The lives of several families in the Yorkshire Dales revolve around a farm and the nearby village. With murders, affairs, lies, deceit, laughter and tears, it's all there in the village.
Jack Sugden has come home for his father's funeral after a 9 year absence. The rest of the family resent him because his father left him the farm. New neighbours Marian Wilks and her newly retired father Henry, want to build a road through the Sugden farm. Jack has taken a shine to Marian, but has concerns about her father's acid company.
Wilks consults his solicitor, about claiming a right-of-way over the Sugden land. Annie suspects Peggy is pregnant and Joe befriends Marian, who also shows an interest in Jack.
Jack meets Wilks and Peters over the right-of-way. Joe takes Marian fishing and Peggy wants to leave the farm to raise her child.
Jack is planning to restore and live in the old mill-house. Marian Wilks finds out how Jack had once been very friendly with Ruth Merrick.
A friend has arrived out of the blue at the Sugden farm, but Jack has mysteriously chosen not to introduce him to his family. Matt has heard how his rod was broken on Joe's fishing expedition.
Amos has told Joe how Jack and Marian were seen coming out of the barn; Peggy is convinced that Matt is the only man doing a full day's work on the Sugden farm and Annie has found that Joe has been borrowing money from several people.
Jack meets Wilks to sort out the right of way issue. Meanwhile, having discovered that Jack intends meeting Lynn at The Feathers Country Hotel, Joe Sugden has tried to arrange for Marian to be there at the same time.
Peggy is still trying to convince Matt that they must get away from the farm, and Joe has hinted that he may leave, too. Jack has had a phone call to go at once to The Feathers Hotel.
Tom tells Ruth about a car accident between Henry and Joe. Tom asks Jack for a job. PC Ball asks Amos if Joe had been at the Woolpack drinking before the accident.
Matt has his interview today. Ruth goes to see Jack and realizes that there is nothing between them. Joe has woken up and is in bad shape, While Wilkes has a compound fracture in his leg. Tom starts work at the farm and is not pulling his weight.
Matt tells Peggy that he did not get the job and she goes after Jack for money. Matt tells Jack that Tom is lazy. Tom gets Ruth to go to the Woolpack because he wants to bump into Jack. He shows him pictures of his eldest son also named Jack. PC Ball questions both Joe and Henry in the hospital.
Tom starts throwing threats about Jack being the real father of Tom's son Jackie. Ruth begs Jack to sack him. Marian breaks off with Jack, then he sacks Tom. Ruth has packed up, and asks Tom if he is coming with her to her sisters to live.
Henry is home from hospital. Jack buys a new van for Matt and Peggy. Annie realizes Jack has more money than he is letting on. PC Ball is back to tell Joe that his insurance has expired. Janie visits Joe.
Jack makes an enemy in Janie after embarrassing her in front of his family. Meanwhile, Henry is knocked unconscious after having a fall, and is later found by Marion and Norman.
Joe tells Marian that Jack is still married, whilst Henry tells Jack to stay away from Marian.
The police find the Sugdens Land Rover. Norman proposes to Marian but gets turned down. Meanwhile, Peggy disowns Jack, Marian ends her affair with him and Annie tells him he has two weeks to decide if he wants to stay or go.
Peggy and Matt discover they will have twins, whilst PC Ball prosecutes Jack and Joe. Janie flirts with Frank but he doesn't reciprocate.
Jack has decided to return to London. Janie asks Frank on a date but ends up going out with Joe. However, it doesn't last long when he begins going on about Marian.
Jack changes his mind and invites his friend Bart to Emmerdale Farm. Frank warms to Janie and asks her out, and Marian is unwelcoming to Joe.
Matt finds an unconscious Sam in the cowshed and rushes him to hospital. Meanwhile, Frank and Janie have a great first date, and even have their first kiss.
