Diddy is having a meeting with both bands and Donnie. He's here to give them an update. He says the guys are in the lead by an overwhelming margin. He's going to up their workload and he wants to work more with Donnie as they don't really have a vibe, yet, but from what he's heard... Donnie's sounding good.

Everybody heads to the studio. Donnie says that they are passed the half way point and he's only got 2 songs done. Between the two groups, he's had a tough time getting into the studio. He sits and watches as the guys record, looking a bit disappointed.

But, he finally gets into the studio with Jim Beanz. He's working on a song called "Beautiful Escape". "Skid" Mitchell, a Bad Boy A&R guy, comes into the room and says that Jim Beanz is needed with the girls. Donnie laments the fact that he's finally in the studio - and they have to stop after one verse. Beanz says he'll be back to finish the song. Donnie remains in the room, by himself, working on the track.

Shannon, Dawn, Q,, Aundrea, Brian are now eating out somewhere. They get on the subject of New Orleans, as Dawn says she can't go back because it's just not the same. Afterward, the girls walk out to the beach and Aundrea and Shannon talk about how Dawn and Q look at each other. Dawn maintains that he's just a friend. But, Aundrea thinks it'll lead to something more.

Diddy does another special report, playing news anchor, to announce that he's getting his own star in Hollywood on May 2. He says that he's retiring from Making the Band to become a movie star, so this is one of the last episodes of the show that you'll see him on.

Back at the house, Donnie talks about how, sometimes, you have both Day 26 and Danity Kane at the studio and he's back at the house alone, working on the music, playing the piano, trying to get better.

Night falls and Q and Dawn are hanging out on the patio, laying on an outdoor bed, joking around. Dawn gets up and says she's headed to bed. Donnie and Aubrey are laying in his bed, talking. Aubrey says that he needs to knock on the producers doors and get them to write for him. And Aubrey pushes him along by talking about all of the great tracks that both the guys and the girls are getting.

Diddy, in his reporter garb and set up, talks about poor Donnie and asks if the ladies feel sorry for him and want to give him a hug? Diddy says that he's going to hook Donnie up with producer Seven Aurelius, who he refers to as one of The Hitmen. Donnie and him meet, but before they head into the studio, Diddy stops the footage because he wants you to know that Seven is a little nutty, a little out there (Diddy makes a sound very reminiscent of "koo koo"). In a good way, he says, as they need people like him in the business, but fair warning... and now, Diddy introduces you to Seven.

Donnie gets into Seven's studio and, well, it's full of smoke. He meets Seven's guys and, in confessional, says that he definitely thinks Seven is from space. Seven's got doves in the room because the music gets too loud sometimes. Donnie laughs in private and even a bit in the room with Seven. But, the producer plays him a reference track called "Dr. Love" and Donnie's blown away by it. He plays Donnie another track from his own album. He's going to play it because maybe Donnie will like it. "Give it up," Donnie says and Seven laughs. "We'll see." The track is called "Rolling Stone". Again, Donnie loves it. Seven says that, sonically, Donnie's album needs to feel like that and Donnie agrees. Donnie heads out, happy.

Back on the dock at the house, Dawn is telling Aundrea that no one is trying to be boyfriend and girlfriend. Aundrea thinks that Q wants something more serious, but Dawn doesn't feel that's the case. Aundrea tells Dawn that he shouldn't be afraid to let a good thing happen to her and that Q's not as young as she keeps trying to say. Dawn says that she doesn't want to hurt anybody, but she does want to be happy.

In the house, Dawn and Q talk. She talks about how he's got a lot ahead of him and how he should just go... he doesn't need to be trapped. But, he doesn't feel the same way.

Diddy announcement time: he says that he's inked another deal with MTV for another season of Making the Band. 10 minutes ago, he says, he retired (see above), but MTV came up with the money, so he's back. After some Day 26 and DK promo, it's back to the show.

Diddy does a quick walk through of what he calls "the factory", the production compound where every body's working. He meets with Donnie, who asks him if he's heard any of his songs. Diddy says that they are still trying to figure out what his vibe is going to be. Donnie is disappointed because he felt Seven was the guy who had he answer. Diddy tells him it's going to take some time for experimenting to find what's right for Donnie, who feels like DK and Day 26 are on the highway while he keeps hitting speed bumps.

Ankh Ra is meeting with the girls for the first time. He wants to get to know them and he wants them to be open, to go as deep as they want to go. Aundrea sings first and Ankh Ra applauds, but mentions that her final note wasn't where it needed to be... but, she doesn't need to apologize for what she did, which he appreciated. Dawn sings next, hitting an emotional note and Ankh Ra says he wants her to open herself up and connect them, not just with herself. She's crying and keeps singing, but won't look at anyone else, despite Ankh Ra saying to do so and to let everyone in, so that she can release this stuff. But, she doesn't. Q watches and listens quietly from the other room.

Michael Bivins stops by to meet with the guys. He puts the Day 26 tracks on and is liking them. Donnie is in the room, listening to the guy's stuff. Donnie and Bivins talk one on one outside and Bivins asks him how he feels. Donnie feels left out, but Bivins tells him not to feel like that. He tells him that he's got everything going for him and he's got one of the best President's in the game and Bivins knows that Diddy likes him. Diddy is going to make sure his music is right and only Donnie can be Donnie's downfall, according to Bivins, so stay humble.

At night, Q is playing the piano and Dawn is around and Q says they should write a song and Dawn should write a song about how she feels. She wants him to start and he talks about how he'd talk about himself being 3 and he has one more year - because his father died when he was 4. He says that they could have two stories, connected with a bridge. But, Dawn doesn't want to go there as she prefers to keep things closed in, she says. She has a void that hasn't been filled and music is happiness for her. But, even though they both went through some tough times, Dawn says that they came out great and that Q came out great - Q says that she came out great, as well.

Donnie heads to the studio to talk with Donnie. Seven told Diddy that he wanted to be the Timbaland to Donnie's Timberlake. And Diddy agreed. Donnie's happy to be working. He records to the "Dr. Love" track with Seven stopping him at various parts to have him change things up. Slam Lawrence comes in and wants to hear it. He loves it as does Donnie.

Donnie's back and the house and, after listening to the guy's and girl's tracks the whole time, he's ready for them to hear his. Donnie pops in the CD for everybody to listen to and they're all digging it.

Dawn and Q are playing mini golf, joking around and having fun. They end up on the dock talking, with Dawn lying over his lap. Aundrea pokes out and asks them what they're doing? Talking, Dawn says. Aundrea says if Q is going to kiss her yet and Aundrea says to do it once for her. And they do... and they continue... Aundrea says bye while they keep going.

Next episode: Brian and Robert are fighting. Diddy tells them they aren't in a competition any more. But, they're still fighting with a hint of physical confrontation. Diddy's watching and he declares that they have some weak links.