Dr. Lydgate, a young and ambitious doctor arrives in the town of Middlemarch and is immediately drawn into local politics. Dorothea Brooke marries Reverend Casaubon against her family's wishes. Fred Vincy, the mayor's son, gets in debt and must ask for help of the parents of the girl he loves.

Young and idealistic Dorothe Brooke is spending honeymoon with her middleaged husband in Rome, Italy. While there she meets her husband's artistic young cousin.

Mr. Casaubon sends an ultimatum to Will Ladislaw. Dorothea's life undergoes great upheaval. Dr. Lydgate's and his wife Rosamond's financial troubles begin.

Dorothea is learning to live as a widow, Rosamond gets into an accident, and Bulstrode's old acquaintance arrives in Middlemarch.

Dr. Lydgate's financial position continues to deteriorate and he is forced to take a loan using the furnishings in his house as collateral. When he shares this information with his wife and suggests that they find ways to economize, she reacts petulantly blaming him for their situation.

Dr. Lydgate's finances have reached a crisis and many of his furnishings are repossessed. Unbeknownst to him, his wife Rosamond has written to his uncle Godwin asking for £1000 but he responds directly to Lydgate in a most deprecating manner.