The Gallagher family and half of the estates other residents find themselves being are evicted as part of Operation New Start led by Carmen Kenaway and Feeney. Jamie and Karen find themselves becoming guardians of the estate after the evictees turn to them for help. Things are looking good for Jackson, who is now a fully qualified teacher. Carl is close to becoming qualified as a policeman, but Frank's disapproval threatens his graduation.

Not everyone is pleased to see Carl affter he shows up on the estate as a qualified policeman. Jackson finds himself being accused of falsely claiming benefits, resulting in the lost of his job which throws his marriage is thrown into chaos. Frank is given the job of becoming a double agent, so that he can get information from Carmen about the future plans for the estate. The residents end up agreeing to a deal with Carmen to save the estate. Kelly loses her baby.

Mimi and Billy decide to have an open marriage. Patty and Lillian's funeral mourning brings them some unwanted attention. Kelly can't grieve and and ends up loosing control.

Micky ends up becoming the victim of a gay bashing, leaving him mentally and physically scarred whilst enjoying a night out with the boys. Carl falls for Clem on the night out. Aidan has a new group of older friends, headed by gang leader Frasier Kane. Events end up spiraling out of control one evening on the estate and Aidan is faced with a life-changing decision. Ruby Hepburn shows up on the estate and is revealed as being Mimi's niece.

Somebody from Jamie's past arrives on the estate, looking for a favour to be returned. D.S. Brooks, is currently suspended pending some serious charges and Jamie doesn't know if he can go through with what he wants and the safety of his family ends up being in the balance. Aidan skips school after he is haunted with nightmares about his doing nothing to stop Frasier attacking his school teacher. After Frasier turns his attention to Letitia, Aidan ends up feeling like he has no choice but to act. Micky has to deal with a life-changing decision after a debt collection goes badly wrong.

Jackson ends up being coerced by Shane into participating in the robbery of a cigarette van at a supermarket after he is desperate for money. Things don't end up going well and they barely manage to escape from the guards. They end up coming up with the business idea of selling out-of-date food during the bungled robbery though. Gloria's brother called Dominic who is a whisky priest who's recently left the church ends up causing chaos on the estate after the husbands of two conquests he can't remember having sex with end up threatening him.

Everyone is really worried about Kelly. Marty is still grieving about the loss of the baby, Kelly is punishing herself physically and mentally and is spiralling out of control. Karen ends up making a bet with Dom. Avril becomes worried after she sees her colleague Calum dispensing incorrect medication at the chemist.

Times are difficult and Marty and Aidan attempt to redirect a power line to the Gallagher House so that they can use free electricity. Things don't go to plan though and there's a power cut that sees the whole estate ends up in darkness. The girls end up gathering at the Maguire house and as the drink starts to flow, hidden truths are revealed. Jamie agrees to a lock in for the guys at the pub where Frank accepts the challenge to re-enact The Hare and the Tortoise but he ends up losing something valuable in the process. Chesney attempts to protect the shop but pushes himself too far in the process.

When Chesney arrives home from hospital, he finds his cousin Toof waiting there for him. After he reveals his plan to close the shop and take Chesney back to Bradford, Chesney refuses to agree to it. Chesney decides that it is time for him to strike out on his own and live life to the full.

Jamie and Shane come up with a plan to break into Manchester's former War Rooms that are now owned by the Lottery with the aim of stealing a stash of scratch cards following a conversation with Frank. Frank ends up being recruited along with Aidan and Ruby but things don't go to plan. Letitia and her friends form a girl group. After Jamie fails to arrive home, Karen is determined to prove to Mimi that she can handle the Maguire business in his absence.

The situation underground is not looking good for the five trapped together and the pressure starts to increase as truths, lies and confessions are revealed. Jamie is scared that Karen may uncover the truth about what happened with Gloria. Ruby wants to be accepted as part of the Maguire family while Aidan is fed up with being treated like the idiot child. Frank discovers the brick he carved into all those years ago with his 35-year-old time capsule. Karen looks for clues, while Gloria wrestles with her guilt over Jamie. A search party is formed after it it is discovered what Shane wasplanning but time isn't on their side and decisions have to be made whether to involve the police.