Teenage growing pains - and their impact on two extended families - are the focus of an insightful and sensitive episode revolving around Grace (Julia Whelan). Getting her learner's permit allows her to take driving lessons from her dad. She gets some lessons in love, too, when she goes out to a movie with one boy in hopes of sparking the interest of another guy. As the plot unfolds, Grace also discovers troubling romantic developments in her father's life.

Once and Again's amazing Grace (Julia Whelan) takes center stage in a story built around her desire to drive.

Road trip! Not yet. But Grace (Julia Whelan) finally has her learner's permit, with driving lessons provided by her father, Jake (Jeffrey Nordling). Besides wheels, Grace also has a new boyfriend (Marco Gould), which may lead to an adolescent romantic epiphany.

Regular programming, featuring what in most cases are the final fresh series episodes of the year, makes it a strong TV Tuesday. Tops on the list: . . . a nuanced "Once and Again."

The more we learn about the child characters on this show, the more screen time they seem to deserve. Tonight's episode does nothing to reverse that trend, and continues to present the most realistic depiction of teen life, and angst, since the same producers collaborated on "My So-Called Life."

Once and Again, Though he hasn't paid much attention to the effects of his actions on his children, Jake (Jeffrey Nordling) gets a shocking wake-up call in this new episode. He finally realizes how much the reasons for his divorce from Lily (Sela Ward) has impacted them. As he tries to make amends, Grace (Julia Whelan) gets ready to start driving by taking the test for her learner's permit.

Grace Begins Datings On "ONCE AND AGAIN" (12/19/00)
Tue, Dec 5, 2000 04:19 PM PDT

Jake finally realizes just how profoundly his indiscretions have affected his children. Meanwhile, Grace gets her driver's permit and her first taste of the complexities of dating life, on "Once and Again," TUESDAY, DEC. 19 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

"Once and Again" stars Sela Ward as Lily Manning, Billy Campbell as Rick Sammler, Julia Whelan as Grace Manning, Shane West as Eli Sammler, Meredith Deane as Zoe Manning, Evan Rachel Wood as Jessie Sammler, Susanna Thompson as Karen Sammler, Jeffrey Nordling as Jake Manning, Todd Field as David Casilli, Marin Hinkle as Judy, David Clennon as Miles Drentell and Jennifer Crystal as Christie Parker.

Guest starring are Ever Carradine as Tiffany, Audrey Anderson as Carla, Marco Gould as Specer, Riley Smith as Pace, Shannon Sturges as Ronnie, Archie Hahn as Howard, Joe Yarbrough as the movie guy, Randy Lowell as Terry, Eric Morgan Stuart as the photographer and Gretchen O'Neil as Linda.

"Learner's Permit" was written by Liberty Godshall and directed by Arvin Brown.

"Learner's Permit" Jake finally realizes just how profoundly his indiscretions have affected his children. Meanwhile, Grace gets her driver's permit and her first taste of the complexities of dating life.

A learner's permit allows Grace to take driving lessons from her dad, but they're just a prelude to lessons in life---and love---from a relationship with a new beau (Marco Gould). Tiffany: Ever Carradine. Pace: Riley Smith. Carla: Audrey Anderson. Ronnie: Shannon Sturges. Jake: Jeffrey Nordling. Grace: Julia Whelan. Lily: Sela Ward. Rick: Billy Campbell. Zoe: Meredith Deane.

Cast: Billy Campbell, Sela Ward, Shane West, Evan Rachel Wood, Meredith Deane, Julia Whelan, Susanna Thompson, Jeffrey Nordling, Todd Field, Marin Hinkle, Marco Gould, Ever Carradine, Audrey Anderson, Riley Smith, Shannon Sturges

Jake (Jeffrey Nordling) finally realizes the effects his indiscretions have had on his children; Grace (Julia Whelan) gets her driver's permit.

Rick has to deal with Jessie's eating disorder and an accident where Grace crashes his car.