In 1920, the Carrizzos work on a farm in Sicily owned by the unscrupulous Vincenzo Spanò, who is obsessed with Carmela, the head of the family; she rebuffs his advances, so Vincenzo targets her son and husband in revenge.

On the long journey to America, Carmela works aboard the ship to pay her family's way and begins to learn what to expect upon arrival; she also meets Mr. Ferri, a rich gentleman who assists the Carrizzos.

At Ellis Island, the registry office changes the family's surname to Rizzo, which proves to be an unexpected boon; Carmela's new husband, Matteo Schiavon, introduces her to the dark side of Little ltaly.

Life in New York improves for Carmela and her family; her son Michele has secured a job and joined a trade union; Carmela gets a surprise when Maria and her husband arrive in America.

Mr. Ferri takes the Rizzo family under his wing but his motives may not be entirely altruistic; young prostitute Rosa comes to Little Italy with a newborn child and an agreement to marry Rocco, Carmela's son, by proxy.

The relationship between Rosa and Carmela grows more tense; Maria continues to blame her mother for leaving her in Italy as she lay ill, and she feels torn between her first love, Alfio, and her new life in New York with her husband and child.