South Riding — Season 1, Episode 10: The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away

Episode synopsis

It's Christmas in South Riding, but there is little in the way of festive cheer for some of the residents. Fred Mitchell receives a devastating loss when his wife leaves him to move back with her mother, leaving him near destitute. Robert Carne consults his doctor after collapsing during his date with Sarah, and later visits Mrs Beddows to ask her to be guardian for his daughter Midge if anything happens to him. Alfred Huggins, meanwhile, visits the Holly family in his unofficial role of Father Christmas, much to Lydia's discomfort, but her father has a surprise of his own for her. Huggins later visits Robert Carne in his continued efforts to get people onside to support the new road, but his bid to sway him backfires spectacularly.

About South Riding

Headmistress Sarah Burton, a left-wing feminist, is disgusted by the social injustices faced by her pupils. In spite of her beliefs, she reluctantly finds herself falling in love with a Tory landowner whose wife is suffering from insanity.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1The Powers That Be
• E2A Land of Hope and Glory?
• E3Those For and Those Against
• E4A Time to Live and a Time to Die
• E5The Facts of Life
• E6In Sickness and in Health
• E7Dreams and Destinations
• E8Beggars and Choosers
• E9Take What You Want ~ and Pay for It
• E11The Number of Our Days
• E12Forgive Us Our Trespasses
• E13Give Us This Day