Tue, Jan 2, 1968
Liz informs Matt of her decision about whether or not she will continue in employment at Hope Memorial. Later, Liz attempts to avoid Nick at all costs, but when he forces a conversation with her, she tells him something he would rather not hear. Matt fails to notice the unhealthy attention being lavished on him by Karen.
Wed, Jan 3, 1968
Althea continues her psychoanalysis with Dr. Winters. Later, she receives a visit from Ruth Winters. Althea bristles at Ruth's questioning, leading to Ruth becoming upset and fleeing the apartment. When Bill arrives home, he and Ruth get into a terrible argument over Ruth's interference in Althea's life. Mrs. Berger overhears Ruth and Bill's quarrel, which further upsets Ruth and creates palpable tension in the Winters household.
Thu, Jan 4, 1968
Althea awakens, discovers that she's hemorrhaging, and phones Matt for help. Carolee is on cloud nine when Steve asks her out on a date with him. Matt advises Althea that she can either stop working or continue to work and lose the baby she's carrying. Althea debates the difficult choice she has to make.
Fri, Jan 5, 1968
Steve and Carolee talk about the options for their first date together. Liz and John discuss the situation with Nick and Althea, and Liz vows that she will never allow another man to treat her as Nick has. Polly requests that Dr. Rice assist in helping her decide how to disburse her estate.
Mon, Jan 8, 1968
While working together in the clinic, Dr. Rice and Dr. Werner have a conversation that dissolves into another quarrel between the two. Karen demonstrates that she has the ability to be human and yield to emotions. Polly enlists John in the concoction of a plan for her nieces. John strongly encourages Carolee not to continue dating Steve.
Tue, Jan 9, 1968
Just as Karen continues to try to get cozy with Matt in the Powers home, Maggie and Greta return home unexpectedly from the trip to Wyoming. John is relieved to discover that Maggie has returned from trip and will resume her place beside Matt. Maggie tells John the latest of what has happened to Althea.
Wed, Jan 10, 1968
Althea returns to Hope Memorial, ready to work, and wants to pretend she was away skiing in Vermont. During a therapy session with Dr. Winters, Althea reflects on the sudden death of her son Buddy earlier in the year and the profound loss of joy she experienced. Later, Althea admits to Maggie that she wanted a strong husband and his baby.
Thu, Jan 11, 1968
Danny attempts to walk with the encouragement of Steve and Ruth. Later, Danny says he doesn't want to go back to the foster home. Maggie treats Barbara, an unmarried, pregnant young woman who is recognized by an agitated Ruth. Steve asks Carolee out on another date. Nick pressures Althea for information about Althea.
Fri, Jan 12, 1968
Nick comes face to face with Althea and proposes marriage for the sake of their baby. Althea stuns Nick with her news. Liz confronts Nick and Althea and tells them exactly what she thinks. Newsman Nathan Bunker interviews Liz for an expose he's writing about Hope Memorial and Nick's experiment with a schizophrenia medication. Frightened by her experience with Bunker, Liz makes a hasty decision.
Mon, Jan 15, 1968
Carolee discovers Liz's note. When Bunker comes back for another interview, Carolee realizes what prompted Liz's departure. A distressed Carolee goes to Matt with news of Liz. Althea confides in Maggie that daughter Penny is ill, and she must leave to be with her. Bunker meets with Matt regarding the newspaper expose of Hope Memorial.
Tue, Jan 16, 1968
Carolee fills John in on the latest developments with Liz. An angry John blames Nick for Liz's predicament, and the two let their tempers flare. Polly and John discuss her plan for her nieces. Maggie informs a worried John about Liz's past history of instability and how she reacts to stressful situations.
Wed, Jan 17, 1968
Mrs. Berger visits Hope Memorial to interview Matt about Dr. and Mrs. Winters, and delves into Ruth's history of alcoholism. Later, after Ruth questions Matt about his meeting with Mrs. Berger, she begins to unravel. Bill attempts to assuage Ruth's fears that he doesn't want to adopt a baby. Ruth remembers needing a drink badly and feels Bill moving away from her.
