Neil serves his love of gift-giving by forcing his disgruntled staff to work on "L.A. Christmas Eve" as they wait for his "perfect gift" to arrive.

Neil is excited to work with his new Innovation Team but gets sidetracked when he has to take Orly (and Arpi) to the DMV for her permit test. Tommy and Mikaela become increasingly concerned about the I-Team's new presence and fight to keep Jayden off the chopping block.

Mikaela learns that her award for flattening the homelessness curve is based on a lie, and, with James and Arpi's help, grows determined to make a change for real. Neil realizes that his excitement about the I-Team has caused his original staff to act out like children, so he attempts to appease them.

In the midst of a heat wave, Neil has a fling with Angelica, a prominent commercial actress. Tommy accidentally ruins the joy of Arpi's scratch-off lottery habit, but helps her by revealing a secret hobby of his own.

Mikaela and Tommy help Jayden transform into a Scorpio after he learns that his dream apartment has astrological sign requirements. Neil's attempt to raise mayoral awareness takes a turn when James nudges him to put his face on trash cans all over the city.

Neil can't wait to show off his deal-making skills with the visiting mayors of L.A'.s sister cities, but chaos ensues when he mistakes a group of film extras for the real mayors. Mikaela, with Arpi's encouragement, decides to finally ask out James.

Neil is forced to burst Orly's bubble about her "perfect mother". Arpi uses the office's high school interns to help get a bill passed. A freshly rejected Mikaela tries to prove that she has plenty of time in her life for things besides work.

Jayden hosts a Western-themed cuddle mystery party where Mikaela tries to figure out what's going on between her and James. Arpi and Neil clash over how to spend the city's newly acquired budget surplus.

Neil accidentally angers mega-influencer Titi B. and must apologize or deal with the wrath of her followers. Jayden coaches Arpi on how to be less abrasive at personal appearances.

Tensions rise as Titi B'.s petition to recall Mayor Bremer gains traction. Jayden panics over having to side with Arpi against Neil. Mikaela and James' first kiss leaves something to be desired.

Arpi and Neil square off in the televised mayoral recall debate. James reveals information that may change the course of his and Mikaela's relationship.