In the first half of a two-part crossover episode of “Touched By an Angel” and “Promised Land,” Joe Greene, the long-lost brother of Russell returns, speeding wrecklessly down the highway as Tess, Monica and Andrew follow. When another car pulls out in front of Joe, he runs the car off the road and kills a father and son, while saving the youngest son. Lying about the accident to the police, he is then thought to be a “good samaritan” and quickly leaves.

When he runs out of gas, Andrew arrives as a hitchhiker and offers to give him gas in exchange for a ride to Chicory Creek. Once in Chicory Creek, Andrew leaves and the car breaks down. Joe then breaks into the home of his family’s old friend, Erasmus Jones, not knowing that his family is currently visiting. Russell catches him in the kitchen, quickly saying hello by punching him and the whole family is soon awake, marvelling at his return. At the hospital, the young boy injured in the wreck clings to life while Monica acts as a hospital caseworker, comforting the mother, Mrs. Mills. Mrs. Mills wants to meet the good samaritan and Monica supplies the address to Erasmus’ house.

While meeeting Mrs. Mills, Joe lies to her while Russell listens skeptically as Joe refuses to visit the surviving child at the hospital. With the sudden return of his father, Nathaniel is very angry but convinces his father to visit the child when his hopelessly inoperative car suddenly starts. While at the hospital, Monica reveals herself as an angel and Joe flees, taking stolen pharmaceuticals with him. Coming perilously close to another auto accident, he is stopped by Tess who takes Nathaniel and demands that Joe return to Monica at the hospital. Upon his return, Monica convinces him to “face the truth and seek forgiveness,” and that God wants to save his life.

Joe returns to Erasmus’ house and tells Russell the truth about the car accident. Russell becomes enraged and tells him to leave. Joe gathers his things and leaves without telling his mother goodbye. Hattie then blames herself, asking Russell “What could I have done differently?” Claire then enters with a note from Nathaniel explaining that Nathaniel has left to help his father who “needs him more now.” As the episode ends, Nathaniel is stowed away in the backseat of Joe’s car as Joe pops pills and swerves into the night.