Jan and Penny are college roommates who disagree about what is appropriate dating behavior. Penny feels that Jan is a prude for not getting into the swing of the changing attitudes of the "second half of the 20th Century." Responding to the topic of petting, Jan says, "Why you make it sound as harmless as an extracurricular activity." One day Keith introduces himself to Jan in the library by helping her find a poem for their English literature class, and then asking her out to discuss it later. They hit it off immediately, and start enjoying sporting events, dancing, and studying together. Soon Jan is wearing Keith's frat pin. However, Keith's roommate Stan tells him that "Love has gotta include sex" and Penny is telling Jan the same thing. When Keith tips in this other direction one evening, Jan is hurt and will not go down this new path. Happiness lies along only one of the paths, and either Jan or Penny will soon find that their actions have brought regretful sorrow.

Johnny Lingo, one of the sharpest traders in the south pacific islands decides to bargain for a wife, and offers a record price of eight cows for Mahana, a plain girl who shuns contact. This causes quite a sensation on the island. A year later Johnny and his wife return for the first time since the marriage, and all find that something miraculous has occurred to Mahana. Johnny explains that by paying eight cows he proved that she was worth more to him than any other woman on the island. He gave her a great gift, that of self-worth.

The fourth Waltons reunion TV movie is set in the 1960s , with John-Boy still living in New York, trying to persuade his fiancée to marry him. Meanwhile, Ben and Cindy's daughter Virginia has died, and Cindy is finding life very lonely without her. She tells Ben that she would dearly love to adopt another baby, but Ben feels that it is not a good idea. Ben argues with his father about buying a new truck for their lumber company, but John keeps insisting that they can't afford it. Elsewhere, Erin now has three children and is separated from Paul. Her decision to start seeing another man causes some indignation among the other Walton family members. Ike and Corabeth become grandparents when Aimee has a daughter, while Elizabeth returns from Europe and reunites with Drew, her old beau.