The story is about a long-established and highly respected family firm of auctioneers, the House of Caradus, in Chester, England, which is now in serious financial trouble. The series captures the drama of the auction room, the excitement of bid and counter-bid, taking in dealers' rings, forged art treasures and the growing invasion of the antiques scene by London-based auction houses starved of pieces to sell. As the House of Caradus struggles to stay alive, by fair means or foul, its clients cover the whole spectrum of need and greed.

Anthony M. Wilson is an English gentleman. He has a string of restaurants in London plus a beautiful house decorated with all the trendy art he can get.

Another of Dennis Potter's "visitation dramas": Adultery by John disturbs Janet, so she flirts with the simple, mistreated Billy during the middle of giving him a reading lesson. Unfortunately, it triggers aggressive behavior in Billy which he directs toward John.

A traumatized and troubled teenager is sent to an all-girls detention home where she strikes up an unlikely friendship with a fellow inmate.