About this season
Nicholas Nickleby, a young boy in search of a better life, struggles to save his family and friends from the abusive exploitation of his coldheartedly grasping uncle.
Episodes (13)
1. Fine Beginnings
Aired 11 February 1968 • 25 min
Nicholas and his sister Kate arrive penniless and jobless in London after the death of their father. Nicholas has an important encounter with Newman Noggs.
2. Dotheboys Hall
Aired 18 February 1968 • 25 min
Nicholas has been found employment by his Uncle Ralph at Dotheboys Hall, an academy for boys owned by the drunken and brutal Wackford Squeers.
3. The Escape
Aired 25 February 1968 • 25 min
Nicholas is appalled to find that Squeers is being cruel to the crippled boy Smike and makes plans to escape. Nicholas and Smike set out to London.
4. The Dinner Party
Aired 3 March 1968 • 25 min
Kate is invited to dinner by Uncle Ralph, where she suffers from unwanted attention. On his arrival in London, Nicholas is informed of an accusation against him.
5. The Profession
Aired 10 March 1968 • 25 min
Nicholas refuses to restore Smike to Squeers' cruelties, so the duo leave London and find employment with Vincent Crummles and his company of strolling players.
6. The Gallants
Aired 17 March 1968 • 25 min
Kate is still hounded by the unwanted affections of Sir Mulberry Hawk and Lord Verisopht. Nicholas and Smike prepare to take to the stage.
7. Account Rendered
Aired 24 March 1968 • 25 min
Nicholas and Smike decide to return to London after Nicholas receives a letter from Newman Noggs concerned about Uncle Ralph’s treatment of Kate.
8. Captured
Aired 31 March 1968 • 25 min
Nicholas finds employment with the kindly Cheeryble brothers while Smike is in for a shock after Squeers arrives in London and begins plotting with Ralph.
9. Escape
Aired 7 April 1968 • 25 min
Smike gets captured by Squeers but help is soon at hand from John and Tilda. Meanwhile, Nicholas is directed by the Cheerybles to meet Madeleine Bray.
10. Madeline Bray
Aired 14 April 1968 • 25 min
Unknown to Madeline, Ralph and Gride have come upon some important information about her. Meanwhile, Smike falls ill after escaping from Squeers.
11. The Duel
Aired 21 April 1968 • 25 min
It’s pistols at dawn as a duel to the death takes place, and Nicholas interrupts the marriage of his beloved with equally tragic consequences.
12. A Journey for Smike
Aired 28 April 1968 • 25 min
Ralph and Squeers conspire one final time to steal Madeline’s inheritance papers as Smike takes a turn for the worse.
13. Smike's Father
Aired 5 May 1968 • 25 min
Noggs and Cheeryble come to Nicholas’s and Madeline’s aid as Squeers and Ralph finally get their comeuppance and the secret of Smike's parentage is revealed.