First episode of the adaptation from the novel by Susan Howatch. Penmarric is the compelling story of the passionate loves and hatreds of a Cornish family.

1890: Mark, now aged 20, has learnt he is heir to Penmarric. Weary of Maud's obsession with the Inheritence, he quarrels with her.

1890: Janna has firmly rejected Mark's attentions. He finds his subsequent involvements with Rose Parrish brings its own problems.

1890: Janna and Mark have fallen in love. Janna tells Mark about her early life and about her love affair with his father.

1890: Janna and Mark have married and Mark has finally inherited Penmarric. They have moved, but Janna's frequent pregnancies have caused a rift between them.

1903: Although Mark has promised he will not see Rose Parrish again, he has left Penmarric to continue his studies, leaving Janna with the children.

1912: Janna has refused Mark a divorce. In turn, Mark has been granted custody of their children, who have gone to Oxford to live with him and the Parrish family.

1915: Mark has returned to Penmarric with the Parrish children. Philip tries to blackmail Mark.

1926: The demand for tin falls and the mine suffers critical setbacks. Mark decides to close Sennen Garth.

1927: Mark has died, making Philip the unexpected heir to Penmarric. He and Helena have married.

1932: Philip's relationship with Helena remains troubled. To Jan-Yves anger he has made Jonas, Rebecca's child, heir to Penmarric.

1937: Helena and Philip are subsequently reconciled. Rebecca has accused Philip of assaulting Jonas. As a result, Philip alters his will and Jan-Yves is heir to Penmarric.