The girls create a petition to save a 200-year-old oak tree, though one notable name is not on the list -- Frieda Claxton, the curmudgeonly neighbor of theirs whose property the tree is on, and who wants to see it torn down.

Dorothy's friend Jean visits after her lover dies, and begins spending a fair amount of time with Rose. Unbeknownst to the others, however, Jean is a lesbian, and soon starts developing feelings for Rose. Meanwhile, Sophia rents "dirty movies" to watch on the girls' new VCR.

Curtis "Big Daddy" Hollingsworth returns for another visit, with more news: he's engaged. Blanche couldn't be happier for her father until she meets his fiancée, who is half his age and even younger than Blanche. Meanwhile, Dorothy and Rose enter a songwriting contest.