7.8/10229 votes#1 - Part 1
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 3/27/1983
When the wealthy but now elderly owner of a large sheep farm in the outback of Australia realizes that her affections towards a banished but ambitious young priest will never be returned, she sets out to manipulate his life and career from the grave once she discovers him giving his attention to her young niece instead.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.7/10184 votes#2 - Part 2
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 3/28/1983
Having left Australia with a significant sum of holdings in hand willed to the Catholic Church by the wealthy socialite and sheep farmer Mary Carson, Father Ralph de Bricassart finds himself courted by power brokers within the Vatican. Meanwhile, the Drogheda Ranch suffers a devastating brush fire that spawns more tragedy in the Cleary family, and eventually leads to an uneasy reunion between Meggie and Father de Bricassart. However Meggie soon meets a young suitor who captures her heart.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/10185 votes#3 - Part 3
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 3/29/1983
Now married, living on a sugar cane plantation, and working as a maid in Queensland, Meggie finds her new husband is more interested in his own work and dalliances than in her. She bears him a child but is still unable to change his ways. Meanwhile, Father de Bricassart has moved up in the Church hierarchy and eventually returns to Australia as a Cardinal. And in yet another uneasy reunion between himself and Meggie, he finally succumbs to temptation by consummating forbidden love and breaking his vow of chastity.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/10190 votes#4 - Part 4
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 3/30/1983
Meggie has repeated the mistakes of her past by favoring her son over her daughter. She finally admits the truth about Dane's paternity to Ralph and reconciles with both her mother Fee and her daughter Justine.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of The Thorn Birds Season 1
Every episode of The Thorn Birds Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Thorn Birds Season 1!
The story based on a novel by Colleen McCullough focuses on three generations of the Cleary family living on a sheep station in the Australian...
Genre:Drama
Network:ABC
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Part 1" is the best rated episode of "The Thorn Birds" season 1. It scored 7.8/10 based on 229 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 3/27/1983. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Part 2".