Tripp and Letitia Darling throw Nick a lavish birthday party on a yacht, despite the fact that the day before, Nick and his wife, Lisa, had been planning to celebrate privately.
The newscasts report and speculate on the fiery demise of the Darlings' Valhalla estate, as well as a Darling's death in the fire. At the same time, the family must also deal with funeral arrangements and the aftermath of the arrest of an unforeseen suspect in the murder of Dutch George.
Now that Nick has agreed to defend Letitia in the murder case of Dutch George, Nick's father, and Letitia's secret lover, he is disturbed to learn that his estranged mother is on prosecutor Nola Lyons' witness list.
As Election Day nears, senatorial candidate Patrick insists to a disapproving Tripp that he wants to take his relationship public with his transgendered mistress, Carmelita.
While constantly being challenged in court by prosecutor Nola Lyons, Nick is facing an uphill battle defending Letitia in the murder case. But the situation changes quickly after Nick discovers a dirty little secret about Nola.
Letitia hits a young, pretty bicyclist with her car. To avoid another public scandal, Tripp invites Wrenn to recuperate at the Darling mansion, where she charms a few, but makes others suspicious.
The Darlings are away celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday. Back at their New York mansion, Clark the chauffeur must appease a relentless and sexy reporter by setting straight Darling rumors regarding family betrayal, possible criminal cover-ups and murder accusations.