Jackie faces problems at the Lunch Box and must take advice from an unexpected guest. Elsewhere, Dan and Darlene take a trip into Chicago.

Bev experiences moments of clarity and reflection and asks Jackie to spend the day together in Chicago. Elsewhere, Darlene finds a rat in her home but refuses to let Ben kill it.

Mark adjusts to his first day of college as a commuter student. Meanwhile, Becky gets into a disagreement with Beverly Rose's music teacher over a song.

Darlene crashes Mark's college trivia night to prove how smart she is. Elsewhere, Neville finds out the money he loaned Dan was used for something other than its intended purpose.

Darlene urges Ben to make some male friends as he feels anxious about turning 50. Elsewhere, Mark asks Harris to buy him and his friends beer for their dorm room.

The hardware store experiences a smash-and-grab, and Dan and Jackie nab one of the culprits. Meanwhile, Beverly Rose learns a lesson in remembering loved ones who have passed while keeping their memories alive.

After feeling the cafeteria staff could use some organization, Darlene seeks to be manager of food services at Mark's college. Elsewhere, Dan teaches housewives the basics of DIY home projects to make some extra money toward paying off the house.

The Conners relish national cheeseball day as a family. Meanwhile, Harris falls behind in her work duties at the Lunch Box, and Darlene and Ben must figure out how to spend time together despite their two separate schedules.

Dan gets asked to write an article for a Hardware magazine, making Ben long for his days as a writer. Meanwhile, Jackie inserts herself into Louise's run for the school board when her retirement leads to too much free time.

A fire at Ben's hardware store causes a major setback for the family. Meanwhile, Becky feels enormous pressure to help every single patient at her mental health facility internship.

Dan achieves a major financial milestone, making him reconsider his belief in the "Conners curse." Elsewhere, Mark finds out some news that causes him to reevaluate his future.

Mark takes on odd jobs, determined to find a way to pay for school. Meanwhile, Darlene grapples with her emotions when she discovers her household is about to change dramatically.