This week there isn't a "previously on Felicity" round-up of events that have happened in the last few episodes. Instead, the episode begins in the girls' apartment with Knoll boring, uh, I mean, "showing" Felicity a cartoon that he's made with Flash, on his laptop. Felicity reacts like she's viewing a two-year-old's drawing and misapprehends the entire thing. Knoll gets bummed out because one of his professors works for Icebox.com, and he's mentioned that if Knoll can come up with something good, he'll get it up on the site. Felicity offers to help him with the cartoon because she's taken "Life Drawing and Motion" courses. He gets her set up with a stylus so that she can do some drawing. Elena comes home. Felicity asks her what's going on and Elena tells them that she's been called before a university disciplinary committee hearing against Dr. McGrath, as one of eight women who had affairs with him. Felicity is incredulous until Elena reveals that she did have a relationship with Dr. Feelgood. Felicity glances at Knoll, who yips, "I already knew."
At an Al-Anon meeting, an extra talks about confronting her alcoholic sister and how she couldn't have done it without the group's support. After some applause, the leader asks, "Who's ?" Ben shifts in his seat and looks like he's about to get up and say something until Molly starts talking about "the ongoing saga of Molly and James." Long story short: James is being evicted from his apartment and they're both "using" more frequently. She's doing coke and he's doing crack, which she's trying to stay away from. Ben looks shocked and he stares at Molly. He looks well and truly like a naïve, young Canadian.
After the meeting is over, Ben waits for the leader out in the hall. He complains that they only sit around and talk and when "someone says she's going to start using crack, we sit around and nod our heads." The leader counters, "You heard me tell Molly about the other program she should look into." Ben thinks that there's more to be done to help, and the leader suggests that Ben just be Molly's friend; if Molly, doesn't want his help, he has to be prepared to accept that fact.
Felicity is drawing with the stylus in her living room when Ben walks in. She asks how the meeting was. He gives her a big hug and asks what she would do if she knew someone who was struggling with an addiction. Felicity claims that she would listen and "be there for them [sic]" as much as she could. Ben tells her that he's been thinking about his dad, which causes her to hug him again.
Meghan walks out of a bodega and is accosted by Earl, her old clubbing pal, and two of his henchqueens. I suppose they're actually women, but they look like sad drag queens. Earl yells, "Wait a minute, hold on, it's Carol Brady! Hey, Carol!" Meghan replies, "Hey, losers, what's going on?" Earl and the queens take offense at Meghan calling them losers; he criticizes her shopping bags and compares her to Martha Stewart. He snipes, "Love your magazine, that whole thing you did with oatmeal, fantastic." That's big talk from someone who is four feet tall, has moussed hair, and no neck. ["Yeah. And it is a great magazine!" -- Wing Chun] He calls her an FFOE, "former friend of Earl's." And that's a bad thing because...? Meghan frowns as Earl says she's boring and accuses her of wearing housecoats instead of leather panties. He finishes his tirade by saying, "We're going to a club I bet you've never heard of." He walks away and the queen who looks like Boy George, circa 1984, stops and apologizes to Meghan, who asks if she agrees with Earl. Queen Boy George rolls her eyes and moves on. Meghan stands there speechless.
Meghan walks into the loft to be greeted by a bathrobe and yarmulke-clad Sean -- who's whipping up some oatmeal, wouldn't y'know, and listening to some klezmer. I hope that's not an implication that it's uncool to listen to klezmer bands because klezmer totally rocks. Meghan bleats that they have to go out, and Sean asks if he can finish the oatmeal first. She starts whining about having changed and only being a shell of her former self. Sean states that she was in a good mood before she went out and wonders what happened to her. She suggests going to a rave and Sean responds, "Do I have to remind you, I just lost a testicle? The absolute last place I'm going tonight is a mosh pit." Aside from the post-op recovery thing, only having to worry about getting an accidental kick in one nert might not be a bad thing, in that situation. Meghan complains about not having had her hand stamped or ringing ears for a month, which, to her, means her life is boring. Sean concedes that he can throw some cinnamon and raisins into the oatmeal to liven it up. She says that she's going out. He reminds her that they rented a movie. She says that she'll watch movies when she's forty and hunched over with osteoporosis, but right now, she wild and young and wearing leather.
A university flak interviews Elena and explains that the woman who instigated the investigation found out from one of Dr. McGrath's former assistants that Elena probably had an affair with him. The suit admits that McGrath is a friend of his and that he's in an awkward position. Elena asks what it the other woman is alleging. Mr. Man says she's accusing McGrath of using his position of power to seduce students in exchange for better grades. Elena says nothing.
