8.2/10263 votes#1 - Et in Arcadia Ego
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/12/1981
In the spring of 1943, disillusioned Army captain Charles Ryder stumbles upon Brideshead, once home to the Marchmain family, and recalls how he visited it for the first time twenty years ago.
Director: Charles Sturridge, Michael Lindsay-Hogg
Writer: John Mortimer
8.3/10207 votes#2 - Home and Abroad
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/20/1981
While Sebastian recovers from a broken foot, Charles is introduced to Sebastian's younger sister Cordelia and his older brother Brideshead "Bridey". Sebastian decides to accept an invitation to Venice by his father, Lord Marchmain, and takes Charles with him.
Director: Charles Sturridge, Michael Lindsay-Hogg
Writer: John Mortimer
8.2/10187 votes#3 - The Bleak Light of Day
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/27/1981
As Charles gets closer to Sebastian's family, he and Sebastian begin growing apart. Lady Marchmain visits the university and implores Charles to be a good influence on her rowdy son.
Director: N/A
Writer: John Mortimer
8.3/10178 votes#4 - Sebastian Against the World
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/3/1981
Sebastian's alcoholism, depression, and misbehaviour become more and more of a problem. At an unhappy Easter at Brideshead, Charles tries to reason with him and is left devastated.
Director: Charles Sturridge, Michael Lindsay-Hogg
Writer: John Mortimer
8.3/10176 votes#5 - A Blow Upon a Bruise
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/10/1981
Charles returns from Paris to spend New Year 1925 at Brideshead and finds the family keeping Sebastian penniless to prevent him from spending on alcohol.
Director: N/A
Writer: John Mortimer
8.1/10173 votes#6 - Julia
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/17/1981
Rex Mottram is determined to marry Julia, a prospect which a fatally ill Lady Marchmain is reluctant about. Charles learns that Sebastian stole money and disappeared.
Director: Charles Sturridge, Michael Lindsay-Hogg
Writer: John Mortimer
8.2/10176 votes#7 - The Unseen Hook
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/24/1981
With Lady Marchmain very near to death, Charles searches French Morocco for Sebastian. He finds him, and is shocked by the state he is in.
Director: Charles Sturridge, Michael Lindsay-Hogg
Writer: John Mortimer
8.0/10172 votes#8 - Brideshead Deserted
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 12/1/1981
Bridey commissions Charles to paint some parts of the family's London residence before it is demolished. He meets Cordelia again, and she expresses her unhappiness with the current state of her family.
Director: N/A
Writer: John Mortimer
8.0/10168 votes#9 - Orphans of the Storm
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 12/8/1981
Charles and Julia meet on a transatlantic liner and begin an affair, to the dismay of Rex and Celia.
Director: Charles Sturridge, Michael Lindsay-Hogg
Writer: John Mortimer
8.1/10167 votes#10 - A Twitch Upon the Thread
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/15/1981
Bridey rebukes Julia for having affair with Charles while being married to someone else, stirring up intense emotions in her. Cordelia brings distressing news of Sebastian.
Director: N/A
Writer: John Mortimer
8.4/10190 votes#11 - Brideshead Revisited
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 12/22/1981
In 1939, the terminally ill Lord Marchmain decides to return to Brideshead, and his children begin preparing for his death.
Director: Charles Sturridge, Michael Lindsay-Hogg
Writer: John Mortimer
The Best Episodes of Brideshead Revisited Season 1
Every episode of Brideshead Revisited Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Brideshead Revisited Season 1!
Charles Ryder, an agnostic man, becomes involved with members of the Flytes, a Catholic family of aristocrats, over the course of several years between the...
Genre:Drama
Network:ITV1
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Et in Arcadia Ego" is the best rated episode of "Brideshead Revisited" season 1. It scored 8.2/10 based on 263 votes. Directed by Charles Sturridge, Michael Lindsay-Hogg and written by John Mortimer, it aired on 10/12/1981. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Home and Abroad".