In a flashback to 2024, Sam is playing chess alone in the park and Casey approaches him, asking to play. While they are playing, Casey reveals they want legal advice about whether an old document will still hold up in court. While Sam clarifies that he is retired, Casey announces checkmate. Casey insists that he needs to be the one to help. and Sam asks how Casey knows so much about him and the way he plays chess. Casey explains that they haven’t met yet, but Sam was the one who taught them to play chess. Casey then reveals that they are from the future and needs Sam’s help to save Del’s farm. Sam believes them and jokingly asks if Casey knows if he and Del end up together. Casey hesitates and anxiously grips a chess bishop.
In the present, Sam and Casey meet at the chess table again. The bishop piece that Casey held in the flashback has been replaced by a new piece, made of a noticeably darker-stained wood. Casey apologizes for telling Sam his future but reminds him that he still needs to work to earn the future he was promised.
In 1925, Kat is at the Landry farm kitchen table with Fern and Tessa. Kat expresses her disappointment that Tessa is the ringleader behind bootlegging in Port Haven. Tessa is unapologetic, blaming Kat for ruining things and putting them in a tough spot with Al Capone. Elliot comes downstairs after regaining consciousness. He asks Tessa if they can take a walk together.
In the present, Del and Alice are sitting together in the kitchen. Alice explains why it doesn’t feel right for her to leave Port Haven and insists that she only wants to defer one or two semesters. Del is concerned that Alice is shying away from the unknown. Alice confronts Del about shying away from Sam since her concussion and advises her to reach out to him.
Jacob and Danny are out working on the farm together. Jacob asks Danny if he ever met Abby Goodwin. Danny says no and he strongly suggests that Jacob avoids a relationship with her due to his history with Louis.
In 1925, Fern and Kat are sitting on the porch together. Fern tells Kat that she never suspected Tessa was a time traveler. Her perception of Tessa has changed greatly after finding out that she abandoned Elliot and Vic. Kat tells Fern that she is concerned about her engagement to Grayson and reminds Fern that she has other good things going for her, like the movie. Fern reveals that Hollywood wants to replace her; she went to get private acting lessons in Saint John to save her role. Fern explains she just wants someone to rely on. Kat and Fern agree they are more alike than they thought, and they are thankful that the pond brought them together.
Elliot and Tessa reach the pond on their walk. Elliot frustratedly explains everything that she left behind, but Tessa seems unapologetic. She insists that he and Kat messed everything up, not realizing how many people rely on her in 1925. Elliot asks why she abandoned them and Tessa says she thought it was the best choice at the time.
In the present, Del and Sam meet at the farm. She thanks him for rescuing her. Sam asks if she remembers what she said when he found her. She says no, and Sam says she knows where to find him when she remembers more.
In 1925, Kat and Fern are waiting for Elliot to return. Kat is ready to jump and return to the present. Cliff arrives and Fern goes to speak to him. He explains that he found out about a big exchange at the cove. Fern mentions that she heard the exchange fell through. While she tries to convince Cliff that she learned that through small town gossip, Cliff is suspicious of Fern’s ties to Grayson and her knowledge of the bootleg industry in Port Haven. He tries to reason with Fern, telling her that she is kind-hearted and the town’s brightest light, and that he is concerned she is going to be dragged down by the darkness in the town. Fern firmly claims she can take care of herself and isn’t sure why Cliff is so concerned with what happens to her. He tells Fern that he thought it was obvious already and moves closer to her. They share a kiss. Cliff pulls away after a few seconds and apologizes. He claims that even though she is engaged to a scoundrel, she is still engaged. Kat watches from a distance and sets off to find Elliot.
Kat finds Elliot sitting next to the pond. Elliot explains that Tessa left. Kat suggests they return home to see Alice off to college. They both agree that they will return together again and step forward to jump in the pond. They grab hands but Elliot hesitates as Kat jumps without him.
