Two identical twins and their two servants (also identical twins) are separated in a ship-wreck. When, years later, they all show up in the same town, mistaken identities abound.

In a small Russian town at the turn of the century, three sisters (Olga, Irina, and Masha) and their brother Andrei live but dream daily of their return to their former home in Moscow, where life is charming and stimulating meaningful. But for now they exist in a malaise of dissatisfaction. Soldiers from the local military post provide them some companionship and society, but nothing can suffice to replace Moscow in their hopes. Andrei marries a provincial girl, Natasha, and begins to settle into a life of much less meaning than he had hoped. Natasha begins to run the family her way. Masha, though married, yearns for the sophisticated life and begins a dalliance with Vershinin, an army officer with a sick and suicidal wife. Even Irina, the freshest, most optimistic of the sisters, begins to waver in her dreams until, finally, tragedy strikes.

During the Trojan War, a Trojan warrior is distraught when his lover takes up with a Greek.

During the Trojan War, a Trojan warrior is distraught when his lover takes up with a Greek.

The carefully-controlled marriage of James Manning begins to collapse when he realizes his wife is having an affair with a wealthy man.

In a totalitarian future society, Winston Smith, whose daily work is re-writing history, tries to rebel by falling in love. [The broadcast caused controversy, with many viewer complaints and questions in Parliament over its supposed subversive nature and horrific content. With time and hindsight, it was ranked 73rd of "The 100 Greatest British Television Programmes of the 20th Century" in an industry poll by the BFI in 2000.]