"It may be a new day, Llanview. But it's hard to tell in the heart of winter. Anyone alive out there? Things sure seem dead." The radio "voice of the night" looms high above the catwalk. Cristian and Todd are lying motionless on the stage. Outside in the alley behind the theater, Blair tells Bo and Antonio that she heard a gun shot. As the two law enforcers carefully enter the building, Blair wrestles with the police officer assigned to keep her out of harm's way. She is desperate to get to Todd. Inside, Bo wakens Todd from unconsciousness as Antonio discovers his brother's life-threatening wound. Hazy at first, Todd recounts the details of the faulty wife exchange with one aspect dramatically altered for his benefit: Mitch shot Cristian. Having only one potential suspect handy, Bo arrests and handcuffs Todd anyway, but also grants him a few minutes with Blair. She throws her arms around him and strokes his hair in blissful relief. Cristian identifies Todd as his assailant before he passes out again. The ambulance siren rings in the air.

Starr runs to the door of Llanfair sure that her parents are returning to her. But it's Viki. Jessica quickly apprises her mother of the kidnapping details. Viki is livid that Todd took matters into his own hands. She convinces Starr to remain behind while she and Jessica go to the police.

At the Llanview police station, Viki and Jessica arrive at the same time Bo is hauling a handcuffed Todd to his office. Todd is petulant as he skulks down in a chair. Bo clarifies the newer details of the kidnapping to his niece and sister-in-law, including the alarming development that Mitch now has Natalie. Viki tries to reason with Todd, but Todd maintains he didn't shoot Cristian. Finally, he breaks down and admits, "I thought it was Laurence." Viki continues to hammer away at Todd's misadventures while Bo consults with his officers. In the midst of her brooding, she finds the scarf monogrammed "L" in the evidence bag on Bo's desk. She remembers that it is exactly like one their father used to have.

At the hospital, Jennifer is discharged. She reiterates her denial of Mitch's assault and threats, this time to Marcie, who is running late for her shift at the diner. Antonio arrives in the emergency ward with Cristian. Dr. MacIver and staff promptly take action. Carlotta happens by after visiting her granddaughter and is shocked that Cristian has suffered a gun injury. Outside his room, mother and brother say the rosary together for him. Jessica arrives with her support and sympathies. Carlotta damns Natalie for her son's condition. As they prepare for the worst, Dr. MacIver relays the good news that there was no organ damage and that Cristian will be alright. While his family is visiting his bedside, Jennifer bursts in out of heartfelt concern. Cris asks to talk to her alone and Jen confesses she was threatened by Mitch. She also reveals an odd discovery at Mitch's house that may be missing from police information: a map of Jason's Landing near Harrisburg. At his request, Jen helps Cristian sneak out of his hospital room to resume his search for Natalie by distracting Antonio and Jessica in the hallway.

In another corridor of the hospital, Blair suffers from rope burns and tells Nora about the machinations of her kidnapping. Cristian saved her life. Trying to recount the many sick notions Mitch spouted during her detainment, Blair remembers a bag with light blond hair dye. They call Bo immediately with this peculiar piece of information. Bo concludes Mitch is likely working up a disguise.

Blair begins knocking loudly and hollering outside the door at Llanfair. Starr runs and jumps into her mother's arms. "Dad's going to be a hero," she delights. Starr wonders if her father will be honored in the newspaper.

In a tacky hotel room somewhere, Mitch tries to convince Natalie that Cristian is dead. She is screaming and fighting him as best she can. Mitch threatens to shoot her if she doesn't calm down and then calls the solarium with instructions to "begin the necessary preparations." He estimates their arrival within the hour. The nurse says she will begin "alerting the medical staff now." In the tiny bathroom of the hotel room, Mitch dyes Natalie's hair. With her new damp locks twisted up in a towel, he adorns her neck with a gold initial pendant. "J for Jezebel," he snarls. Still confused, she tries to fight him again as he injects her with tranquilizer.

Under a bright clinical light, a medical tray is being carefully aligned with surgical instruments. The radio voice of the night cautions, "The sun's coming up now folks. Think you can shed some light on the mystery of life? It'd be nice to get straight to the heart of it, because you never know if there will be enough time..." The nurse removes the oxygen mask from the face of the elderly man in the wheelchair. Mitch enters the make-shift operating room and drags a groggy Natalie towards the man. "Victor Lord, meet your granddaughter," he announces. Natalie's newly-blond hair cascades around her jaw as Mitch removes her hat. The wilting man breathlessly utters, "Jessica."

FAN FANTASY
Viki introduces us to the movies playing at the local theater:

STARR OVER BROADWAY
An old time musical, reminiscent of "Gypsy" among others and filmed mostly in black and white. It stars Blair, Starr, Todd, Rae and Viki. When the film opens, Starr is begging to go on stage for Rae who hasn't shown up. Todd informs them that they are bankrupt and have been evicted. Suddenly, an elegant woman strolls in. Viki happens to have $50,000 and is looking for a show to invest in! When Rae finally arrives on crutches, it is agreed that Starr can perform in her place. Viki readily concurs, noting that she's seen Starr sing and dance previously. In the spirit of Bob Fosse, the movie switches to brilliant color as Blair and Starr show off their musical number, "All That Jazz." It's a success and they are going to Hollywood.

