This episode finally puts a face to the occasionally mentioned but never before seen oldest son of Ned and Irene. From the amount of time they spend focusing on his character in this episode it is fairly clear that they intend to keep him around for a while.
Carey Bell has taken a break from college in Boulder, Colorado to visit his family in Hope Springs. The opening scene has him roaming the streets with little brother Clu and the Phillips children in search of a computer supply store. Hope Springs has apparently become a hot spot for artists who’ve grown tired of Los Angeles and the small town is practically overrun with new nightclubs, coffee shops, and other hip venues. Carey is drawn into one of these new clubs by the voice of a singer within.
When the show is over Carey makes his way into the back of the club and introduces himself to the singer, Callie Snow. Callie is hostile at first, but Carey’s charming goofiness convinces her that he has no ill intentions. He simply wants to meet her. Within minutes, however, he is tossed out of the club by a bouncer and Callie’s aggressively overprotective manager, Evelyn.
Back at home the rest of the Phillips-Bell crew is busy cleaning several months worth of road grime out of the tour bus. Carey has apparently been singing the praises of Callie Snow all afternoon. Finally he suggests that maybe his mother could take a shot at being the girl’s new manager. He’s convinced that Evelyn needs a personality transplant. At the mention of Evelyn Molly’s interest is aroused and the family heads agree to check out Carey’s new obsession.
As the Phillips and Bells sit listening to Callie sing Fiona realizes that she, Molly, and Irene are the only women in the audience. As Evelyn approaches their table it is obvious that there is a great deal of hostility between the woman and Molly. She is apparently acquainted with Irene as well. It is revealed that Molly had once considered hiring Evelyn as a manager when she had been a young singer about Callie’s age, but had hired Irene instead. It seems that Evelyn has been looking for another star to hitch her wagon to ever since and finally believes that she has found just that in Callie. Oblivious to the tension between the women Clu suggests that Callie and Evelyn come to dinner at the Bells’ house. Ned seems to be just as charmed as Carey and the rest of the male audience and readily agrees that this would be a great idea.
Later that evening the "mutual car" that was purchased in "Drive" puts in an appearance as Carey drives out to see Callie. Like a typical lovesick fictional character Carey tosses rocks at her bedroom window until she appears. Carey shows a romantic and impractical side as he blindly agrees to Callie’s proposal that they run away together soon.
Meanwhile, Fiona has been in research mode and discovers that Callie shares some rather disturbing traits with the Sirens of Greek mythology. She confronts Carey with her suspicions but he waves them off in denial. Hints of his less-than-stellar study skills are seen as he tells Fi that he had to read the "Odyssey" in freshman English… but only made it through the Clif notes. He’s been warned by his little brother about Fiona’s fascination with the supernatural and he assures her that her bizarre theories have no place in his love life.
Since Fi strikes out in her attempt to convince Carey that Callie might be dangerous she tries bringing her suspicions directly to Callie at the Bells’ dinner party. Strangely, Jack and Clu don’t make it to this dinner. It seems that Callie makes them nervous. While Fiona makes pointed remarks for Callie’s benefit, Molly and Evelyn exchange sharp comments of their own. Callie is obviously uncomfortable with all this and drags Carey away for a tour of the house. Although she claims that she likes him and that she believes he is different from the other men who are affected by her voice she seems to still have her doubts about him. When he begins to hesitate at actually running away with her she appears to have no qualms about using her mystical voice to alter his mind.
When Fiona interrupts this little scene both Carey and Callie are annoyed. Out of Carey’s earshot, however, Callie admits to Fi that her suspicions are correct. Callie is a Siren, but she has no intention of hurting Carey. She merely needs him to help her escape from Evelyn’s control. Evelyn, too, knows exactly what Callie is and is exploiting the girl’s talent to build her own career. The "mutual car" is mentioned yet again – this time because of its absence. Clu has taken it for the evening and presumably Jack went with him. Unfortunately this means that Fiona, Carey, and Callie are hoofing it as they try to manage Callie’s escape.
The trio heads back to the club to retrieve Callie’s instrument but are confronted by Evelyn. Evelyn’s threats against Callie are veiled as she does not realize that Fiona at least knows what Callie is. Molly, Ned, and Irene join the scene and Molly does a little threatening of her own. It seems that Evelyn actually has no contract with Callie. Molly threatens to start spreading information about Evelyn’s unethical treatment of "clients" if she doesn’t allow Callie to walk away. As this debate rages Callie manages to vanish. She can be seen slipping out the doorway behind the Bells as Molly and Evelyn argue, but Fiona and Carey appear completely baffled when Evelyn realizes that her star has disappeared. The youngsters stare around the room with exasperating wide-eyed innocence as Evelyn fumes.
As the club now has no evening entertainment Irene volunteers Molly to step in. It seems that Molly herself has a few fans in the audience as cheers and clapping can be heard as soon as she takes the stage. She begins her set by singing "Rebecca". Fiona can be seen mouthing the words to the song as she stands in the wings with Irene.
Callie puts in one more appearance as she knocks at Carey’s basement window later that night. The poor clueless boy is still half-convinced that she wants him to come away with her, but she has merely come to say goodbye.
Fiona is left once again with no solid proof. Even Callie’s claims could have been fabrications intended to intimidate Fi. As usual, none of this seems to deter Fiona.
Notes:
Callie: Jewel Staite (Kaylee Frye in "Firefly") – does her own singing in this episode
Evelyn: Lynda Boyd