"Pilot: The Beginning"
CHARACTER FROM “DAWSON’S CREEK” RETURNS IN THE NEW SUMMER SERIES “YOUNG AMERICANS” — Blue blood meets blue collar as summer session begins at Rawley Academy, a prestigious New England boarding school. Will Krudski (Rodney Scott, “Dawson’s Creek”) is a local boy on scholarship and his new roommate, Scout Calhoun (Mark Famiglietti), represents everything that made Will always want to attend Rawley — to be one of those guys for whom anything is possible. While Will struggles with an ethical crisis relating to his acceptance into Rawley, Scout falls for Bella Banks (Kate Bosworth), a luminous local girl, but their blossoming romance may turn out to be star-crossed. Meanwhile, a student on the fringe of the new entering class at Rawley, Hamilton Fleming (Ian Somerhalder), is edgy, alternative, and the antithesis of what you’d expect the Dean’s son to be – which he is. His outsider status attracts the friendship of Jake Pratt (Katherine Moennig), who matches Hamilton in his aloof stance. These teenagers are led by Finn (Ed Quinn), the teacher and crew coach who hopes to inspire them to shoot their arrows high in what will be the greatest summer of their lives. James Whitmore, Jr. directed the episode written by series creator Steven Antin.

"Our Town"
TO BE OR NOT TO BE … A TOWNIE — Achieving his life-long goal of escaping the wrong side of the tracks, Will Krudski (Rodney Scott) thought his life would be perfect once he began at Rawley Academy, but trying to reconcile his new life with his old ties tests his growing friendship with Scout (Mark Famiglietti). Scout and Bella (Kate Bosworth) test the waters of their own newly platonic relationship and the end of their love affair, but Scout’s jealousy over an admirer leads to a bloody brawl. Meanwhile, Hamilton (Ian Somerhalder) and Jake (Katherine Moennig) work through their own weird moments and find a common ground of friendship. Ed Quinn also stars. James Whitmore, Jr. directed the episode written by series creator Steven Antin.

"Kiss and Tell"
THERE’S A NEW GIRL IN TOWN — The feminine balance is thrown off with the arrival of Paige Bennett (guest star Cyndi Johnson), a beautiful, sophisticated new student at Rawley Girls Academy who Bella (Kate Bosworth) likes in spite of herself. Paige is unabashedly in romantic pursuit of Scout (Mark Famiglietti), whom she’s known since they were kids, and may be successful at turning his head away from his forbidden love. Meanwhile, Will (Rodney Scott) has a run-in with a trouble-making upperclassman, Ryder Forrest (Charles Hunnam, “Queer as Folk”) that lands him in deep trouble with Finn (Ed Quinn), and Hamilton (Ian Somerhalder) and Jake (Katherine Moennig) find themselves in a confusing competition over a girl. Perry Lang directed the episode written by Kerry Ehrin.

"Cinderbella"
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER - The approaching Rawley Summer Cotillion inspires Will (Rodney Scott) to approach the girl of his dreams, Caroline Busse (guest star Michelle Monoghan), but when she already has a date for the dance, he invites Bella (Kate Bosworth) to go with him, although both their eyes are distracted by others. Scout (Mark Famiglietti), meanwhile, tries to make the most of his evening with Paige (guest star Cyndi Johnson), and Hamilton (Ian Somerhalder) and Jake (Katherine Moennig) reveal secrets in an intimate moment. Ed Quinn also stars. James Whitmore, Jr. directed the episode written by Anne McGrail.

"Winning Isn't Everything"
CHARIOTS OF FIRE — It's the weekend of the annual Rawley Regatta, the biggest race of the year for the crew team, but everyone's minds are distracted by the approaching Parent's Weekend. Scout (Mark Famiglietti) is excited about introducing Bella (Kate Bosworth) to his dad (guest star Beau Gravitte), her real father, but she is more savvy to what the Senator's reaction may actually be. Meanwhile, Will (Rodney Scott) reaches out to his own father (guest star Tracy Howe), and Jake (Katherine Moennig) has to hide her new identity from her self-absorbed mother (guest star Laura Sheaks). Ian Somerhalder and Ed Quinn also star. Mel Damski directed this episode written by Andi Bushell and Jim Praytor.

"Gone"
CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS - Bella (Kate Bosworth), Will (Rodney Scott) and Scout (Mark Famiglietti) find themselves in the crazy position of having to outsmart an evil upperclassman, Ryder (guest star Charles Hunnam), sweet-talk a cop while driving a stolen car, and retrieve a confessional letter before it destroys their lives. Meanwhile, Hamilton (Ian Somerhalder) and Jake (Katherine Moennig) secretly go on their first official date, but with Jake in a dress, the sexual roles are confused as Hamilton tries to wear the pants in the couple. Ed Quinn also stars. The episode was written by Laura Wolner & Greg Berlanti and directed by James Whitmore, Jr.

"Free Will"
SUMMER LOVIN’ — Will (Rodney Scott) finds himself in the enviable position of poetry tutor to the girl of his dreams, Caroline Busse (guest star Michelle Monoghan), but his nightmare begins when he learns that an obnoxious upperclassman, Ryder (guest star Charles Hunnam, “Queer as Folk”), also has his eyes on the prize. Meanwhile, the surprise of a lifetime comes for Bella (Kate Bosworth) on her 16th birthday, and rumors fly about Hamilton (Ian Somerhalder) and Jake’s (Katherine Moennig) clandestine love affair. Mark Famiglietti and Ed Quinn also star. The episode was written by Ellen Byron & Lissa Kapstrom and directed by Bob Williams.

"Will Bella Scout Her Mom?"
TRUTHS REVEALED IN SEASON FINALE — With the last day of Rawley Summer Session comes bad news for Will (Rodney Scott), who learns that the funds for his scholarship have been withdrawn, and Bella (Kate Bosworth), who must fight against the sale of her family’s gas station and home. The gang hits the road with Bella, determined to find her mom, who after ten years of silence is the one person who can save the station. On the journey, after running into car trouble, Bella, Will, Hamilton (Ian Somerhalder), Jake (Katherine Moennig), Scout (Mark Famiglietti) and Sean (Matt Czuchry) find themselves stuck in a cabin overnight, where tempers collide between all. Bella’s eventual meeting with her mother opens up possible truths to the past, while Jake’s true identity finally comes to light. James Whitmore, Jr. directed the episode written by Steven Antin and Joe Voci.

Episode summaries courtesy of The WB