Ep 1. Anarchy

In the first episode of The Pillars of the Earth, titled "Anarchy," we are introduced to a world ripped apart by civil war. Set in medieval England in the 12th century, the series follows the events surrounding the building of a cathedral in the town of Kingsbridge.

The episode begins with the death of King Henry I, which sparks a succession crisis as his only legitimate son, William, has drowned at sea. This leaves the throne open to his daughter, Maud, or Matilda, but her cousin, Stephen of Blois, seizes the crown for himself.

As the country plunges into anarchy and lawlessness, the people of Kingsbridge are struggling to survive. The town's church, a wooden structure that dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period, is destroyed in a fire caused by a lightning strike. The townspeople, led by their lord's ambitious wife, Aliena, and Prior Philip, a monk with a vision, decide to use the disaster as an opportunity to build a grand new cathedral that will put Kingsbridge on the map and bring wealth and power to the area.

However, the road to realizing their dream is fraught with obstacles. On one hand, Bishop Waleran Bigod, a scheming and ruthless prelate who sees the cathedral project as a threat to his position, is determined to stop it at all costs. He lures away the town's stonemason, Tom Builder, with the promise of better wages and working conditions, hoping to sabotage the project from within.

On the other hand, Tom's family is facing their own troubles. His wife, Agnes, is pregnant and sickly, and they are struggling to feed their children. Their son Alfred is jealous of his half-brother Jack, who has a talent for drawing and carving, and is determined to get rid of him.

Meanwhile, outside of Kingsbridge, the struggle for the throne continues. Maud and Stephen each have their own supporters, and the country is divided into factions that fight each other in bloody battles. The town is not immune to the chaos, as a group of marauding knights, led by a cruel and sadistic Earl, attack and pillage several villages in the area, including the one where Tom's family lives.

As the episode ends, the project to build the cathedral seems to be gaining momentum, but it is also facing new challenges. Aliena's father, the Earl of Shiring, is in debt to the powerful Hamleigh family, and they are looking for a way to take over his lands. The Hamleighs send their son William to negotiate with the Earl, but he is a ruthless and violent man who has his own agenda.

The Pillars of the Earth is a thrilling and engaging historical drama that brings to life the world of medieval England with stunning visuals, rich characters, and complex storylines. The first episode sets the stage for a gripping saga that promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.