The new spirit of "volunteerism" is mandatory at Lawndale High. While reading to senior citizens, Daria finds that her unenthusiastic tone makes her just as unpopular at the nursing home as at school.
Daria's parents force her to get a job, so her father gets her one at a peanut stand in the mall. Much to her chagrin, her only co-worker at the stand is Kevin.
The return of the rest of the Lane family sends Jane, then Trent over to the Morgendorffer household. But a third visitor begins to shatter Daria's illusions of life with Trent.
Jake has a heart attack and his mother comes to the Morgendorffer household to take care of him; his heart attack inspires Quinn to study to become a heart doctor; two radio DJs broadcast their show outside Lawndale High.
Have aliens invaded Lawndale or is it just Daria's imagination running wild after the media alien craze. Rumors of aliens and commies spread at school.