Cut to Knoll's lame Flash cartoon, which Felicity has supposedly improved. Knoll raves to Felicity about what a great job she's done, especially since she's only worked on it for a day. She's all excited about making "art that's alive," and she thinks that they should work on something else together. Elena comes in and Knoll asks, "What did the dean say?" She replies that she's not going to talk to the committee because "whatever happened between this girl and McGrath is totally different" from what happened between them, because she pursued him. Knoll comments that she doesn't look "very relieved," and Elena confesses to not being able to think of anything but Tracy during the whole thing. Felicity tells her to call him, but Elena says that Tracy doesn't want to hear from her.
Ben walks into Epstein Bar, spots Molly, and sits down at her booth. He mumbles a bit, then tells her that he thinks she should break up with James. She says that she appreciates his concern, but that just because he knows some of her "secrets" that doesn't mean that he knows her. Ben points out that at every meeting, she describes the worsening situation with James, and that he's basing his advice on her own admissions. Molly asks him whether he's ever had a drug addiction, and he admits that he hasn't. She makes a kind of "well, there you go" face, and then James appears and kisses her. She introduces Ben and James to each other, and leaves with James.
Elena is walking down the street when Sabina Briscoe, the woman who lodged the complaint about Dr. McGrath, approaches her and asks if they could talk about Dr. McGrath.
Cut to Elena and Sabina sitting at a table in Dean & Deluca. Sabina claims that McGrath took advantage of her, of Elena, and of the other women. Elena protests that he didn't take advantage of her. Sabina concludes that Elena is not willing to talk to the committee. Elena wonders why Sabina needs her testimony if so many other women were involved. Sabina claims that they're afraid of going up against a tenured professor. Sabina pleads for Elena's help. Elena maintains that her relationship with McGrath was "totally consensual" and that she pursued him. Sabina says that doesn't make a difference because the university "has a no-tolerance policy." Elena restates that she doesn't want to get McGrath fired. Sabina says that upon reflection, she realizes that her relationship with McGrath wasn't only wrong -- it was harassment. Elena reiterates that she pursued him and that it probably wouldn't have happened if he hadn't been "going through such a rough time." Sabina quickly dispels Elena's notion that McGrath's ex-wife was dying. In fact, she wasn't dying, and she wasn't his ex. Apparently, he used the same story on Sabina. Elena is speechless, and Sabina asks her to reconsider appearing before the committee, whereupon she takes her leave. Sabina looks like I did when I wore my hair bobbed. However, I haven't parted my hair in the middle since grade seven and I have never, ever worn a pink fuzzy sweater. Other than that, she kinda looks like me.
Knoll and Felicity are in her room, and she's looking at his Flash cartoon again, because he wants to know if it's good enough to show his professor yet. The cartoon is about a boy on a farm, which makes total sense since Knoll is a boy from Boston, except for the "making sense" part. Felicity pitches her idea for the cartoon to Knoll: The Loser Pet Store. Okay, now that the word "loser" has been added to the premise, this is definitely within Knoll's frame of reference. Knoll bristles at the suggestion until Felicity explains it and shows him a few preliminary sketches of her proposed characters. The premise is that the pet shop is full of animals that never get purchased, because they're losers. Like, there's a neutered poodle "who's insane and convinced he's a cat," and there's a snake who is completely besotted by another snake, except it isn't another snake, it's his tail. The final character is "this really pissed-off alcoholic goldfish, and he always wants his water changed to Smirnoff." Hey, that's great, Felicity. Maybe you can name the goldfish Mr. Covington. How sensitive of you. Maybe your boyfriend can inspire you to get all the other loser pets to form an Al-Anon chapter in the pet store. Knoll suggests getting Javier to do the voice of the poodle, and Felicity thinks he's mocking her. He admits that his farm boy cartoon was rather lame and he wants to "run with" Felicity's idea. She tells him to go for it.
Molly, who is dressed as Little Red Snorting Hood, appears at the door of the loft, to talk to Ben, because she doesn't know what to do about James.
Cut to Molly and Ben sitting in the waiting room of the clinic, where she is telling him how she met James. It seems that they met in a pub in England and she "kinda came to New York for him." Hmm, a young woman follows a crush to New York. Where have we heard this story before? Anyway, Molly confides to Ben that she's "addicted" to James and that "giving up coke will be hard" and she can't imagine what it would be like to give up James. She thanks Ben for keeping her secrets and he says that he can because she's seeking help. He asks whether James knows where she is, and she admits that he doesn't.
