The Good Life Season 1 Episode 1 1. Plough Your Own Furrow

Tom and Barbara Good, a couple living in suburban Surbiton, decide to give up their comfortable but boring life in the city and pursue a self-sufficient lifestyle. In the pilot episode, titled "Plough Your Own Furrow," Tom quits his job at a company that manufactures plastic toys, and the couple introduce their unconventional way of life to their friends and neighbors.

As they begin to transform their garden into a self-sufficient farm, they face skepticism and criticism from their community. Some even accuse them of being lazy and not wanting to work. However, Tom and Barbara are determined to prove them wrong and start cultivating crops, raising livestock, and generating their own electricity.

Despite their initial setbacks and failures, the couple remains optimistic and continue to work hard towards their sustainable lifestyle. They even receive help from their enthusiastic but clueless neighbor, Margo Leadbetter, who becomes fascinated with their way of life and starts to learn about gardening from them.

Throughout the episode, we see the stark contrast between Tom and Barbara's simple way of life and Margo's glamorous lifestyle. Margo, who enjoys shopping, socializing, and living a luxurious life, cannot comprehend why anyone would want to live without modern conveniences like a car, dishwasher, or even a television.

As the episode progresses, the challenges of Tom and Barbara's sustainable lifestyle become apparent, but so do the many benefits. They are able to produce their own food, save money, and reduce their carbon footprint. They even discover a newfound sense of purpose and fulfillment in their daily tasks.

In the end, Tom and Barbara are able to successfully harvest their first crop and celebrate their achievement with Margo and the rest of their neighbors. The episode closes with Tom and Barbara watching the stars together, content with their decision to pursue a simpler life.

Overall, "Plough Your Own Furrow" sets the tone for the rest of the series, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency, hard work, and community. The episode showcases the struggles and rewards of a sustainable lifestyle, and how it can bring people together in unexpected ways.