About this season
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.
Episodes (20)
1. Episode 1 (16th Oct 1972)
0.5Aired 16 October 1972 • 30 min
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.
2. Episode 2 (17th Oct 1972)
Aired 17 October 1972 • 30 min
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.
3. Episode 3 (23rd Oct 1972)
2.5Aired 23 October 1972 • 30 min
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.
4. Episode 4 (24th Oct 1972)
Aired 24 October 1972 • 30 min
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.
5. Episode 5 (30th Oct 1972)
Aired 30 October 1972 • 30 min
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.
6. Episode 6 (31st Oct 1972)
Aired 31 October 1972 • 30 min
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.
7. Episode 7 (7th Nov 1972)
Aired 6 November 1972 • 30 min
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.
8. Episode 8 (7th Nov 1972)
Aired 7 November 1972 • 30 min
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.
9. Episode 9 (13th Nov 1972)
Aired 13 November 1972 • 30 min
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.
10. Episode 10 (14th Nov 1972)
Aired 14 November 1972 • 30 min
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.
11. Episode 11 (20th Nov 1972)
Aired 20 November 1972 • 30 min
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.
12. Episode 12 (21st Nov 1972)
Aired 21 November 1972 • 30 min
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.
13. Episode 13 (27th Nov 1972)
Aired 27 November 1972 • 30 min
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.
14. Episode 14 (28th Nov 1972)
Aired 28 November 1972
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.
15. Episode 15 (4th Dec 1972)
Aired 4 December 1972
Joe tells Marian that Jack is still married, whilst Henry tells Jack to stay away from Marian.
16. Episode 16 (5th Dec 1972)
Aired 5 December 1972
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.
17. Episode 17 (11th Dec 1972)
Aired 11 December 1972
Peggy and Matt discover they will have twins, whilst PC Ball prosecutes Jack and Joe. Janie flirts with Frank but he doesn't reciprocate.
18. Episode 18 (12th Dec 1972)
Aired 12 December 1972
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.
19. Episode 19 (18th Dec 1972)
Aired 18 December 1972
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.
20. Episode 20 (19th Dec 1972)
Aired 19 December 1972
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.