Tracy walks out of a classroom with Elena right behind. She calls after him and tries to make small talk with him. They compare grades and he rushes off abruptly.
At the apartment, Elena whines to Felicity that her whole academic career (and life) has been a sham since her affair with McGrath, because without the higher grade he gave her, she never would have been admitted to the courses she was. And if she hadn't been in those courses, she wouldn't have met Tracy; since meeting him, her grades have gone up because they've been studying together. She says all of that without even drawing a breath. Felicity tries to convince her that she's exaggerating, but Elena squeals that what happened to Sabina is exactly what happened to her. Felicity inquires as to whether she's going to testify to the committee, and Elena says she doesn't know because then her affair will become public knowledge and it will be in her transcripts, preventing her from getting into med school.
Sean is upstairs at his desk in the loft when Meghan comes in with Earl. Sean calls down to Meghan, who asks if he's ever met Earl; Earl smarms, "Hey, what's up, buddy." Sean snipes, "I don't think I've ever had the immense pleasure." Meghan asks him what his problem is, and Sean rants that she's been out all night and he didn't know where she was. Meghan replies that she told him she was going out and Sean asks, "With him?" Earl pipes up, "Um, standing right here." Meghan helps herself to two Jones Sodas -- the blue ones which are bubblegum-flavoured and oh, so good -- and hands one to Earl, complaining that she and Sean are a boring couple. Earl interjects to Sean, "Hey man, I heard about the whole dealie with the...[glances at Sean's groin] that's gotta...sorry. [Earl pats Sean on the shoulder] Ha." Sean asks Early to leave, which he does, rolling his eyes at Meghan. They argue some more; Sean whips out the "I've only got one testicle" card and Meghan shoots back, "That ball can only get you so far!" She stomps off while Sean's jaw hangs open. I think that if Meghan thinks Earl is the arbiter of what's cool in New York, then it's obvious that she needs to meet Sars, Gustave, and Djb.
Ben waltzes into the girls' apartment to discover Felicity, Molly, and James yukking it up. Felicity announces that James is going to be their new roommate, and gushes about Molly having a boyfriend but not telling the gang about him. Ben takes the news rather stoically.
Later, James describes his old apartment -- which, get this, had a bathtub in the living room. Can you imagine? Felicity giggles and the talk moves to the topic of cockroaches. Ben gets up and, in the other room, confronts Molly about James. She says that she's spoken to him and that he's going to go to counselling with her. Ben regales her with tales of his father's sobering up and subsequent falling off the wagon, over and over. She says that won't happen with James. Felicity interrupts them and asks Ben whether he thinks she should talk to Tracy about Elena and her problems. Ben agrees that it might be a good idea. Felicity informs Molly that she can have their room, because she'll be sleeping at Ben's place.
At the loft, Sean trails around after Meghan, admitting that he's been selfish with her. He presents her with two tickets to Catch a Rising Star, since she said that they never go out anywhere together. Meghan says that she doesn't want go to there: in fact, she states that no one wants to go there. Frustrated, Sean asks what she wants to do. Meghan tells him about a Fetish Ball and suggests that he go as a giant stiletto heel because she's going as a pregnant woman. When Sean finds out that the Ball is on Friday night, he tells her that he can't go because it's the Sabbath. She quite insensitively whines about his being unavailable on Friday nights. He reminds her that he's observing his religion, but it doesn't cut any ice. If anyone is being selfish here, I'd say it's Meghan. I think you've got to respect your partner's adherence to his faith, regardless of how "inconvenient" it is.
Felicity goes to Tracy's place to meddle in his and Elena's lives. Tracy refuses to get drawn into Elena's problems.
At Dean & Deluca, Felicity remarks to Ben that it's weird that Molly never introduced James to the gang. She badgers him into agreeing with her and then he runs off to a supposed make-up Poli Sci lecture, leaving Felicity to cover for him.
Outside a classroom, Tracy bumps into Elena and asks to talk with her. So much for his resolve to stay out of it. He tries to convince her that she has come as far as she has due to her hard work, not due to the grade from McGrath, adding, "Not everything is cool with us. It's not water under the bridge -- as a matter of fact, there is no bridge. Not yet. I'm a man of faith and God's about forgiveness, so I'm working on it." Elena thanks him and he leaves. I have to say that Tracy is one of the most refreshing characters on television in that he's behaving in a pretty mature and honest way. Plus, he's cute.
