Return of the Secaucus Seven

Return of the Secaucus Seven

Year: 1980

Runtime: 104 mins

Language: English

DramaMoving relationship storiesStudent coming-of-age challengesShow All…

Ten years after a youthful arrest at a Washington, D.C. protest, seven former college friends—joined by a few newer companions—gather for a weekend at a summer house in New Hampshire. Over drinks and nostalgic conversation, they confront how their lives have diverged, reflecting on old ideals, lingering regrets, and the inevitable changes that time brings.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980)

Trace every key event in Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Friends arrive for the rural New Hampshire gathering

Mike and Katie prepare to host a reunion of their old college activist circle at their rural New Hampshire home. Frances arrives with her former boyfriend J.T., and Irene comes with Chip, their conservative counterpart. Maura and Jeff reveal that they are no longer a couple, setting a tense, unsettled mood for the evening.

Evening Donnelly–Sipriano residence, rural New Hampshire
2

Maura and Jeff reveal they are no longer a couple

Maura breaks the news that she and Jeff have ended their relationship, shocking the group and raising questions about loyalties and history. The revelation unsettles the camaraderie that has carried them through college days. Guests try to maintain a cordial atmosphere as the night progresses.

Evening Donnelly–Sipriano residence, living room
3

Maura and J.T. become intimate during the night

That night, Maura and J.T. are mutually attracted and have sex, with Frances nearby. The intimate act complicates the group dynamics and hints at unresolved tensions. The mood shifts between nostalgia and desire within the same room.

Night Donnelly–Sipriano residence, living room
4

Group attends a play and tensions surface

The friends go to a play in town where Lacey, their old friend, is acting. Katie heckles Lacey, which annoys Mike and stirs subtle rifts among the group. The excursion foregrounds competing personalities beneath the surface of shared history.

Evening Local theater
5

Jeff learns of Maura’s sexual history

Jeff arrives unaware of Maura's breakup, and J.T. bluntly tells him he had sex with Maura. Jeff responds with anger, but the confrontation does not end their friendship. The moment underscores how information and pride threaten long-standing bonds.

Evening Donnelly–Sipriano residence, driveway
6

Basketball, skinny-dipping, and a bar visit

The group plays basketball and later skinny-dips with Mike’s high school friends Ron and Howie. They then head to a bar where conversations grow thornier as old grievances resurface. Frances grows wary of the developing closeness between J.T. and Maura.

Night Local recreation area and bar
7

A loud argument and a flirtatious distraction

Jeff and Maura have a loud argument that unsettles the night. Ron makes a pass at Frances, which upsets her and underscores the messy, unresolved feelings among the group. The fragile camaraderie teeters on the edge of deeper resentments.

Night Bar
8

The group splits up on the road

Ron and Frances leave for a local hotel, while Maura leaves alone, and the others drive separately. The late-night dispersal marks a turning point from shared past into separate futures. The group’s cohesion dissolves as everyone heads to different paths.

Late night Road near their gathering location
9

Deer encounter and arrest

On the road, the group comes upon a deer carcass and is arrested by an undercover cop on suspicion of illegal game hunting. The sudden legal trouble forces them to confront their past antics and the consequences of their actions. The mood shifts from escapism to unease and uncertainty.

Night Country road vicinity
10

Lock-up reflections and the Secaucus 7 nickname

While in lock-up, the group recounts their various college arrests and how they earned the nickname 'Secaucus 7'. The retrospective stories reveal deep ties and shared experiences that kept them together through years of activism. The scene emphasizes memory as a glue of friendship.

Night Local jail
11

Drunk confesses to deer incident and release

A local drunk confesses to hitting the deer, which leads to the group’s release. The confession closes the legal chapter of the incident but leaves the emotional aftermath unresolved. They step back into the world with a heavier sense of their imperfect friendships.

Following morning Parking area near the jail
12

Farewell departures and Jeff’s note

The group leaves one by one the next day as J.T. hitchhikes to Boston, refusing money from Maura for a ticket. Jeff is left alone on Mike’s property, angrily chopping wood as he processes the night's events. Mike and Katie later find Jeff's farewell note reading, 'I'm sorry. --Jeff'.

Following day Donnelly–Sipriano property

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:43

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Return of the Secaucus Seven Summary

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Return of the Secaucus Seven Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Return of the Secaucus Seven

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Return of the Secaucus Seven

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