Lindsay's actions have left Ryan and Caleb confused. Marissa is trying hard to make her new living situation work, but she needs a break and agrees to join Summer, Seth and Ryan at the mall. Julie and Kirsten await the arrival of Carter, the new editor of Newport Living, but Julie is distracted when she's visited by Lance, an opportunistic man from her past. Meanwhile, Sandy and Caleb finally bond over all of their recent experiences.
Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.
Complete story — includes the ending
A postcard from Zach comes in between Seth and Summer's rekindling. The "fantastic four" spend their day/night at the mall doing some charity work, providing Ryan and Marissa with apt distraction from the issues of their love lives. Marissa begins hiding things from Alex when she spends a night with Ryan. Kirsten begins to get to know the new editor of "Newport Living", while Julie finds her past right at her doorstep.