Masterpiece Season 8 Episode 1 The Mayor of Casterbridge (1)

In the first episode of Masterpiece's eighth season, viewers are transported to the rural town of Casterbridge, where we meet a young man named Michael Henchard. He's kind but impulsive, with a temper that can sometimes get him into trouble. As the episode begins, we see him stumbling drunkenly through a country fair with his wife Susan and their young daughter Elizabeth-Jane. Michael is feeling low - he's unemployed and his family is almost out of money - so he takes one drastic action that will change his life forever.

After a few too many drinks, Michael decides to auction off his wife and daughter to the highest bidder. The crowd at the fair is amused and horrified, but a wealthy sailor named Newson ends up taking Susan and Elizabeth-Jane away with him. Michael is instantly consumed with regret and shame, but it's too late to undo what he's done. He vows to mend his ways and become a better man, but it may be too late.

Years pass, and Michael has become a prominent figure in the town of Casterbridge. He's now the mayor, and his business ventures have made him wealthy and respected. But despite his impressive accomplishments, Michael can never shake the guilt and shame he feels about selling his wife and daughter all those years ago.

As the episode unfolds, we see Michael struggling to come to terms with his past. He longs to be reunited with Susan and Elizabeth-Jane, but he's not sure where they are or if they even want to see him again. In the meantime, he's forced to navigate a series of tricky political and personal situations, all while trying to keep his secrets from coming to light.

The major theme of this episode is redemption. Michael Henchard is a man who has made serious mistakes in his life, but he's not a lost cause. He's the kind of character that viewers can't help but root for, even when he's at his most flawed and unstable. His struggle to make things right is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and it sets the stage for what promises to be an emotional and engaging season of Masterpiece.