In the bathroom at the girls' apartment, James readies his crack pipe and coaxes Molly into smoking with him instead of going to their appointment at the clinic. We don't actually see them smoking, just James holding out the pipe and ordering her to "come here" and then the bathroom door closes.
Ben arrives at the clinic waiting room at 3:20 PM.
In the bathroom, Molly and James are snogging and he decides that she needs to cut her hair. Actually, he decides to cut it himself. He starts in on the "come here" stuff again, then physically drags her to the mirror where he starts cutting her hair. I don't think there are enough drugs in the world to get me to respond to a partner ordering me to "come here."
Back at the waiting room, it's now 5:40 PM, and Ben is still there, looking exasperated. Finally, he gets up and leaves.
At the apartment, Knoll barges in on Felicity while she's getting dressed, to tell her that his professor loved "Loser Pet Store" and wants to take it to Icebox. They do some Chip N' Dale-style quibbling about whose great idea it was and then decide to continue working together.
Ben walks off the elevator and runs into Knoll, who's leaving the apartment. Ben keeps walking and doesn't stop to chat, prompting Knoll to mutter, "Good to see you." Ben charges into the apartment and calls out, "Hello." Felicity calls him into the bathroom to see all the hair, which is covering the floor and sink. She wonders why Molly would do that and Ben starts freaking out. He goes into her room and pushes James' duffel bag off the bed; a handgun falls out of it. They both stand there staring at the gun, and at each other.
Still in the bedroom, Ben tells Felicity that Molly and James are drug users. She freaks out and says that she doesn't want James living there. He tells her that they'll kick him out when he comes back, and apologizes for not telling her sooner.
Elena testifies to the university committee about Professor McGrath. Various officials quiz her about the nature of their relationship, including whether he promised her better grades if she slept with him. While Sabina watches, Elena admits that she came on to him and that they did have a sexual relationship.
After the interview, Elena tells the dean about the grade McGrath changed. She says that she wants to retake the course. He tells her that she doesn't have to do it "for the administration," but she insists that she has to do it for herself.
At the Fetish Ball, we get to see various PVC-clad and bewigged people. Meghan is there with her ugliest hairstyle yet, and she's wearing what looks like a black slip with a pregnancy pad. Cutting-edge Earl is wearing a metal-studded eye mask and he's holding a leash, which is attached to his Boy George henchqueen. He snarks that he's glad Meghan's through with her "brush with the bourgeoisie," even though he understands her desire for the creature comforts. She tells him to drop it, and notices that he's wearing nipple rings. She says, "You're wearing nipple rings and you're criticizing my boyfriend?" Score one for Meghan. Earl says that he thought she had broken up with Sean, and she says, "Hey, it's what we do. It's our fetish." Earl calls Sean a loser, and she says that she doesn't date losers, she just hangs out with them. That comment must have really stung the henchqueens, because they start to pout. I mean, really, the whole fetish thing is so 1990s. When a dominatrix sets up shop in a Thornhill bungalow to cater to suburban Toronto fetishists, you know that it's yesterday's news. It's a total Amsterdam of the north.
Elena goes to Tracy's place to let him know that she did testify against McGrath and as a result, he's going to be fired. She thanks him for his pep talk about telling the truth and they share a brief laugh before she leaves.
Meghan comes into the loft to find Knoll working on his laptop at the kitchen counter. He asks her whether she wants to see something to cool, and then proceeds to bore her with details of the Loser Pet Store cartoon. She's really not interested and asks where Sean is. At that moment, Sean walks in, looking like the leather man from the Village People. She begs, "Tell me you just didn't wear that to temple?" He tells her that he was at the Fetish Ball looking for her. She thinks that was "sweet" and Knoll tries to stifle a giggle. Sean doesn't want to talk, he just wants to get changed. When he turns to go, God and everyone is treated a rear view of him wearing assless pants. Meghan is touched while Knoll howls with disgust and laughter. Those hams definitely aren't Kosher.
Ben and Felicity are waiting for Molly and James to return to the apartment. They decide to go to bed when Molly, sporting her new 'do, comes in. She blathers about how great they are to let James stay there. Ben drops the bomb that he's told Felicity about them, and that James is no longer welcome. Molly's angry with him for his lack of discretion, and he complains about waiting for her for three hours at the rehab clinic. Ben accuses James of dealing, and Molly denies that he is. Ben tells her that James has a gun, and Felicity chimes in that she doesn't feel comfortable with his staying there. Ben says that Molly's not welcome to stay there unless she goes back to the clinic to get help. Molly gets angry; she criticizes them for judging her, and then leaves. Ben and Felicity stand in stunned silence as we fade to black.