On Halloween night all angels have their hands full, and this night is no different for Monica, Tess, and Andrew, who attend to a spiritual battle at Salt Lake City’s Mercy Hospital. The ambulance brings in Lonnie, a deranged and suicidal homeless man. Lonnie frequently visits the ER and Duncan, the head of the ER and Lonnie’s best friend from childhood, has diagnosed him with Multiple Personality Disorder.

Andrew arrives to comfort Lonnie, but suddenly lucid, Lonnie claims to be “Gregory” and recognizes Andrew as an angel! Andrew looks to Tess for some insight and she relates Lonnie’s history: Many years ago, when Tess was Lonnie and Duncan’s Sunday School Teacher, she taught them that faith in God is like a mustard seed — though little, it can grow to be very large. Despite an abusive home life, Lonnie struggled to have faith, and cherished the mustard seed that Tess gave him. One Halloween though, a prank gone awry resulted in Lonnie burning a house down. Monica then continues the history: Lonnie’s guilt and shame over this event initiated a downward spiral that ultimately resulted in Lonnie becoming involved in drugs and, then, the occult. When “Gregory” claims to have power over Lonnie’s soul, Andrew finally understands — Lonnie is possessed by a demon! “Gregory” claims that Lonnie’s soul is fading and that he will soon be completely possessed.

In a moment of clarity Lonnie calls out to Duncan for help, and clutches something in his fist. It is the mustard seed he has kept since childhood. But when an orderly accidentally crushes the seed, Lonnie gives a final cry and “Gregory” says he has full possession. Tess appeals to Duncan to help his old friend, telling him about Lonnie’s spiritual condition. They corner “Gregory” in the boiler room where he is waiting for Lonnie’s body to die. Rather than give up hope for Lonnie, Monica pleads with him to ask God for help. “Gregory” howls in pain. Duncan, frightened, runs from the room. Tess follows him and reveals herself to be an angel, and tells him that Lonnie needs his help now; he needs someone to stand beside him who has a strong faith.

In his office, Duncan finds his old mustard seed and returns to the boiler room, telling Lonnie that the seed is only a symbol of faith, real faith comes from the heart. Duncan’s presence gives Lonnie the strength to cry out to God, asking for forgiveness and help. “Gregory” screams in pain, finally defeated. Redeemed, Lonnie wonders at the realization that, through it all, God never gave up on him.

Corey, Stasi, Dolores and Larry meet at a support group meeting, all of them answering to the same ad: “Are you ready for the last day of the rest of your life?” They are all dying. Rachel shows up, too, but something deep and personal keeps her from going inside. As facilitator of the group, Monica explains that their purpose will be “to give meaning to the life you’re leaving behind and explore what it means to face death.”

Dolores is 67-year-old wiseacre who is dying of emphysema. Stasi, who owns a hair salon, is a divorcee and mother of two; she has hepatitis. Larry, an avid bowler and construction worker, is dying of asbestos poisoning. Corey won’t say what he’s dying of, which annoys Larry. Finally, Rachel gets up the courage to join the others and reveals that she has an inoperable brain tumor. Monica encourages them to make a list of things they want to accomplish before they die.

At the next meeting, Dolores admits that she would like to learn how to dance. Stasi says that she regrets missing her prom, so the group plans one. Corey is cynical about these “goals” and admits to having a blood disease that could kill him at any time. He says he’d like to do something really important before he dies. He alludes to a girl he likes, who works at the coffee shop. He’d like to date her, but given his illness he thinks that would be unfair. Larry says that he’d like to reconnect with his teenage daughter, Amy. The prom is set for two weeks– enough time for everyone to accomplish their goals–and the group asks Rachel what she would like to do. She reluctantly tells them that she had a daughter twelve years ago that she gave up for adoption. She would like to meet her before she dies.

They begin to work at their goals: Andrew teaches Dolores how to dance; Larry and Rachel plan for the prom; Stasi encourages Larry to keep trying with his daughter; Corey and Monica search the web for information on Rachel’s daughter. By the next meeting Larry has talked with his daughter. Corey has a date with Karla (from the coffee shop). And he has other news too: he’s done something important. Corey gives Rachel an envelope with all the information she needs to find her daughter. At first she is thrilled, but Rachel soon realizes with horror that she can’t leave her daughter behind a second time.

