Everwood

Although Amy and Bright are still in denial regarding Colin's recovery, Ephram can't ignore the negative signs any longer after he witnesses Colin losing control and vandalizing the gym teacher's office. Meanwhile, a New York magazine reporter visits Dr. Brown, hoping to learn the truth of why the famed surgeon is still living in Everwood. And Delia decides to secretly stay overnight in a museum while on a school field trip.

Nervous Ephram feels the pressure of performing his first piano recital in Everwood. Dr. Brown and Dr. Abbott attempt to diagnose a man, Chuck (Dan Merket), with a mysterious sleeping disorder that leaves welts on his body. Although her parents have revoked her privileges, Amy pretends that she wants to spend time with her grandmother, Edna, in order to secretly visit Colin.

In a controversial and moving episode, Dr. Brown confronts his deepest convictions while trying to help a local girl, Kate Morris (Kate Mara), who is in big trouble. At the urging of wise Edna, he gets a surprising new perspective on the situation from Dr. Abbott. Meanwhile, Ephram regrets attending the spring formal dance with a superficial girl, Sherri Seevers (Taylor Kellam), he has never met--but Amy takes pity on him, to Colin's chagrin. And Dr. Brown realizes how unprepared he is for Delia to grow into womanhood.

After Colin has a seizure, Dr. Brown strongly advises Colin's father, James (recurring guest star Michael Flynn), to allow him to perform brain surgery on Colin. But Colin's parents resist the dangerous procedure, hoping for another miraculous recovery. In emotional turmoil, Colin rebuffs the sympathetic Amy. Meanwhile, as a favor to worried Edna, Dr. Brown accompanies Irv--who would much rather go alone--on a camping trip, forcing Ephram to come along as well and study for his final examinations. At the remote lake, an event occurs that changes father and son forever and enlightens Dr. Brown on how to deal with Colin's obdurate parents. Also, the Abbotts' neighbor, Nina, is overjoyed when her absentee husband, Carl (recurring guest star Dylan Walsh), vows to return home permanently. But a shocking surprise awaits her.

As the day of Colin's brain surgery approaches, Dr. Brown travels with Ephram and Delia to New York to consult with his accomplished mentor, Dr. Donald Douglas (Philip Baker Hall - "Magnolia," "Boogie Nights"). Together, the men devise an innovative method to save Colin--and Dr. Douglas advises Dr. Brown not to perform the extremely risky procedure. When Ephram sees how revered his father is among the students and faculty of his alma mater, he gains a new perspective and makes a major realization. Meanwhile, Colin "kidnaps" Amy and Bright and takes them on an adventure on his last day before the operation, taking care of last-minute emotional tasks. Dr. Brown emerges from the operating room after the grueling surgery and faces Colin's expectant family and loved ones . . .

Until the Brown family arrived last year, it seemed like nothing ever changed in Everwood, a charming little town in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Dr. Andrew "Andy" Brown has made the transition from a world-renowned neurosurgeon, whose career overshadowed his parental obligations, to a small-town clinician and attentive but struggling father to bright 10-year-old Delia and troubled 16-year-old Ephram. Plainspoken Edna Harper (series star Debra Mooney) serves as Dr. Brown's nurse and office manager, despite being the mother of the only other doctor in town, irascible Dr. Harold Abbott, whose children, 16-year-old Amy (series star Emily VanCamp) and 18-year-old Bright (series star Chris Pratt), have become friends with Dr. Brown's at school. Dr. Brown has also found his neighbor, Nina Feeney (series star Stephanie Niznik), to be a reliable confidante. And the school bus driver, Mr. Irv Harper (series star John Beasley), keeps watch over it all.

Dr. Brown is concerned that Ephram needs more extracurricular activities in order to be accepted at a top college, but Ephram is only focused on his Juilliard music school audition--which has surprising results. Amy's lack of interest in college preparation alarms her mother, Rose (recurring guest star Merrilyn Gann), more than her father, Dr. Abbott. And Bright's poor grades result in him being ejected from the football team, possibly jeopardizing the scholarship his father believes may be Bright's only chance to get into a decent school. Meanwhile, Dr. Brown tries to help a cheerleader, Stacey Wilson (Kristen Bell), who has ruptured breast implants but cares more about looking good than being healthy.

The entire Abbott family is agitated by the return of Dr. Linda Abbott (recurring guest star Marcia Cross - "Melrose Place"), Dr. Abbott's sister, who has been practicing Eastern-based medicine in exotic locations around the world. Edna is so proud of her daughter's accomplishments that she doesn't notice how lonely Linda is, and Edna needs to be reminded what a wonderful life she's built with Irv, even without travel and excitement. Linda encounters major resistance from Dr. Abbott when she announces her decision to join his practice. Meanwhile, Dr. Brown learns that some local adolescents may be practicing unsafe sex, and he is shocked at their parents' reaction to the situation. Also, Bright asks Ephram to watch over Amy, whose odd behavior has everyone worried.

Dr. Brown's well-intentioned plan to give Ephram more free time by hiring college student Madison Kellner (recurring guest star Sarah Lancaster) as a caretaker for Delia ends up making things worse. Madison treats Ephram like a child and embarrasses him in front of Amy. Meanwhile, Dr. Brown's concern for the deceased Colin's alcoholic father, James (recurring guest star Michael Flynn), distracts him from Nina's struggle with her divorce proceedings. Dr. Abbott continues to clash with his physician sister, Linda (recurring guest star Marcia Cross), when she tries to take over his office. The differences in their personalities and medical philosophies become alarmingly clear.

When Dr. Brown invites Linda (recurring guest star Marcia Cross) to dinner at the Brown house to discuss a patient, Delia lashes out, using foul language. With some insight from Delia's caretaker, Madison Kellner (recurring guest star Sarah Lancaster), Ephram figures out the reason for his sister's bad behavior. Meanwhile, Amy's depression deepens, but when her therapist recommends medication, Dr. Abbott refuses to write a prescription to help his daughter cope with Colin's death.

Much to his chagrin, Dr. Abbott suspects that Linda (recurring guest star Marcia Cross) and Dr. Brown are far too attracted to each other, so he decides to select more appropriate suitors for his sister. Meanwhile, Ephram finally has the courage to tell Amy how he really feels about their relationship, but he is confused by his interest in Madison (recurring guest star Sarah Lancaster), who comes to his aid when Ephram needs help passing his driving test. Dr. Brown tries to help the soon-to-be-remarried Reverend Keyes (Tim DeKay - "Carnivàle") cope with his impending blindness, but the minister would rather leave his fate to God than attempt a new treatment that might save his sight.