Anna Madrigal is the bohemian landlady with a mysterious secret. Mary Ann Singleton is the newcomer, a naïve young girl from Ohio eager to embrace SF and all it has to offer.

Mary Ann starts voluntary work at the Bay Area Crisis Switchboard, which is run by the one-eared Vincent, whose problems outnumber those of his callers

Michael's old-fashioned parents see some shocking sights when they visit him on Halloween - and he still hasn't told them he's gay. DeDe Halcyon Day has a shock when her pregnancy is confirmed.

DeDe is blackmailed by a journalist to save her family honour, while Mrs Madrigal's secret is slowly being uncovered.

Christmas is coming to 28 Barbary Lane and Mrs Madrigal is in party mood. However, Mary Ann is increasingly suspicious of Norman Williams and Mona is in for a surprise.