departed wife, warning him to stay away from other woman. Roc and Eleanor try to cheer Andrew up by arranging a date for him with Helen, an attractive middle-aged nurse. As the four of them share a polite but awkward dinner, Andrew resists a friendship with Helen. He's afraid she'll be the next ""victim"" of this wife's revenge.

When Joey, Andrew and Roc offer a meal to a pregnant homeless woman, Linda, who suddenly goes into labor in the middle of their kitchen. Linda's husband, Donald, confides in Roc, worrying that as a homeless man he can't care for his family. But Donald's fears are groundless, the baby is stillborn. Donald comforts his wife and promises to find work and shelter. Roc is so moved my their courage that he vows to show more concern for people who are less fortunate.

On the eve of the election, Eleanor, Andrew and Matty try to convince Roc and Joey to cast their ballots before the polls close. Andrew, Matty, and Eleanor each are pulling for a different candadiate and stage a mock debate to help Roc choose who to vote for. However, Eleanor tries not to antagonize Matty because she doesn't want to ruin her chances of getting the promotion at the hospital. Roc and Joey finally realize every vote is important and run out to the polls to vote just before closing time.

Ruben Stiles, a popular actor, uses Roc as the model for his role in a new movie. He quickly perfects an imitation of Roc's voice and movements, Roc becomes upset. Ruben apologizes for embarrassing Roc but Roc criticizes him for not caring about his character's inside feelings. Several months later, the Emersons watch the movie on television and admire Ruben's accurate characterization of Roc. But when the character talks about his low sperm count, Roc chases Joey out of the house for revelaing his most private secret to Ruben.

Roc and Eleanor invite their homeless friend, Linda, to the house for dinner and she immediately develops a mutual attraction with their neighbor, ""Crazy"" George. Roc and Eleanor help George and Linda to overcome their shyness and arrange for them to meet again. They are pleased they could help two lonely people meet each other.

When ""The Downtown Divas"" return from a European singing tour, one of the ""Divas"" asks Roc to help prevent a local drug dealer from murdering her brother. Moments after Roc confronts the drug dealer, an unseen gunman shoots the dealer. (Part 1 of 2)

After arresting him for the shooting of a local drug dealer named Andre, Detective Rush tries to force a confession out of Roc. Insisting his innocence until he is released, Roc learns that Andre's gang may be out for revenge. Roc goes to a local night club to warn his goddaughter of the danger. He learns that it was his garbage truck partner Calvin who shot Andre to save the neighborhood from his influence. Though he doesn't approve of Calvin's actions, Roc takes up a collection for Calvin's legal defense. (Part 2 of 2)

Eleanor instructs Sheila on how to defend her dignity against sexist remarks made by a rude boy at school. Meanwhile, Andrew asks Joey to take his senior citizens group to the horse racing track. When Joey addresses the seniors about betting on horses, they criticize him for gambling instead of working at a job.

Roc wants a management job with the Sanitation Department, but he's lacking one qualification, a high school diploma. When he learns that he can get his diploma by achieving a good grade on the GED Test, Roc prepares for the examination with the help of his family.

As Sheila is about to celebrate her twelfth birthday, Roc wonders why she refuses to visit her father, Calvin, in prison. Meanwhile, the Emerson's doctor offers to reveal the sex of their baby, which is due to be born at any time. Eleanor insists that she wants to be surprised during the birth, but Roc is impatient to know what kinds of baby clothes and toys he should scavenge from his garbage route.

Frustrated by the gang members and drug dealers in his neighborhood, Roc campaigns for political office to try and reduce the crime rate. (Part 1 of 2)

A contributor to Roc's opponent may be linked to Andrew, who gets a visit from Roc's varied group of supporters. (Part 2 of 2)

With the arrival of the new baby, Andrew feelis like a burden to the Emerson family and moves into the local senior citizens home. Joey volunteers to be the baby's guardian in Roc and Eleanor's will, and to prove that he isn't irresponsible, Joey cares for the baby in his apartment while Roc and Eleanor have a romantic evening together.

Joey convinces Roc that he's learning to be more responsible when he produces a benefit concert for his new music school. Joey's efforts are threatened by a last-minute emergency, so his family lends him money -- while worrying that the funds might really be going to a bookie.

Andrew's brother visits; Joey and Roc have a run-in with a drug dealer.

Roc gets a drug dealer to help a young hood; Eleanor learns that a friend's daughter is HIV-positive.