Ellen Burstyn stars as a writer at a Baltimore college who lives in a brownstone with her mother, 25-year-old daughter and 5-year-old grandson. In the pilot, Nick's dog is about to have puppies. Ellen faces a troublesome student who never fulfills assignments.

Molly goes out on her first date since separating from her husband, but her date is more interested in Ellen.

Ellen decides to prepare her last will and testament, but she gains disapproval from her family when she suggests that a poverty-stricken student live in her home rent-free.

Ellen is disillusioned when she meets an award-winning writer she has always admired.

Ellen must deal with a grouchy store owner when 6-year-old Nick steals an expensive toy.

Sydney's swept off her feet by a married man.

Ellen learns that her friend, a best-selling author, is illiterate.

Molly has second thoughts about reconciling with her estranged husband.

An ex-convict enrolls in Ellen's writing class.

Ellen finds a mysterious shoe box in a telephone booth. The box is labeled and she calls the owner only to be warned about opening the shoe box. The family becomes intrigued.

After undergoing severe sleeplessness, Ellen goes to a physician. The medic prescribes her some vitamin pills. Ellen follows the treatment but its side effects soon show up, and she starts doing things faster than usual. Finally Sidney finds out that the medic was in fact a quack who gave Ellen amphetamines instead of vitamins.