Isabel tries to prevent Maria telling Sheriff Valenti about the aliens by scaring her into silence, Max gets a job at the UFO centre and Topolsky gives career counselling.

Stardate: Unknown Paris falls in love with an alien ship that he finds in a space junkyard. However, his infatuation soon turns into domination, as the ship is able to control Tom's thoughts and actions just like a drug addiction.

Father and son are at odds when Dawson moves forward with a news piece for his mom's Philadelphia station using Mitch's star player, Jack, as his subject matter even though Mitch is vehemently opposed. Meanwhile, Joey and Pacey find themselves in cahoots when they must pay the price for ditching class; Andie jumps to conclusions and panics about the reasons Principal Green wants to meet with her; and Jen goes to great lengths to remove herself as head cheerleader but is shocked at the end results.

Steve and Janet announce the pregnancy and engagement to her parents, who respond by calling Janet a disgrace. Steve's father tries to convince the couple to put off marriage for a while. Janet collapses and has to be taken to the hospital. She is diagnosed with a panic attack and told to avoid unnecessary stress. Mr. and Mrs. Sosna ask Janet to leave Steve and move back into their house. At the couple's engagement party, Steve lies to Janet's parents about the identity of his mom's lover, Karen. He asks his father to play along, unaware that Rush is apparently the only person in Los Angeles who didn't know that Samantha is gay. Steve and Janet stand up to their families. Although they would appreciate some support, they will not tolerate any further efforts to break them up. Matt and Noah each offer to move out so that Steve can move Janet and the baby into the house. Matt asks Kelly to get an apartment with him, but she nixes this idea. Donna decides that she and Noah will live together. Gina and Noah secretly start an after-hours strip club at the Peach Pit After Dark. Dylan helps a hotel maid and her prankster sons. David asks Robyn for a chance to prove that he is not the obnoxious jerk he portrays on the radio. Music: 'Moment of Weakness' by Bif Naked.

The staff must deal with several problems throughout the course of a day, including UFOs and smallpox. The senior staff meets with several interest groups referred to as 'the crackpots'. Josh becomes shaken when he receives a card that instructs him where to go in case of a nuclear attack. Meanwhile, Toby and President Bartlet clash over plans for a trip to California and Bartlet prepares for a press conference.

Tonight, Judging Amy star Amy Brenneman.