In the series premiere, Charles "Corky" Thatcher tries to mainstream in a regular high school with his sister, Becca. But his first few days in Grade 9 take a serious turn when he is accused of cheating off of an exam.
Encouraged by Rona Liberman, Corky runs for freshman class president with the help of smart, but very unpopular classmate, Lester. Thinking that Rona likes him, Corky doesn't know he was only nominated by her as a joke.
Corky gets his first babysitting job. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned when classmates Tyler and Russo show uninvited up at the house where he is watching young Billy Graber.
Libby has a chance for a comeback, of sorts: at the community college's "Autumn Follies". Meanwhile, Corky is having trouble in math class but doesn't want to take arithmetic tutoring with kids 10 years younger than himself.
Becca falls in love with Gabe, the bad-boy lead singer of a garage band who encourages her to stay out past her curfew which resorts Becca getting into trouble with her parents.
When Paige's actress mother comes to town, mother and daughter have a great time together. But like many of their visits, this is another full of big promises that will never come true.
Corky tries out for the football team. But when the coach hits a student, one of his former players, and all the team stands up for the coach except Corky who is compelled to tell the truth.
A frustrated Drew decides to quit his construction job and wants go into the restaurant business. Later, he joins Libby in counseling a couple whose newborn daughter has Down Syndrome.
Paige goes to work for a divorced veterinarian who is very kind with suffering animals but kind of insufferable with humans. Meanwhile, Becca videotapes a hectic day in the life of her working mother.
Becca and Corky are paired off with other students who must pretend to be engaged for a week to investigate issues of marriage and family life. Meanwhile, Libby's feuding parents hole up at the Thatcher residence.
At the high school football reunion, Drew finally makes peace with his best friend after a ten-year riff. Meanwhile, Paige and Becca each find themselves pitted between two vying for their affections.
Drew's younger brother Richard, a lovable family black sheep, breezes into town. The brothers don't get along, but needless to say, the kids love him; and at a time when Corky begins to wonder who'll look after him when his parents die.
The Special Olympics, a time for warmhearted competition and fun, also bring love to Corky and a challenge to Tyler, whose father won't permit Tyler's brother, Donny (who also has Downs) to participate.
At 18, Corky wants out from under his parents' wings -- even if it just means taking the bus to school. Unfortunately, he ends up hanging out with the rough and tough "bad" crowd at school.
Drew finally gets a chance to own his own restaurant, but it's Corky who brings home the bacon: a huge runaway porker -- later named "Jeffrey" -- that hogs Corky's affections.
Becca writes an article for her school paper but clashes with the faculty adviser. When she discovers an underground paper is published at the school she decides to work there instead. An article she writes has unintended consequences she is forced to make some ethical decisions.
Drew is certain that his father, who stops by on his way to join the Peace Corps in the Solomon Islands, isn't telling him and the rest of the family the whole story.
As the Spring Fling approaches Becca and Maxie make plans to hang out together rather than attend. When Maxie is invited to the dance by a boy Becca insists that she accept. Eventually Becca is invited - by not just one but two boys - and must decide what she wants to do.
