Ep 1. Sense and Sensibility Episode 1

Sense and Sensibility is a period drama miniseries based on the Jane Austen novel of the same name. The show revolves around the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, and their quest to find love and happiness in the late 18th century.

Episode 1 sets the scene for the rest of the series and introduces us to the main characters. We are first introduced to the Dashwood family - Mr. Dashwood, his second wife Fanny, and their three daughters, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret. The family lives in a grand estate in Norland, but their comfortable life is threatened when Mr. Dashwood unexpectedly dies, leaving his fortune and property to his son from his first marriage, John Dashwood.

John and his wife, Fanny, move into Norland and take control of the estate, leaving the Dashwood women in a precarious position. John makes it clear that he has no intention of supporting his stepmother and stepsisters financially and that they must find a new home for themselves. This news devastates the family, and they are forced to start planning their departure from Norland.

Elinor, the eldest sister, takes on the role of the head of the family, trying to be practical and logical in the face of adversity. She is the embodiment of sense, and her level-headedness provides stability and support to her sisters and stepmother. Marianne, on the other hand, is passionate and emotional, driven by her senses and desires. She struggles to come to terms with their predicament and feels that they have been wronged by John and Fanny.

As the family prepares to leave Norland, they receive an invitation to stay with their distant relatives, the Middletons, in Devonshire. The Middletons are a wealthy family, and the invitation is a lifeline for the Dashwoods, who have nowhere else to go.

The journey to Devonshire proves eventful, with stops along the way for rest and refreshments. It is during one of these stops that the sisters meet Mr. Willoughby, a charming gentleman who takes a particular interest in Marianne. He is dashing, adventurous, and seems to embody everything Marianne desires in a man - passion, excitement, and spontaneity.

The episode ends with the Dashwoods arriving at Barton Cottage, their new home in Devonshire. The cottage is much smaller and less grand than their previous residence, but the family makes the best of it and starts to settle into their new surroundings. Elinor takes on the role of housekeeper, trying her best to make the small cottage a comfortable and functional home for her family.

Sense and Sensibility Episode 1 lays the groundwork for the rest of the series, introducing us to the main characters and their situation. We see the contrast between Elinor's practicality and Marianne's emotionality and how they balance each other out. We also get a glimpse of the romantic entanglements that lie ahead, with Mr. Willoughby's arrival hinting at the potential for love and heartbreak in the episodes to come. Overall, Episode 1 is a promising start to a beautiful and captivating period drama.