A family festival

Synopsis

The year is 1879. Young Jolyon, in voiceover, introduces us to his family. We watch a family (the Jameses) ride in a carriage across the Park in London, emerge, and enter a house. The Forsytes are the solid middle-class of Victorian England. They make money and don't give it away. Jolyon doesn't appear to like them, but he's one of them. The Jameses arrive at Uncle Timothy's house in the Bayswater Road. Three aunts-- Anne, Hester, and Juley-- sit in their drawing room and weigh the family gossip on the Forsyte 'Change. Young Jo introduces his father, Old Jolyon. He introduces uncle James, James's son Soames (whom Jo dislikes), and James's twin Swithin. ("He claims to have been quite something with the ladies. I doubt it.")

Later, Jolyon sketches his energetic daughter June. June goes off to the zoo with her grandfather, leaving Jo to continue his affair with the governess. They decide to set Helene up in her own house somewhere else, though Jo wants to move in with her immediately.

Dartie gets engaged to Winifred. Much fuss is made of her engagement ring by James and Emily, leaving her brother Soames to congratulate the happy couple on their own merits. Later, James asks his only son what he makes of the match. Soames doesn't think much of Dartie and wants to be sure James made him bring all his money into settlement. Soames tells James he'll see his grandchildren. James steals a longing look at Soames: it's Soames's children James wants to see.

Helene gives notice to Frances. Jo moves her into a little house in Chelsea (not a nice area). He's immediately spotted by Uncle Roger and his son George. The news is then spread on the Forsyte 'Change, just as soon as the pair of them can reach the Bayswater Road. While there, the Jameses arrive, with Dartie on his send-off. He ingratiates himself with the aunts while Soames talks with James. Soames mentions the Herons-- did his father remember them? He was a trustee. "Of course I remember," says James. "Professor. Died two years ago. Didn't cut up for much." Soames will be going to visit the widow to see if he can't improve her income by adjusting her investments. Soames goes to visit Mrs Heron in Southwater, at the seaside. She's ingratiating and cloying. Her neighbor, Mr Lomax, is there to listen to Soames's good news about improved investments. Lomax is obviously an interested party. Soames tells them that nothing to do with money is unimportant. Mrs Heron mentions her stepdaughter, Irene, who's studying the piano. All her money goes to that end, so Irene is a drain. Soames goes away as soon as possible.

Winifred tries on her wedding dress. She's excited and nervous about married life. Dartie sends her a string of lovely and expensive pearls. Winifred adores them.

Two weeks later: Young Jolyon refuses to go to Winifred's wedding. His wife is angry. At the wedding, the Forsytes are on happy display. A somewhat drunk (and still drinking) George expounds on the collection of them. Soames demonstrates his long-headedness by refusing to give his uncle Roger legal advice for free. (Uncle Nicholas is impressed.) Old Jolyon wonders why Jo isn't there, and overhears Aunt Juley gossiping about it.

Where's Jo? With Helene, of course. She's pregnant.

Old Jolyon, eldest uncle. He made his fortune in tea.	The family, all gathered at Forsyte 'Change. Soames is in the foreground.	Young Jo paints. No money in that.	He's also having an affair with his daughter's governess. Even worse.
Winifred has agreed to marry Montague Dartie. Is that a suitable match? No.	The James-Soames mutual defense league. James wants to know what his son makes of the engagement. "Oily bounder. Ill-bred," he says.	Helene gives notice to Frances. Jo is going to keep her.	George and Roger, spying Young Jo setting Helene up in that house in Chelsea.
"Well, he's launched. Quite an ordeal." "What?" "Father, do you remember the Herons?"	Soames calls on Mrs Heron. Her maid is very short.	Soames gives advice on money to Mrs Heron. Take his advice seriously.	Soames, the lawyer. That collar looks painful.
Dartie gives Winifred a string of pearls.	Jolyon refuses to go to Winifred's wedding. His wife is furious.	The happy couple, congratulated by Old Jolyon.	George expands on the room of rumpty-too people, the Forsytes.
Uncle Swithin, old "Four-in-hand" Forsyte.	"It sounds a complicated problem, uncle." Soames ticks off Roger, not giving his advice for free.	Jolyon overhears gossip about the Chelsea affair.	Over in Chelsea, Helene is expecting.