In a humorous twist, Blair questions the lack of passion in her relationship with Marcus, while at the same time Chuck appears to have lost his "passion" for any woman other than Blair. Meanwhile, Nate struggles between his feelings for Vanessa and his more-complicated-by-the-day relationship with Catherine. Jenny risks losing her internship when Eleanor catches Jenny critiquing one of the Eleanor Waldorf designs.

Cameron and Sarah take the initiative to investigate a nuclear power plant. Meanwhile, John loses interest in academics, but makes a new friend and chafes at being treated like a child.

The death of a teenager is investigated by Brenda and Co. Their search uncovers that the teen may have been part of a plot in which hundreds of people may have been killed by a bomb. Now it is a search against time to find the bomb.

Quentin's death brings sorrow to Tree Hill and Haley and Nathan must find the words to help Jamie understand. Brooke continues to hide the truth of her attack which strains her friendship with Peyton and Lucas and Skills meet Quentin's grief-stricken family.

Michael, Lincoln and Sucre must crash a police benefit to obtain the next card key. Reeling from another death, Sarah falls back into an old habit. T-Bag arouses suspicion and runs into some old "friends" his first day on the job.

Nancy must face the music when the DEA calls her in for questioning.

Justin goes MIA. Holly calls Lauren, but how will Heidi and Spencer react to that?

Jerry defends a mentally ill client and runs into problems with Judge Kessler. Richard defends a woman who caused problems due to a welfare check and may not be able to take care of her grandmother if she is convicted.

Jon Stewart discusses the importance of blinking. Sarah Palin will talk to the press as soon as they stop asking her questions. Jason Jones is the only correspondent in the news team with his own spin-off. Washington Post reporter Barton Gellman discusses his book Angler about Dick Cheney's time as the vice-president.

Tonight Stephen welcomes religion professor at Harvard and author of The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What's So Good About the Good News, Peter Gomes.

Sammy and Nathan's marriage is in crisis when she can no longer bear keeping the secret reason for their move into the Rafter home. This leaves Nathan with no option but to count on the family he's always taken for granted.

The TRG is called out to a sports oval where a heavily-armed gunman shoots Stella, who is saved by her kevlar vest. When the gunman requests to meet with a senior officer, Lawson approaches him and finds he was actually a former weapons-master who intends on suicide-by-cop. The situation ends when, after trying to avoid shooting the man, Lawson is forced to shoot and kill the man when he pulls a handgun on him.

The conjoined twins' separation is put into doubt following a surprise discovery. Ric has to make a difficult decision. Maria has an email relationship.

After a raucous night out with Eddie, Don finds out that Abby has just split up with Karl.