Season 1

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  7.2/1010 votes

  Part 1

  Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/19/1986

  On holiday with his wife and children, David Copperfield recalls his life. He recounts how he was brought up by his nurse, Peggotty, and how his idyllic childhood was altered forever by his sickly mother's marriage to the cruel Edward Murdstone.

  Director: Barry Letts

  Writer: James Andrew Hall

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  7.5/1010 votes

  Part 2

  Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/26/1986

  Murdstone has appointed his sister Jane as housekeeper, and David is forbidden to associate with the servants, especially Peggotty. David and Murdstone develop a mutual dislike. Following a beating from Murdstone, David retaliates, which gets him shipped to a reform school.

  Director: Barry Letts

  Writer: James Andrew Hall

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  7.7/109 votes

  Part 3

  Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 11/2/1986

  After the death of David's mother, Murdstone takes David out of school and puts him to work in his London wine business as a bottlewasher and general labourer. David boards with the Micawbers, a kind family who live in desperate but genteel poverty, under constant harassment from creditors.

  Director: Barry Letts

  Writer: James Andrew Hall

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  7.6/109 votes

  Part 4

  Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/9/1986

  Arriving home from work one evening, David finds that the Micawbers are about to be taken to debtors' prison. Now homeless, David flees to his only surviving relative, Aunt Betsey, who lives near Dover. She takes him in and orders the Murdstones away when they come looking for David.

  Director: Barry Letts

  Writer: James Andrew Hall

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  7.7/108 votes

  Part 5

  Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/16/1986

  Aunt Betsey sends David to public school, where during term time he lives with her lawyer Mr Wickfield. The widower and his daughter Agnes welcome David's company.

  Director: Barry Letts

  Writer: James Andrew Hall

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  7.6/107 votes

  Part 6

  Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/23/1986

  After meeting old schoolfriend Steerforth at an inn, David invites him along to Yarmouth to visit Peggotty and her husband Barkis.

  Director: Barry Letts

  Writer: James Andrew Hall

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  6.8/107 votes

  Part 7

  Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/30/1986

  David has fallen in love with Dora Spenlow, the young daughter of his employer. After capturing her attention at her birthday party, David hopes that Dora will reciprocate his affection.

  Director: Barry Letts

  Writer: James Andrew Hall

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  7.2/107 votes

  Part 8

  Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 12/7/1986

  Ham reveals the news that his bride-to-be, Emily, has run away with Steerforth. Spenlow discovers David's letters to Dora and forbids David to see her anymore.

  Director: Barry Letts

  Writer: James Andrew Hall

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  7.4/107 votes

  Part 9

  Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 12/14/1986

  After the death of Spenlow, Dora and David wed. Tommy Traddles enters the Law and begins investigating the affairs of Wickfield and Heep.

  Director: Barry Letts

  Writer: James Andrew Hall

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  7.2/107 votes

  Part 10

  Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/21/1986

  After Dora's death, David's life seems empty and meaningless. After a period of unhappy wandering, he returns home to the end of an old friendship and the beginning of a new life with Agnes.

  Director: Barry Letts

  Writer: James Andrew Hall