Monica finds Rachel at home and reveals herself as an angel. Monica tells Rachel that her daughter is safe, happy and loved. Monica encourages Rachel to tell her husband Seth about the adoption (which happened before they met). At the prom, Rachel arrives with Seth, in whom she has finally confided. Stasi is crowned queen. Corey arrives with Karla and Karla’s daughter Bridget. Dolores tangos with Andrew. Larry dances, and reconnects, with his daughter. And when little Bridget mentions that she’s adopted, and was born on October 22, 1987, in Bullhead City, the last accomplishment is made, for Rachel has met her daughter! Dolores passes, and Andrew escorts her home. As they take one last spin on the dance floor, she looks back and smiles at the sight of the friends she was blessed to have.

Songs from this episode:

“House At Pooh Corner” by Loggins & Messina from their album Best Of Friends.

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“Holdin’ On To Yesterday” by Ambrosia from their album Anthology.

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“Never Can Say Goodbye” by Gloria Gaynor from her Greatest Hits album.
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In July of 1944, a month after D-Day, a small squad of American soldiers make their way through the deadly battlefields of Normandy, part of the attempt by the Allied forces to re-claim France. Led by Sergeant Walker, the men are weary, and anything but unified. Cynical Private Joe Faraday takes bets on how many casualties there will be at the end of each day. Private Eddie Rourke, full of optimism, is constantly at odds with Joe. Privates Nick Dante and Homer Stucky comprise the rest of the squad. Monica, on a Search and Rescue mission, watches over the men unseen.

Through a flashback, we learn that the feud between Eddie and Joe began several months earlier, in an Allied canteen. Joe is upset to find Eddie dancing with Stella, a USO hostess whom Joe considers his girl. Stella isn’t interested in Joe and tries to let him down easy. Tess, a USO singer, tells Monica that she is assigned to Joe, that she must help him decide to become a hero. Back on the battlefield as the combat quiets down, the squad discovers Monica comforting a dying German soldier and they take her prisoner. Just then, Sergeant Walker is shot and dies. The squad holds Monica partially responsible, and Joe wants to execute her, but cooler heads prevail. Homer, in a panic, tries to radio HQ, but accidentally uses a German radio revealing their position.

Knowing that they are now sitting ducks, Monica encourages the men to write letters to their loved ones, and to make a pact that whoever survives will deliver them. All agree except for Joe, who recalls the night in the canteen when, rejected by Stella, he tries to hit Eddie, but Eddie knocks him down first. At this moment the air raid sirens sound, signaling for everyone to take cover. As the crowds gather in the London underground , Joe meets a small boy named Rupert, with a birdcage, who is lost. Joe is shaken out of this memory by the news that a German tank is approaching. Monica prays, but Homer and Nick fall, and Eddie is wounded. Monica and Joe help Eddie to a farmhouse where he realizes that they left the letters behind. He pleads with Joe to find them, but Joe refuses. Eddie tells Joe that he and Stella were married the night before they shipped out, but Joe tells Eddie that Stella married him too, so that she could cash his paycheck. Monica slaps Joe for the lie and reveals herself to Eddie, telling him the truth before he dies. Later, Monica reveals herself to Joe, telling him that God loves him, but that his moral compass is broken. She tells him about the greatest love — laying down your life for your friends.

Joe goes to find the letters and, instead, finds Andrew digging graves for the dead soldiers, and Andrew gives him the letters. When he brings them back to Monica, she promises to deliver them. Joe admits that he feels like he’s finally done something important. As he rejoices, he is shot by a German soldier. As he dies, Monica helps him compose a letter to Rupert. Joe writes that he fought this war for him, and for the generations to follow. Fifty years later, Monica enters a small London pet shop and comments on its beautiful birdcage. The old proprietor, Rupert, tells her the story of the birdcage, and shows her a framed letter from a soldier, the letter from Joe.

