North And South (S1, Ep 3) (1985)

Ep 3: Now, 1854, George marries Constance, with Orry as best man. But Orry is struggling to cope with his injuries caused in the Mexican War. Also tortured by his love for the still married Madeline, the two become lovers behind the back of her husband Justin La Motte. Orry also becomes disillusioned by his family slave owning plantation business due to growing criticisms in the USA of the South's attitude to slavery, and of his father's changing conduct towards the slaves. But a sudden tragedy sees Orry having to use all his wits to avert a crisis in the business, while family affairs are as equally complicated. While his cousin Charles finds himself challenged to a duel, Orry's younger sisters Ashton and Brett find themselves rivals for the affections of George Hazard's younger brother Billy. Meanwhile, George takes over running his father's ironmonger's business, but a tragedy at the factory due to his older brother Stanley's cost cutting looks set to split the family. Starring Patrick Swayze, James Reed, Kirstie Alley, Lesley-Anne Down, David Carradine, Jean Simmons, Wendy Kilbourne, Genie Francis, Terri Garber, Philip Casnoff, David Ogden Stires, Mitchell Ryan, Forrest Whittaker, Jonathan Frakes, Inga Swenson and many more in a cast too large to list (for now). A huge hit in it's day, this remains compelling viewing and was a favourite of my mum's when it was shown on UK TV in the 1980's. The only downside to this is the character Ashton Main, who is somewhat irritating in this episode and proves more loathsome as the series progresses. You have been warned...