High-school teacher Joan Gallagher depends on the daily support, counsel, and companionship of her best friends, psychiatrist Ruby and music teacher Betsy. Although Ruby seems to be the picture of strength and stability, she lets herself be taken advantage of by Betsy, who is locked in an on/off relationship with fellow teacher Mark. Joan also bonds with Alice Adams, a new student-teacher at the school.
The series focuses on the private lives of an intimate group of high-school teachers and explores the complexity and endurance of close friendships among women, as well as the challenging relationship between Joan and Jake--two bright, independent, experienced people--as they blunder toward intimacy.