Thu, Jan 18, 1968
Karen gives Maggie a piece of Old World advice by suggesting that a woman's job is to satisfy and please a man. Later, Karen reflects on her father, who was once Matt's mentor. After learning that it's Maggie's birthday, Karen contrives to delay Matt at Hope Memorial. Maggie is annoyed when Matt arrives home late and apparently forgets the importance of the day.
Tue, Jan 23, 1968
Nick recounts to Matt the visit to Nathan Bunker's office, and Matt wonders how far it got him. Later, Matt discusses Nick's actions with Maggie. Maggie offers unsolicited advice to Nick about finding out who he is and what he wants out of life. A hospital board meeting convenes with Matt ordered to attend, and decisive action must be taken.
Wed, Jan 24, 1968
Matt suggests to the board that Nathan Bunker has a vendetta against Hope Memorial because he blames the institution for his wife's death. Polly frets over the future arrival of her nieces, while a worried Dr. Rice prescribes relaxation. Karen makes a point of seeing Matt immediately after the board meeting in an attempt to learn the outcome.
Thu, Jan 25, 1968
Ruth invites an excited Danny into the Winters home for an evening. Dr. Rice searches for Polly's nieces. Ruth and Bill are annoyed with each other when Bill breaks a promise, and Ruth phones Mrs. Berger. Danny recalls the death of his parents, but is later upset to discover baby things that Ruth bought in anticipation of an adoption.
Fri, Jan 26, 1968
Carolee suggests that Steve follow John's advice about Matt and Maggie's dinner party for the two new interns. Maggie's apparent disinterest ruffles Matt's feathers. Karen and Steve clash over Karen's perception of Steve's pampered smugness. Maggie notices Matt's heated defense of Karen. Later, Maggie wants to talk about what's going on between her husband and their house guest.
Mon, Jan 29, 1968
Steve recounts his evening with Matt, Maggie, and Karen for Carolee. Later, Steve asks John to cover his shift but keeps the reason a secret. Matt receives word from Althea about Penny's condition. Carolee takes a phone call from a frantic Liz. As Carolee scrambles to keep Liz on the phone, Matt attempts to have the call traced. Matt and Maggie decide to forget the previous night.
Tue, Jan 30, 1968
Nick's day is interrupted by the arrival of a chatty woman who bandages his hand, offers him medical advice, and announces she's his new lab assistant, Martha Allen. Karen apologizes to Matt for her outburst at the dinner party. Matt tells Nick about Liz's phone call to Hope Memorial. Alone in her hotel room, Liz begins to sob, while a young man eavesdrops at her door.
Wed, Jan 31, 1968
Liz's neighbor Joe stops by for an unwelcome visit, and Liz is unaware that he's been listening at her door. Matt confides to Bill that Ruth's behavior is troubling. Maggie tries to tell Matt that she wants Karen to leave their home. Joe breaks into Liz's room to snoop while she's out. Later, after she returns and undresses, Joe attacks her and warns her not to scream.
Fri, Feb 2, 1968
Watching television at Hope Memorial, John and Carolee tune into a live news report of a young girl on the twelfth story ledge at the St. Marks Hotel and realize that it's Liz. Matt and Bill learn of the situation with Liz and rush to the hotel as the hospital staff watches the tense situation unfold on TV. Matt attempts to talk Liz back into the hotel, but she clings to the icy ledge in terror.
Mon, Feb 5, 1968
Bunker learns of the incident at the St. Marks Hotel and that the girl on the ledge is Liz Wilson. When Matt can't coax Liz in from the hotel ledge, he goes out after her. Althea stops by to visit Maggie, who tells her that Liz ran away. Maggie receives word of the trouble with Liz and Matt. Matt tries to reach Liz.
Tue, Feb 6, 1968
Matt manages to get Liz back into the hotel room. The staff at Hope Memorial are relieved to hear of Liz's safety. Ruth meets Barbara in the maternity ward and makes an unhappy discovery. Bunker arrives at the hotel looking for a story. Ruth considers drinking. Bunker gleefully announces the story he intends to report.
Wed, Feb 7, 1968
Liz reads Bunker's inaccurate story in the newspaper. When Bunker cites the incident as a suicide attempt, Liz explains to Matt about being attacked by Joe Finch. John phones Polly's niece. Matt receives word from the hospital board of directors following Bunker's article. John visits Liz at the Powers home, but they're interrupted by a phone call from Nick, who wants to see Liz.
