Gary's father reaches out to a friend on the radio to talk about some basic scandals going on in Washington DC and the rivalry between Jr and Christine about Hendrick Air

Jr's father goes on TV and radio to defend his record of public service and supporting bipartisan legislation supported by President Clinton

Jr's father hits the radio trying to abate the criticism against him for the problems he's having with his family

Jr prepares to fight his father alongside his mother. Enraged by desire Christine is determined to fight Jr along with her father which impacts her relationship with David.
Thomas asks Rachel to marry him and she says yes. Christian and Jr get engaged. Betsy and Miss Mike Fields to help clean up the mess from the Christmas debacle
Meanwhile Jr prepares to do battle with his father in Washington DC

At the Hendrick estate in Gainesville, Texas things come to the head in Christmas 1996 when battle lines are being drawn. Betsy sees how Jim is treating JR with favoritism for Christine and Kyle and denounces him and Hendrick oil.

I’m gets furious as he found JRs engagement ring. Battle lines get deeper between JR and Christine as the family scrambles

Jr finishes his finals with gusto and then heads off to the public affairs conference in Provo, not thinking about the possibility of the engagement ring arriving in Gainesville while he's out. Christine is disgusted with girls end of Hendrick air the spite questions about her own business tactics while Rachel begins with interpretation to be a part of the Texas Air control commission. Elizabeth Marie quits her public affairs job

Betsy is concerned that her husband has corrupted her mother's will, but Jr tells her not to rock the boat. Christine is thoroughly convinced that she is right and at the end of the year she will be president of Hendrick Air. Betsy begs Rachel to help JR. JR gets the engagement ring and has Brent run a society by line that he and Christian are getting engaged

From his estate in Gainesville, Texas, JR’s father blasts Clinton and members of Congress regarding confirmation hearings for a federal judge and a friend of his is being appointed to the commerce department

JR flies with Kristen to Dallas Fort Worth to spend Thanksgiving with her and her family. And although her grandmother and aunt are behind the relationship it is clear that Kristen's mother is not. Accusing him of being just like his father. Jim is disappointed with a policy outline that Jr prepared for him. Carl tries to throw the Thanksgiving festivities because JR is not there. Kristen's grandmother wants Jr of her father's side of the family.