Kat resurfaces from the pond and makes it to the Landry farm. She finds the elder version of Fern, who explains she is in 1979. Kat anxiously asks Fern for answers about 1925, concerned if Elliot is going to be okay on his own. Fern tells Kat that Elliot needs to spend time with his mother and reminds her that the pond must have brought her to 1979 for a reason. Kat asks Fern if she ever found someone to rely on. Fern claims that the Landry women are cursed when it comes to true love. Kat tries to get more answers from Fern, but Fern insists that she will figure things out. She indicates to Kat that “the key is the key.”
Back in the present, Jacob finds Abby at The Point. She is working on a marketing presentation for the winery but is at a standstill with creating a good hook. Jacob offers to help. Abby explains that Louis wants the hook to focus on the special soil fertilization, but she doesn’t think it is interesting enough. To her surprise, Jacob agrees with Louis’ thought process, and suggests highlighting New Brunswick’s rich soil and history, but he has trouble putting his idea into marketing words. Abby asks him to show her what he is talking about so they can work on it together.
Jasper brings out Del and Colton’s wedding film and claims that the last decade is going to be hard to beat. Del begins to get emotional while seeing the film and excuses herself to get some air. Alice quickly hides when Del comes outside. Colton comes outside to check on Del. Del explains to him that their wedding was the best day of her life too, but seeing the film reminds her of everything they dreamed of together, including starting a family. Colton comforts Del, explaining how much he wishes they had their family too. He suggests they head home for the night and turns back to Coyle’s to get their coats. Before he can make it inside, Griffin comes out with the coats. He tries to offer his support and reveals that he decided to come home when he heard what happened to Colton and Del in a letter from Fern. Griffin tells Colton that he can confide in him instead of burdening Del with his emotions. He compares it to when they had to be strong after their father passed. Colton reminds Griffin that he left and that he had to pick up all the pieces. Griffin agrees and tells Colton to be strong for Del. After Colton leaves, Griffin notices Alice outside and invites her to join the party.
Alice heads inside and Evelyn greets her happily. Evelyn comments that Alice doesn’t look like she’s aged at all, and jokes about getting her skincare routine. Alice learns that Jasper is shutting Coyle’s down so he can return home to the States. They all agree that they had an amazing run, but all good things must come to an end. They continue reminiscing while watching more of Jasper’s old film footage from the past decade. Kat appears in one of the videos and Evelyn’s expression flips when she recognizes Kat.
Back in the present, Jacob and Kat sit on the porch together. Kat tells Jacob that Alice is ignoring her calls, which leads her to assume that she jumped in the pond. Jacob tries to comfort her, but Kat explains that it is difficult dealing with everything without Elliot. Jacob insists that the pond has its reasons, but it will bring them back together.
Back at the party in 1979, Evelyn asks Jasper if he knows the woman in the video, referring to Kat. Jasper says yes and that her name is Kat and they met a few times in 1974. Evelyn asks Alice if she recognizes Kat and reminds her of the My Katherine painting they uncovered. Alice tries to brush off Evelyn’s theories, but Evelyn is convinced that Kat is the same lady from the painting. She also remembers when Kat saved her at the pond. Jasper mentions that he thought Kat was Alice’s mom, but Alice quickly tells Jasper that he must be remembering wrong. Evelyn asks if she can keep the film and Jasper agrees.
Tessa walks in and Griffin asks Evelyn to introduce him to her cute friend. Evelyn clarifies that she is taken and Vic walks in. Griffin tells Vic that he is a lucky man. Jasper comes over with drinks for everyone, and they count down into the new year together. While they celebrate, Alice grabs the film Jasper set aside for Evelyn and conceals it in her jacket. Tessa watches as she does so. Alice quickly runs outside and puts the film in a nearby trash can. Evelyn goes outside and tells Alice not to leave without saying goodbye again. Evelyn begins to reminisce about the time they met in 1974. Alice tells Evelyn that everything is a countdown, so it’s important to slow down and enjoy the moment, because they will look back and call them the golden days.
