Maude dreads the arrival of her aunt, Tinkie who's flying in to visit. The last thing Tinkie said; she got a $50,000 flight insurance policy, naming Maude beneficiary.
Maude goes on a talk show to promote womanhood. Afterwards, she convinces Walter to give his assistant a raise. His assistant is appreciative and tries to show her pleasure to Walter.
Maude throws a birthday party for Phillip, but Walter places a lot of rules for the attendees. The party is easy until a bunch of older teens crash the party.
Maude is working with an ecologist on cleaning the Hudson River. Walter is jealous since the guy is young and attractive. Maude has sexual fantasies about the ecologist.
Maude was a major player in getting a mall in the town which means she is eligible for Businesperson of the year. But Walter is also eligible. Both Maude & Walter openly compete for the award.
Victoria is unhappy because she is away from her family for the first time during a holiday, and Maude thinks it will be a sad one because everyone has other plans. Maude then finds a baby left on her doorstep and everyone's outlook changes.
Maude is excited that she might have a real estate client who is interested in purchasing an expensive home. She is not excited when she finds out her client is connected to the mob.
Maude has her telephone number changed because she has been receiving obscene phone calls. When the caller starts calling with the new numbers, she starts to suspect she might know the person.
Baby Sally is a child tap dancer suffering from a mysterious paralysis. Maude holds a telethon to raise money for her care, but clashes with the producer when Sally's paralysis goes away.
When Maude, Walter, and Vivian are out for dinner, the restaurant catches on fire. Walter moves Maude out of the way so he can save another restaurant customer. Maude is none too pleased when Walter is declared a hero.
Maude's Ethiopian foster child for 20 years visits Maude and Walter for the first time. As she get to gets to know the grown man, she finds out he is the child of a former dictator.
Vivian considers leaving Arthur after attending a college reunion and finding out that many of her former classmates and current college students are working and making a difference in the world. She tells Arthur she wants things to change.
Carol's ex husband has started seeing Phillip more, and is sending flowers to Carol. Carol starts wondering if he is interested in her again. However, Vernon is getting remarried to someone else and wants custody of Phillip.
Victoria is on a camping trip for the weekend with her boyfriend at the time her father show up to visit her. He is not happy to learn that his daughter is sleeping with someone, and he says he is going to take her back to the West Indies.
Maude's friend Irene returns from China; Maude has a party to welcome her back. But the party is not joyous. Walter is closing his business, planning to retire. The Harmon's and Carol & Phillip are planning to move. Worse, Irene collapses.
Maude's friend Irene, a US Congresswoman, has died, Maude feels bereft. She's also sad, knowing Arthur, Vivian, Carol & Phillip are moving. Maude decides to run for the open position caused by Irene's death, and ends up appointed instead.
Maude & Walter move to Washington, DC, where Maude starts her new career as Congresswoman. Maude has disagreements with her new staff, and at home, finds a pushy maid.
