A wealthy New York investment banking executive hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he escalates deeper into his illogical, gratuitous fantasies.

Recent arrivals Jenny and Tim experience marital turmoil when Jenny finds herself attracted to Marina, the alluring owner of local cafe and gathering place The Planet; Tina struggles to become pregnant through artificial insemination but a miscarriage and Bette's infidelity bode ill for their seven-year relationship; tennis pro Dana stays in the closet but falls for sous chef Lara; Shane deals with her growing fame; Alice looks for love.

Three young women were sentenced to death in the infamous Manson murder case, but when the death penalty was lifted, their sentence became life imprisonment. One young graduate student was sent in to teach them – and through her we witness their transformations as they face the reality of their horrific crimes.

Tina reveals that she is pregnant again as she begins dating heiress Helena and Bette's life spins out of control; Shane and Jenny each begin dating sexy deejay Carmen and discover that their roommate Mark is secretly videotaping them for a documentary project; Kit buys The Planet and takes over as proprietor; Alice and Dana begin dating but conceal the relationship at first.