Ep 1. Episode 1 - Daniel Deronda

Daniel Deronda is a British period drama television series, based on the George Eliot novel of the same name. It premiered on BBC One in November 2002 and consisted of four episodes.

Episode 1 – Daniel Deronda introduces us to our protagonist, the young and wealthy Daniel Deronda. We are introduced to him as he races his horse to the beach, where he comes across a beautiful young woman struggling in the waves. He heroically rescues her and takes her back to his family home. The woman, who remains unnamed for the time being, is distraught and unable to speak, so Daniel's mother takes her under her wing and sets about nursing her back to health.

Meanwhile, we are also introduced to the Gwendolen Harleth, a beautiful and headstrong young woman who longs for love and adventure. She is being courted by the wealthy and charming Grandcourt, who seems to offer her everything she wants. However, she is also pursued by a gentleman named Rex, who clearly has feelings for her but is deemed unsuitable by her family.

As the episode progresses, we learn more about Daniel's wealthy and privileged upbringing, and how he is beginning to feel disillusioned with his life of leisure and excess. He is also plagued by questions about his own identity, as he was adopted as a child and is unaware of his biological origins.

Despite the vast differences in their social standing, the mysterious woman and Daniel begin to form a strong bond, fueled in part by his desire to help her recover her health and memory. The two begin to spend more time together, much to the chagrin of Daniel's family and friends, who are unsure of the woman's true motives or identity.

Meanwhile, Gwendolen continues to be courted by Grandcourt, despite warnings from her mother that he is not to be trusted. Rex also continues to pursue Gwendolen, despite her rebuffs, and we get the sense that there may be more to him than meets the eye.

Overall, Episode 1 – Daniel Deronda sets the stage for a complex and emotionally charged drama. The characters are well-drawn and multi-layered, and the attention to detail in the sets and costumes transport viewers to 19th-century England. The episode sets up several intriguing storylines, including Daniel's search for his true identity, Gwendolen's conflicted feelings about her suitors, and the mystery surrounding the woman who Daniel rescued from the sea. It's a compelling start to a series that promises to be a captivating period drama.