EVERY WOMAN'S DREAM
This is Lindsay's love story which takes place in a bar, circa 1940's. Lindsay rues her rough life and orders a drink, brought by Al the waiter, to see her through the night. She suddenly spies a tall, good-looking stranger who will change it all for her. He introduces himself as Thaddeus Martin, a.k.a Tad. They share a dance and are about to share a kiss as well when he receives a phone call. He tells the caller that he wants to break up. He's not in love but has just only met the love of his life. After hanging up, they are interrupted by Troy who professes his own love for Lindsay and who tells her that Tad is getting married tomorrow! He tries to stop them from this silly madness when in the midst of this triangle the other woman appears. It's Nora and she's engaged to Tad! He explains that he only loves Lindsay now. Nora becomes apologetic and asks to be Lindsay's best friend. She blames all of Lindsay's woes on herself. The others ask how she can possibly live with herself, and wonder that she has no self-respect. The three walk away arm in arm but Lindsay returns, forgiving Nora. She joins Nora in a toast and they vow never to fight again. They decide to eat chocolate and go shopping as the pained looking guys look on.

LICENSE TO KILL (WITH 006)
As Max Holden tries to snuggle up to Luna, she gives him his orders. He must steal the start button from the doomsday device from Dr. Mean (R.J.) and his mistress, Roxy Goldmuff. She advises him that his cufflinks will activate the stinger missile. At the casino where the evildoers spend their time, Rex spins the roulette wheel for Roxy as Dr. Mean goes off to get ready for his evil deed. When Max arrives and lays down a bet of $1,000,000 and wins, he catches the woman's attention. She gets him a drink but spikes it with poison from her earring. Max realizes this immediately and views her through the lucky crystal he has with him. Seeing the device in her muff, he urges her to come over to his side as he can see the goodness in her. Dr. Mean returns with a gun but after some kung foo action on Roxy's part and Max laying down his gun, she ends up drinking the drink meant for Max. She beseeches him to save the world. Max is able to whip out a spray for Mean's eyes, he gives Roxy an antidote for the poison and points out how he owes it all to the Book of Luna's Sayings, this one stating Be Prepared. He is able to de-activate the device and save the world, as they hear an explosion in the distance. When he becomes a little too friendly towards Roxy, Luna shows up and reminds him that he can only kiss her. Back at the office, Max and Luna make plans for a vacation.

THE VORTEX
This movie, like a futuristic Matrix, stars the Vega brothers as superheros with supporting players Keri, Flash and Hank as their aides. It's up to them to save a wired Natalie from a crazed Jen, before she blows up. When they are beamed to the hideout and locate Nat, the evil Jen has them brought to their knees before they can help. They learn that the the vortex is growing and she blames it all on Cris. When Hank is ready to beam them back to save them, they are able to remove the bomb from around Nat's neck in the confusion. She and Jen fight as the bomb ticks away on the floor. Abruptly, they are back at headquarters, where Hank advises them that the vortex has imploded, with Jen in the midst of it. The evil-fighters celebrate.

THE BUCHANANS RIDE AGAIN
Set in the old West, in sepia tones, the Buchanans make plans to prevent Mitch from getting onto their property. As Asa, Bo, and Joey (with Renee and Viki in cameo appearances) figure things out, Clint bursts in with Jess in his arms. It is a movie full of suspense as Jess awakens and tells them that Mitch has Nat. They ride out to save her. In the meantime, Mitch is playing cards with his cronies. When one of the men leaves, he is surrounded by Buchanans who convince him rather easily that they will kill him if he doesn't listen up. He returns to his card game, telling Mitch that it's cold outside but shortly after, the good guys storm in with guns blazing. Clint spies Nat and rescues her, comforts her and welcomes her to the family. Back at the ranch, Asa explains why they do all of this--for family.

Blair and Starr return to Dorian's house. Starr is thrilled when Todd arrives but Blair doesn't share her joy. Blair blames Todd for Cristian and Natalie's ordeal, never thinking his actions through to the end.

Todd insists to Blair that they belong together. Blair is grateful for what Todd did to rescue her from Mitch. Blair admits she will always love Todd but shocks him when she suggests he stay out of Starr and Jack's lives in order to protect them from the pain that always seems to follows him.

Antonio catches Cristian trying to take off in his car. Antonio reluctantly agrees to help Cristian and they head to Jason's Landing where Jen had previously told Cristian about a medical clinic located there. Cristian and Antonio arrive at the clinic where they find Mr. Sanders, a man who had been mentioned in Mitch's files at the cult house.

Viki and Jessica search through a trunk containing Victor's remaining possessions and find a scarf identical to the one Jen took from Mitch's house. Bo and Nora search through Victor's police and medical records and learn his body was removed from the morgue immediately after his supposed death. Bo and Nora stun Viki with their theory that Victor may not have died after all. Nora returns Troy's engagement ring.

Gabrielle feels like an outsider when she sees Bo and Nora working closely together. Natalie is prepared for surgery and it appears as though her life will be sacrificed in order to save Victor's. Mitch demands that Victor sign some documents before the operation begins.