Circus

Episode one introduces us to the circus as well as to owner and ringmaster, Ian Garden, Jr. Traveling with Ian and his family to the next city where the circus will be appearing, we get to know something about them - as well as life on the road.

Trapeze artist George Caceres and catcher Gary talk candidly about the problems of performing. We learn how Ian and his wife Carolina, a trapeze artist from Puerto Rico met. We see how Tito Montoya, a fourth generation circus performer with a history of dangerous falls, "dresses for success" in the ring, and why he has opted to perform solo, despite the hardships, responsibility and loneliness.

Tito has just fallen 25' onto a cement floor. After a moment's stunned silence, the paramedics rush Tito to the hospital. Concern and consternation among the performers is set aside and the show must go on, Rinaldo the Clown warms up the crowd and discusses his background. Meanwhile, animal rights activists demonstrate peacefully as one gentleman reacts to one protester's "misguided" views.

This episode features a special open-air engagement for some of the circus performers at a multi-cultural picnic in Toronto. Ben Dewayne debuts his new character, Boxcar Benny, but it turns out it's not such a new role after all. Having let Gary go, Miguel now must take over catching duties. Now, more than ever, warming up properly will be crucial.

A circus is truly a traveling show, and while there is a lot of beautiful scenery, there is also a lot of hard work. Travel can also be trying, as Tito finds out when he runs out of gas mid-trip. To make matters worse, Ian, Louie and Sheba are all missing.

Louie and Sheba finally arrive. They need to clean up but the show has already started. Will they make it on time to perform? The trampoline acrobats from Moscow delight the crowd with their antics. They're not at all fluent in English, but they sure can play basketball! The Flying Caceres perform their trapeze act once more.