Wayne is kidnapped by the gang that can almost shoot straight. It was planned to be an easy in and out. It wasn't. Three teams are on tap for saving him: the police, with the FBI in charge; John's security people, who don't trust the lead FBI guy; and John's friend from the mafia in Las Vegas. It's a race to see who gets there first. Then backstabbing by network suits causes the cancellation of a top-rated series (New Orleans Blues), and a failing designer clothing line is saved at the last minute by an X-rated fashion show in Frankfort.
John gets his MD and interns at County General. John's company-owned mine in Africa is nationalized. A team is sent to blow up the mine. In retaliation, the president sends a hit man after John at the hospital. John tells Ira Corn to finish it. Ira contacts the Chameleon for the hit.
John delays marriage to Gloria by joining the army for his residency. Sure enough, he's challenged again. But he's lined up a smart army lawyer to take care of it. Against the strong advice of family and his personal security, he volunteers as an army surgeon for the war in El Salvador. He's in a MASH unit, starts a new band, has an active love life with the nurses, and slowly comes apart emotionally from treating maimed and dying young soldiers. He goes out on a routine scouting patrol that is virtually wiped out and returns to the jungle to save a team member being tortured by the enemy. He's well trained for combat even though the army doesn't know it.
John returns to the States, recuperates from the bullet wound, and plays for one year in professional football for the Raiders. Then he retires. So he thinks.