South Riding — Season 1, Episode 4: A Time to Live and a Time to Die

Episode synopsis

Sarah Burton is determined to secure improvements for her school building as term time begins and attracts the notice of councillor and vicar Alfred Huggins in her bid to gain funding. Pupil Lydia Holly is also gaining notice, especially for her school work, which rises hopes for Sarah as a possible promising pupil, but a sudden turn of events at home threatens those prospects. And a harsh winter for 1932 devastates much of the community, including local squire farmer Robert Carne, who Sarah finally meets properly when she is on hand to help when one of his cows goes into labour.

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
• E5The Facts of Life
• E6In Sickness and in Health
• E7Dreams and Destinations
• E8Beggars and Choosers
• E9Take What You Want ~ and Pay for It
• E10The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away
• E11The Number of Our Days
• E12Forgive Us Our Trespasses
• E13Give Us This Day