Drama that looks at the 1960s as seen through the eyes of 15-year-old, Meg, whose dream is to be on "American Bandstand."
The family tries to get back to normal in the wake of President Kennedy's assasination. Roxanne is not invited to dance on "American Bandstand" and Helen considers returning to school.
Jack invites the son of one of his employees and the newest student at East Catholic High into his home. Meg returns to American Bandstand and tries to use her new status as a regular to win the affection of teen idol, Jimmy Riley. But Meg has competition from a fellow dancer.
Meg gets ready to go out on her first date with Jimmy Riley, a dreamy teen heartthrob, but she takes some bad advice and the date turns into a dating disaster. JJ refuses to take Beth to a college mixer because of his subpar dancing skills. Meanwhile, Jack and Helen spend the evening with radicals.
A Notre Dame recruiter arranges to meet JJ, but when JJ doesn't show up to the meeting, his dad is left to impress the recruiter. Despite their horrible first date, Jimmy Riley asks Meg to be his partner on American Bandstand.
While Jack is away for a reunion with his World War II unit, Meg throws a party so that she can invite popular singer, Jay Black.
Sam is the victim of a prank pulled by the football team that goes to far. Meg is exposed to the music of Bob Dylan by a well-meaning music store owner. Roxanne asks Marvin Gaye for his autograph.
JJ learns that some his of teammates have been bribed to throw the championship. Meanwhile, Meg is upset with Roxanne when she suddenly begins to like a record store clerk who is giving Patty piano lessons.
Meg heads to North Philadelpia to hear Luke sing choir; JJ sneaks away to see an older woman; Helen and Jack disagree over how to discipline the children.
Jimmy and Meg kiss under the mistletoe; Henry eagerly hopes for a holiday raise.
Concerns arise over paying JJ's tuition to Notre Dame when he finds out that he hasn't received the full scholarship hoped for. Beatlemania sweeps across the country with the American arrival of the Fab Four.
Helen invites Meg to sit in on a college lecture; Jack learns his youngest son is actually a class bully; Henry opens his home to a troubled nephew.
JJ's confession may have put his relationship with Beth in jeopardy. Meg and Sam decide to pool their records for collective useage. Nathan disappears during a delivery run.
Meg tries to get Luke to understand the value of Valentine's Day. JJ wants Beth to forgive him for his transgression.
With the track season underway, JJ and Sam try to best each other in order to race the city's best. Meg and Luke dissect their relationship's failing with people close to them.
Helen tries to understand the surrounding details of a classmate's miscarriage. JJ strives to keep pace with local runner Sam. Meg questions Michael about Roxanne.
JJ's leg injury is more severe than he expected. A show producer takes note of Meg.
Meg tries to reconcile feelings for her current and former beaus. Henry is left out of Jack's potential business expansion.
Meg tries to help Roxanne get an interview with Bobby Darin. Rain and war dampen people's moods.
Meg feels that she's inexperienced physically compared to Luke and tries to make up for some of the slack. As JJ's birthday approaches, a romance between Colleen and him heats up.
The effort to impress their peers leaves Meg and Roxanne scuttling to keep damage to the Bandstand stage off of their heads. Will wants to secure a win in the Soap Box Derby to impress his father.
In order to spare her friend's feelings, Meg doesn't tell Roxanne that she spent the night with "cool" girls. Jack encounters Helen's teacher and because of their interaction, he questions Helen's fidelity. JJ skips Prom to make time with Colleen.
Meg continues to alienate Roxanne by making friends with a different crowd, specifically Carol, who she hooks up with tickets to see the Kinks. Helen confesses to Jack about what happened between her and her professor.
JJ's football ability is called into question when his ankle acts up early on in the college training. Meg and Roxanne's friendship continues to teeter on the brink of breaking. Racial tensions escalate and a curfew is enforced around town.
A race riot breaks out with Meg caught in the middle. JJ returns from school after being kicked out of the football program and reveals his future plans to his parents.