Sutton visits her hometown, but falls into a familiar pattern while there. Jane finds a big story, but it could have serious ramifications for Jacqueline. Kat is reluctant to share her new romance with Jane and Sutton.

When Jane discovers that Sutton has been hiding a gun in the apartment, the girls realize they have polar opposite views on the subject. Meanwhile, Adena shocks Kat with her latest suggestion.

Kat goes out of her way to help a transgender runner get into the New York City Marathon, while Jane and Ryan try a different kind of marathon to rebuild their relationship. Sutton starts to feel she’s going backward in her career and looks for a way to improve her value to Scarlet. Jacqueline’s new situation at work leads to tension with her husband.

Newly promoted writer Jane is unsettled when Jacqueline assigns her a big story – writing about why her ex broke up with her. Kat chases a story about outspoken photographer Adena, but is confused by her strong connection to the woman. Meanwhile, Sutton tries not to feel left behind by her best friends as she still toils in the assistant ranks. But she shocks them when they uncover a major secret Sutton has been keeping – her scandalous affair with lusted-after Scarlet magazine lawyer Richard.

Jane volunteers to write a story about a sex club in hopes of proving she is ready for the next step in her career. Kat’s latest crusade to save a female-oriented sex toy company could lead her to begin dating again, while Sutton has doubts about how to kick off her plan to get promoted. Meanwhile, Alex struggles with his new platform at Scarlet.

Jane’s in-depth look at millennial weddings comes to a screeching halt when she uncovers a secret about Jacqueline. Overwhelmed by her current assignment and against uniforms of all kinds, Sutton decides to focus her energy on helping Carly take on her school uniform policy, without running it by Oliver. Meanwhile, Kat thinks she can handle uncomplicated dating, only to find it’s more complicated than she thought.

Jane is overjoyed when her brother Evan comes to town, and she introduces him to Ryan. Adena turns to Kat for help in dealing with RJ, which causes more trouble between Kat and the board. Richard returns from San Francisco, allowing him and Sutton to dive into wedding plans.

Jane is excited to publish her first big piece for Incite, especially since she’s writing about a female CEO she admires, and she knows Jacqueline will be reading it. Sutton is thrown when a new corporate policy seems to give her and Richard the green light on their romance. And Adena grows frustrated when Kat seems too eager to flaunt their burgeoning relationship.

With Jane’s egg extraction on the horizon, she and her boyfriend can’t wait to have sex again and she challenges herself to be less “vanilla” and more “rocky road” in the bedroom. Alex examines his dating life in a piece for Scarlet digital when he realizes he was the subject behind a #MeToo story. Fed up after realizing that her councilman doesn’t have his city’s best interests at heart, Kat decides to channel her passion by volunteering for his opposition. Sutton considers a career shift into fashion design but debates how to break the news to Oliver.

Kat and Adena need to work together on a Scarlet project, which becomes tense when Adena learns about Kat’s recent romantic relationships. Sutton earns her first solo styling gig, hoping it leads to being a fashion influencer. Jane makes a decision about her health concerning her BRCA-1 status.

A blizzard hits New York City, and Kat is trapped at her new job with her nemesis. Sutton struggles to balance her career and relationship. Jane tries to emulate Jacqueline's leadership with her new staff. Oliver comes face to face with his ex.

Jane races to finish a high-risk expose that could have repercussions for Jacqueline. Sutton has a chance to shine at a Scarlet retreat if she can regain her focus. And Kat wants to stay true to herself while making a big decision.

Jane crosses paths with Pinstripe, who inspires her to try a new style of writing. Meanwhile, she learns something new about Ben. Adena reluctantly brings Kat out to meet her friends, and Kat quickly immerses herself in the New York lesbian scene. Sutton fights for an in with a well-connected influencer named Brooke.

After an intimate moment mishap with Ben, Jane evaluates if motherhood is in her future because of her BRCA gene mutation. Kat is eager to flaunt her social media influence by partnering with a beauty brand that offers her an opportunity to be their spokesperson. Meanwhile, Sutton makes her first major fashion department decision without Oliver.

Scarlet Magazine brings in Patrick Duchand to run the digital branch, effectively knocking Jacqueline down to only running the print magazine. Meanwhile, Jane has picked her guy, but is frustrated that a man is put in charge of a women’s magazine. Kat struggles to keep up happy appearances on social media and as a speaker at the Scarlet Summit, while secretly suffering heartache, and Sutton and Richard enjoy their romance in the limelight and discuss moving in together.

Scarlet falls prey to a data hack, halting production of the dotcom and magazine and Jane and Jacqueline fear their investigation could be compromised as a result. Pressures escalate when Sutton and Richard host a dinner party. Meanwhile, Kat opens up to Tia as they begin her campaign.

When Kat faces racial profiling while canvassing for office, she is tempted to call the woman out on social media in order to find justice. Sutton realizes that Richard is keeping something from her. Meanwhile, Jane and Jacqueline make headway on the workplace harassment investigation.

When Adena returns to New York, Kat debates whether she’s ready to see her, but quickly realizes she might not have a choice. Sutton is stretched in too many directions between styling for Oliver and designing for her seminar, causing friction with Richard.

Richard is determined to get to know Sutton’s friends outside of the office and invites the girls to dinner, but things don’t quite go as planned. Sutton attempts to network with a new social circle by attending a high tea. While on a date with someone else, Jane comes to a realization about Pinstripe; and Jacqueline is forced to intervene when Kat’s new staffer keeps damaging Scarlet’s social media presence.

As rumors of layoffs at Scarlet sweep through the office leaving everyone unsettled, Jane learns of a potential opportunity at a rival publication. Sutton is given a big opportunity when a coworker buckles under pressure. Kat is tasked with organizing a “Readers Night” for Scarlet, but is distracted by thoughts of Adena – leading to a big decision. And Jane talks Sutton and Kat into joining her on a dating app.

Kat sets out to hire someone for the social team, but is unhappy by the applicant pool’s lack of diversity. Jane, meanwhile, faces the financial realities of her freelance situation.

Scarlet reels over their new dynamic, forcing everyone to adjust. Jane tries to cope with the changes to Jacqueline’s role at the magazine and joins forces with Kat and Sutton to make it clear how much she means to them. Sutton takes stock of her position at Scarlet, as Richard considers a world outside it. Kat butts heads with RJ Safford over his response to the new direction of the magazine.

Fresh off a wild night with a new fling, Kat considers flipping the script on preconceived gender roles in the bedroom. Jane’s tapped to speak at a wellness seminar, but the appearance of a sudden feminine health problem has her feeling like a fraud. Sutton tries to earn the respect of Richard’s mother while finding sponsors for her Instagram, and Alex challenges his notions about masculinity while dating a high-powered woman.

Three months after surgery, Jane returns to Scarlet with new editorial duties. Kat faces a hard truth when she's forced to take some responsibility. Sutton goes to bat on her first shoot and gets some shocking news that upends her world.

Jane, Kat and Sutton, all overwhelmed with monumental work decisions, seek clarity in an unorthodox way.