Ep 1. Episode 1

Margaret Hale, a young woman from the idyllic English countryside, is forced to leave her home and move to the dark and industrial northern town of Milton with her parents. Her father has resigned from his position as a clergyman due to a crisis of faith and they must now rely on relatives in Milton to provide for them.

Margaret is initially repulsed by the grime and poverty of the working town and her dealings with mill owner John Thornton only confirms her bias. Thornton, an intelligent and self-made man, clashes with Margaret's idealism and her disdain for the working class.

As Margaret adjusts to her new life in Milton, she begins to see the complexities of life for the mill workers. She is introduced to Bessy Higgins, a mill worker suffering from consumption, and Nicholas Higgins, a union leader fighting for the rights of the workers. Margaret's compassionate nature leads her to become involved in their struggles.

Meanwhile, Thornton faces financial difficulties due to a union strike and a market downturn. He is forced to make ruthless business decisions in order to save his mill and protect his workers. These decisions bring him into conflict with the union and put him in danger.

As tensions between the mill owners and workers reach a boiling point, Margaret finds herself torn between her loyalty to her family and her growing sympathy for the workers. Thornton, despite his initial reservations about Margaret, finds himself drawn to her intelligence, kindness, and moral compass.

The first episode of North and South sets the stage for a complex and emotionally charged exploration of class, industry, and love in Victorian England. Margaret and Thornton are two strong-willed characters who are at odds with each other in many ways, yet find themselves drawn towards each other despite their differences. The plight of the mill workers serves as a backdrop to their relationship and raises questions about the morality of industrial capitalism and the treatment of workers.

Overall, the first episode of North and South provides a compelling introduction to the series, revealing the complex moral and social forces at play in Victorian England and setting the stage for a rich exploration of the human condition.