The Pallisers

Season

1974

UK

8.3

Beginning with the forced marriage of Glencora (Susan Hampshire), the lives of the friends and children of this couple are the subject of study. The backdrop is the House of Commons in England as we watch the comings and goings and loves and tragedies of the powerful and not-so-powerful.

Episode List

S1 • E1

Part One

Headstrong, beautiful, and rich Glencora is in love with a dashing wastrel but her family pressures her to marry dignified but dull MP, Plantagenet Palliser.

S1 • E2

Part Two

While Plantagenet and Glencora are honeymooning in Switzerland, she meets cousin Alice and confesses her undiminished love for wastrel Burgo Fitzgerald.

S1 • E3

Part Three

Glencora confides to Alice - now her companion - of her love for Burgo Fitzgerald, as George Vavasor is forced to raise money for his by-election campaign.

S1 • E4

Part Four

Even though Alice has broken off their engagement, John Grey secretly underwrites George's campaign as Burgo plots to seduce Glencora at Lady Monk's ball.

S1 • E5

Part Five

After Glencora confesses to Plantagenet of her love for Burgo, he turns down an appointment to the Exchequer in order to take her abroad and work on their marriage.

S1 • E6

Part Six

Now on holidays in Europe with Plantagenet and Alice Vavasor, Glencora has some happy new for her husband. She is also determined that Alice and John Grey be reunited. Grey has followed them to Switzerland and Glencora creates opportunities opportunities for him and Alice to be together. Once back back in England, the swirl of politics takes over with the announcement that the Liberal government will undergo a major change of Ministers, creating the hope that Plantagenet may once again be offered the cabinet position he turned down the year before. There are several new MPs as well, including a young Irishman and reformer who is chomping at the bit to change the old guard.

S1 • E7

Part Seven

Plantagenet Palliser is the Chancellor of the Exchequer in a revamped Liberal government and Glencora is proving to be the perfect political hostess when they host a reception in their home. Among the guests are Phineas Finn, a young Irish MP and Robert Kennedy, one of the more influential members of the party. Laura Standish continues to guide the young Finn through his introduction to life among the influential MP's and peers and also introduces him to her brother, Lord Chiltern. Finn has taken quite a liking to her but after settling her brother's debts, the now destitute Laura takes steps to secure her future. Finn also make the acquaintance of Madame Max Goesler and the pretty Violet Effingham.

S1 • E8

Part Eight

Phineas Finn's foolishness in co-signing for a loan on behalf of Lawrence Fitzgibbon comes back to haunt him when the moneylender demands payment. He's also preparing for his maiden speech in Parliament but when the time comes, he makes a mess of it. He continues his friendship with Lady Laura and her brother but her new husband forbids him to visit his wife on Sundays. The major issue of the day is whether to accede to the radicals demands for the secret ballot. Phineas personally supports the concept but agrees to support the Liberal party elders, several of whom are dead set against it. Glencora meanwhile is once again with child and Plantagenet is preparing for the July election.

S1 • E9

Part Nine

Having rescued Mr. Kennedy from a street mugging, Phineas Finn is now again welcome in his home. Lady Laura however has realized her error in marrying Kennedy and finding it more and more difficult to hide her feelings, asks Finn to stay away. Finn is still in trouble with the moneylenders but is saved by an unexpected source. He's also decided to ask a certain young woman to marry him. but she seems less than receptive and Lord Chiltern has his own strong views on the issue. The Liberal party wins the general election and Plantagenet is reappointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Glencora meanwhile gives birth to a second son.

S1 • E10

Part Ten

Phineas Finn survives his duel with Lord Chiltern and refuses to renounce his interest in Miss Effingham. He convinces Laura Kennedy to help him win her affections but Miss Effingham refuses him and he's no further ahead. His career is on the upswing however when he's appointed Undersecretary for the Colonies. He's taken an interest in the situation of tenants in Ireland, a subject that may put him on a collision course with the party, which has little interest in the subject. He's encouraged to press on however by several people including Mrs Max Goesler. Lady Glenora once again finds herself in the family way, much to Plantagenet's delight.

S1 • E11

Part Eleven

Phineas Finn intimacy with Mary forces him to consent to a secret engagement and to turn down a proposal from rich widow Madame Max Goesler.

S1 • E12

Part Twelve

Despite advice to the contrary, Finn speaks out in Parliament on behalf of Irish tenant farmers while Lady Eustace refuses to return her jewels to her in-laws.

S1 • E13

Part Thirteen

Lizzie Eustace must travel to London and surrender her diamonds to the courts that are going to adjudicate their ownership but they are stolen en route.

S1 • E14

Part Fourteen

Lizzie Eustace faces charges of perjury when her maid turns state's evidence, and Finn returns from Ireland after his wife's death hoping to return to Parliament.

S1 • E15

Part Fifteen

Finn ignores Kennedy's insistence that he not visit Laura in Dresden and finds himself being pressured by a tabloid journalist with an embarrassing letter.

S1 • E16

Part Sixteen

Bonteen offers his protection to Lady Eustace, who is being abused and extorted by Emilius and manages to lose the support of Plantagenet for the Chancellor's job.

S1 • E17

Part Seventeen

Furious that he has been denied the Exchequer, Bonteen journeys to Prague to get evidence on Emilius on Lizzie's behalf and takes his anger out on Finn.

S1 • E18

Part Eighteen

Awaiting trial for murder, Finn despairs that everyone has lost faith in him, but the Pallisers and Chilterns work on his behalf while Marie travels to Prague.

S1 • E19

Part Nineteen

Although Marie Goesler's efforts in Prague are able to produce a witness that proves Finn's innocence, the Irishman is depressed and troubled by his ordeal.

S1 • E20

Part Twenty

When the Liberal Party is returns to power with Plantagenet the presumptive Prime Minister, Glencora relishes her role as hostess for the nation.

S1 • E21

Part Twenty-one

Lopez still hopes to marry Emily Wharton and to get Glencara's help to run unopposed for the Plantagenet's Silverbridge seat in Parliament.

S1 • E22

Part Twenty-two

Lopez needs money to pay for his speculative business investments and political debts and tries to get it from his father-in-law and the Pallisers.

S1 • E23

Part Twenty-three

Desperate for money, Lopez tries to extort money from Abel Walton by threatening to move a pregnant Emily to Guatemala.

S1 • E24

Part Twenty-four

Plantagenet's Liberal government falls as Sliverbridge becomes involved with the dodgy Major Tipto in horse racing, and Mabel Grex turns down his marriage proposal.

S1 • E25

Part Twenty-five

After Tipto feels slighted by Silverbridge, he humiliates him into wagering 40,000 pounds on The Prime Minister, who comes up lame just before the Derby.