Thu, Feb 8, 1968
Liz and Maggie discuss Althea's miscarriage. A concerned Althea phones Liz. Nick drops by the Powers home, where Althea informs him that Liz feels that they are going to reconcile. Nick attempts to soothe over things with Liz, but when she misconstrues his intentions, he forces her to face the reality that he never really loved her.
Fri, Feb 9, 1968
Karen chastises Liz for her foolishness and causing problems for Matt. Maggie recognizes Karen's subtle threats. Nathan Bunker stops by the Powers home and receives an abrupt reception from Karen. Liz comes to another realization about Nick. Karen informs Liz and Maggie that she handled their problem. Liz and Matt are called to the police station to identify Joe Finch.
Mon, Feb 12, 1968
Liz reaches a conclusion to a year of bad choices and wants to move forward, but Maggie wonders if she's going to another extreme. Liz has something to say to Althea, who extends the olive branch. Maggie admits to Althea that she's afraid she's losing her husband to Karen's adult infatuation with Matt. Liz meets John and Nick again at Hope Memorial.
Tue, Feb 13, 1968
Ruth encourages Danny to develop better self esteem. Danny wonders if Ruth and Bill got the baby they wanted. Karen admits to Ruth the unpopular opinion that she doesn't particularly care for children. Maggie wants to have another talk with Karen regarding her infatuation with Matt and suggests that Karen should start dating. Ruth finds the maternity ward an irresistible temptation.
Wed, Feb 14, 1968
Karen reports to Matt the hospital violation she witnessed Ruth commit. John teases Carolee about her date with the great Stevarino. Matt lectures Ruth about the incident in the nursery. John talks about family with Ruth, and then she faces an embarrassed Bill, who already heard the rumor. John sends telegrams to Polly's nieces. John can't be the strong husband Ruth needs.
Thu, Feb 15, 1968
Matt and Maggie debate Ruth's violation of hospital regulations and how best to resolve the situation. Maggie advises John on how he might fulfill Polly's last wishes. A gloating Bunker meets with Matt and demonstrates medical symptoms. Matt diagnoses Bunker as a man with a conscience.
Fri, Feb 16, 1968
A compassionate Carolee kindly reassures Ruth. Matt summons Nick and Althea to his office where he reveals that he's requested a meeting with the hospital board of directors since Bunker knows Nick and Althea's secret. An unraveling Ruth visits Mrs. Berger and begins to make the situation worse for herself. Later at home alone and needing Bill, she faces a terrible temptation.
Mon, Feb 19, 1968
As Ruth fights temptation , a surprise visitor arrives who needs as much help as Ruth as does. Althea receives good luck wishes from a very unexpected source and later realizes that her psychological condition is better. Ruth tries to convince Bill that she didn't yield to her demons. On the evening of the board meeting, Nick and Althea reminisce about the night they made love.
Tue, Feb 20, 1968
John makes his request to Matt about Polly. Karen and supercilious hospital administrator Phillip Townsend meet for the first time and spar with one another. Polly questions John about the board hearing. Karen and Bunker have another chilly meeting. John's comments about Matt's situation worry Karen. Townsend questions Matt about Bunker's presence at the hearing.
Wed, Feb 21, 1968
Matt explains to the board about Althea's pregnancy by Nick and subsequent miscarriage. Bunker states his opinion that Matt should be removed as chief of staff of Hope Memorial, and Matt agrees that it is a better solution than destroying Nick and Althea's careers. Nick loses his temper testifying to the board on Matt's behalf. Althea's testimony prompts Bunker to make further allegations about Liz.
Fri, Feb 23, 1968
Althea explains to the board her relationship and history with Liz. Matt updates Maggie on the developments of the hearing. During the hearing, Bunker questions Althea about why she didn't marry Nick, prompting further questioning from the board, and opening another avenue to get at Matt. Matt submits an impassioned speech about morality.
Mon, Feb 26, 1968
Matt is unsure of the outcome of the board hearing. A furious Maggie interrupts Karen attempting to console Matt. Nick and Althea vocalize their loyalty to Matt regardless of the board's decision. Maggie grouses to Althea about always coming in second to Karen. Bill gives Althea news about her progress as a therapy patient. Matt learns that the board has reached a decision.
