In a society engineered to be free of emotional attachments, some residents of New London hunger for something deeper -- while elsewhere a man from the lowest class is conscripted for a higher destiny.
Lenina joins Bernard on his excursion to the Savage Land, where John is under pressure to participate in a bloody uprising. Back in New London, World Controller Mond searches for the Epsilon who was disturbed by the death of CJack57.
With the rebels hunting the outsiders in the Savage Lands, Linda and John try to keep them hidden -- leading to a dangerous attempt to escape the shield.
John finds himself faced with the unsettling world of New London, where Bernard is assigned to help him acclimate. Lenina struggles to return to her normal life after her traumatic experience.
Lenina embraces a more emotionally unbalanced life, causing strife with her friend Frannie. John decides to embrace New London life on his own terms, leading to a very public confrontation.
In their frustrated new reality John and Lenina find one another again, traveling to an outdoor zone to try and discover who they want to be. Meanwhile Bernard tries to be something he's not, and Mond makes a confession about Indra and the system.
John and Lenina's efforts to conceal their private relationship is complicated by her life as a Beta -- especially after Bernard expresses a rekindled interest in her. Controller Mond returns to the place of Indra's origins, where she comes to an unsettling realization.
John's decision to connect to the system has consequences, both in what he learns and what he reveals. Bernard pursues his suspicion that Lenina and John are monogamous, and John encourages the Epsilons to think beyond their station.
After John's secret is exposed to all of New London the Epsilons rise up to help him, while Bernard receives a promotion. Lenina rebels, and makes plans to leave the city.