Ep 1. Episode 1

Oliver Twist (2007) Season 1 Episode 1, titled "Episode 1", begins with a young boy named Oliver (played by William Miller) being born in a workhouse in 19th century England. His mother dies shortly after his birth, and he is raised in the workhouse under the harsh conditions provided by Mr. Bumble (played by Timothy Spall) and the other administrators.

As Oliver grows up, he becomes increasingly unhappy with his life in the workhouse and decides to run away to London. He meets a boy named Artful Dodger (played by Adam Arnold), who introduces him to a gang of pickpockets led by the infamous Fagin (played by Timothy Bateson).

Oliver is taken in by Fagin and taught how to pick pockets, but he is hesitant to join the gang and dreams of a better life. Meanwhile, Mr. Bumble and his wife Mrs. Corney (played by Sarah Lancashire) are searching for Oliver, determined to bring him back to the workhouse.

In London, Oliver is taken to the home of Mr. Brownlow (played by Edward Fox), who becomes attached to the young boy and takes him in as his own. However, Fagin and his gang are still determined to get Oliver back and plan to kidnap him.

Throughout the episode, we see the stark contrast between Oliver's life in the workhouse and his experiences in London. The workhouse is portrayed as a bleak, oppressive environment where the children are treated cruelly and given little hope for the future. In contrast, London is portrayed as a city full of life and adventure, but also as a dangerous place where Oliver could easily get into trouble.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with Fagin's gang preparing to kidnap Oliver from Mr. Brownlow's home. The viewer is left wondering what will happen to Oliver and whether he will be able to escape from the criminal underworld of London.

Overall, Oliver Twist (2007) Season 1 Episode 1 sets the stage for an intriguing and emotional story of a young boy trying to find his place in the world. The strong performances by the cast, particularly William Miller as Oliver and Timothy Spall as Mr. Bumble, bring the story to life and draw the viewer in from the very beginning. With its vivid depiction of 19th century England and its complex, multi-layered characters, this episode is a must-see for fans of classic literature and historical dramas.