When Paddy is caught on camera for an armed robbery and could face 20 years inside, Mimi begs him to call his brother, Noel. He's the only one who can help. But Paddy has a dark history with his sibling and would rather go to jail than ever set eyes on him again. As the reality of his situation dawns, he realises he has no choice. The Gallaghers find themselves three grand in debt to Mimi after Frank inhales a box of her drugs, and it seems that Ian is the only one who can bail the family out. But when his business venture fails, Ian finds he has nowhere to turn. In an act of desperation, he steals money from the till at the Jockey but things quickly spiral out of control. The status quo gets altered in the police house when Carrie becomes a sergeant. Tom is peeved that Carrie is exploiting her new position, but a chance comment leads him to discover a dark secret in Carrie's past, which means he can regain the upper hand...
Jim finds a way to use Cheryl's forgetfulness (a.k.a. "the pregnancy brain") to his advantage by trying to convince her that it was her idea to turn the basement into a media room instead of a room for Ruby and Gracie.
Spinner uses weed, because he thinks it might help with his pain. But it only make things worse, especially when Jane becomes jealous about him and Darcy. Paige hates her new job, so she starts hanging out more with Ellie and Marco, so she doesn't have to go back.
Ellie finds that Caitlin is not just taking over her class but taking over her boyfriend as well. Meanwhile a project allows Mia to have an advantage over Holly J and Anya.
Joe's mother pays a surprise visit, which worries Allison because she hasn't seen her since her psychic abilities became public knowledge. Meanwhile, Cynthia Keener tries to push Allison's dreams towards outstanding cases and Devalos and Scanlon are reunited with Allison in an unexpected way after an arson-related murder.
Jen is putting some old clothes up for the mall clothing donation drive, but Jonesy sees that the donated clothes were from his father and uses the donated wardrobe for himself in an attempt to act cool. He is discovered by a mysterious man who claims he is the latest teen-trend finder, and offers Jonesy a job. Jonesy gladly accepts and attempts to find hot new trends.
Everything is in the pink for Hank, but Brent and Wanda see things a different way than Hank does. Lacey creates Dog River Dollars, and then becomes suspicious that they are being counterfeited. Karen tries to get Davis to think for himself.
Ex-special forces operative and convicted murderer John Mercer is awarded an early release from prison on the condition that he becomes an assassin for the government.
Sarah asks Kyle to intervene with Jessi, but his method may prove disastrous; Brian Taylor hits a wall in his quest for Latnok's approval, and the prom has a serious cash-flow problem.
Christine finds herself forced to feign happiness when she covets the house Richard and New Christine have purchased.
Christine hesitantly allows New Christine to arrange a blind date for her and finds her intuition against the idea was spot on.
It's Rosie and Ian's turn in the spotlight this time when Laura doesn't come, allowing Paul the chance to get to know them.
Timmy offers to baby-sit Poof for Cosmo and Wanda so they can have the night out.
Just as she is getting her life back on track, Kris is faced with two unanticipated proposals.
Brownstone Diner (Jersey City, N.J.) • 39th Street Mama's (Kansas City, Mo.) • Matt's Big Breakfast (Phoenix, Ariz.) Guy kicks off season three in search of the best breakfast joints in America. From Jersey, to Phoenix, to Kansas City, Guy samples the best in Breakfast.