The spin-off begins with Harry Wilson and his family moving from Kansas to Beverly Hills, where he becomes the new principal of West Beverly Hills High School. The move also allows him to care for his mom, a former TV star. Harry's kids, Annie and Dixon, attend their first day of class and meet an assortment of privileged kids. Dixon tries out for the lacrosse team, but jealous teammates attempt to thwart his efforts.
Harry and Debbie plan a family night of bowling that gets interrupted when Annie and Dixon's friends arrive unexpectedly. With both Ty (Adam Gregory) and Ethan present, Annie learns what it's like to be caught in the middle. Meanwhile, Kelly addresses her mother's drinking problem and its effect on Silver.
At Kelly's request, Brenda replaces Tabitha as director of the school musical, but the two friends soon find themselves at odds over Kelly's relationship with Ryan. At the Wilsons, money concerns prompt Dixon to get a job at the Peach Pit, but Annie is more worried about her disappointing date with Ethan. Elsewhere, Naomi confronts some difficult facts about her home life. Nat: Joe E. Tata.
Annie and Ty grow closer as the spring play approaches, but her parents fear things are moving too quickly. Meanwhile, Silver is overwhelmed by her stage-manager duties and leans on Dixon for help; and Naomi tries to reunite her estranged parents.
Annie attends a fashion show her mom is photographing, where she's approached by a film producer who offers her and Adrianna an audition. Meanwhile, Naomi tries to reunite her parents; and Kelly is contacted by an old pal who has her second-guessing her relationship with Ryan.
Naomi makes a regretful choice regarding Adrianna's out-of-control drug use; Annie and Ethan care for a baby for a class assignment; and Dixon and Silver's friendship deepens. Elsewhere, Harry's high-school girlfriend hires a detective to find their son. Adrianna: Jessica Lowndes. Tracy: Christina Moore.
Annie sets up a non-date with Ethan for the homecoming dance; Naomi's name is cleared when Adrianna owns up about her drug addiction; Ryan discovers his new student is a narc after he catches her buying drugs; and Debbie confronts Tracy about her actions.
Annie and Dixon have opposite reactions to Harry's news about the son he put up for adoption years ago. An angry Annie lets loose at a sleepover that quickly turns into a drunken house party, while Dixon doesn't seem to be affected by the bombshell. Elsewhere, Ryan and Kimberly are caught giving in to their mutual attraction.
As Annie and Ethan get closer, Naomi grows spiteful and delivers an unwelcome surprise at Annie's sweet-16 party. Meanwhile, the school is abuzz with news of Ryan's leave of absence, and Adrianna uncovers Navid's secret.
With their half brother, Sean (Josh Henderson), in town, Annie and Naomi call a truce to deal with his unexpected presence. Meanwhile, Silver isn't happy about the interest a cheerleader is showing in Dixon, and Kelly and Brenda struggle with the growing distance in their friendship.
Annie grows suspicious of new brother Sean (Josh Henderson) after overhearing him on the phone; Brenda (Shannen Doherty) reveals a long-held secret to Kelly; and Dixon accepts an invitation from Christina, but doesn't tell Silver.
Tabitha gives Annie and Dixon a new car without consulting their mom; Annie and Ethan sneak off to Palm Springs; Adrianna shares her secret with Naomi; and Dixon surprises Silver during a trip to the beach.
Adrianna turns to Naomi and Kelly for support and tells them the identity of her baby's father; Ty auditions for the new play, much to the surprise of Annie and Ethan; and Ryan returns to work and promptly has a confrontation with Silver and Kelly.
Adrianna tells the baby's father and her mother (Maeve Quinlan) that she is pregnant. Meanwhile, Annie feels threatened by Ethan's friendship with Rhonda (Aimee Teegarden); and Silver finally opens up to Dixon.
Naomi meets an intriguing mystery man at her new home; Silver's Valentine's Day surprise falls apart, but she and Dixon still manage to come together. Meanwhile, Annie's jealousy of Rhonda starts to wear on Ethan.
Naomi offers to tutor Liam, who repays her with a wild night on the town. Meanwhile, Silver goes overboard with an assignment when she makes a shocking video about her relationship with Dixon; and Annie hears about a kiss Ethan shared with Rhonda.
A distraught Silver goes missing after her video debacle, prompting a frantic search by Ryan and Kelly. Meanwhile, Adrianna and Navid babysit for Kelly; and Dixon tells his parents about Silver's odd behavior. Jason Priestley directed.
Donna Martin (Tori Spelling) shocks Kelly and Silver with a surprise visit. While in town, Donna agrees to design a dress for Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody (playing herself). Elsewhere, Annie and Dixon revisit Dixon's past over spring break; and Ethan, Naomi and Liam volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.
Donna (Tori Spelling) opens up to Kelly about her recent separation, and the two hunt for a site for Donna's new clothing store. Meanwhile, Naomi and Annie try to work through their differences; Ethan and Liam continue to bond; and Adrianna interviews potential adoptive parents. Series star Rob Estes directed the episode.
Naomi, who has temporarily moved in with the Wilsons, is surprised to learn her dramatic older sister has returned to town. Elsewhere, Adrianna and Navid tell his parents about their plans for the future; and Naomi sets Annie up on a double date with Liam's friend.
The girls throw a bridal shower for Adrianna, while the guys host a bachelor party for Navid at a burlesque club. Elsewhere, Naomi and big sis Jen decide to move in together and try to persuade their father to release Naomi's trust fund; and Ryan and Jen make dinner plans.
Naomi puts aside her concerns about Jen's overspending when Liam asks her to the prom. Meanwhile, Annie accepts a geek's prom invitation to prove Liam is wrong about her; Adrianna goes into labor after Navid confronts Ty about his fatherly responsibilities; and Ryan takes Kelly's warnings about Jen as a sign of jealousy. The pop-rock band the Veronicas perform.
In the first-season finale, Naomi throws a post-prom party at her place and has a fit when she walks in on Liam and Annie, making accusations that push Annie to her breaking point. Meanwhile, Brenda (Shannen Doherty) goes to the hospital to see Adrianna as she delivers the baby, and Dixon and Ethan get into a fight over Silver.