Radio Times

Episode 1/11

Dorcas is delighted when a handsome young man rides into town. Having made his fortune, James Dowland, a former Lark Rise boy, has returned to open Candleford's first hotel - and it's clear he and the postmistress have a history. Meanwhile, there's more than just a potential love interest on Dorcas's mind - she also has a half-baked new housemaid called Minnie to contend with.

Episode 2/11

Battling with her feelings for James Dowland, Dorcas sets out to defeat him in the parish council elections. She turns on the charm but the men in the pub aren't impressed. A lady? Standing for office? It's unwomanly. Perhaps the delivery of her new bicycle will help cheer Dorcas up. On a more serious note, the grind of making ends meet in Lark Rise is proving too much for Robert and Emma Timmins.

Episode 3/11

The road linking Lark Rise and Candleford is crumbling so the stout men of the village pitch in to carry out essential repairs, helped by a wandering good-hearted stranger - who turns out to be not so much of a stranger after all. Meanwhile, the death of Miss Ellison's father scares up some ghosts from the past, and Laura's delicate brain is overwhelmed by a new idea known as "Darwinism".

Episode 4/11

Dorcas offers to help struggling mother Emma Timmins with her new daughter Annie - but she can't predict the effect the baby will have on both herself and Ruby Pratt. Meanwhile, James Dowland hires young, confident Fisher Bloom to help him with his modernisation plans, and the new arrival soon catches Laura's eye.

Episode 5/11

When Dorcas falls ill, Laura resolves not to let her friend down and accepts the task of running the post office in her absence. But despite the support and help of the locals, when anonymous letters start arriving Laura realises she's out of her depth. Meanwhile, James tends to the ailing Dorcas, bringing the pair even closer together.

RT Choice (Alison Graham, 1 February 2009)

Though Lark Rise to Candleford will never be Die Hard, this is actually quite a torrid episode; everyone cries a lot over a real unashamed heart-tugger of a story involving Minnie, the half-witted housekeeper, and then there's a real emergency that can only be resolved by the quick-thinking of…the clockmaker!

Episode 6/11

The Timmins family is thrown into crisis when Robert's work tools disappear. Although friends and family rally round, Robert's pride is wounded and he struggles to accept their generosity. Meanwhile, the residents of Candleford prepare for the grand unveiling of the new town clock and James Dowland bestows a very special privilege on Dorcas.

Episode 7/11

James Dowland's past comes back to haunt him when a wealthy young woman from London arrives in Candleford. Emma's father has also created a stir by coming to Lark Rise and Robert is far from happy about the prospect of him staying at End House. Elsewhere, a well-kept secret about Queenie and Twister's relationship is about to come to light.

Episode 8/11

Every harvest festival, without fail, PC Patterson's wife takes to her bed with a mysterious illness, and this year she has even given him leave to marry again should she die. Patterson is horrified by the suggestion, until he unexpectedly encounters a beautiful damsel in distress. Meanwhile, Alf has his heart set on winning prizes in the festival's produce competition.

Episode 9/11

A storm darkens the skies over Candleford, bringing with it a series of devastating revelations. Dorcas stumbles upon a terrible secret relating to James Dowland, Emma Timmins is troubled by a possible betrayal, and Emma receives news that will change her life for ever. Elsewhere, Miss Ellison's wedding plans meet with widespread disapproval.