Vera and Irene meet at the wedding of Irene's daughter (Lesley) and begin a polite, though often sharply-worded and competitive, correspondence.
Irene boasts to Vera of her new suitor, Bill. However, upon introducing him to Vera, the three of them begin to socialize and it ultimately leads to a grave misunderstanding.
Vera visits Irene for a week, during which time she inadvertently claims an honor meant for Irene.
Irene is distraught over her daughter's move to Australia and Vera confides in Irene a potential cause for scandal. Much to Vera's annoyance, Irene and Vera's daughter Karen grow closer.
Irene's new-found appetite for participation in protests has serious consequences.
Things go from bad to worse for Irene and her brush with the law, and Vera gets caught up in a drug sting operation.
Both ladies find themselves on prison ships. Still, they manage to correspond, console each other, and create opportunities to trade barbs.
Following her release, Irene continues her efforts to free Vera.
Both ladies are free from prison, considering their futures and taking on new challenges -- like email.
In the season finale, the ladies decide to take to the road in what they hope will be an adventure.