To ensure the success of his TV company, Corinium, Tony Baddingham hires Declan O'Hara and ambitious American producer Cameron Cook. As the O'Haras move to the countryside, Declan has a rude awakening on his first day on the job.

Declan feels the pressure to deliver a new hit show for Tony with producer Cameron, despite their fractious relationship. Keen to recruit businessman Freddie Jones, Tony agrees to attend a dinner party, but the guest list holds nasty surprises.

It is Christmas time and everyone is celebrating except Declan, who worries about Maud's extravagant party plans for their son's twenty-first birthday on New Year's Eve. Taggie is eager to reunite with an old flame and tries to plan a perfect night.

Keen to punish Rupert, Declan prepares to interview and obliterate him live on television. Tony invites Freddie to his prestigious pheasant shoot, eager to recruit him to the Corinium board. With a nudge from Rupert, Taggie starts to assert herself.

It is a busy week at Corinium Studios as preparations are underway for the first beauty pageant and a historic interview with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Declan's ego grows with each successful show, but he strives for journalistic glory.

Cameron attends an awards ceremony in Spain alone, and is surprised to bump into Rupert staying at the same hotel. Rupert takes a gamble to help a new company, Venturer, take on rival Tony's Corinium.