In the middle of the African desert, Andrew snaps photographs of Sudanese slaves toiling in the hot sun. Back in the United States, young Thomas Cooper is upset that his mother, Senator Katherine Cooper, has to return to work in Washington D.C. Monica is horrified to see the pictures that Andrew took, and wonders why the angels aren’t in the Sudan. Tess indicates that Thomas is the little child that will lead them there.

In Washington, Dr. Jospeh Akot, working with Andrew and Monica, approach Kate about the problem of slavery in the Sudan, but Kate, espousing the Sudanese government’s position, denies its existence. They persuade her, however, to keep the pictures, and she relents, stuffing them into her briefcase. Back home Thomas discovers the disturbing pictures and reads Dr. Joe’s letter, which says that slaves can be bought and sold for fifty American dollars. Thomas is moved by one of the pictures in particular, of a small Sudanese boy, who Thomas names Sam after his older brother who died before Thomas was born. Thomas pleads with Kate to rescue Sam, but she tells him that the issue is too complicated. Thomas sneaks the picture of Sam and takes it to school, where Tess, his substitute teacher, encourages him to talk about it during “show and tell.” Led by Thomas, and with the help of Dr. Joe and the angels, the class begins to raise funds to buy the freedom of Sudanese slaves.

Meanwhile, Kate, facing a tough re- election campaign, is given the financial support of a large candy company, on the condition that she remain uninvolved in Sudan, a country that, if undisturbed, will continue to manufacture candy ingredients at a low cost. This makes the situation particularly tough for Kate when Thomas and the childrens’ efforts receive media interest. She argues with her husband James, who supports Thomas, thereby embarrassing Kate. Their fight comes to a head when James accuses Kate of never forgiving him for the death of their son, Sam, who died because they never had health insurance. Indeed, Kate wears a locket with a picture of Sam in it around, tormenting James everyday. Kate argues that if she supports Thomas, she may not be re-elected, and then she cannot help anyone. She returns to Washington and receives criticism for her son’s actions from her campaign contributors. Monica arrives with James and Thomas, who gives his mother the several thousand dollars he raised to travel to the Sudan and purchase slaves. Still Kate refuses to go, crushing Thomas’ hopes of rescuing Sam, and inciting her politically uninvolved husband to vote — against her. Kate angrily confronts Monica for helping with this effort.

Monica reveals herself to be an angel and tells Kate that she is the one God is calling to go to the Sudan to witness the abuses. Convinced, Kate travels with the angels and Dr. Joe to the Sudan, and buys the freedom of many slaves. When all of the money is spent, Kate sees one captive person left — Sam, the little boy from Thomas’ picture — and tearfully exchanges her precious locket for the boy’s freedom. Back in the U.S., James and Thomas are proud to hear that Kate has publicly testified to the existence of slavery in the Sudan.

As Tess and Monica drive through the crop fields of central California, Monica comments on their beauty. But when Tess asks her to take a closer look, Monica sees the hardworking families, including many young children, toiling over the crops in the hot sun. One such family is the Morante clan. Patriarch Roberto works tirelessly alongside his wife Elisa, his teenage son Tino, and younger children Claudia and Miguel. They migrate with the season, always traveling to the part of the country that is being harvested. One of their few joys is the letter they receive each week from their grandmother. Roberto is illiterate so he has Tino read the letter, though Tino would rather be listening to classical music on the car radio.

As the Morantes settle in at the latest migrant camp, they meet Monica, the church volunteer, Andrew, the camp supervisor, and Rafael, a fellow migrant worker. At church on Sunday, Tino discovers the piano and beings to play. Tess offers to be his music teacher. She teaches Tino Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and he plays the song feverishly all night long, attracting a crowd. Roberto is furious to find that his son is late for work and, despite Tess telling him that Tino is a musical genius, he insists Tino quit thinking about playing music. Instead, with Monica’s help Tino completes an application to a local music academy and waits patiently for a mailed reply. Roberto injures his back while working in the field which forces him to visit the town doctor. He is told to stay off his back, lest he do serious damage. Roberto knows, however, that he must be able to work to support the family, and Tino’s contribution becomes all the more vital. Roberto is upset to receive a letter of Tino’s acceptance to the music academy, and tears it up in haste.

