Patty walks outside to witness a fender bender. Mr. Tompkins (character actor Byron Foulger) jumps out of his car to ask Patty to be a witness after agreeing the other driver was at fault. The other driver hops out to reveal himself to be Richard driving his father's car. Patty and Richard go to Mrs. Tompkins (Helen Kleeb, "The Waltons") to try and smooth things over. She insists the incident was a result of "teenage recklessness" and her husband has suffered injuries. They find him in bed in a neck brace groaning in pain. They ask for a $10,000 settlement and joyfully celebrate when Patty and Richard leave. Patty comically dodges every attempt for her disposition from Mr. Lewis (character actor Ned Glass). Meanwhile, Patty and Richard make an important revelation and form a plan.
There's definitely an emphasis for more comedy in the third and final season. The series has evolved from chronicling teenage troubles to moral-driven lessons, and now more of the typical sitcom format that still encompasses the two former.
