It's 1970 and the times have changed. Joan is heartbroken to discover that an infection has left her almost certainly infertile, while delinquent teen, Maggie, is determined to discover the identity of her birth mother.

Shirley fights to keep her job, as Maggie learns the truth that Shirley is her birth mother. Joan uncovers McNaughton's part in Greg Mathieson's death, and Viv loses her twins all over again.

While trying to deal with being blackmailed by McNaughton's wife, Joan rescues Maggie and other abused girls from Tarramar by agreeing to help Matron reopen her 'baby factory', Stanton House.

As Joan struggles to admit her infertility to Jim, Annie receives tragic news and must face the death of her father, but not before he encourages her to go to Vietnam as an entertainer.

Viv goes to Vietnam to find her brother but ends up being in the care of her just-orphaned baby nephew. Joan confirms that Eva is pregnant, and Patty and Jim give in to lust.

Viv is forced to leave her orphaned nephew behind in Vietnam.

Annie is injured at an anti-war protest and fears that she may lose her unborn child. Joan's career is in hot water due to her role in Eva's pregnancy. Shirley makes a life-changing decision to help Maggie keep her baby.

McNaughton is prepared to give up his career to help Joan and Jim evade criminal charges. A drunken bucks' night ruins Patty's plans for Martha's wedding to Bowditch. Viv faces a problem when Pete proposes to her.

Martha and Bowditch enter into wedded bliss, and Annie and Chris decide to elope. As Jim prepares to escape to Queensland with Joan and James Joan discovers she is pregnant, doesn't tell Jim, and decides to stay behind in Sydney.