Later Tino finds out about the undelivered letter, and, after he and his father fight, he decides to go to the audition. At the same time Roberto’s back finally gives out, so Tino agrees to work twice as hard to pick up his father’s slack. Because of this he misses the audition and begins to accept his future as a migrant worker. Tess reveals herself to Roberto as an angel and asks him to put his trust in God and stop trying to control his son. Roberto asks Tess to help him help Tino. Together they go to the music academy, and persuade the professor in charge to give Tino another chance to audition.

Meanwhile in the fields Monica reveals herself to Tino and tells him that God wouldn’t gift him musically and then not give him the opportunity to praise Him with that gift. Since they are working on a Sunday, Rafael arranges for a priest to give the workers communion. They encourage Tino to play for them but his hands are blistered and he cannot. Roberto arrives to support Tino, telling him that God will give him the strength. Tino begins to play Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” and as the song reverberates through the fields, the professor offers Tino a music scholarship. At the same time, Andrew offers Roberto his job as supervisor, a job that will be less physically demanding and allow the family to stay in one location, near Tino’s school.

Molly Avery’s preparations for her husband Jordan’s 40th birthday surprise party are interrupted by a phone call from her doctor’s office — they suspect she may have cancer, the disease that killed her mother and grandmother at the same young age. Andrew, working as the Avery’s farmhand, believes that Molly is his assignment, but Tess cautions him that there may be some other surprises. Despite Andrew’s pleas, Molly refuses to tell Jordan about the phone call and spoil the party. Instead of being happy at the surprise, Jordan seems depressed to find everyone gathered in celebration. He finds some joy in talking with his good friend Donna, and they reminisce about their high school romance.

Molly and Jordan’s young son Jimmy interrupts the party with the news that one of the cows has gone into labor. Jordan, Andrew, and Jimmy struggle to deliver the calf, and it is born premature. Jimmy plans to raise the calf and names it Hannibal, but Jordan tells him that some things are meant to live and some things are meant to die. Molly takes these words personally. After the party, Jordan goes to the barn to check on Hannibal and soon there is a gunshot. Andrew immediately runs to the barn and stops Molly from entering. Jordan has killed himself. Andrew is as devastated as Molly. He feels he has failed his assignment, but Tess tells him he did the best he could.

Monica arrives as the vet for Hannibal, and starts to talk with Jimmy about his sorrow. Molly desperately searches for an answer and, after tearing the house apart, finds a single earring in the bedroom which she recognizes as Donna’s. Despite Andrew’s cautions, Molly is convinced that Jordan was having an affair with Donna, and that he killed himself when he found out she was returning to her husband. Monica tells Andrew that he must tell Molly the truth soon — he knows more about Jordan’s final moments than he has revealed. Andrew refuses, not wanting to confess his failure. Molly confronts Donna about the affair, but Donna insists it isn’t true, reminding Molly that she has been in their bedroom hundreds of times — with her. Jimmy continues to care for Hannibal and becomes upset when his mother refuses to go into the barn to see the animal. Monica warns Andrew that he is running out of time to help this family. Molly enters the barn for the first time since the suicide to be with her son. This triggers a memory and Molly recalls that Andrew was the last person to see Jordan. Monica reveals herself to Andrew, reminding him of his duties as an angel, and as a servant of God.

Andrew goes to Molly and reveals to her that he is an angel and that he did spend time with Jordan that night. Andrew found Jordan with the gun and reminded him of how much he had to live for and how much God loved him. He told Jordan about the phone call and how much Molly would need his help. Believing he had gotten through to Jordan, Andrew left him in the barn, only to return after hearing the gunshot. Molly is furious at this revelation and slaps Andrew. Andrew tells her that even though Jordan lost hope as others do, it amazes him that most people actually remain hopeful despite terrible circumstances — and this is her task right now. Comforted, Molly reconnects with Jimmy, telling him that despite what lies ahead, they will not let each other lose hope.