Tue, Feb 27, 1968
John's suggestive account of meeting three women in Westvale impresses Steve. John delivers good news to Polly, who wants his assistance in deciding which niece receives her bequest. Bunker requests a meeting with Matt. John's interference in their family matters annoys Polly's niece Julie. Matt and Bunker settle their past.
Wed, Feb 28, 1968
Matt and Maggie's quiet evening is interrupted by a multiple-car accident. John implores Polly's other niece Lydia Post to help him give her aunt a happy family reunion. Julie and Lydia find more than they expected when they visit their aunt. Maggie questions why Matt kept a secret from him about the emergency car crash call and suggests he has only alibis where Karen is concerned.
Thu, Feb 29, 1968
Ruth admits to Bill she made a mistake in getting too close to Danny, who now feels as if he's losing another mother. Steve flirts with Liz and later suggests that he take her along on his date with Carolee. Bill apologizes to Ruth. Mrs. Berger arranges an important meeting with Bill and Ruth. Steve's dinner date with Carolee and Liz doesn't go quite as he planned.
Fri, Mar 1, 1968
Matt stuns Nick with news of the latest patient at Hope Memorial, a patient Nick dislikes but requires his skills as a surgeon. Nick faces Nathan Bunker for the first time since the hearing. Althea visits Bunker and learns about his new awakening courtesy of Matt. Nick and Matt inform Bunker of the great risk involved in spinal fusion surgery.
Mon, Mar 4, 1968
Bunker has an admission to Matt about his confidence in the staff of Hope Memorial Hospital. Matt gives Bunker the hard truth about what he might face after surgery. Nick examines Bunker's x-rays and discovers a potential problem. Karen petitions Matt to assist in Nick's spinal fusion neurosurgery. Nick theorizes that Karen wants to assist in neurosurgery because Matt will be there. Maggie learns that Karen is replacing Dr. Rice.
Tue, Mar 5, 1968
Althea notes Maggie's reluctance to observe Matt and Nick's surgery, and Maggie confides that she doesn't like what is happening to her and her husband. Karen and Steve pick at one another in the scrub room. Matt gives his team members the background on Bunker's accident. Complications arise as the doctors perform surgery on Bunker. Althea encourages Maggie to stop being passive.
Wed, Mar 6, 1968
Carolee refuses to discuss her date with Steve and Liz. John rakes Bonnie Evans over the coals for waltzing in while her aunt Polly is dying. Nick dubs himself The Lone Stranger. Matt confronts Maggie, and Althea wonders if Maggie is trying to break up her own marriage. Polly enjoys a brief, happy reunion with Bonnie.
Thu, Mar 7, 1968
Bill and Ruth Winters nervously await the new addition to their family. Polly talks to John about living life as if it's the last day on earth and has a confession to make. A situation arises at Mrs. Berger's office, and Ruth attempts to console a child who has faced rejection three times. Bill finds Ruth a remarkable woman when she makes an unselfish decision about their child.
Fri, Mar 8, 1968
A grieving John and Bonnie lament their inability to save Polly. Bunker recalls witnessing the bravery of medics during his war days in North Africa. John comforts Bonnie, who remembers the first time she saw Aunt Polly on stage. Matt examines Bunker to determine if he has regained sensation in his legs. John witnesses the balance of life as a doctor.
Mon, Mar 11, 1968
John receives notice that he and Bonnie are joint recipients of Polly's estate. Althea wonders why new patient Lila Anderson is frightened and questions her about her fainting spells. John agrees to help Bonnie sort through Polly's belongings. Karen recounts for Althea being a teenager and meeting Matt. Later, Althea's talk of daydreams annoys Karen who detects an implication in Althea's subtext.
Tue, Mar 12, 1968
Nick mentions to Bunker that the money for his schizophrenia research might run out in the future, and Bunker offers his assistance. Karen butts in on Matt and Maggie's lunch. Martha debates whether or not she should leave Nick's lab for the admitting desk. Bunker interrupts a quarrel between Matt and Maggie about Karen. Maggie issues an ultimatum to her husband.