The first years are given trust exercises to help forge connections with their pas de deux partners. Tara is frustrated when Christian refuses to participate, however they connect unexpectedly when Tara follows him to the beach and Christian rescues her from a dangerous situation. Meanwhile Kat feels betrayed by Tara's secret crush on Ethan and Sammy finds himself tied to Abigail for 24 hours.

Miss Brownell plans to leave her post as Blair Water's teacher to marry the school inspector. Her possible replacement, Mr. Carpenter, immediately recognizes and encourages Emily's talents. Unfortunately, Mr. Carpenter drinks.

Sammy and Christian have made a pact of brotherhood – from now on they are an island of man – but Kat wonders whether Sammy might have a man crush on his new best friend. Meanwhile, auditions for The Nutcracker are coming up and neither Kat nor Ethan are thrilled to discover their father is directing the ballet. Abigail learns her parents are separating and puts everything she has into securing a solo role.

Petra has decided to stay in Australia and enjoy life as an ordinary teenager, however when the Berlin Ballet offers her a contract she has a difficult choice to make. When Scout auditions for the Junior School summer programme, Kat is able to make amends for disappointing the younger girl. Meanwhile Sammy and Abigail have started meeting in secret and Abigail has no intention of making it public knowledge – they're just kissing, it's not a relationship....

Emily's vivid imagination introduces her to the spirit of her mother as a child. The incident prompts her to search out the ragged remains of Juliet's doll. She and Aunt Laura restore it.

Whilst recovering from her broken back, Tara discovers a hidden side to Ben who is volunteering in a hospital leukaemia ward performance; and Kat tries to settle into First Year.

Reverend Nicholas Pitch, a preacher from away, appears in Blair Water encouraging townspeople to rid their souls of the Devil. Immediately, devil sightings are rampant, sending Emily, Ilse, Teddy and Perry scrambling for answers. Who is the Devil? What does he or she or it look like? Hysteria reigns. The Devil is sighted everywhere; friends blame foes, friends accuse friends, relatives fear relatives. Laura Murray suddenly turns calm. Reverend...

Sammy returns home for his Grandpa Morrie's funeral and to ask his father to support his Academy tuition. While an act of sabotage severs frenemies Tara and Abigail and Kat auditions for the Moulin Rouge.

Sammy is forced to choose between dance and his father when compulsory Saturday ballet classes clash with his Synagogue services. Christian struggles to accept the rules of the Academy.

Emily moves into New Moon with her spinster aunts and odd Cousin Jimmy. Elizabeth, determined to "do her duty by the child," forbids Emily to read or write fiction, and overwhelms her with strict rules.