Episode 1 (16th October 1972)

Plot
As the Sugden and Skilbeck families gather for the funeral of Jacob Sugden, Jacob's eldest son Jack returns to Emmerdale Farm for the first time in eight years. Jacob has left Jack the farm in his will and this caused bad feeling amongst the Sugden children - Peggy and Joe. As the family attend the funeral, Jack wanders around the farm. There he meets Marian Wilks, the daughter of Henry Wilks who has just bought the ajoining land to Emmerdale - Inglebrook House. After the funeral is over, Jack makes his return known to the family. He is given a frosty reception by his sister Peggy. Annie tells him he's welcome to stay but he must help around the farm. Marian introduces herself to Joe. When Jack finds out Marian's father was responsible for killing fish, he accuses him of doing it deliberately and she storms off. Henry Wilks visits Annie Sugden, mother of Peggy, Jack and Joe, to claim right of way on their land. She sends him packing but he is adamant it is not over. Jack visits The Woolpack and sees Marian talking to a friend of her's, Alec, he joins them but they leave.

Regular cast

 * Annie - Sheila Mercier
 * Jack - Andrew Burt
 * Peggy - Jo Kendall
 * Joe - Frazer Hines
 * Matt - Frederick Pyne
 * Sam - Toke Townley
 * Marian - Gail Harrison
 * Wilks - Arthur Pentelow
 * Amos - Ronald Magill

Guest cast

 * Alec - Alan Tucker

Places

 * Inglebrook House
 * Emmerdale Farm - Living room, kitchen, bedroom, yard, milking shed, exterior
 * Beckindale village
 * The Woolpack - Public/snug
 * Emmerdale Cemetery

Commercial releases
This episode was included on the following commercial releases:
 * Emmerdale Farm: Volume One DVD released by Network on 15th October 2007.

Notable dialogue
Peggy Skilbeck: (upon seeing Marian Wilks on horseback passing by) "Matt, who's she?" (First line spoken in series)

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Marian Wilks: "If this is your home, why can't you get in? I was watching you." Jack Sugden: "Prodigals aren't usually trusted with keys, even if they have time to collect one before going out to prodigalize."