Eric develops a child-like fascination with life when he takes a much-needed vacation after his heart attack episode, while Annie runs into interference with each of the kids. Meanwhile, Simon assumes the role of the 'man of the house', but feels Matt is undermining his authority when he keeps on making fun of him. Also, Matt grows uncomfortable with the blossoming friendship between his girlfriend Shana and his roommate John Hamilton while he's busy with other issues. Also, Lucy finds a direction in her life with her interest in Habitat for Humanity after taking her fathers advice.

Becker is grumpier than usual after he decides to quit smoking, but he gets a lift from Reggie's friend (Marjorie Monaghan), an ex-smoker who tells him the only substitute that worked for her was sex.

While Joxer, Amarice and Eli try to recover Xena and Gabrielle's bodies, a war over their souls is waged with Heaven's angels and Hell's demons, which includes Callisto in their ranks.

Sean puts his lifeguard team to the test by first making them dive off a dangerous looking cliff, and then, making them swim back 3 miles from shore. However, the real test occurs during the swim when they must rescue passengers of a sunken boat. As the lifeguards move in, new roommates Kekoa and Jessie instantly clash. Mitch saves a Hawaiian girl from secondary drowning. Arriving in Hawaii with the scarab, Newmie springs into action after an explosion in the water. Allie finds employment as a helicopter pilot for a sightseeing tour. Jason meets a Hawaiian native, who tells him of his past and his destiny.

Doug feels left out after Carrie becomes friends with a new neighbor.

When the body of Gretchen Quinn is found wearing only a red slip after having gone through an upper-story window, Benson and Stabler soon find out that 'Gretchen Quinn' has never existed. While trying to piece together her life, the detectives are led to Gretchen's psychiatrist and a well-known television newscaster, both of whom were sleeping with her, and through an overdue library book finally trace Gretchen back to a young woman who changed her name and identity after graduating high school to get away from her sexually abusive father. Cragen and Benson find it easy to identify with the young woman, as they both have ghosts of their own from which they must escape. Detectives manage to contact the victim's sister, who experienced the same trauma growing up.

Tonight, actor and comedian Norm MacDonald.

The gang comes across a Jynx who has become lost belonging to Santa Claus and promise to return it to him.