Matador

Seasons

1978

Denmark

9.2

A man comes to Korsbæk, Denmark, in 1929, opens a women's clothing store in competition with an established one - bringing him up against the conservative establishment including the bank manager. We follow the families until after WWII.

Episode List

S1 • E1

Den Rejsende

Traveling drapery salesman Mads Andersen-Skjern arrives in Korsbæk with his little boy Daniel and sees opportunities when faced with the inept draper Albert Arnesen and this small sleepy town where the old families define the pace and virtue. Receiving only haughty condescension from the upper-class, Mads finds local allies in the family of pig trader Oluf Larsen and his wife Kathrine, who has more money than meets the eye. Failing to secure a loan from local, third-generation banker Hans Christian Varnæs and his esteemed Korsbæk Bank, Mads borrows money both from his Jutland family and the Larsens, and he purchases a shop opposite "Damernes Magasin" (lit.: "the Ladies' Store"), Arnesen's store. Meanwhile, Hans Christian Varnæs' wife, the oversensitive Maude, throws lavish parties for the local socialites, including the 96-year-old Mrs. Fernando Møhge and her timid daughter Misse, the bombastic Colonel Hackel and his close friend, Doctor Louis Hansen, and Varnæs' playboy brother, Jørgen, who seeks a seat in the parliament.

S1 • E2

Genboen

Mads Skjern starts his business, with the help from pig dealer Larsen. Skjern hires the pig dealers daughter, Ingeborg, as an employee.

S1 • E3

Skiftedag

In 1930, everyone did not manage as well as Mads Andersen's screen. This applies, for example, to the holder of Damernes Magasin, Albert Arnesen, who will have to invite his first-man Mr Schwann, who has just had a lesser legacy, to become his partner, to prevent a threatening bankruptcy. Arnold has finished his education at Arnesen and takes work at Mads Skjern. The 30's have just started - a time of turbulence, especially in the political sphere. The dams come to Korsbæk where there is a loud noise of agitation - both on the conservative and socialist front. Mads marries Ingeborg and adopts her daughter Ellen.

S1 • E4

Skyggetanten

Mads Andersen-Skjern business is successful and he hires his brother to help him. Kristen Andersen-Skjern and Elisabeth falls in love, which leads to tension within the Varnæs family, as well as Hans Christians brother, Jørgen.

S1 • E5

Den Enes Død

As Elisabeth returns to Korsbæk, Albert Arnesens money trouble leads to a tragedy and Jørgens marriage is on thin ice.

S1 • E6

Opmarch

Against her father's will so did Arnesen's widow (Vicki), decides to move to Copenhagen. And Mads buys Damernes Magasin with plans to open a bank, and while the old, established families are marked by division so are a new heir christened.