The life of the McKaye family takes two extreme turns first when Beck wins an Olympic gold medal in snowboarding at the Torino games, and second, approximately two weeks later, when he is found dead at the bottom of a hill back home at Whistler.
Quinn gets close to his brother's best friend; Ethan wants to re-open the Tavern.
As Quinn and Ryan delve deeper into Beck's past, they discover a shocking secret.
Quinn suspects his uncle knows more than he's saying about Beck's involvement in the blackmail scheme.
The McKayes know that Varland's ad campaign using Beck's image is not going away, so Ethan decides to take some action to combat his feelings toward Adrien. Jen, who doesn't totally agree with Ethan's course of action, is nonetheless eased somewhat by a visit from an old friend, Adam Lawson.
Ethan being preoccupied with a work issue, and someone seemingly trying to buy out all their distributors, leaves Jen feeling increasingly isolated. She turns to Adam, unaware that he may not turn off the reporter side of himself.
Jen and Ethan are drifting farther apart, which is not helped by some news from Adam. Meanwhile Jen turns to Adam, and Lisa is there for Ethan. Beck's ghost counsels Quinn about moving on with his life in pursuing the opposite sex.
Jen's full disclosure about her evening with Adam leads to Ethan feeling even guiltier about cheating with Lisa, which he does not mention to Jen. Meanwhile, Carrie has problems getting the $500 back from AJ.
Ethan firing Lisa to cover up their indiscretion backfires on him when Jen rehires her due to a short term staff shortage. Ethan has to decide how to handle the situation for his, Jen and Lisa's benefit.
Adrien tests Nicole's ability to keep some demanding clients happy, Jen and Ryan learn that the Tavern property is being rezoned to force them out, and Ryan begins looking into Shelby's whereabouts.
After Carrie confesses she has feelings for him Quinn struggle with his feelings for both Isabelle and Carrie. Sensing his uncertainty, Isabelle ends things with him. Meanwhile AJ gets deeper into trouble, Adrien continues to pursue Nicole.
Ethan and Jen seriously consider Adrien's latest offer for their property, unaware that he may need them more than they need him. Because of what she learns about Adrien's past love life, Nicole takes a trip to Bellingham to deal with someone from her own past.
The shooting incident at the assistant coroner's house leads to the police releasing Ryan and reopening the case into Beck's death, including a move which may be painful for Ethan and Jen. Ryan's release still does not deal with what Adrien sees as Ryan's betrayal against him.