Alice returns to the present. In the morning, Kat goes to Alice’s bedroom to talk. Alice tells Kat about her trip to the pond and explains that it was a good reminder to not cling on to the past. She is still set on staying home for a while longer and asks Kat not to hate her. Kat insists she would never hate her, but she is worried. Alice thinks Port Haven is the best place to keep learning about who she wants to be. Kat understands but tells her she needs to come up with a plan, and to break the news to her dad. Kat leaves to answer a knock at the door. It’s a handyman that Elliot called to fix the sticky key on the piano.
Abby and Jacob are walking together on the Landry farm. Jacob is explaining why the farm is so special to him. He highlights that working on the farm is logical, if you work hard, you see the results. Abby asks him to explain more about why New Brunswick’s soil is so special, because she is unsure, she has learned anything that could be used for a good marketing hook. Jacob explains that New Brunswick’s acidic soil is poor for farming and prone to erosion. It represents how the people before them had to work hard to make New Brunswick their home.
The handyman pulls a piece of paper from inside the piano, which was causing the key to stick. Kat takes a closer look with Alice, and they match it to the ripped-out opening page of the Alice book. Kat recalls that Tessa gave Fern the same book in 1925. The page has an image of a key with several messages that don’t seem to make sense when read together. There is also a short gift note from Tessa to Fern. They turn the page and find a letter to Fern from Cliff, who mentions his desire to live in the home with Fern and declaring his love for her. Alice and Kat begin to question who Cliff really is and hypothesize that he could be Colton’s grandfather. They still aren’t sure why he would keep it a secret.
Del is out for a ride on Stormy. As she approaches the field, she begins to remember what happened when she had her accident. She remembers saying “I love you” when Sam rescued her.
Jacob and Abby set out a picnic in the truck bed. Abby made sure to select things that she was considering for the vineyard’s menu, with everything sourced locally in New Brunswick. They both cheers their wine to overcome their families’ grudges. Jacob asks if he can take her on a date. Abby says that she thought they were already on a date, considering they just spent the day walking through the farm and picnicking together at sunset. Jacob laughs but says he didn’t want to assume. Abby tells him that it would be the perfect time to kiss her, just in case he assumed otherwise. They share a kiss under the sunset.
Del finds Sam at the stable. She tells him that he is always there for her and that she loves him. Sam’s face lights up and they kiss. He tells her that he loves her in return, and that he’s known it ever since they met. He then takes her hand and leads her behind the barn, where he set up a beautiful outdoor movie date with a picnic. Sam notices Casey spying from behind the barn. He excuses himself to Del and goes to talk to Casey.
He thanks Casey for the advice. He mentions that he wants to be honest with Del with what he knows about the future. Casey warns him to be careful but doesn’t try to stop him from telling Del.
Alice is at The Point working. Monica tells her that she always has a job there while she figures out what her next step is. She brings out a box of memorabilia from The Point that she has been collecting to prepare for their 45th anniversary party. Alice learns that The Point opened in 1981, just a year after Coyle’s shut down. Noah arrives. He tells Alice that he is happy she is staying, and jokes that their relationship will be medium distance instead of long distance. Distracted by Noah, Alice doesn’t notice a roll of film in the memorabilia box. The film is titled, Summer of ’74, which matches with the film that Alice threw out in 1979 because Kat was in it.
Alice returns home to Kat tearing up on Elliot’s couch, her hair wet. She tells Alice that the pond isn’t taking her back to Elliot. Alice comforts her, reminding her that she goes back because she was in the movie. Kat agrees but still is unsettled since they don’t know exactly how late into 1925 that happens. Elliot’s phone rings and Kat answers. It’s the school where Elliot works. Kat is at first concerned that Elliot is missing work because he is trapped. However, the school informs Kat that his sabbatical was approved. Kat hangs up the phone and tells Alice that she didn’t know Elliot applied for sabbatical. Suddenly, the clock begins playing its eerie tune from the other room. Kat and Alice go into Elliot’s room to investigate and discover hundreds of newspapers and articles from 1925 spread out across the room. One of them includes a picture of Elliot and refers to him as Tom Buchanan, also known as The Big Fish. Kat hypothesizes Elliot knew he was going to stay in 1925 and tricked her into jumping without him.