Rookie Cheston is shown the ropes by oilfield veteran, Gerald Williams. Plus, night shift driller Ron faces the flaring tempers of his crew. And, when the new guy on the rig, Travis, shows up late for his first day, causing hothead Brandon challenges him to an old fashioned throwdown.

A rookie error by veteran Gerald may cost everyone their job. Meanwhile, Pee Wee is going all out to make Cheston quit. And, the crew of the night shift get testy after Brandon's mistake causes drilling to come to a screeching halt.

Oscar threatens to quit because of Freddie's pushiness, just as the Big Dog 28 crews strive to complete the second of four wells in 50 days. Elsewhere, Cheston makes a major mistake in which Gerald tries to benefit from.

Pee Wee is pushed to the breaking point by Cheston, which upsets Gerald. Because a member left for another company the crew is forced to break in a new hand.

Pee Wee is pushed to his breaking point by Cheston, and even Gerald is tired of the rig's work. Meanwhile, Ron's evening crew loses another roughneck to another company and must break in a new hand who refers to himself as 'Tank.' Plus, the roughnecks are faced with 'The Hole from Hell.'

Driller Pee Wee may find himself without a job after pushing the rig too hard. Plus, veteran Gerald makes a poor decision that could change the course of his life. Then, when Ron takes things too far with Travis, the roughneck walks off the job and it could be for good. And, Tool pusher Jerry takes over for Freddy, but when he goes to lend a hand on the rig floor, he literally comes face-to-face with the force of the spinning chain.

Big Dog 28 has a disaster after a chain snaps, leaving tool pusher Jerry blind in one eye. Plus, after being fired, Gerald finds an unlikely source of income. Then , Cheston is kicked off the team for a day by Pee Wee for mouthing off to the other hands, while Tank's reckless attitude puts the night crew in danger. Supervisor David Kiser decides who'll stay and who will go after the fighting becomes too much.

The roughnecks have only three days left to finish the final hole when all hell breaks loose. Two of the most troubled roughnecks swap shifts; one of the most experienced hands takes a pipe spinner to the head and is rushed to the hospital; and an unscheduled drug test sends panic through one roughneck's veins. As if that isn't enough, rig owners lose confidence and contemplate handing out pink slips.