S01E01 Can You Forgive Her? (1)
We come in on a garden party at Gatherum Castle hosted by the Duke of Omnium. We are introduced to Glencora M'Cluskie and Plantagenet Palliser, both of whom are occupied with the person who currently...
The Pallisers
S01E02: Can You Forgive Her? (2)
After an opening wedding sequence, we follow the Pallisers on their honeymoon to Switzerland, where Glencora can't hide her unhappiness. The Vavasors are also in Switzerland, with John Grey, whom Alice is reluctantly engaged to. We learn that George and Alice were once engaged to be married. Thus begins the parallel stories of Glencora and Alice and their attraction to men who bring that whiff of romantic danger to their lives. As this episode draws to a close, we enter that world that Trollope was so good at revealing. The down and dirty world of borough politics, where the machinations of gaining a seat in Parliament require stamina and very deep pockets.
Overview
This sprawling BBC saga follows an aristocratic family through three generations of power, wealth, intrigue, and scandal in Victorian England. Based on Anthony Trollope’s “political” novels .
Episodes
S01E02 Can You Forgive Her? (2)
After an opening wedding sequence, we follow the Pallisers on their honeymoon to Switzerland, where Glencora can't hide her unhappiness. The Vavasors are also in Switzerland, with John Grey, whom Alice is reluctantly engaged to....
S01E03 Can You Forgive Her? (3)
Alice comes to stay at Matching to keep Glencora company. We are introduced to the bigwig end of the Liberal Party, especially the delightful presence of the Duke of St Bungay. Lady Monk, who is...
S01E04 Can You Forgive Her? (4)
Alice's grandfather begins to ease his feelings toward George, but her father remains adamantly opposed. He even goes so far as to enlist Mr Grey in helping to protect her interests. This becomes more important...
S01E05 Can You Forgive Her? (5)
Glencora makes her feelings known to Plantagenet, again his response surprises her. Squire Vavasor has passed away and George assumes that he will, at last, come into his own, but his past actions have forced...
S01E06 Can You Forgive Her? (6)
Still on their trip Glencora begins her new career as a matchmaker by trying to get Alice to relent in her attitude toward Mr Grey. With her previous anxieties eased, Glencora becomes pregnant, sending everyone...
S01E07 Phineas Finn (1)
Plantagenet has achieved his goal and is hosting his first party as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, although it is actually Glencora that is key to its success. Mr Finn arrives soaked from the rain,...
S01E08 Phineas Finn (2)
A fight over the secret ballot threatens to split the Liberal party. Finn is called on to ad lib his first speech and he refuses, temporarily setting back his aspirations. We begin to learn the...
S01E09 Phineas Finn (3)
Phineas continues to juggle his women. Meanwhile the Duke of Omnium continues his pursuit of Madame Max, she handles him with extreme skill and grace. Laura has become so miserable that she asks Phineas to...
S01E10 Phineas Finn (4)
We begin with the duel between Phineas and Chiltern. Finn takes a wound in the shoulder. But, the bullet does not do as much damage as the smear campaign that Snide begins in 'The People's...
S01E11 Phineas Finn (5)
Christmas day finds the Kennedy's arguing worse than ever. Laura has brought Chiltern and Violet together and they finally admit their love for each other. Monk finally declares the fight for tenant rights open. He...
S01E12 The Eustace Diamonds (1)
The recovering Duke is buoyed by gossip of Lizzie Eustace and her diamonds. They have become a bone of contention between her and the man she is engaged to, Lord Fawn. He wants them to...
S01E13 The Eustace Diamonds (2)
Lizzie receives her demand to bring the necklace to London for a final decision. On the train Lizzie gets several recommendations, mostly nefarious, on what to do with her diamonds. The overnight stop finds the...
S01E14 The Eustace Diamonds (3)
Lord Fawn's sister continues to push him toward Marie in no uncertain, and very military terms. The banter between them is delightful. Tragedy strikes Phineas as his wife and child do not survive the birth....
S01E15 Phineas Redux (1)
Despite Barrington's warning Phineas does go to see both Kennedy's. Robert is crazed with religion and Laura, we come to learn, is a bit obsessed with Phineas. As the Duke of Omnium declines Lady Hartletop...
S01E16 Phineas Redux (2)
Lizzie has taken refuge with the Bonteen's to escape the cruelty and profligacy of her husband. A Palliser cousin, Adelaide, is coming to stay and Marie and Glencora plot on who to pair her up...
S01E17 Phineas Redux (3)
Bonteen is livid at being denied the Exchequer. He vows revenge on all. But, in the meantime he goes to Prague to find Emilius' first wife. Phineas speaks well against the Conservatives, but is still...
S01E18 Phineas Redux (4)
We open with the forces of the Liberal party discussing what to do about Finn. While most of them feel he is innocent, they also feel that they can't stand in the way of a...
S01E19 Phineas Redux (5)
Mr Chaffanbrass begins his defense of Finn by showing that there was another who had a stronger motive for murder, and by pointing out that no one saw who actually committed the murder. Mr Monk...
S01E20 The Prime Minister (1)
It is four years since the end of last episode. The Liberals are returning to power, sort of, in a coalition with the Conservatives until the country's money woes can be sorted out. The Prime...
S01E21 The Prime Minister (2)
We open at a reception where we see that it will be Glencora's ability that keeps the coalition together by smoothing over any feelings that Platagenet's natural indifference may ruffle. Silverbridge (the son) is to...
S01E22 The Prime Minister (3)
We come in on the Lopez's honeymoon in Rome. At the same time Silverbridge and Tregear are in Venice where they meet Lady Mabel Grex and Miss Cassewary. Ferdinand begins to show his true colors...
S01E23 The Prime Minister (4)
Plantagenet has worries aplenty in the form of resignations and scandal. Phineas is named the First Lord of the Admiralty and his wife will accompany him on his tour of the Navy, taking away Glencora's...
S01E24 The Prime Minister (5)
Phineas comes close to being the first official victim of the Lopez affair as a vote of censure is called against him in Parliament. It is roundly defeated. Even so, Plantagenet's time as Prime Minister...
S01E25 The Duke's Children (1)
Silverbridge is bringing the Boncassen's to tea. We are allowed to enjoy a mystifying explanation of the British caste system. Glencora has a razor insight as to why her son has chosen to run, and...
S01E26 The Duke's Children (2)
Glencora's health is of concern to all (including us as viewers). She is determined to make sure that her children, especially Mary, have the ability to control their own future. Nothing can stop her passing,...
Cast
Anna Carteret
Derek Jacobi
Sarah Badel
Susan Hampshire
Jeremy Irons
Frank Tregear
Jo Kendall
Anthony Andrews
Philip Latham
Terence Alexander
Martin Jarvis
Donal McCann
Brewster Mason
