An Army lieutenant pushes his men too hard. Someone stabs him in the back, and he dies. The Army charges one of the soldiers in his company, Ben defends him, and Charlene and Tyler help. During a preliminary hearing the accused disappears.

Ben returns the defendant, but a crucial witness (the only witness) disappears. Tyler discovers a drug scheme, Charlene finds out about the background, and Ben figures out the pieces of the puzzle. Ben even learns about the Army.

Jessica (Angela Lansbury) investigates a mob hit when Seth (William Windom) is asked to help a crime boss (Tige Andrews) shot at a Boston restaurant. Guest star: Vincent Irizarry.

Charles' mother, Lillian (Ellen Travolta), comes to dinner at the Powell home, and soon the children learn intimate details about Charles' childhood. Charles feels humiliated, embarrassed -- and that his mother will not look at him as an adult. The next night, Lillian agrees to stay with Jamie, Sarah and Adam enabling Charles and Buddy to go to a party. Unbeknownst to Lillian, Jamie talks her into taking them to a horror movie their mother did not want them to see.