In early 20th-century England, young orphan Christina Parsons is sent to live with her Uncle Russell, who owns the country estate of Flambards, and has two sons. Mark, the elder, is a wastrel, a roue and, like his father, loves to hunt. The younger, William, lives to fly aeroplanes. Christina finds herself struggling with the ideas of classism as she falls in love with country life, the hunt, and one of her cousins. But after an impulsive marriage, when her husband is called away by the First World War, Christina must keep Flambards afloat by herself.
Flambards (Season 1)
Christina (Episode 1)
Writer: Alan Plater
Air date: 1979-02-02
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Orphaned Christina Parsons is sent to live at male-dominated Flambards, where she finds herself thrust into maturity and womanhood.
The Blooding (Episode 2)
Writer: Alan Plater
Air date: 1979-02-09
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Christina arrives at Flambards and learns the art of living in an all-male household. She's plunged into a new life but finds that even horses can break hearts. William's views on social reform begin to spoil her newfound happiness.
Entry to a New World (Episode 3)
Writer: Alex Glasgow
Air date: 1979-02-16
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Seeking escape from the Old World, Christina finds a welcome in a New World of oil, aeroplanes and engineers. But the Old World retains its power of revenge.
Lady Bountiful (Episode 4)
Writer: William Humble
Air date: 1979-02-23
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: The nation is apparently united, celebrating the Jubilee, but Christina discovers there is more than one nation, and that justice is often rough.
Point to Point (Episode 5)
Writer: Alex Glasgow
Air date: 1979-03-02
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: The Point-to-Point and the Hunt Ball are key events in the country calendar. William ensures that this year they will be remembered when all others are forgotten.
The Cold Light of Day (Episode 6)
Writer: William Humble
Air date: 1979-03-09
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Christina and William find themselves in Battersea on the edge of a new and exciting world. But how do they explain to the world that they have arrived?
Edge of the Cloud (Episode 7)
Writer: Alan Plater
Air date: 1979-03-16
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: William learns how to walk and to run again. Mark learns about responsibility and Christina learns to fly the English Channel. She even receives an unexpected love letter.
Flying High (Episode 8)
Writer: Alex Glasgow
Air date: 1979-03-23
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Sandy loops the loop and becomes a hero of the flying circuses. William is skeptical and Christina fears the worst.
Sing No Sad Songs (Episode 9)
Writer: Alan Plater
Air date: 1979-03-30
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Christina and William marry, in the shadow of the First World War. William fights for his country in France and Christina for her survival at Flambards.
New Blood (Episode 10)
Writer: William Humble
Air date: 1979-04-06
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Restoring Flambards to its former glory is easier said than done, especially when the main opposition comes from within.
Prisoners of War (Episode 11)
Writer: Alex Glasgow
Air date: 1979-04-13
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Christina discovers that in wartime, everybody is a prisoner. But she proves, at last, that Germans do not eat babies.
What Are Servants For? (Episode 12)
Writer: William Humble
Air date: 1979-04-20
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Dick returns to Flambards and proves that servants make good masters. The harvest is a triumph, but there's an unexpected guest at the celebration.
Inheritance (Episode 13)
Writer: Alan Plater
Air date: 1979-04-27
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: The survivors gather at Flambards to taste the wine and make the decision: who shall inherit the earth.
Seasons
Episodes 13