In the series pilot, a welfare worker warns the three orphaned Curtis brothers that any trouble will send Pony Boy and Soda Pop to foster homes.

Soda wants to keep it from Darrel that he's gotten a girl pregnant; and Pony Boy becomes "protective" when Scout is courted by a nongreaser.

Tim Shepard returns from prison and is tempted to take a job offer from two men he met in the joint.